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Gear / Technical Help => Recording Gear => Topic started by: johnw on March 23, 2005, 09:33:40 PM

Title: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: johnw on March 23, 2005, 09:33:40 PM
Does 24/48 digital and looks like 24/96 analog. 6 hrs non stop recording to microdrive on batteries. No mention of price or availability.

http://www.oade.com/Tapers_Section/Forum/dcboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=100&topic_id=2655&mesg_id=2655&page=
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: F.O.Bean on March 23, 2005, 09:36:11 PM
Does 24/48 digital and looks like 24/96 analog. 6 hrs non stop recording to microdrive on batteries. No mention of price or availability.

http://www.oade.com/Tapers_Section/Forum/dcboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=100&topic_id=2655&mesg_id=2655&page=

SWEET-ASS!

 ;D
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: johnw on March 23, 2005, 09:39:58 PM
Maybe sweet ass - don't know if it's a JB3 killer exactly. I bet the price is still >$1k and it only does 24/48 digi in. I think the FR2 does 24/96 no? I guess it is slimmer than the FR2 though - and it seems like there is the possibility to add 24/96 since this is already an option on analog. Regardless a step in the right direction and an improvement over the 670.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: F.O.Bean on March 23, 2005, 09:46:03 PM
i like its slimness and 24/48 is good enuf for me, hell, id maybe even do 24/44.1
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Govt Mule on March 23, 2005, 09:53:33 PM
http://www.d-mpro.eu.com/users/getdownload.asp?DownloadID=343

Fact sheet
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: balou2 on March 23, 2005, 10:01:26 PM
I'd guess this is right about $1k, maybe just under.  The 670 goes for $699 brand new, and isn't too much different.  Either way, looks like a nice alternative for folks who don't have the $$ for a 722, but already have a nice pre.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: F.O.Bean on March 23, 2005, 10:05:49 PM
Either way, looks like a nice alternative for folks who don't have the $$ for a 722, but already have a nice pre.

EXACTLY!
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Rick on March 23, 2005, 10:49:20 PM
Haven't we known about this for 2 or 3 months? As far as I can see, nothing new. The only real draw back I can see about it is no hard drive, so you still need to get memory cards. So unless you plan on going digi in, it seems to make more sense to get the R4. It will be about the same the price after you get some memory, plus you have a 40GB HD and 4 channels.

Rick



Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: F.O.Bean on March 23, 2005, 10:56:55 PM
how much is the r-4 and does it have digi in's on all 4 inputs ???

ive known about this, weve just been waiting for aretailer to get one :)
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Rick on March 23, 2005, 11:07:12 PM
how much is the r-4 and does it have digi in's on all 4 inputs ???

Someone posted on another thread that they saw one for $1350... Wouldn't you have to have a 4 channel A/D converter?

Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B) on March 23, 2005, 11:13:08 PM
Here's a picture of it:

Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: F.O.Bean on March 23, 2005, 11:44:53 PM
i like it, its dap-1-esque
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: balou2 on March 24, 2005, 12:11:59 AM
how much is the r-4 and does it have digi in's on all 4 inputs ???

Someone posted on another thread that they saw one for $1350... Wouldn't you have to have a 4 channel A/D converter?


I don't think this is correct.  I got a quote on an R-4 that was MUCH higher ($1800) and it was from a reputable dealer.  As for the A/D, most folks I know running more then two mics are mixing to 2-track stereo and running that through their A/D.  That's what I do with my 4 and 6 configs.  Then again, if I had the $$$ to drop on a phatty digital multi-track rig, I'd be there.  What I wouldn't give for a 16 track digital multi-track!!!
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: John Kelly on March 24, 2005, 01:49:21 AM
how much is the r-4 and does it have digi in's on all 4 inputs ???

Someone posted on another thread that they saw one for $1350... Wouldn't you have to have a 4 channel A/D converter?


I don't think this is correct.  I got a quote on an R-4 that was MUCH higher ($1800) and it was from a reputable dealer.  As for the A/D, most folks I know running more then two mics are mixing to 2-track stereo and running that through their A/D.  That's what I do with my 4 and 6 configs.  Then again, if I had the $$$ to drop on a phatty digital multi-track rig, I'd be there.  What I wouldn't give for a 16 track digital multi-track!!!

That's what I found, $1350.  [Edit - that was edu pricing though]

And yeah, all this stuff has been known about the 671 for a while now.  The only thing that's really still up in the air is the price.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: John Kelly on March 24, 2005, 01:52:30 AM
The only real draw back I can see about it is no hard drive, so you still need to get memory cards.

I see that as a positive.  Solid state recording - no worries about vibrations ruining the hard drive.  Only thing you sacrifice is storage space, but prices for flash media are dropping fast.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: F.O.Bean on March 24, 2005, 03:18:25 AM
The only real draw back I can see about it is no hard drive, so you still need to get memory cards.

I see that as a positive. Solid state recording - no worries about vibrations ruining the hard drive. Only thing you sacrifice is storage space, but prices for flash media are dropping fast.

true that! ;D
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: caymanreview on March 24, 2005, 07:20:04 AM
this looks nice, maybe what ive needed to go back to 24 bit
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: JasonSobel on March 24, 2005, 07:35:42 AM
The only real draw back I can see about it is no hard drive, so you still need to get memory cards.

I see that as a positive.  Solid state recording - no worries about vibrations ruining the hard drive.  Only thing you sacrifice is storage space, but prices for flash media are dropping fast.

Exactly.  you can buy a 4 gig CF card (not microdrive) right now for ~300.  with 8 gig cards coming out soon, the price on 4 gigs will drop as well.  and once you get into 4 or 8 gigs, I don't really feel limited by storage space...
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: nickgregory on March 24, 2005, 07:45:49 AM
once you get into 4 or 8 gigs, I don't really feel limited by storage space...

once you get to 8 you will be ideal...from what I have seen 1 hour at 24/96 equals 2 Gb...so an 8 gig would give you enough capacity for a show, given it would not be constrained to 2 hours without a swap...
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: JasonSobel on March 24, 2005, 09:21:32 AM
yeah, the 8 gig CF cards are currently $1400 or so.  I'd be willing to spend $300 for a 4 gig card, and run 24/48 until the price on 8 gig cards drop.  4 hours of 24/48 on the 4 gig card.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: d5 on March 24, 2005, 10:00:19 AM
I'd guess this is right about $1k, maybe just under.  The 670 goes for $699 brand new, and isn't too much different.  Either way, looks like a nice alternative for folks who don't have the $$ for a 722, but already have a nice pre.

Doug Oade currently offers a mod on the pre for the 670. I'm hoping he'll offer the same thing for this. I realize it won't compare to a good outboard pre, but still having a one piece solution is mighty attractive.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: johnw on March 24, 2005, 02:30:47 PM
yeah, the 8 gig CF cards are currently $1400 or so.  I'd be willing to spend $300 for a 4 gig card, and run 24/48 until the price on 8 gig cards drop.  4 hours of 24/48 on the 4 gig card.

6GB at Adorama for $280
http://www.adorama.com/IMTMD6G.html

3 is $150, 4 is $190
I don't think swapping out 4GB cards at the end of a set would be a problem if you can them that cheap.

8GB can be found for $800
http://www.adorama.com/IDS8GBUC2F.html?searchinfo=compact%20flash&item_no=120
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: John Kelly on March 24, 2005, 02:36:53 PM
yeah, the 8 gig CF cards are currently $1400 or so.  I'd be willing to spend $300 for a 4 gig card, and run 24/48 until the price on 8 gig cards drop.  4 hours of 24/48 on the 4 gig card.

6GB at Adorama for $280
http://www.adorama.com/IMTMD6G.html

That is a microdrive, not a compact flash card.  Will it work?  Yep, but then you still have the problem with the moving parts. ;)

I didn't check the 3 or 4 gig versions, but that 8 gig is definitely a CF card.  Good to see the prices have come down again. :)
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: johnw on March 24, 2005, 02:52:32 PM
yeah, the 8 gig CF cards are currently $1400 or so.  I'd be willing to spend $300 for a 4 gig card, and run 24/48 until the price on 8 gig cards drop.  4 hours of 24/48 on the 4 gig card.

6GB at Adorama for $280
http://www.adorama.com/IMTMD6G.html

That is a microdrive, not a compact flash card.  Will it work?  Yep, but then you still have the problem with the moving parts. ;)

I didn't check the 3 or 4 gig versions, but that 8 gig is definitely a CF card.  Good to see the prices have come down again. :)

Yeah if you are against moving parts, then you still have to pay out. Are microdrives more likely to fail than the drives in the JB3, 722/744, R4  or a laptop though?

Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Govt Mule on March 24, 2005, 02:55:45 PM
I thought the FR-2 users had issues with the microdrives
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: johnw on March 24, 2005, 02:57:49 PM
That may be true, but the 671 claims to be able to use them no problem. I was thinking that when the FR2 came out, it only claimed to support CF?
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: John Kelly on March 24, 2005, 03:03:08 PM
yeah, the 8 gig CF cards are currently $1400 or so.  I'd be willing to spend $300 for a 4 gig card, and run 24/48 until the price on 8 gig cards drop.  4 hours of 24/48 on the 4 gig card.

6GB at Adorama for $280
http://www.adorama.com/IMTMD6G.html

That is a microdrive, not a compact flash card.  Will it work?  Yep, but then you still have the problem with the moving parts. ;)

I didn't check the 3 or 4 gig versions, but that 8 gig is definitely a CF card.  Good to see the prices have come down again. :)

Yeah if you are against moving parts, then you still have to pay out. Are microdrives more likely to fail than the drives in the JB3, 722/744, R4  or a laptop though?



No clue, but they're definitely way more likely to fail than a compact flash card.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Govt Mule on March 24, 2005, 03:05:58 PM
I had a guy next to me at ABB in houston and SanAntonio have 2 microdirves fail in his marantz machine 2 days in  arow. 
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: johnw on March 24, 2005, 03:18:52 PM
I had a guy next to me at ABB in houston and SanAntonio have 2 microdirves fail in his marantz machine 2 days in  arow. 

 :o that sucks!
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: spreetaper on March 24, 2005, 04:00:33 PM
I had a guy next to me at ABB in houston and SanAntonio have 2 microdirves fail in his marantz machine 2 days in  arow. 

I've been using the pmd-670 now since the start of the year.. i love it...
been using it with compact flash... the 671 WILL support CF as well

ive only had one error... and that is because i didnt format my CF card after each use which is what is reccomended..whether you are using CF with an SLR camera or a recording device.. (in others words something that is transfering large amounts off data to the card)
lower end cameras dont fall in to this category ... now ever since then 17 shows now.. not a single problem...

all i know is.. i will be holding on to my 16 bit recorder and as soon as the 24 bit one comes out im getting it...
even if it only does 24/48...  id rather have 24 bit something than nothing at all.. and for a good price..
and i beg to differ from posts i have seen on here in the past... marantz is quality... the 670 is well constructed and if you look after your gear as one should you will not have any problems... i also have not had the 670 got hot on me at all... and i run it in my bag all the time

-mc

Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: John Kelly on March 24, 2005, 04:26:56 PM
There's really nothing to get hot in it (other than the batteries maybe).  The 722/744 gets hot because of the hard drive, those things can put off some major heat, especially in such a small space. 

Even though it's limited to 24/48, I'm seriously considering this one.  I just have to figure out which is more important - bit perfect 24/48 on the PMD671 or resampled digital inputs on the Edirol R4.  ;)
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Rick on March 24, 2005, 05:20:56 PM
Looks like doug is less then impressed with this unless your going Digi-in.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: John Kelly on March 24, 2005, 05:25:15 PM
Looks like doug is less then impressed with this unless your going Digi-in.

I don't think anyone was planning to run this as an all-in-one 24 bit box anyway. 
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: spreetaper on March 28, 2005, 09:42:34 AM
looks like its going to cost around 999

http://www.upstairs-records.com/mapmhirecofl.html

Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Rick on March 28, 2005, 12:50:11 PM
can this be used with a ua5 to run 24/48 ?

i guess the question is, can a ua5 record 24 bit without a laptop? so when a 24 bit hd recorder comes out that is worth buying do i have to ditch the ua5, or can i use it ?

