Topic: any real Fostex FR-2LE Field Experience?

[ArchivalAudio]

Ok so
I have read some of the posts about the
Fostex FR-2LE
I see that the Oade's  do mods
not sure if Busman does yet?
I am wondering if anyone uses this unit
either modded or stock
it looks like a nice stealth unit
as it is only about 5" x8" and about 2" high

if I were to get one I would ask Busman to mod it if he was up for the challenge...

but I am wondering if there is any one here that has one or has experience with one?
looks great for the price point
links here:
http://www.fostexinternational.com/docs/pro_products/fr2le.shtml#
http://www.fostexinternational.com/docs/pro_products/fr2le_spec.shtml

I know no -digi in or out, but yes for the XLR - & Phantom
only USB2 / rather have firewire

I have not had a stealth set up for years...
and might consider something if :

a. it were small enough
b. could handle phantom XLR
c. were less than -$600- $700

this looks cool

any input?

thanx

[Jamos]

Hey now,

see this thread:
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,62698.0.html

lots of info there...

Busman mods them, sounds fantastic! 

I would not call this a stealth deck by any means...but my low-pro experience has never gone beyond a MD or R-09 sized deck.

I think they are great all-in-one boxes.

[ArchivalAudio]

Hey now,

see this thread:
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,62698.0.html

lots of info there...

Busman mods them, sounds fantastic! 

I would not call this a stealth deck by any means...but my low-pro experience has never gone beyond a MD or R-09 sized deck.

I think they are great all-in-one boxes.

Hey
thanx
I looked at this one but may be not the whole thread...

I used to "setalth" with my cassette d-6 then my d7 Dat and then wioth my Denecke AD-20 + my d7...
the diemntions are about the same as ye olde sony WM-D6c
so it could still be a stealth deck.... IMHO

seems very cool
thanx for the input

[flintstone]

I think the FR-2LE, while an excellent machine, falls into limbo with this group. 

It's about the same size as the Sound Devices 722, so it's difficult to stealth (although steaming-hot monster codpiece stories are entertaining). 

The FR-2LE doesn't appeal to the "cost-no-object" crowd, who willingly pay big bucks for gear with better specs. 

The FR-2LE lacks digital inputs, so it's useless to the bit bucket brigade. 

And, at $600 plus flash memory card, the FR-2LE doesn't appeal to the frugal tapers

Flintstone

[ArchivalAudio]

I think the FR-2LE, while an excellent machine, falls into limbo with this group. 

It's about the same size as the Sound Devices 722, so it's difficult to stealth (although steaming-hot monster codpiece stories are entertaining). 

The FR-2LE doesn't appeal to the "cost-no-object" crowd, who willingly pay big bucks for gear with better specs. 

The FR-2LE lacks digital inputs, so it's useless to the bit bucket brigade. 

And, at $600 plus flash memory card, the FR-2LE doesn't appeal to the frugal tapers

Flintstone

hey
thqanx
I think the 722 is out of my range...
want a stable XLR in deck
any ideas?

looks very cool especially with a busman mod...

[Jamos]

I think the FR-2LE, while an excellent machine, falls into limbo with this group. 

It's about the same size as the Sound Devices 722, so it's difficult to stealth (although steaming-hot monster codpiece stories are entertaining). 

The FR-2LE doesn't appeal to the "cost-no-object" crowd, who willingly pay big bucks for gear with better specs. 

The FR-2LE lacks digital inputs, so it's useless to the bit bucket brigade. 

And, at $600 plus flash memory card, the FR-2LE doesn't appeal to the frugal tapers

Flintstone

While the FR-2LE is still pretty new to the market, I'd have to put it in the same category with other all-in-one boxes like the Marantz 660, 670/671, Tascam HD-P2.  The sound is definitely on par w/those boxes, and the price is several hundred dollars less.

I think they are right there as another good option for many folks, just haven't been around as long.

my .02

[timP]

love mine... it has been rock solid so far... the 15 second pre-record has saved my ass....

thought the price was good for it's feature set....


running either a V2 orMP2 in front for now and have gotten some amazing results....

[ArchivalAudio]

nice
thanx all for the good comments!
and for homers mumu

[eric.B]

nice
thanx all for the good comments!
and for homers mumu

Ill be getting an Oade tmod fr2le on thursday.. Ill post results/comments in the coming weeks.. 

[ArchivalAudio]

Ill be getting an Oade tmod fr2le on thursday.. Ill post results/comments in the coming weeks.. 

Great!
thanx for postin the results... in advance!
peace
thru
music

[ArchivalAudio]

Ill be getting an Oade tmod fr2le on thursday.. Ill post results/comments in the coming weeks.. 

Hey
now
eric b

any experiences you want to relay....
I am very curious
thanx

[spzkt]

I had been tossing up between the FR2LE and HDP2 and in the end went for a Super Mod HDP2. The thing that swung it in the end was Doug's opinion that the HDP2 had better A/D convertors.

To quote Doug:

"The HD-P2 has a better A/D chip than the LE. The difference is not significant at 16 bits but is at 24 bits. If you need the highest resolution with the lowest noise in a 24 bit file, the P2 is hands down the better machine."

hope this helps...

cheers
Paul

I think the FR-2LE, while an excellent machine, falls into limbo with this group. 

It's about the same size as the Sound Devices 722, so it's difficult to stealth (although steaming-hot monster codpiece stories are entertaining). 

The FR-2LE doesn't appeal to the "cost-no-object" crowd, who willingly pay big bucks for gear with better specs. 

The FR-2LE lacks digital inputs, so it's useless to the bit bucket brigade. 

And, at $600 plus flash memory card, the FR-2LE doesn't appeal to the frugal tapers

Flintstone

While the FR-2LE is still pretty new to the market, I'd have to put it in the same category with other all-in-one boxes like the Marantz 660, 670/671, Tascam HD-P2.  The sound is definitely on par w/those boxes, and the price is several hundred dollars less.

I think they are right there as another good option for many folks, just haven't been around as long.

my .02

[tenesejedd]

At $799 for supermod LE vs $1225 for supermod P2, I would expect such differences.

[spzkt]

At $799 for supermod LE vs $1225 for supermod P2, I would expect such differences.

The supermod p2 lists at $1199, but I do get your point and do I agree that there should be a difference given the cost differential between the units. The A/D convertors are not changed when Doug does the mods, so his comments regarding the quality of the convertors would be equally valid for stock units.

I'm not dising the FR2 LE in anyway - it is good for the price. What I am saying is there are qualitative differences between the LE and the other units that are glossed over by saying it's "on a par" with the more expensive machines.  Doug's opinion that the P2 has better A/D conversion at 24bit was a case in point. In the end I felt the better A/D chip, plus not being limited to a single combination of sampling rate, bit depth and stereo/mono per card,  longer pre-record buffer and quite headphone amp were worth the extra bank. as always ymmv.

cheers
Paul

[ArchivalAudio]

hey
the P2 is great
but it is bigger thand the fr-2le
and almost 2x the cost...
still curious about the fr-2le...
thanx for all the concerns