I recently experimented on a real TS1000 how to play the wave samples and transfer them.
I had to remember how bad were the stereo sets connected with the computers ! The old mono recorders are still a better choice. The MP3 players normally just don't pump eough, while the output connector of a laptop works well putting the volume at about 90% (I remember that some of the old tape recorders worked at their best at less of the 30%).
By the way all the wave conversion options work as expected, but the Pokemon's "fasm-zx" tool (zx-ide tool) features a tutbo tape options which does incredibly well..