Yes, if you have the digi ua5
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: silentmark on March 28, 2005, 01:48:34 PM
Even though it's limited to 24/48, I'm seriously considering this one.  I just have to figure out which is more important - bit perfect 24/48 on the PMD671 or resampled digital inputs on the Edirol R4.  ;)

Ding ding John, I am in the same boat ...
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: spreetaper on March 31, 2005, 01:55:47 PM
the pmd-671 is now listed on the US marantz website...
I checked the manual and it looks like it will after all handle 24/96 digi in..

this is copied directly from the manual..

Digi-IN

Digital audio data at 44.1kHz, 48kHz or 96kHz input through the DIGITAL IN jack can be recorded Digital input always includes two channels, They are recorded as Left and Right stereo channels.
(Page 17)
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: F.O.Bean on March 31, 2005, 02:07:59 PM
mmmmm, already around a 1k 24/96 recorder out, i like the sound of this, and NO MOVING PARTS :)

time to wait it out and buy some big Flash Cards
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: nickgregory on March 31, 2005, 02:12:03 PM
mmmmm, already around a 1k 24/96 recorder out, i like the sound of this, and NO MOVING PARTS :)

time to wait it out and buy some big Flash Cards

the flash is going to put it way over $1K...the R4 still has it beat at that price point

wont be a bad option though as a stand alone recorder once the cost of flash comes down significantly
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: spreetaper on March 31, 2005, 02:20:17 PM
flash prices for the larger cards will start to come down very quickly... you will see :-)
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: John Kelly on March 31, 2005, 02:24:39 PM
the pmd-671 is now listed on the US marantz website...
I checked the manual and it looks like it will after all handle 24/96 digi in..

this is copied directly from the manual..

Digi-IN

Digital audio data at 44.1kHz, 48kHz or 96kHz input through the DIGITAL IN jack can be recorded Digital inpurt always includes two channels, They are recorded as Left and Right stereo channels.
(Page 17)

This pretty much makes up my mind for me.  Looks like the PMD671 will be my next purchase. ;D
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: krebsy on March 31, 2005, 02:26:23 PM
24/96 capable digi-in?  All Riiight!  Giggity, Giggity!
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: silentmark on March 31, 2005, 02:36:25 PM
mmmmm, already around a 1k 24/96 recorder out, i like the sound of this, and NO MOVING PARTS :)

time to wait it out and buy some big Flash Cards

the flash is going to put it way over $1K...the R4 still has it beat at that price point

wont be a bad option though as a stand alone recorder once the cost of flash comes down significantly

Exactly AND it won't re-sample through the digi in like the R4, AFAIK ...
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: F.O.Bean on March 31, 2005, 03:29:03 PM
all great points guys, now who is coming out w/ even a cheaper one, Sony/Tascam ???

1k isnt a bad deal, and the bigger distributors like SS/Cascade will prolly have em a bit cheaper hopefully

and when the flash comes down, id much rather spend 1200 on 24/96 rather than 2600 on the all in one box, cause i like my v3 damnit ;D
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: nickgregory on March 31, 2005, 03:40:06 PM
some feel that HD based recorders are going to have problems because of (1) heat, (2) vibration, (3) moving parts...

all that being said, I ran a 722 on the floor of a club in a bag, where it got warm, and the floor bounced up and down all night, and I had no issues....
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: spreetaper on March 31, 2005, 03:44:49 PM
i'm still gonna hold off until a HD based 24 bit recorder comes along, that is reasonably priced.
this flash card b.s is lame, imo.  don't y'all think we will get what we need within a year anyway? 

hard drives= get hot.. get corrupted.. crash..
dont like too much vibration...

sounds like fun to me :-)

its suggest u reformat pretty frequently HD's or CF cards when you are using them for taping
i dont know many people who have had problems with CF cards..they are pretty solid.. i can give you endless stories of people having problems with hard drives

and sure better stuff will come along thats a given... but how many tapers would actually wait a whole year when plenty of good products are coming out now that can do pretty much all we need...
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: F.O.Bean on March 31, 2005, 03:46:58 PM
some feel that HD based recorders are going to have problems because of (1) heat, (2) vibration, (3) moving parts...

all that being said, I ran a 722 on the floor of a club in a bag, where it got warm, and the floor bounced up and down all night, and I had no issues....

true that, last nite the duo was BUMPIN and i was stage lip, MAD vibrations and NOTHING, great tape, no heat/vibration issues

and ive been running the jb3 for over a year SOLID w/ no issues really(knock on wood)

so yeah, i ideally would like to have a digi-in 24/48,96k 80GB HD and solid as hell just like the 722, but w/ out the pre/ad side of it, and under 1k or around it:)

imagine how small that would be ;D
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: JasonSobel on March 31, 2005, 04:07:24 PM
on the site, they mention a couple of times: "Dramatically upgraded microphone preamps" compared to the PMD-671.  I wonder just how good the mic inputs will sound.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Rick on March 31, 2005, 04:11:31 PM

hard drives= get hot.. get corrupted.. crash..
dont like too much vibration...

sounds like fun to me :-)


For all the poeple running a JB3 it hasn't been a problem. I also tend to think the poeple at Sound Devices know what there doing when it comes to field recording. If Hard Drive recording is such a problem, why do all the high end field recorders use them? 

Still though, if I had a V3, I would not get the 722. I would get the PMD-671
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Lil Kim Jong-Il on March 31, 2005, 09:04:47 PM
Still though, if I had a V3, I would not get the 722. I would get the PMD-671

I recall that the 671 is larger than the 722, which could make the difference in a stealth situation. 

I could not find battery capacity information for the 671, but the 722 will run about 4 hours without a battery swap.  That was an advantage over the other devices I considered while I was impatient for SD to release the product.

Also, I have an 80G drive in my 722.  None of the CF-only devices will ever keep up with the 722 storage capacity.  I realize that seems like a mute point once CF capacities hit 8 gig.  But imagine going on tour with a recorder that never needs to be emptied until tour is done.  For someone really worried about vibration, there are HD form factor high density solid state drives that will fit in the 722 drive bay, but they are hella pricey.  By the time 8G CF cards are cheap, there will be 240G drives for the 722.  Thats all of tour and the openers at 24/96.

These are just some other data points to consider.   I haven't run my V3 since I got the 722 but I'm holding on to it until I have more time with the 722.  If I like V3 better, I will use it for open taping situations.  The 671 looks like a sweet box.  I guess it remains to be heard if the 671 front end is competative with the 722.

If smaller size and higher stoarge capacity isn't a requirement, the 671 looks like it will be in the section a lot this summer.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: F.O.Bean on March 31, 2005, 09:16:15 PM
tour?phish is done, jerry's dead, whats left to tour :P ;)

thats why i lovethe jb3, i can do 6-8 shows EASILY onto it
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: nickgregory on March 31, 2005, 09:17:32 PM
tour at 24/96...right now, the options are limited in that arena...

and there are a handful of bands out there worth following right now...
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Govt Mule on March 31, 2005, 09:18:51 PM
$849.95 from Oade
not yet availible should be in sometime this month.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: F.O.Bean on March 31, 2005, 09:26:56 PM
$849.95 from Oade
not yet availible should be in sometime this month.

NICE!
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: caymanreview on March 31, 2005, 09:28:13 PM
not a bad price. looks like this might be what ive been waiting for. i bet i grab one of these shortly
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: krebsy on March 31, 2005, 09:35:36 PM
This thing is tempting me more with every new bit of info that comes to light.  To be honest, I'd be fine running 24/48 or even 24/41 until media prices get more realistic. I better start saving my pennies!!
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Lil Kim Jong-Il on March 31, 2005, 09:36:40 PM
That's a good price with the memory you should come in below 1400.


Bean,  I would tour panic or mule if I had time off work.  Even though there are plenty of artists I like, for me it's as much about hitting the road as seeing a particular band these days.  If I could get a three weeks away, I would find a band or map out three weeks of driving and just hit different bands everynight.  At least, thats part of my justification for the 722 ;-)

Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Brian Skalinder on March 31, 2005, 09:38:38 PM
If Hard Drive recording is such a problem, why do all the high end field recorders use them?

Because when properly maintained - despite that they all fail some day - HDs are still pretty darn reliable, and it's the most cost-effective way to include massive storage space.  Care to guess how much it would cost to buy 40GB worth of CF cards? *

*Of course, one could use maybe 8 GB of CF cards and simply transfer to a laptop or some other device as they fill up, but not everyone has the luxury of, nor wants the hassle of schlepping around a lappy in the field
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: nickgregory on March 31, 2005, 09:44:12 PM
agreed, solid pricing...about $50 less than I thought it would come in....hopefully will drive some more tapers to 24 bit....makes more great tapes for all of us to enjoy :)
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Ed. on April 01, 2005, 02:47:06 AM
i wonder if there'll be away to attach a microdrive to it or some of the options pdAudio uses...seems like this will be a popular machine in the futuere tho.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: spcyrfc on April 01, 2005, 11:15:22 AM
i have heard tell of being able to attach an external microdrive to the pmd670, does anyone have any experience or information on using these??
thanks
luke
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Craig T on April 01, 2005, 11:17:14 AM
I think MicroDrives fit in the CF slot.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: spreetaper on April 01, 2005, 11:56:25 AM
correct.. the 67-  line takes CF and microdrive cards..
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: spcyrfc on April 01, 2005, 12:47:34 PM
yeah, i guess my question was not clear.

what i ment to ask is there a way to hook up external storage devices while recording live lilke a small hard drive (the way i intende microdrive to be used before) like a rio or jb3 or something?

luke
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: esteyes on April 02, 2005, 03:16:40 PM
greetings all, neil here out in san marcos. first post today. anyway, poking around i found this link for the 671 and price of $799.

http://www.mpsuperstore.com/Electronics/discr148251.htm#specs

i would love to buy the 744/722 solution, but with no big tours anymore i cannot justify the purchase for something i only use a dozen times a year these days... granted the 7 series might stealth, but i have an M1 which is just the right size for me and my stealth mic rig.

has anyone gotten any real info on the new sonosax HD recorder?

>The MINIR82 will be presented at the next NAB in LasVegas ( April 18. to
>21. ) , its release is forseen for next June
>We have added your e-mail address in our mailing list and you will then
>receive all future informations
>
>Kind regards
>Pierre Blanc
>SONOSAX

neil
Sennheisers, AKG's > Shure FP33 > M1 & JVC portable dat
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: caymanreview on April 02, 2005, 08:40:57 PM
anyone think we are gonna see these for much less than 799?

im about to drop the ball and order one
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Ed. on April 02, 2005, 08:48:48 PM
possibly used it might be cheaper, but i think $800 will be the going price for awhile with the online retailers.

it looks like a microdrive will work with it, but what about the Addonics Pocket ExDrive that people use with the pda thing.  i have no idea how those drives work.

i'm just looking for an alternative to buying flash cards at $200 a pop.  call me crazy, but i'm still a fan of hdd's.





Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: caymanreview on April 02, 2005, 09:47:00 PM
i think im def going to be dropping the ball on this within the month
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: F.O.Bean on April 03, 2005, 03:27:11 AM
i agree ed, i would like having a few 2GB flashcards, but a 40GB microdrive would be sweet :)
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: silentmark on April 03, 2005, 03:26:19 PM
i think im def going to be dropping the ball on this within the month

Yeah I think I will be in the same canoe ...
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: caymanreview on April 03, 2005, 04:26:56 PM
right on. i just keep researching it more and more each day, and that always leads to a purchase for me

im just biding my time and researching media and getting that in order first.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: John Kelly on April 03, 2005, 04:27:41 PM
As soon as I can scramble together the funds, I'll be ordering one as well. ;)
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: caymanreview on April 05, 2005, 05:43:37 PM
anyone been finding this and/or media for better prices than have been posted?
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Ed. on April 05, 2005, 06:19:45 PM
i haven't seen much dustin on media...but maybe try some photography forums like www.fredmiranda.com - they have a buy/sell forum...maybe you could find some stuff for sale there for cheap.  the digital photgraphers have been using the media longer than we have, but i don't know if they sell it.  never looked in there personally, just look at the photos on the site from time to time.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Govt Mule on April 05, 2005, 11:40:16 PM
From Sound devices latest email

Quote
New Marantz PMD671 High Resolution recorder:

Marantz has been busy lately! Along with the recently released PMD660 portable recorder, Marantz has just released the new PMD671 24-bit high resolution compact flash recorder. With this new recorder, Marantz has raised the bar, exponentially. The PMD671 can record 24-bit, 96 kHz audio for the highest sound quality available in the field or even in the studio. The ability to read-after-write offers completely new levels of functionality never before available in a digital field recorder (remember 3 head recorders?....now you can monitor the actually recording while you are making it). Even the mic preamps have been dramatically improved. Then add programmab le presets, and changing formats on the fly is as easy as pressing a button. Serious professionals need serious tools. If your application requires uncompromising audio, unflinching reliability, and unprecedented functionality, you owe it to yourself to take a very serious look at the PMD671.

Here's the big news - This recorder retails for $1199 (yikes!),

However, the first 20 of our customers who order this product will get it for $200 LESS! That's right, the first 20 units go out the door for $799.00! When these are gone, the prices goes up to the normal price (just like everybody else) of $999. If you are looking for the very best in portable recorders, get it now!


I bought one, just in time for the week of WSP shows and the Black Crowes, (guess I better sell some gear before the CC bil shows up)
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: caymanreview on April 06, 2005, 06:12:21 AM
nice. but there is a store selling them for 799 all the time, so that isnt really a great deal
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: spreetaper on April 07, 2005, 12:09:25 PM
ah i see some of the stores that had them at 799.. went up to 849 and 899
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: JasonSobel on April 07, 2005, 04:09:21 PM
For those of you who are as curious about this as I am, I just got off the phone with one of the Marantz tech engineers.  We had been emailing back and forth a few times over the past month or so, and I had sent him an email about file sizes and autosplit features, because I haven't seen anything about this possible issue yet.  He called me about 10 minutes after I wrote the email, very nice guy. 

Anyway, the 671 will default to autosplit at 4 gigs.  (all seamless, of course).  Alternatively, you can set it up to autosplit after a given time limit.  So you can't tell it to autosplit after 2 gigs, but you can tell it to autosplit after 2 hours, or 1.5 hours, or whatever.  In my mind, that works just as well :)

This thing looks pretty good, I'll probably buy in the near future.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: F.O.Bean on April 07, 2005, 04:30:10 PM
can it take microdrives too ???
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: caymanreview on April 07, 2005, 04:33:52 PM
can it take microdrives too ???

that is a hell of a ?

the microdrives are CHEAP... im ordering mine tomorrow, and im gonna grab a 4gb CF card and a smaller microdrive to test. if the microdrive works, it may be a viable option untill CF cost comes down

bout 3 bills for a 4gb CF card, and about 150 for a 4gb microdrive
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Govt Mule on April 07, 2005, 05:08:42 PM
Mirco drives are cheap becuase they perform poorly. You are asking a lot from a microdrive for it to write non stop for 2 hours.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: caymanreview on April 07, 2005, 05:47:20 PM
right on, i have had zero experience with microdrives before now

im doing the CF cards anyways, just thought i mivght try one. now il just order an extra cf card
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: F.O.Bean on April 07, 2005, 06:36:40 PM
i am gonna have to wait till the 4GBcards come down, and w/ out searching, how long is 4GB at 24/48 and 24/96 ??? 4 hrs at 24/96 right ???

hmmm, 3 bills is a bit expensive tho per 4gb card :(
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: caymanreview on April 07, 2005, 06:39:16 PM
4gb = ~4hrs at 24/48 and 2hrs at 24/96

im getting ready to call Frank to just put my deposit down on a 722. after looking into all the costs with everything here, i could just sell my v3 and get a 722, then if need be put a pre in front of that
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: esteyes on April 07, 2005, 11:26:22 PM
greetings all. i wrote to Bill at D&M support today and asked about brand/speed/etc for the CF cards and indicated i would be using 4G almost exclusively. here was the reply:

HI Neil,
   I would stick with Lexar brand cards.

Bill Loulousis
Tech Support Supervisor
D&M Professional
(866) 405-2154 - Toll Free
www.d-mpro.com

Lexar does make a 40x CF card as well as an 80x""enhanced write" in the 4G range. hard to find the 40x, for me at least, and when i did find it it was bundled with a frickin reader and the price was only $30 less than the 80x super duper photo "write enhanced"  version. so i wrote back again asking if the write enhanced cards by Lexar were a problem in any way and what were their experiences with microdrives... i mentioned i could get a 6G micro for ~$250; that's 3 hrs of 24/96k, i believe... so i hope to get an answer back tomorrow and i will post it.

neil
fwiw, i am a long time taper - still have reels as well as my cassettes as well as PCM-beta's and 20k+ hrs on dat. so having been thru all the issues of drop outs/etc with many forms of media, i want to make what i hope to be one of my last transitions to be painless. i have 4 kids, so choices have to be made with respect to costs as well - just like everyone else. i have basically committed to doug that i wannt one ASAP, hoping to make the media side work out w/o too much pain.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: F.O.Bean on April 09, 2005, 12:57:50 AM
heres my question about this.

someone said that it autosplits at 4GB, well, if you only have one 4GB flashcard, it obviously cant seamlessly write to something

so, can you hold more than one flash card at a time so you could maybe hold 3-4 flashcards in the pmd-671 at once so it could keep simutaneously writing if ya had enuf cf media ???

make sense ???

just wondering...
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: JasonSobel on April 09, 2005, 07:44:30 AM
I'm pretty sure there is only one CF-card slot, so I think you're getting at will not work.

with a 4 gig CF card (and right now, I don't think anyone is planning on dropping $1500 on an 8 gig card), with a 4 gig card, the best bet is to record at 24/48 (which gets you four hours), and wait until media prices drop before recording at 24/96.  At least, that's my plan.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: caymanreview on April 09, 2005, 08:46:13 AM
yeah just one CF card slot. 4gb cards arent too bad in price, and you can def snag some decent brand 4gb CF cards on ebay for decent prices too

what would happen with a 4gb audio file? is this thing not applicable to anything related to the 2gb issues we have with laptops and such???
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: John Kelly on April 09, 2005, 08:50:23 AM
yeah just one CF card slot. 4gb cards arent too bad in price, and you can def snag some decent brand 4gb CF cards on ebay for decent prices too

what would happen with a 4gb audio file? is this thing not applicable to anything related to the 2gb issues we have with laptops and such???

It's either using an extended format (such as wav64 or SDIIextended) or it's using wav files that don't conform to the actual specs (using unsigned integers instead of signed).  Wont know until someone asks Marantz or makes a recording. ;)
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: caymanreview on April 09, 2005, 09:05:21 AM
isnt the 2gb limit something associated with ntfs or fat32 file systems? since this is flash will that not matter? but will your pc have a hard time with 4gb files if this will handle em?
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: caymanreview on April 09, 2005, 09:06:26 AM
i would have ordered my 671 yesterday, but i did some critical thinking and decided 722 might be the way to go. i just cant see myself buying a ton of flash cards. and for what i do mostly,  i would have to

Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: nickgregory on April 09, 2005, 09:08:19 AM
isnt the 2gb limit something associated with ntfs or fat32 file systems? since this is flash will that not matter? but will your pc have a hard time with 4gb files if this will handle em?

I believe it is a wav file limitation.  I also know from the experience Tim and I had on the 722 that wavelab has a hard time handling files over 2 Gb
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: John Kelly on April 09, 2005, 09:09:37 AM
isnt the 2gb limit something associated with ntfs or fat32 file systems? since this is flash will that not matter? but will your pc have a hard time with 4gb files if this will handle em?

I believe it is a wav file limitation.  I also know from the experience Tim and I had on the 722 that wavelab has a hard time handling files over 2 Gb

Correct. 
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: caymanreview on April 09, 2005, 09:11:34 AM
right on. i was pretty excited about getting the 671, but im 10x more excited about the 722 now
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: JasonSobel on April 09, 2005, 09:21:20 AM
yeah just one CF card slot. 4gb cards arent too bad in price, and you can def snag some decent brand 4gb CF cards on ebay for decent prices too

what would happen with a 4gb audio file? is this thing not applicable to anything related to the 2gb issues we have with laptops and such???

you could also set the auto-split for a certain time limit.  24/48 is about 1 gig per hour, so you can set the auto split for 1 hour or for 2 hours, and have a new file start.  that way, you won't have to worry about going over 2 gigs, and merge the files later.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: caymanreview on April 09, 2005, 09:23:49 AM
for sure, i was just wondering "what if"

Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: spcyrfc on April 10, 2005, 05:51:13 PM
does anyone know how to use the FAT32?
i cannot find it in the manual.

thanks
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: John Kelly on April 10, 2005, 05:56:24 PM
does anyone know how to use the FAT32?
i cannot find it in the manual.

thanks


What do you mean?  FAT32 is a file system format...
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: spcyrfc on April 10, 2005, 09:28:34 PM
ohh, my bad.

i always thought it was a file program that allowed the creation of sub files on a compact flash card.
-t for me and my stupidity.

is there a way to make file groups on the PMD67- units?
thanks
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: John Kelly on April 10, 2005, 09:31:38 PM
No -T necessary. ;)  That may be something you'd want to email Marantz about.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: timP on April 11, 2005, 08:20:24 AM
all this talk about storage in this thread, maybe this would work? ;)

http://www.tweakers.net/nieuws/36712
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: John Kelly on April 11, 2005, 09:07:40 AM
all this talk about storage in this thread, maybe this would work? ;)

http://www.tweakers.net/nieuws/36712

Don't know if you're joking or not, but it wont work.  Besides, the whole point is to get away from hard discs. ;)
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: timP on April 11, 2005, 09:20:39 AM
I know I'm not really funny  ;)  just saw that and started thinking about recording............
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: John Kelly on April 11, 2005, 09:23:28 AM
I know I'm not really funny  ;)  just saw that and started thinking about recording............

Well at first I thought you were serious.  Then I saw the ;) and I thought, "great, he's probably joking and I'm gonna look like an idiot." ;D
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: nickgregory on April 11, 2005, 09:29:31 AM
Don't know if you're joking or not, but it wont work. Besides, the whole point is to get away from hard discs. ;)

dont have to get away from hard discs if they dont have any problems....my opinion, they will be equal to, if not more reliable than anything else we have dealt with in the field to this point (tapes, etc)
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: John Kelly on April 11, 2005, 09:46:52 AM
Don't know if you're joking or not, but it wont work. Besides, the whole point is to get away from hard discs. ;)

dont have to get away from hard discs if they dont have any problems....my opinion, they will be equal to, if not more reliable than anything else we have dealt with in the field to this point (tapes, etc)

To this point, I agree.  Hell I'm using a hard disc now. ;)  But solid state recorders have tons of advantages over hard discs, the only problem right now is price.  However in the future that will change...
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: esteyes on April 16, 2005, 05:16:18 PM
well it is 2pm here on saturday and FredEx just handed me my 671  :D  it came with a 64meg CF card.  i will play with it the rest of today. if anybody has any questions i can answer, send'em on and i''ll ipost answers.

neil
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: johnw on April 16, 2005, 08:53:28 PM
well it is 2pm here on saturday and FredEx just handed me my 671  :D  it came with a 64meg CF card.  i will play with it the rest of today. if anybody has any questions i can answer, send'em on and i''ll ipost answers.

neil

Will it record 24/96 via digi in? Also if you are up for determining whether it re-samples that would be nice. What cards are you going to run? If you are using the micro drives, how well do they work? Have fun with the new toy. +T
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: esteyes on April 16, 2005, 09:46:29 PM
according to the manual it will do 24/96 digi in.

not sure how to go about determining if it resamples here at home. if i still worked at DEI i could put it on the APsystem2.

gonna have to get up to speed for converting 24/48 to 16/44.1. also gonna have to look into SQ of 24/44.1....

per my older post, i am getting one of the Lexar 4G cards as recommended by D&M tech support. using a Hitachi 4g micro right now - the unit has a built in test for transfer rate (CF Card Check) - they rate the ness xfer speed for 24/96 at 4680 kbps, the Hitachi showed >8000 kbps and the included flash card (64mb) tested at 6684 kbps.

it is nice to find that you can create 3 recording profiles and then save them to be accessed instantly - like you decided you were running out of storage and you could just stop the deckand within 4 secs be in a different profile with a diff sampling rate using less storage - like going to 32kLP on a dat to squish in the encore...

thanx for all the new toy best wishes.
neil
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Govt Mule on April 24, 2005, 10:51:06 PM
I ran an opeing set saturday on mine straight in, (no v3). Major brick wall.

