Hi Alan,
I found myself in a similar position as you, i've ordered a 505 (it's still in customs) for my other half for christmas. I wanted to buy her a lot of modern titles and i hit the same snag as you're hitting now.
After a lot of begging and pleading several very helpfull people on here have pointed me in the right direction.
First off, yes you can go through the Sony Connect Website if you want to, but having to buy the vouchers via a third party might not be your cup of tea.
Another alternative is to buy Microsoft Reader files from any book site that sells them (nearly all) and convert them from (.lit) Reader file to (.lrf) Sony 505 type file.
First you will have to download Microsoft Reader and Validate the software. For this you may have to get a Microsoft passport login, it's free and easy to do (just follow the instructions on the website). Please be aware that the validation process is for the software only not your device.
Once you have the reader, you're then free to buy ebooks in that (.lit) format. They will be stored in your My Library of My Documents
You then need to head to
https://libprs500.kovidgoyal.net/ and download libprs500. This program converts the files from (.lit) to (.lrf)
Also whilst you're at it Download Convertlit (aka clit). You need this program to remove the Digital Rights Management (DRM) which is the copyright software added to ebooks to prevent copying. Be sure not to put this in your My Library folder as it cannot create new folders in the one its downloaded to.
So it then goes something like this
1. Take your basic .lit file
2. Run convertlit to remove the DRM (this creates a second folder with the same name in Library)
3. Run the Libprs500 program and Add books. (go to my library and find the newly converted file)
4. Press convert ebooks and add any metadata (title,author,publisher etc) and add the cover picture (you'll find that in the newly created folder i my library)
5. As soon as you press ok, the program runs a conversion and converts to file to .lrf format. From there it can be loaded onto the prs-505.
I know it sounds a lot of hassle, but once you've done it a few times, it gets second nature.
This is my understanding of the process, hope this helps.
