Topic: Tascam DR-70D 4-channel audio recorder for DSLR cameras

[Cheesecadet]

5532 is what is stated on Tascam's own website.  http://tascam.com/product/dr-70d/

If there is some other chip in these, then perhaps Jim Williams may be onto a MKii version we don't know about yet???

Puzzled...

Jim did mention the mkii version of the deck is what he saw at NAMM.

I just ordered the LMEs to do the mod anyway which Jim said would be better than even the 5532s so I don't care much anyway at this point.

Pretty lame that the site lists the 5532s as being in the units already when they are obviously not.

There are only 3 op amps in the deck...no 5532s hiding anywhere in there.

[Life In Rewind]

You can see the 4850s in Cheesecadet's picture just to the right of the copper shield.  Strange that the website says 5532.  Could those be used somewhere else we're not seeing?

I asked Jim about the MKII over on GS, and he said it was listed on his NAMM literature but "no one knows about it yet".  To me it seems to be absolutely loony for Tascam to let on about a MKII so after the original has been released.

It's disappointing if these aren't the stated chips - that was part of the hype that worked the sale with me.

I guess they could have said something less specific - and I wouldn't care. But if you don't get what you paid for...WTF?

Since the photographic evidence is out - I guess we can rule out any confusion with the DR-680.

[willndmb]

Does anyone know of a 60 vs 70 comp?
I find the 60 to sound very close in sound to the tb > m10

[Cheesecadet]

I contacted Tom at Tascam yesterday about the op amp chips and here is his response:

"You are looking at the wrong side of the PCB.  The 4 mic pres use NE5532 op amps.  The output stage and the 1/8" input for Channels 1/2 use the 4580s."

Well don't I feel like a buffoon. 

I will tear into the deck again today most likely and check this out and post more pics if needed.  Based on this new information it would appear that the JWmod will require 5 chips instead of just the 3 originally noted.  I am waiting for a response from Jim currently and have been in contact with him regularly talking about this mod so hopefully I hear something back from him today.

[Life In Rewind]

I contacted Tom at Tascam yesterday about the op amp chips and here is his response:

"You are looking at the wrong side of the PCB.  The 4 mic pres use NE5532 op amps.  The output stage and the 1/8" input for Channels 1/2 use the 4580s."

Well don't I feel like a buffoon. 

I will tear into the deck again today most likely and check this out and post more pics if needed.  Based on this new information it would appear that the JWmod will require 7 chips instead of just the 3 originally noted.  I am waiting for a response from Jim currently and have been in contact with him regularly talking about this mod so hopefully I hear something back from him today.

So does any of the JW's commentary/mod have anything to do with the mic input stage...or relevant to the quality of the NE5532? Doesn't sound like it.

Makes me wonder about the whole thing. Modding something he doesn't have a complete understanding of...?

His posts make it sound like he thinks the chips he swapped have something to do with the mic inputs - which apparently they don't.(if Im following this correctly)

And he does call it "misinformation from Tascam" - also misleading...and ironic.

[Cheesecadet]

Awaiting an answer from Jim. Swapping the lme chips for the ne5532s would still decrease noise pretty substantially. The lme slew rate is 4x that of ne5532 and 55mhz vs. 10 I think for 5532s.

Still would be a huge difference at least based on the numbers

[F.O.Bean]

So, what is the better chip? The 4580 Or the 5532

[F.O.Bean]

And thanks for getting ahold of Tascam Cheese You definitely answered my question about the 1/8" input having different chips

Bummer for me though Not a huge deal. I'll probably just use the EXT 1/2 input until I can get some XLRs made

[Cheesecadet]

So, what is the better chip? The 4580 Or the 5532

The 5532 is better than the 4580. The LME chips JW spoke about are far better than both of the above.

The DR60D, DR60Dmkii, and DR680 all use the 4580s FYI

[F.O.Bean]

So, what is the better chip? The 4580 Or the 5532

The 5532 is better than the 4580. The LME chips JW spoke about are far better than both of the above.

The DR60D, DR60D, and DR680 all use the 4580s FYI

You mean 60D mkii

So as long as I run XLR inputs, I can take advantage of the better 5532s Thanks for all of your help and input man!

[F.O.Bean]

And its not like my tapes are going to suck if I use the 4508 chips in the EXT 1/2 input until I get XLRs made

[Cheesecadet]

And its not like my tapes are going to suck if I use the 4508 chips in the EXT 1/2 input until I get XLRs made

Correct! The stock Dr70D sounds very good right out of the box. I'm just looking to mod something 

[F.O.Bean]

And its not like my tapes are going to suck if I use the 4508 chips in the EXT 1/2 input until I get XLRs made

Correct! The stock Dr70D sounds very good right out of the box. I'm just looking to mod something 

I know the feeling And yea, obviously the 5532s are better chips, but I'll get by until I get XLRs. Its not like I've been recording much anyway. Just want to get ready for Summer Camp in 2.5 months

[willndmb]

And its not like my tapes are going to suck if I use the 4508 chips in the EXT 1/2 input until I get XLRs made

i have not had any issue with the 60 sound but don't tape soft things either
The 70 supposedly sounds better out of the box so I'm sure that's fine too.
Would the mod be noticeable at all??

[PH]

Great thread! Anyone have thoughts on how the pre's compare to the R44?