So much for that test.

Anyone run 24 bit without problems yet?
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: d5 on April 25, 2005, 11:30:44 AM
I ran an opeing set saturday on mine straight in, (no v3). Major brick wall.

Was this a stock 671 without anything done to the pre?
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Govt Mule on April 25, 2005, 12:18:08 PM
Yep straight stock.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: esteyes on April 28, 2005, 03:00:24 PM
well i took my 671 to Dickey Betts at the Coach house last sunday. testing at home showed 5 hours of playback with a 4G microdrive and the display off, 3.5 with the display on - i am using 2400mah nimh's. the numbers were way short of what marantz claims in the manual. anyway, i figured to be safe at dickey - OOOPS. deck ran out of battery at the 2.5 hr mark and i was downstairs grabbing a brew. it was in my bag where my testing was on the table - you wouldn't think it would matter but repeated testing at home showed the same kind of performance... got a 4G CF card and that runs 8hrs+ with the display on before the battery quits - that is more like it!

i also have this skip in one section of the show during playback... the time counts out fine, but it is like in the old days when a record skipped... thinking this is related to using a microdrive. the microdrive tested well for write speed with the 671 internal test and IBM rates the drive for sustained write speeds up to 7MB/sec, so i figured that a 24/48k recording should be well in the safe zone - looks like i was wrong. BTW i am using a Scandisk 4G CF card. i also hjad the recorder in verify mode - that may well account for the short run time - have to test further. also note that in 24bit mode there is no RAW - read after write -  ie no 3 head function...

the recording came out ok, i used a shure fp33 as a pre with 2 senn k3u/me40 and one akg 460/ck63. i also used the mic in on the 671 and it seems like there are times you can hear some hiss... will have to look more carefully into that end of the recording, altho my plan is to use the line in.

i did not use the limiter, got some OVR's on the display but never saw them happen. can't really hear them either, so we will have to see how the limiter as well as the metering really works.

so far, i think the unit is pretty cool. i do think that it is best to run the CF cards tho. i really hate having to carry SLA batteries to run the unit long enuff to get a complete show using the microdrives and i am pretty sure that i would not have any "skips" were i running the CF card.

all for now
neil
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: krebsy on April 28, 2005, 05:33:18 PM
i also used the mic in on the 671 and it seems like there are times you can hear some hiss...

I don't know much about specs in general, but I think I remeber a few people commenting that the S/N ratio wasn't too great on this unit.  Might have something to do with the hiss.

Edit to add:  Thanks for sharing your experiences!!
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Datcc on May 10, 2005, 05:27:43 AM
Great read....thanks guys!
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: gebs2112 on May 11, 2005, 01:53:21 PM
I am testing this unit now..... with 24/96 Phantom/manual/Limiter....no noise S/N problems so far with it
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Govt Mule on May 11, 2005, 07:03:38 PM
I am testing this unit now..... with 24/96 Phantom/manual/Limiter....no noise S/N problems so far with it
what kind of card are you using?
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: gebs2112 on May 12, 2005, 10:12:18 AM
4Gb compact flashes
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Govt Mule on May 12, 2005, 01:14:22 PM
4Gb compact flashes

What brand?
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: gebs2112 on May 12, 2005, 06:34:43 PM
Sandisk ones and note this..........if you do not set the switch correctly on the card you will not get the required time.
For a 4 Gb card at 24/96 it should be 118 mins (1hour 58mins approx)
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: esteyes on May 12, 2005, 10:34:35 PM
greetings all. taped the Virginia Coalition and Edwin McCain last nite at the Belly Up in Solana Beach, CA. my home taping venue that i know so well. ran the standard senn k3u/me40 (supercard) + akg 460/ck61 combo > shure fp33 > 671.  used line out on the shure and the rca line in on the 671. ran the limiter on the shure but forgot to run the limiter on the 671 and got bit hard. i had 0db peaks here and there and generally ran the show at -3db as recorded by the peak hold, but still have crackles where dynamics crushed the input of the 671 (or so i believe). ran my M1 as a backup off the tape out of the shure and had -2db levels on it all night - sounds fine, just wish i had started it on time and not let the batteries die near the end of edwin's set.

loading the show into cooledit pro to look at the waveforms... my gut feeling is that the 671 does not report as accurately/quickly as is ness to trust it for absolute accuracy on the meters. the shure has a very wide dynamic range before clipping and the unit was never run that hard last nite to account for the crackles that seem to follow snare hits and the like - did have to run one of my old backup mic bodies, but am pretty sure that was not the cause. i will be sending all bodies to dwight over at sennheiser shortly as one body did quit just prior to dickey betts. anyway, having owned these mics for more than a few years i feel that 671 owners better run the internal limiter unil they get a real feel for the metering, i am going to write D&M and express some opinions and see what comes back. i'll post it. i also ran a 4G scandisk CF card as i have sworn off microdrives for the moment, altho i think i my be going thru some rechargeable hell with the X1 batteries am testing out - i think the NoMemPro's seem to be the absolute most reliable batch to batch - i have 40 of the X1's and can't yet get consistant run times - best has been 9hrs in the bag, worst has been 2.5 in the bag.

neil out
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: caymanreview on June 15, 2005, 04:42:33 AM
well. took my name off the list for 722's and am purchasing one of these instead...

where did everyone buy thiers? what kinda prices you get? i see some 799$'s on froogle and such but Frank at cascade tells me that is below dealer cost...

il prolly just get it from frank at 969$
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Govt Mule on June 15, 2005, 10:54:13 AM
well. took my name off the list for 722's and am purchasing one of these instead...

where did everyone buy thiers? what kinda prices you get? i see some 799$'s on froogle and such but Frank at cascade tells me that is below dealer cost...

il prolly just get it from frank at 969$
I paid 799
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: ts on June 15, 2005, 12:39:18 PM
I'm looking at one for about the same, 790ish. Only thing holding me back is size. I got tired of carrying my ProII a long time ago. I'm sure it's not as heavy as a ProII, but it's just as big. My setup is so small right now, even with the V3.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Govt Mule on June 19, 2005, 03:24:23 PM
I'm looking at one for about the same, 790ish. Only thing holding me back is size. I got tired of carrying my ProII a long time ago. I'm sure it's not as heavy as a ProII, but it's just as big. My setup is so small right now, even with the V3.
This thing is very light, but too big for a Noav 4 bag with a v3 and 1 eco charge., (just barely fit, no room for shock mounts)

 I am still having issue bringing  24 bit files over. What programs have been used succesfully.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: F.O.Bean on June 19, 2005, 03:31:42 PM
I'm looking at one for about the same, 790ish. Only thing holding me back is size. I got tired of carrying my ProII a long time ago. I'm sure it's not as heavy as a ProII, but it's just as big. My setup is so small right now, even with the V3.
This thing is very light, but too big for a Noav 4 bag with a v3 and 1 eco charge., (just barely fit, no room for shock mounts)

 I am still having issue bringing 24 bit files over. What programs have been used succesfully.

whats the dealie bud ??? it doewsnt wanna transfer the files from pmd-671>comp ???
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Govt Mule on June 19, 2005, 03:49:24 PM
If I do it via a coax not problem, but it is in real time.

 I want to be able to pull the card and put the files in my laptop for multiple day runs, but i have not been able to make it work.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: JasonSobel on June 19, 2005, 04:13:31 PM
If I do it via a coax not problem, but it is in real time.

 I want to be able to pull the card and put the files in my laptop for multiple day runs, but i have not been able to make it work.

is it that you cannot copy the files from the CF card?  or just that a Wave editing program won't open the files?

If it's the latter, you can open the files in CD Wave, then save as "alternate 24-bit format"  after that, you will be able to open the files in any program.

check out these links for reference:
http://www.oade.com/Tapers_Section/Forum/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=100&topic_id=2800&mesg_id=2800&page=
or
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=42786.45 (page 4)
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: F.O.Bean on June 19, 2005, 04:22:22 PM
so you havent been able to copy the files successfully from the pmd-671 flash card>lappy/pc ???

im not down w/ real-time transfers since i ideally want to burn thru (2) 4GB flash cards and then hook up one of those OTG(On-The-Go) hard drives and ideally transfer pmd-671>OTG drive so that i can then format the flash cards each nite for the next day at festies :)
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: F.O.Bean on June 19, 2005, 04:32:32 PM
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=44535.new#new
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: WiFiJeff on June 19, 2005, 05:19:42 PM
If I do it via a coax not problem, but it is in real time.

 I want to be able to pull the card and put the files in my laptop for multiple day runs, but i have not been able to make it work.

I'm still waiting for Marantz tech support to get back to me, no word on a fix for this.  The problem is that it uses a newer Microsoft definition on files formats, the older (i.e. practically all) editing programs don't recognize 24/96 files in this format.  You can use CD Wave, as someone suggested a few weeks back on another 671 thread.  You can open the file and then save it choosing "No conversion" and "alternate 24 bit format," and that new file will open in Wavelab etc.  This works.  The Marantz suggestion of taking the digital out from the 671 real time is a non-starter for me.

Jeff

Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: esteyes on June 28, 2005, 09:29:01 PM
well hello all. taped a few shows recently and am finally getting the levels correct and no hissing or distortion. rig is akg or senn mics > Shure FP33 >analog >line in on the 671(24/48k) via rca.  so far i have found that using the limiter helps but one can still get digi-figits if the peaks are too heavy. i taped edwin mccain and ran the shure as i would for the M1 and ruined that tape. then i went and did JGB/Merle Saunders at the same venue from the same spot and backed down the individual channel levels and got an absolutely killer tape. so, finally i think it is styarting to get to the point where i have a little confidence in the recording process.

i will not use MicroDrives - proved that at dickey betts and then with the in-the-bag test at home later. too much current demand and more importantly, inconsistent HD data transfer/storage.

i have gone back to the NoMemPro NiMH 2300/2400 mAH batteries. they give consistently good results of ~8hrs before shutting down. and i have been getting almost the same recording/playback time with the alkalines as well. nice to not have to lug an SLA around and the 40 nimhs for $40 from fry's was a mistake despite their being labelled 2400mah.

i have tix for phil at the rocks and fillmore, but not sure if i will be able to make it, will have to bag another 4G CF card to go as i don't owna lappy.

neil in san marcos

i have had no problems moving music files from the 671 over to my P4 3G Win2K computer. can't do any editing yet, waiting for a bud to send me a disc with a helpful program on it. wink wink. but i get MPGLANG1 folder with .wav files inside. i use the USB cable provided w/ no prob's...
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Chuck on September 19, 2005, 10:49:54 PM
Any updates on the PMD 671?

I know that Doug Oade is modding them now.
I'm just wondering how those that bought them feel about them now?
I'm seriously considering the ACM PMD 671 from Oade.
I figure to use it with my  DAT via the SPIDIF out until the CF cards come down more.

