SXR4+ if $$ is no concern, even though Ive only heard 1 single show from it
Im basing this decision based on the older SXR4 and how good its preamps sounded, so Im sure the SXR4+ is right up there!
Tascam 70D[with APPROVED SD card
] if $$ IS a concern
It does 4 channel and has Phantom on ALL 4 XLR inputs!!! Its a stripped down deck with just what you need from it to get by, without a ton of options to sort through! I did wish it had better metering and monitoring, but for what it is and how good it sounds, its easily the best 4 channel deck out there for the $$ IMO! As always, YMMV! But I have [2] 70D's and they have treated me very good so far
The 744 is old news IMO, and sounds as good as most cheaper decks do now IMO! Not a bad thing, I just think that preamps have come a long way since the 744/722 came out! Not to mention it only has 2 inputs with Phantom Power
But reliability-wise, the 7xx is HARD to beat! The 788 preamps sound a little better to me than the 744/722/702 preamps, but that could just be in my head lol
And obviously, the SD metering is the BEST out there! That said, I wouldn't turn down a free 744