Also, what is the best powering option?
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: eric.B on September 19, 2005, 11:11:44 PM
nice bump   :guitarist:
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Kindguy on September 19, 2005, 11:46:59 PM
well. took my name off the list for 722's and am purchasing one of these instead...

where did everyone buy thiers? what kinda prices you get? i see some 799$'s on froogle and such but Frank at cascade tells me that is below dealer cost...

il prolly just get it from frank at 969$
I paid 799

Who did you buy this from? & DId it work out OK?
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: MattinSTL on September 20, 2005, 06:20:27 PM
The best prices I've seen are $899 now... so is that it then?

Also... in the comments of ruined recordings I don't understand why these people aren't using the 3rd head feature so you can hear what you actually recorded rather then listen to a great feed off the mixer or PRE-recording? That's one of the things that makes the 671 so cool for a real pro... it's the ability to hear the recording AFTER the recording immediately... so you KNOW what you got. Headphone outputs can sound great even while some bad shit is going down inside the box.

Does ANYBODY use their 671 as a stand-alone? Anybody? Would it be worthless for that?
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: F.O.Bean on September 20, 2005, 06:25:16 PM
ive also been contemplating one of these as well, seems more stable and more pro than the MT could ever be

wasnt there a problem w/ the files getting cut seamlessly at 2GB, they just stopped like the MT supposedly does? i think i remember someone saying they had a firmware fix for it tho!
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: MattinSTL on September 20, 2005, 06:52:44 PM
Well I know that it can simultaneously stop a current recording and start a new one at the push of a button or by setting that action for a given duration (like say at 2 hours start a new file)... so that's not bad.

Also I suppose the argument would be that there's no comparison between the MicroTrack and 671 strictly because there's no comparison on price... but I'm strongly leaning to the 671 at this point.

I'd like to hear some more current reports on how happy people are with their's... and if the mic pre is total shit or not... by the paper specs it seems like it might be... but then on oade's site they talk about dramatic improvements by doing their mods and say that can't be seen on paper. So maybe the 671 REALLY DOES have dramatically improved mic-in sound even though it doesn't measure out that way?

As a bit of irony... on the oade site when they mention the dramatic improvements to the mic-in they DO say that it's measured at 6db gain in SN... which ALSO just happens to be the difference in the 670 and 671 as stated by Marantz! Coincidence? I'm thinking NO. If Marantz was smart they'd buy an oade modded 670 and just put that $5 worth of op-amps and caps in the 671... and MAYBE they did. I'd really like to hear a shootout of the 670 mic-in and the 671 mic-in... and maybe even throw in an oade modded 660 or 670 someplace.

That said the one thing that's driving me freakin' nuts with the praise of the oade mods is I can't find ONE scientifically valid sound bite! The only way to A/B test anything is to have an A and a B... you can't just have a bunch of A's and keep telling everyone to hear the difference... you MUST split the recording so it's the EXACT sounds at the EXACT time in the EXACT space or else it's capable of being BIASED and therfor VOID. What's so hard to get about that? If I buy an ACM 660 instead of a stock 671 and I take that box over to my buddy's house (who has a 670) and we do a showdown... and the difference ISN'T as dramatic as it is on the oade site then I'd go nucking futs! Have you heard the samples on the oade site? They are nothing short of INCREDIBLE if the difference is really that much and it's not a case of room and distance to mic... so if it's really that amazing it's a bargain to have oade do the mods! But then that also begs the question of WHY in the hell Marantz (who I'm guessing has a llittle more cash in their factory) couldn't EASILY integrate those few components? They would never say, "well it's good enough"... when they could kick everybody's ass for another $5.

Sorry, but I'm frustrated that nobody wants to talk about that...

...and I'm dying for some fresh reporst on what people think of the 671.  ???

I gotta' cancel my MicroTrack and order a 671 or else accept the MicroTrack and I can't decide what I want to do yet.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Brian Skalinder on September 20, 2005, 07:18:24 PM
Well I know that it can simultaneously stop a current recording and start a new one at the push of a button or by setting that action for a given duration (like say at 2 hours start a new file)... so that's not bad.

Also I suppose the argument would be that there's no comparison between the MicroTrack and 671 strictly because there's no comparison on price... but I'm strongly leaning to the 671 at this point.

I'd like to hear some more current reports on how happy people are with their's... and if the mic pre is total shit or not... by the paper specs it seems like it might be... but then on oade's site they talk about dramatic improvements by doing their mods and say that can't be seen on paper. So maybe the 671 REALLY DOES have dramatically improved mic-in sound even though it doesn't measure out that way?

As a bit of irony... on the oade site when they mention the dramatic improvements to the mic-in they DO say that it's measured at 6db gain in SN... which ALSO just happens to be the difference in the 670 and 671 as stated by Marantz! Coincidence? I'm thinking NO. If Marantz was smart they'd buy an oade modded 670 and just put that $5 worth of op-amps and caps in the 671... and MAYBE they did. I'd really like to hear a shootout of the 670 mic-in and the 671 mic-in... and maybe even throw in an oade modded 660 or 670 someplace.

That said the one thing that's driving me freakin' nuts with the praise of the oade mods is I can't find ONE scientifically valid sound bite! The only way to A/B test anything is to have an A and a B... you can't just have a bunch of A's and keep telling everyone to hear the difference... you MUST split the recording so it's the EXACT sounds at the EXACT time in the EXACT space or else it's capable of being BIASED and therfor VOID. What's so hard to get about that? If I buy an ACM 660 instead of a stock 671 and I take that box over to my buddy's house (who has a 670) and we do a showdown... and the difference ISN'T as dramatic as it is on the oade site then I'd go nucking futs! Have you heard the samples on the oade site? They are nothing short of INCREDIBLE if the difference is really that much and it's not a case of room and distance to mic... so if it's really that amazing it's a bargain to have oade do the mods! But then that also begs the question of WHY in the hell Marantz (who I'm guessing has a llittle more cash in their factory) couldn't EASILY integrate those few components? They would never say, "well it's good enough"... when they could kick everybody's ass for another $5.

Sorry, but I'm frustrated that nobody wants to talk about that...

...and I'm dying for some fresh reporst on what people think of the 671.  ???

I gotta' cancel my MicroTrack and order a 671 or else accept the MicroTrack and I can't decide what I want to do yet.

Take a deep breath.  There are no easy answers.  There aren't a lot of people running 671s, so you're not going to get a lot of feedback on that unit.  Why aren't there a lot of people running 671s?  Probably because they're either content with their current gear, have opted for the SD 7xx, or are hoping the MT2496 will answer their prayers.

Why hasn't Marantz implemented the Oade mods into their gear?  Because they're a huge corporation focused on driving costs as low as possible in order to maximize profit.  And the design is complete, they've cut their corners, and they're not going to change the production line now.  Or any number of other reasons on which it's futile to speculate.  Accept it for what it is.  Not all decisions are made using the same "lens" as the one you're wearing, so not all decisions made with an alternate lens are going to make perfect sense to you.

As for measurement, the Oade Bros are a small shop and have limited resources.  Measurement requires resources.  And besides, the specs wouldn't tell you how it *sounds*, anyway.  I've had enough experiences with the Oade Bros to believe that if they say it makes a big difference, it makes a big difference.  They succeed in business in no small part based on their reputation.  I do not believe they would make false claims in an effort to make a few extra bucks, only to ultimately harm the business by harming their reputation.

If you have questions about how the different pieces of gear sound (670 v. 671 or whatever...I don't even know what gear you're considering, honestly...I can't quite make sense of your post), have you considered calling the Oade Bros and asking them for some input?
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Rick on September 20, 2005, 07:20:16 PM
wasnt there a problem w/ the files getting cut seamlessly at 2GB, they just stopped like the MT supposedly does? i think i remember someone saying they had a firmware fix for it tho!

Nick has one, maybe he can chime in... The ADC sounds nice though  :hmmm:
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: JasonSobel on September 20, 2005, 07:21:28 PM
wasnt there a problem w/ the files getting cut seamlessly at 2GB, they just stopped like the MT supposedly does? i think i remember someone saying they had a firmware fix for it tho!

With the pmd-671, there was NEVER a problem with the 2gig.  I talked with tech support right when they came out, because I was this close to buying one.  (the only reason why I didn't was because the week the 671 came out was when the rumors for the microtrack started, and I was willing to wait another few months for 24 bit if I could save lots of money).  The guy told me that you could set the autosplit for 1 hour, 2 hour, or 4 hours, and it would seamlessly start a new file at whatever point you set it to.

The only "problem" with the 671 when it first came out, is that the .wav files that it saved were not recognized by most programs.  Marantz had implemented a new .wav file format developed by Microsoft.  Only problem is that most programs can't read it.  This could be bypassed by opening the file in CD Wave, and then resaving with the "alternate 24-bit format" option checked.  However, the issue is now moot, because Marantz has fixed it with a firmware update.

Quote
Also... in the comments of ruined recordings I don't understand why these people aren't using the 3rd head feature so you can hear what you actually recorded rather then listen to a great feed off the mixer or PRE-recording? That's one of the things that makes the 671 so cool for a real pro... it's the ability to hear the recording AFTER the recording immediately... so you KNOW what you got. Headphone outputs can sound great even while some bad shit is going down inside the box.

that is a nice feature, but if you check out the manual, that feature is not available when recording at 24 bit, only when recording at 16 bit or in .mp3 format.

So, the only other negative thing I see about the 671 is the 15V dc input, and it's price.  I'm still hoping the m-audio microtrack issues can be resolved in a relative short time-span, but if not, it'll be a PMD-671 for me.

please note: I purposely did not comment on the mic-in or line-in quality, nor did I comment on the Oade mods.  At this point, I love my V3, and all I care about is to able to record a 24-bit S/PDIF signal.  So I'm going to refrain from any discussion of the analog inputs.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Chuck on September 20, 2005, 07:45:31 PM
wasnt there a problem w/ the files getting cut seamlessly at 2GB, they just stopped like the MT supposedly does? i think i remember someone saying they had a firmware fix for it tho!

With the pmd-671, there was NEVER a problem with the 2gig.  I talked with tech support right when they came out, because I was this close to buying one.  (the only reason why I didn't was because the week the 671 came out was when the rumors for the microtrack started, and I was willing to wait another few months for 24 bit if I could save lots of money).  The guy told me that you could set the autosplit for 1 hour, 2 hour, or 4 hours, and it would seamlessly start a new file at whatever point you set it to.

The only "problem" with the 671 when it first came out, is that the .wav files that it saved were not recognized by most programs.  Marantz had implemented a new .wav file format developed by Microsoft.  Only problem is that most programs can't read it.  This could be bypassed by opening the file in CD Wave, and then resaving with the "alternate 24-bit format" option checked.  However, the issue is now moot, because Marantz has fixed it with a firmware update.

Quote
Also... in the comments of ruined recordings I don't understand why these people aren't using the 3rd head feature so you can hear what you actually recorded rather then listen to a great feed off the mixer or PRE-recording? That's one of the things that makes the 671 so cool for a real pro... it's the ability to hear the recording AFTER the recording immediately... so you KNOW what you got. Headphone outputs can sound great even while some bad shit is going down inside the box.

that is a nice feature, but if you check out the manual, that feature is not available when recording at 24 bit, only when recording at 16 bit or in .mp3 format.

So, the only other negative thing I see about the 671 is the 15V dc input, and it's price.  I'm still hoping the m-audio microtrack issues can be resolved in a relative short time-span, but if not, it'll be a PMD-671 for me.

please note: I purposely did not comment on the mic-in or line-in quality, nor did I comment on the Oade mods.  At this point, I love my V3, and all I care about is to able to record a 24-bit S/PDIF signal.  So I'm going to refrain from any discussion of the analog inputs.
I have a message from Nick that it can run on 12 v DC. I sent an e-mail to Doug to confirm. What I want to know most is if it can be run in a pass through only mode. Specifically, can it pass signal to the SPIDIF out without a CF card in it. This would be quite useful for situations when you don't have enough CF card memory, you could record to laptop or even DAT.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: eric.B on September 20, 2005, 07:46:01 PM
Well I know that it can simultaneously stop a current recording and start a new one at the push of a button or by setting that action for a given duration (like say at 2 hours start a new file)... so that's not bad.

Also I suppose the argument would be that there's no comparison between the MicroTrack and 671 strictly because there's no comparison on price... but I'm strongly leaning to the 671 at this point.

I'd like to hear some more current reports on how happy people are with their's... and if the mic pre is total shit or not... by the paper specs it seems like it might be... but then on oade's site they talk about dramatic improvements by doing their mods and say that can't be seen on paper. So maybe the 671 REALLY DOES have dramatically improved mic-in sound even though it doesn't measure out that way?

As a bit of irony... on the oade site when they mention the dramatic improvements to the mic-in they DO say that it's measured at 6db gain in SN... which ALSO just happens to be the difference in the 670 and 671 as stated by Marantz! Coincidence? I'm thinking NO. If Marantz was smart they'd buy an oade modded 670 and just put that $5 worth of op-amps and caps in the 671... and MAYBE they did. I'd really like to hear a shootout of the 670 mic-in and the 671 mic-in... and maybe even throw in an oade modded 660 or 670 someplace.

That said the one thing that's driving me freakin' nuts with the praise of the oade mods is I can't find ONE scientifically valid sound bite! The only way to A/B test anything is to have an A and a B... you can't just have a bunch of A's and keep telling everyone to hear the difference... you MUST split the recording so it's the EXACT sounds at the EXACT time in the EXACT space or else it's capable of being BIASED and therfor VOID. What's so hard to get about that? If I buy an ACM 660 instead of a stock 671 and I take that box over to my buddy's house (who has a 670) and we do a showdown... and the difference ISN'T as dramatic as it is on the oade site then I'd go nucking futs! Have you heard the samples on the oade site? They are nothing short of INCREDIBLE if the difference is really that much and it's not a case of room and distance to mic... so if it's really that amazing it's a bargain to have oade do the mods! But then that also begs the question of WHY in the hell Marantz (who I'm guessing has a llittle more cash in their factory) couldn't EASILY integrate those few components? They would never say, "well it's good enough"... when they could kick everybody's ass for another $5.

Sorry, but I'm frustrated that nobody wants to talk about that...

...and I'm dying for some fresh reporst on what people think of the 671.  ???

I gotta' cancel my MicroTrack and order a 671 or else accept the MicroTrack and I can't decide what I want to do yet.

I hear ya..   but then again I dont..   No piece of audio gear can be described with numbers on a piece of paper as to what it sounds like..   what is gold sounding to someone is bronze to another..  If the changes to any piece of gear that Doug modifies make it sound better (for a far field recordist) then why doesnt the manufacturer also do it?  well..  as stated before we are a VERY SMALL MARKET for these manufacturers..  VERRRRY SMALL...  so I dont think any manuf. would even consider it.  If they did, then why not chime in the same opinion on the tascam dap1, or the UA5, or the sbm-1, or the d7/8 etc on and on  (all of which oade has modded in the past)   My advice to you is buy the stock 671 and try it..  if ya dont like it, buy a 722..  if ya dont like that buy an ad2k and an MT(if it works)...  if ya dont like that buy a v3 and a PDAudio palm..  If ya dont like that buy a MiniMe and a laptop..    and iffin you dont like that..   try the mytek with a laptop.   and if that doesnt work for you..  get a modded 671..

or try that scenerio in reverse..   mod671 first etc..  

or you can just keep waiting and searching for some field use of the mod671..  then decide.

above and beyond..  trust YOUR ears.  

The only opinions I value in terms of gear is their reliability and user friendliness..  all else is up to the listener.

Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: MattinSTL on September 20, 2005, 08:11:35 PM
Thanks Web and Chuck and Jason and Rick and Brian.

I know I'm new here and I don't want to get a reputation for being a dick... I'm just curious for answers that are sometimes slow to come.

It's a good suggestion to call Doug tomorrow and I'll do that for sure. I should have called them today, but I'm a little worried about getting biased answers. I hope Doug is a cool guy and won't mind some "Columbo-like" questions... 'cause to MY ears it sounds like he's WAY closer to the mic when he's stating that he's on the unit with the mods. I'm very curious how he got rid of the room acoustics any other way? I've got on 7506's running out of a 24/96 computer and I had 'em cranked and I just hear more distance to the mic when he says he's on the stock unit... I hope he can answer that without thinking I'm a smartass.

So then if I get an ACM 660 and take it over to my buddy's house and do a split into his 670 and they sound the same... what then? I'm guessing Doug will say, "Sure! Try that... I'll laugh my ass off at you for even thinking they'll be CLOSE... AND I'll give you a refund if you aren't amazed!"... or will he say, "no refunds on modded gear"? (Which is what's stated on the oade site.)

I guess I'll also find out if I can feed the mic-in as line in or if that's even a consideration... since the line-in is 15db quieter I don't understand why you wouldn't START at that input rather then the mic input. 15db seems like a lot of ground to cover before you even get into improvements beyond that.

And of course I understand enjoyable sound versus measured quality... but I'm torn in that area... I used to go to CES every year in Chicago and there's a lot of gray areas in arguments of subjective sound. It's always nice when a piece of gear specs high AND sounds good 'cause then you have science... which I feel is the best foundation for art... rather then the other way 'round.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: F.O.Bean on September 20, 2005, 08:19:49 PM
wasnt there a problem w/ the files getting cut seamlessly at 2GB, they just stopped like the MT supposedly does? i think i remember someone saying they had a firmware fix for it tho!

With the pmd-671, there was NEVER a problem with the 2gig.  I talked with tech support right when they came out, because I was this close to buying one.  (the only reason why I didn't was because the week the 671 came out was when the rumors for the microtrack started, and I was willing to wait another few months for 24 bit if I could save lots of money).  The guy told me that you could set the autosplit for 1 hour, 2 hour, or 4 hours, and it would seamlessly start a new file at whatever point you set it to.

The only "problem" with the 671 when it first came out, is that the .wav files that it saved were not recognized by most programs.  Marantz had implemented a new .wav file format developed by Microsoft.  Only problem is that most programs can't read it.  This could be bypassed by opening the file in CD Wave, and then resaving with the "alternate 24-bit format" option checked.  However, the issue is now moot, because Marantz has fixed it with a firmware update.

Quote
Also... in the comments of ruined recordings I don't understand why these people aren't using the 3rd head feature so you can hear what you actually recorded rather then listen to a great feed off the mixer or PRE-recording? That's one of the things that makes the 671 so cool for a real pro... it's the ability to hear the recording AFTER the recording immediately... so you KNOW what you got. Headphone outputs can sound great even while some bad shit is going down inside the box.

that is a nice feature, but if you check out the manual, that feature is not available when recording at 24 bit, only when recording at 16 bit or in .mp3 format.

So, the only other negative thing I see about the 671 is the 15V dc input, and it's price.  I'm still hoping the m-audio microtrack issues can be resolved in a relative short time-span, but if not, it'll be a PMD-671 for me.

please note: I purposely did not comment on the mic-in or line-in quality, nor did I comment on the Oade mods.  At this point, I love my V3, and all I care about is to able to record a 24-bit S/PDIF signal.  So I'm going to refrain from any discussion of the analog inputs.

thanks jason, +T in12 buddy ;)

thats great news, and if the post above is true, it can be run on 12vDC
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: eric.B on September 20, 2005, 08:39:12 PM
+t for ya..

ys..  def give doug a call and ask him all those questions..  Im not sure on any "refunds"*..  but it will be a piece of gear you can sell easily Im sure..




* just makes me think of the scene in Breaking Away when Dave suggests giving the guy who bought the corvette a refund..  and the father faints while repeating "refund..   refund..   "    ..  then he wakes up at home (seemingly from a bad dream or something) shouting..  "Refund!    Refund! "   

great movie!



 

Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Chuck on September 20, 2005, 08:51:41 PM
Thanks Web and Chuck and Jason and Rick and Brian.

I know I'm new here and I don't want to get a reputation for being a dick... I'm just curious for answers that are sometimes slow to come.

It's a good suggestion to call Doug tomorrow and I'll do that for sure. I should have called them today, but I'm a little worried about getting biased answers. I hope Doug is a cool guy and won't mind some "Columbo-like" questions... 'cause to MY ears it sounds like he's WAY closer to the mic when he's stating that he's on the unit with the mods. I'm very curious how he got rid of the room acoustics any other way? I've got on 7506's running out of a 24/96 computer and I had 'em cranked and I just hear more distance to the mic when he says he's on the stock unit... I hope he can answer that without thinking I'm a smartass.

So then if I get an ACM 660 and take it over to my buddy's house and do a split into his 670 and they sound the same... what then? I'm guessing Doug will say, "Sure! Try that... I'll laugh my ass off at you for even thinking they'll be CLOSE... AND I'll give you a refund if you aren't amazed!"... or will he say, "no refunds on modded gear"? (Which is what's stated on the oade site.)

I guess I'll also find out if I can feed the mic-in as line in or if that's even a consideration... since the line-in is 15db quieter I don't understand why you wouldn't START at that input rather then the mic input. 15db seems like a lot of ground to cover before you even get into improvements beyond that.

And of course I understand enjoyable sound versus measured quality... but I'm torn in that area... I used to go to CES every year in Chicago and there's a lot of gray areas in arguments of subjective sound. It's always nice when a piece of gear specs high AND sounds good 'cause then you have science... which I feel is the best foundation for art... rather then the other way 'round.

+T to ya Matt.
Now, if I can just get my MMe sold, I can get one of these things... ;)
I just sweetened the pot too...
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=49671.0
I threw in a Li-Ion battery, DAT and all the cables you need...
Jeez, what else does a guy have to do to sell his stuff  ???
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: MattinSTL on September 20, 2005, 08:54:56 PM
Thanks for the +T... and BTW how do I give somebody a +T? Do I just say T+ or +T Web... and then the software/moderator figures it out?

If so then +T Web...

I was feeling a little discouraged seeing my tickets going down because I'm asking unpopular questions.

When I was a kid my mom was a Jehovah's Witness and when I started to learn about science my mom wanted the "elders" to talk with me about my growing doubts about the religion... well it didn't take too long before my "unpopular questions" got me a free pass from that place.

I'd hate to feel unwelcome here because I like scientific answers.

EDIT: I see another ticket as I typed this... so thanks Chuck... I meant it when I said I don't want to be viewed as a dick for asking stuff like this. (regarding oade)

I guess if people respect me but don't like me that's still okay.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Chuck on September 20, 2005, 09:09:09 PM
Just speaking for myself, of course, I think questioning things is GOOD!
I've heard what I need to hear on the Oade mods, to know they are a good thing.
As others have mentioned... you have to decide for yourself. I say stay sceptical Matt.
If you end up doing comparisons, please let us know what you find.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: JasonSobel on September 20, 2005, 09:19:22 PM
Thanks for the +T... and BTW how do I give somebody a +T? Do I just say T+ or +T Web... and then the software/moderator figures it out?

If so then +T Web...

I was feeling a little discouraged seeing my tickets going down because I'm asking unpopular questions.

underneath someone's name and tickets, you should see two links, one that says "gdtstoo" and one that says "ptbm".  The first one will give someone a ticket, the second will take one away.

and honestly, don't worry about your ticket count.  it's just a stupid thing that can be fun, but people get too worked up over it.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: silentmark on September 20, 2005, 09:41:32 PM
ive also been contemplating one of these as well, seems more stable and more pro than the MT could ever be

Heh I am starting to rethink things myself bean, only time will tell ...
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Brian Skalinder on September 20, 2005, 09:48:41 PM
It's a good suggestion to call Doug tomorrow and I'll do that for sure. I should have called them today, but I'm a little worried about getting biased answers. I hope Doug is a cool guy and won't mind some "Columbo-like" questions... 'cause to MY ears it sounds like he's WAY closer to the mic when he's stating that he's on the unit with the mods. I'm very curious how he got rid of the room acoustics any other way? I've got on 7506's running out of a 24/96 computer and I had 'em cranked and I just hear more distance to the mic when he says he's on the stock unit...

These samples (http://www.oade.com/Tapers_Section/Forum/dcboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=100&topic_id=2622&mesg_id=3053&page=)?

I hope he can answer that without thinking I'm a smartass.

Depends on how you ask the questions, I imagine.  If you come off as a smartass, you might get a smartass answer.  Just remain calm and it'll go fine, I'm sure.  Though a word of warning:  Doug generally doesn't give out nitty gritty specifics of the mods he does - part numbers, etc. 

At any rate, if you end up running comps, let us know what happens!  :)

ReFUND!  REFUND!!   :lol:
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: MattinSTL on September 21, 2005, 01:55:28 PM
Would you guys stop calling Doug for 10 minutes please! ;D I been tryin' to get through all morning and busy... busy... busy.


Brian, yes those are the samples. You would laugh at my mic samples that I posted for other video guys, because you guys all have such great gear... but believe it or not a Panasonic DVX has pretty good sound for a camera and a lot of guys who are pursuing better audio for video have no idea what different mics sound like... and since I'm OCD about this stuff I'd always post a new showdown every time I tried a new mic... my little tests are boring, but they're split stereo recordings where you can tell exactly what the differences are in mics... even though the end recording isn't up to the standards you guys uphold here.

If you're curious you can have a listen to an example of what I mean by clicking HERE (http://www.gettreel.com/Live%20Schoeps%201st%20Akg%20480b%20ck63%202nd.wma) and you'll hear the identical recording split so it's about as scientific as I can make it.

Okay now if you're still curious about mics straight into a DVX... then click HERE (http://www.gettreel.com/Informal%20Jam%20session%20with%20Elliot%20Genther.wma) and you can hear a buddy of mine singing and playing guitar on a song that he wrote. I need to tell you that he HAD A COLD and this was in my living room! So at about 1 minute you hear his voice getting vaclempt (how do you spell flemy?) But anyway I think this isn't too bad considering we're talking about a video camera here.

Hopefully this ALSO tells you why I'm so desperate to get some nice gear and learn from you guys! I have some pretty good recording opportunities in my personal life and I'd like to make the shift from "okay" to professional sound quality.

Okay I'm gonna' get back to trying to reach Doug!
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Kindguy on September 21, 2005, 03:08:03 PM
+t for ya..

ys..  def give doug a call and ask him all those questions..  Im not sure on any "refunds"*..  but it will be a piece of gear you can sell easily Im sure..




* just makes me think of the scene in Breaking Away when Dave suggests giving the guy who bought the corvette a refund..  and the father faints while repeating "refund..   refund..   "    ..  then he wakes up at home (seemingly from a bad dream or something) shouting..  "Refund!    Refund! "   

great movie!



 



That was a great movie. I brought up a reference the other night & everyone looked at me like I was crazy. Then I started quoting it, trying to spark someone's memory & they all thought I was making it up.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: MattinSTL on September 21, 2005, 03:27:31 PM
Holy Cow... I just got off the phone with Doug... after 20 minutes of me asking questions and him answering them! He is one really NICE and KNOWLEDGABLE GUY.

I can see where he got his reputation... I asked him everything I could think of and he answered it all.

He did say "no refunds" but he also said that I should put the ACM 660 up against the stock 670 and be prepared to be blown away! Doug even said that the 660 STOCK will blow away the 670 stock! He also advised me to dump the MixPre right away 'cause running a MixPre line in on a 660 would sound WAY worse then running the ACM 660 MIC-IN without it.

I then asked about getting the 671 stock and running that via a MixPre and he said the ACM 660 will STILL sound better... but he also said that if I buy the 671 from him that I can always send it back later to get the mods (once they're ready).

Then I asked about the room acoustics I hear in the test recordings and he assured me that those are low frequency artifacts and other electronic noise bringing out the room whereas on the modded units you don't hear that and THAT'S why the other recordings sound so much closer... and he said he gets asked about that a lot! I still think it sounds like the room, but the previous point that he'd lose reputation if the end user didn't also experience this effect is a good point... I'm almost totally sold on the ACM 660 JUST for that alone! Bringing voices up close and intimate is a powerful tool for somebody who just wants dialog!

So what to do, what to do. I got a lot of thinking ahead of me today... and probably tomorrow... and the first thing I'm thinking is I'm going to cancel my MicroTrack... so that once I decide I can get one of these other machines from Doug.

Thanks for all who put up with my shit and replied. Doug seems like a good guy to have on your side. ;)
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: sygdwm on September 21, 2005, 03:38:49 PM
id do it if i were only interested in voice. do you really need 24 bit voice? plus if you dont like it you can unload it on here for damn near what you paid based on doug's legacy alone.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: MattinSTL on September 21, 2005, 04:03:17 PM
The one thing he said about the benefits of getting vocals at 24bit is I can still save dialog at -20db down... with 24bit you can bring it up and still have basically perfect sound... whereas in 16bit whispers or other quiet moments (where I wasn't fast enough on the MixPre) would be lost.

It's a tough call for me. I can do 24/96 on my NLE now... so it's tempting THAT way also... but if I can have a super clean and intimate sound via JUST the ACM 660... and still be able to ride the levels enough... I may just do that.

Did I mention that it's a tough call? :-\
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: krebsy on September 21, 2005, 04:05:51 PM
Glad to hear you were able to get your questions aswered. I have a UA-5 that I purchased stock and then had the T+ mod applied to it. The difference is quite a bit like what is heard in the 660 samples you mentioned. The sound after the mod is *much* more up front and detailed. The drop in self noise of the unit was dramatic. I could tell the difference on my first recording with the T+ just listening to crowd noise without any music. It seems  as though Doug's goals are similar with the ACM mods. A fully modded 671 is sounding better all the time...   :hmmm:
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on September 21, 2005, 04:10:39 PM
the ACM 660 is the nicest sounding 16bit recorder i think i've heard.
fwiw..thats imo on the PC.

<:-)

is that geek enough?:

the fully mod'd 671, I have very hight hopes for based on the 660.  I really like Dougs T mod sound, and these are just smokin' clean and very fat sounding.  I hate to copy Dougs words..but 3 dimensional !!  and its true.  If your stereo can render it, and you can hear it...you will notice.

Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: F.O.Bean on September 21, 2005, 04:12:00 PM
Glad to hear you were able to get your questions aswered. I have a UA-5 that I purchased stock and then had the T+ mod applied to it. The difference is quite a bit like what is heard in the 660 samples you mentioned. The sound after the mod is *much* more up front and detailed. The drop in self noise of the unit was dramatic. I could tell the difference on my first recording with the T+ just listening to crowd noise without any music. It seems  as though Doug's goals are similar with the ACM mods. A fully modded 671 is sounding better all the time...   :hmmm:

+T mod 671 would be SWEET!

if that could be done, i think im sold!
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on September 21, 2005, 04:13:33 PM
I think the ACM is the full enchelada.  the + mod was specific for the UA5s.  I've never seen any other mod offered w/the "+" factor
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: F.O.Bean on September 21, 2005, 04:16:08 PM
thanks nick!
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: MattinSTL on September 21, 2005, 04:27:46 PM
So the question is ACM 660 or stock 671 (with the option of having mods applied later since I'll purchase it from Doug)  ???
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: nic on September 21, 2005, 04:36:57 PM
Glad to hear you were able to get your questions aswered. I have a UA-5 that I purchased stock and then had the T+ mod applied to it. The difference is quite a bit like what is heard in the 660 samples you mentioned. The sound after the mod is *much* more up front and detailed. The drop in self noise of the unit was dramatic. I could tell the difference on my first recording with the T+ just listening to crowd noise without any music. It seems  as though Doug's goals are similar with the ACM mods. A fully modded 671 is sounding better all the time...   :hmmm:

+T mod 671 would be SWEET!

if that could be done, i think im sold!

me too...I'm even contemplate selling the V3 for the all-in-one acm 671   ::)
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: RDunn on September 21, 2005, 04:43:27 PM
Looking for the tapeless solution, but not wanting to spend the money on the SD units, and not needing the super small size of the Microtracker...... I decided on the Marantz PMD671.... At about half the price of a 722 (including 2 4gb cards and a reporter style case), I ordered one from the Oades and so far I think it's a pretty sweet recorder.   I knew going in the mic preamps sucked, but never intend to use them so that's no biggie.  I had heard the line inputs weren't great, but based on the testing I've done so far, they do seem to be as good the 16 bit gear I've used in the past (DAP1), so they should work fine as well.  It's also going to be a sweet tool for transfering the many DATs that I already have.  I haven't had a chance to use it in the field yet, but should get a chance this weekend and at next weekend's ABB show in Raleigh.  I'll keep you posted on things I find out during recording/testing.

If you have any specific questions, drop me a PM and I'll look into it for you.

RD
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on September 21, 2005, 05:02:01 PM
Doug gave me a detailed description of the mods for the 671.  well, not an extensive description, but he went off on the super swanky caps he uses.  gets them direct from japan..and they are whats holding up the project at this time.  Just waiting for shipping..

I think i'm getting the first ACM mod.
:)
Now I just need to find the right case.  time for a new taper bag!
I'm thinking camcorder bag or lumbar.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: audBall on September 21, 2005, 05:51:58 PM
Doug gave me a detailed description of the mods for the 671.  well, not an extensive description, but he went off on the super swanky caps he uses.  gets them direct from japan..and they are whats holding up the project at this time.  Just waiting for shipping..

I think i'm getting the first ACM mod.
:)
Now I just need to find the right case.  time for a new taper bag!
I'm thinking camcorder bag or lumbar.

Nick, any word on prices for this unit yet?  Sorry if I already missed this but the oade site didn't say..
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on September 21, 2005, 05:52:55 PM
I think they are posted on the site.
if not, i know its under $1200.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: audBall on September 21, 2005, 05:59:17 PM
I think they are posted on the site.
if not, i know its under $1200.

Forgive my Marantz ignorance, but if one were to choose the ACM 671 over the ACM 660, the 671 would just allow the addition of recording up to 24/96??  Does it sound better Is it supposed to sound better than an ACM 660?
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: MattinSTL on September 21, 2005, 08:05:53 PM
I'm trying to make this same choice... either ACM pmd660 or stock (for now) 671.

How do I listen to Nick's Picks ratdog recording... done with the ACM 660?
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on September 21, 2005, 08:22:18 PM
you need to download a bit torrent client.
:)
or, do you know how to ftp?
if you have bandwidth, i'll get it to you.
if you dont, i can mail it to you
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: MattinSTL on September 22, 2005, 02:29:16 AM
Ahh thanks! Sorry that I'm so green on that... yeah I got bandwidth... 3mb download... or you can mail any size file to matt at gettreel dot com

I'm really festering on the idea of either the ACM 660 or the stock 671 (for later mod by Doug). Honestly the way Doug put it there's benefits to either choice. If both units are doing a 16/48 mic-in then the ACM 660 will beat out the 671... but running the 671 line-in will narrow the margins, but Doug says the ACM 660 will still beat that! Finally he does say that if you run 24/96 that the 24bit process let's you recover audio that's as much as 20db down! So for my use I can cleanly pull a whisper up to proper levels with 24bit... but if the ACM 660 really really rocks... then that may satisfy me for the forsee-able future.

All I really need to get is a good setup that will record dialog PERFECTLY (that's the important part) with zero hiss at either low levels or high levels... and once that happens you will only hear comments about those experiences... and not too many questions after that.

It's deciding on that box that's the hard part. ;)
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on September 22, 2005, 07:26:57 AM
use an ftp client
nickspicks.tzo.com
port 21
schoepsi / maxellus

look in the 16bit directory
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: kindms on September 22, 2005, 12:35:56 PM
I read through this post and he Oade board and I just have a few questions.

The oade site says that the Basic Concert Mod is already available for 975.00 is this correct ?

Also it only breezes over it in the specs but it does do 24/96 digital in ?

ACM = Advanced Concert Mod correct ? if So i would imagine that the Advanced Concer Mod 671 is what is listed on his site as available in Oct ?

Oh and does anyone know if it will send a signal out via Digital if you are using the XLR inputs ? Sorry if this was covered but I didnt see it
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Rick on September 22, 2005, 01:08:00 PM
Anyone know the internal bettery life on the 671 with phantom power?
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on September 22, 2005, 01:10:12 PM
dont know the battery life..
the prices on the Oade site...well, thats the source, so i'd guess they are correct.
the ACM mod is the one coming in Oct. 
It does do 24/96 input.
there are S/PDIF coax I/O jacks.  you can see if you look at the pictures.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: kindms on September 22, 2005, 02:01:59 PM
I saw them in the pictures but it was a litle unclear if it did 24/96 via digi-in. I was also wondereing if the digi-OUT is live when using analog in. Like if i was the lead deck could i patch folks out of my coax out


Oh and thanks for the info +T
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Chuck on September 22, 2005, 02:31:26 PM
Holy Cow... I just got off the phone with Doug... after 20 minutes of me asking questions and him answering them! He is one really NICE and KNOWLEDGABLE GUY.

I can see where he got his reputation... I asked him everything I could think of and he answered it all.

He did say "no refunds" but he also said that I should put the ACM 660 up against the stock 670 and be prepared to be blown away! Doug even said that the 660 STOCK will blow away the 670 stock! He also advised me to dump the MixPre right away 'cause running a MixPre line in on a 660 would sound WAY worse then running the ACM 660 MIC-IN without it.

I then asked about getting the 671 stock and running that via a MixPre and he said the ACM 660 will STILL sound better... but he also said that if I buy the 671 from him that I can always send it back later to get the mods (once they're ready).

Then I asked about the room acoustics I hear in the test recordings and he assured me that those are low frequency artifacts and other electronic noise bringing out the room whereas on the modded units you don't hear that and THAT'S why the other recordings sound so much closer... and he said he gets asked about that a lot! I still think it sounds like the room, but the previous point that he'd lose reputation if the end user didn't also experience this effect is a good point... I'm almost totally sold on the ACM 660 JUST for that alone! Bringing voices up close and intimate is a powerful tool for somebody who just wants dialog!

So what to do, what to do. I got a lot of thinking ahead of me today... and probably tomorrow... and the first thing I'm thinking is I'm going to cancel my MicroTrack... so that once I decide I can get one of these other machines from Doug.

Thanks for all who put up with my shit and replied. Doug seems like a good guy to have on your side. ;)

I'm wonder how the modded 660 stacks up with the modded 671?
I wonder if there is any difference or of they will be essentially the same?
That comment about the stock 660 blowing away the stock 670 makes me wonder  ???
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: MattinSTL on September 22, 2005, 02:58:11 PM
Yeah it made me wonder too... considering the specs are about the same... but I'm trying to get a handle on what specs I should pay attention to and what specs I should ignore.

Doug basically said that the only benefit of the 671 over the 660 was the 24/96... that's it. He said that if both machines were running 16/48 that a stock 660 wouldn't be much worse then a stock 671... but that the 671 would be SOME better... he just wouldn't really say how much. Which I guess is fair considering sound can be subjective.

When I pressed for more info on the stock 660 versus the stock 670 he said, "the 660 is a couple years newer and technology keeps moving"... so I don't know if that satisfies you in anyway... but that's what he said.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Chuck on September 22, 2005, 09:51:52 PM
Yeah it made me wonder too... considering the specs are about the same... but I'm trying to get a handle on what specs I should pay attention to and what specs I should ignore.

Doug basically said that the only benefit of the 671 over the 660 was the 24/96... that's it. He said that if both machines were running 16/48 that a stock 660 wouldn't be much worse then a stock 671... but that the 671 would be SOME better... he just wouldn't really say how much. Which I guess is fair considering sound can be subjective.

When I pressed for more info on the stock 660 versus the stock 670 he said, "the 660 is a couple years newer and technology keeps moving"... so I don't know if that satisfies you in anyway... but that's what he said.

I definately think the digital ins/outs are worth something on the PMD 671.
Of course 24 bit is the reason most people will get it.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Chuck on September 22, 2005, 10:04:53 PM
I see that Doug has lowered the price of the ACM 660 to $709 FROM $749 about a week ago.
http://www.oade.com/digital_recorders/hard_disc_recorders/PMD-660MODS.html
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Chuck on September 22, 2005, 10:25:11 PM
I saw them in the pictures but it was a litle unclear if it did 24/96 via digi-in. I was also wondereing if the digi-OUT is live when using analog in. Like if i was the lead deck could i patch folks out of my coax out


Oh and thanks for the info +T

Here is what I got from a Marantz tech:

Can this unit be set to record in a "pass-through only" mode? For
example directly to a computer through the SPIDIF output? Specifically,
can it do this without writing to a CF card at the same time? I'm
thinking about using it to record directly to a DAT deck or a laptop in
the field.

Hello Chuck,

Thanks for your message.  The SPDIF output on the PMD671 will pass
signal while in play, record pause,  and record mode. Feel free to contact technical support at (866)
405-2154 if you have any further questions. We are available from
8:30-5:00, CST, M-F.

Best regards,
 
Brian Jerome Aiken
Technical Support
D&M Professional
(Denon & Marantz Professional)
(866) 405-2154 - Toll Free
www.d-mpro.com
www.denondj.com
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: kgreener on September 22, 2005, 10:40:12 PM
I see that Doug has lowered the price of the ACM 660 to $709 FROM $749 about a week ago.
http://www.oade.com/digital_recorders/hard_disc_recorders/PMD-660MODS.html

hmm, are you sure about this Chuck?  i've always had the $709 figure in my mind for the ACM 660.  actually, i'm pretty sure i have an email from Doug back in August about just this, and i believe he wrote $709.  i don't have it with me now (it's at work), but i'll check tomorrow. 

either way, +t for all the info you've been providing us!
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Chuck on September 22, 2005, 10:53:37 PM
I see that Doug has lowered the price of the ACM 660 to $709 FROM $749 about a week ago.
http://www.oade.com/digital_recorders/hard_disc_recorders/PMD-660MODS.html

hmm, are you sure about this Chuck?  i've always had the $709 figure in my mind for the ACM 660.  actually, i'm pretty sure i have an email from Doug back in August about just this, and i believe he wrote $709.  i don't have it with me now (it's at work), but i'll check tomorrow. 

either way, +t for all the info you've been providing us!

Well, I don't have a screen shot, but I do have a file on this with the price as $749 plus $15 shipping.
Either way, it's a good deal.

I guess the question is...
Is the ACM PCM 671 worth the $449 difference, if the ACM PMD 671 goes for $1150? (the price is estimated, based on what I've seen and heard from Doug and others)
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: pfife on September 22, 2005, 11:03:27 PM
I see that Doug has lowered the price of the ACM 660 to $709 FROM $749 about a week ago.
http://www.oade.com/digital_recorders/hard_disc_recorders/PMD-660MODS.html

hmm, are you sure about this Chuck?  i've always had the $709 figure in my mind for the ACM 660.  actually, i'm pretty sure i have an email from Doug back in August about just this, and i believe he wrote $709.  i don't have it with me now (it's at work), but i'll check tomorrow. 

either way, +t for all the info you've been providing us!

Well, I don't have a screen shot, but I do have a file on this with the price as $749 plus $15 shipping.
Either way, it's a good deal.

I guess the question is...
Is the ACM PCM 671 worth the $449 difference, if the ACM PMD 671 goes for $1150? (the price is estimated, based on what I've seen and heard from Doug and others)

If its $449 for 24-bit, then I feel it is worth the difference.

My $.02
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: prof_peabody on September 22, 2005, 11:44:37 PM
+T Chuck

I agree with what Mattin wrote below.  +T'd ya over in the Microtrack thread.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: MattinSTL on September 22, 2005, 11:54:37 PM
I second the +T... I've got 4 machines in the running right now and you're really helping me compare 'em like I want to.

It's cool reading about stuff that'll be ahead of me before I know I'll want it... like the digital pass-through. I'm trying to change myself from getting what I want at the time and then wanting something else pretty soon afterward to making better choices that should satisfy future needs well too.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on September 23, 2005, 07:16:41 AM
the money difference is equal to the audio difference in 24bit vs. 16.

if your ears prefer 24bit, then you'd be happeir w/the 671.  that is what it boils down to.
My ears are happier w/24bit....but honestly, the 660 sounds so good that I sometimes feel like it is a waste of money to some extent.
the extent being enjoyment factor.  but we'll see.  as blown away as I am w/the 660, I bet that same fatty Oade sound  coming at me in 24bits is going to knock my socks off even more.

Unfortunately, I wont have the 671 in time for the start of SCIs fall tour here in Portland Maine.  Doug said I could borrow the 660 some more in the mean time.  So i'll be busting out some more fine recordings shortly for us to pick apart.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: kgreener on September 23, 2005, 08:34:56 AM
I see that Doug has lowered the price of the ACM 660 to $709 FROM $749 about a week ago.
http://www.oade.com/digital_recorders/hard_disc_recorders/PMD-660MODS.html
hmm, are you sure about this Chuck?  i've always had the $709 figure in my mind for the ACM 660.  actually, i'm pretty sure i have an email from Doug back in August about just this, and i believe he wrote $709.  i don't have it with me now (it's at work), but i'll check tomorrow. 
either way, +t for all the info you've been providing us!
Well, I don't have a screen shot, but I do have a file on this with the price as $749 plus $15 shipping.
Either way, it's a good deal.
I guess the question is...
Is the ACM PCM 671 worth the $449 difference, if the ACM PMD 671 goes for $1150? (the price is estimated, based on what I've seen and heard from Doug and others)

-----Original Message-----
From: Doug Oade [mailto:douglas@oade.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 02, 2005 12:02 PM
To: Greener, Keith
Subject: Re: Marantz PMD660

Hi!
The Marantz PMD660 is a nice machine ( 709.00 with our MOD) as is the 671( 975.00 with our MOD). The 671 does 24 bits while the 660 is 16 bit only. The nice thing about the 660 is it is small, the downside is it will not do 24/96 nor does it have a digital input, the 671 does. Both have CF slots and USB ports along with phantom powered mic inputs. The CDR420 is shipping soon, it is a 20 gig HD with a CD burner in it. It does 44.1 at 16 bits and also have USB plus 48 volt phantom powered mic preamps, they will need to be modified but I ma going to do that. It is a 660 mic preamp design that can be made to sound very good.

hope this helps!
Doug

no biggie, i guess i'm just wondering why it would fluctuate up & down $40 in over a month's time.  maybe he's not selling as many units as he'd like...which is kind of hard to believe after hearing it in action.  but yes, either way it's a good deal.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on September 23, 2005, 08:52:17 AM
interesting...the price did indeed change.
Maybe he's not offering up the ACM price until those parts are in?
who knows....
cheaper is good though.  no complaints.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: d5 on September 23, 2005, 07:18:57 PM
I see that Doug has lowered the price of the ACM 660 to $709 FROM $749 about a week ago.
http://www.oade.com/digital_recorders/hard_disc_recorders/PMD-660MODS.html

hmm, are you sure about this Chuck?  i've always had the $709 figure in my mind for the ACM 660.  actually, i'm pretty sure i have an email from Doug back in August about just this, and i believe he wrote $709.  i don't have it with me now (it's at work), but i'll check tomorrow. 

either way, +t for all the info you've been providing us!

Well, I don't have a screen shot, but I do have a file on this with the price as $749 plus $15 shipping.
Either way, it's a good deal.

I guess the question is...
Is the ACM PCM 671 worth the $449 difference, if the ACM PMD 671 goes for $1150? (the price is estimated, based on what I've seen and heard from Doug and others)

I remember the price being $749 for the ACM mod also
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: goose on September 24, 2005, 09:34:39 PM
I just saw a picture of a pmd671, and next to the external power jack it reads "DC in 15v."  I see it also runs on AA batteries (I'm guessing a bunch of them) for 4 to 6 hours.  Can anyone give me the lowdown on powering these recorders?
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Chuck on September 24, 2005, 10:09:52 PM
I've been trying to get the scoop on this myself. I've e-mailed Doug and haven't gotten a reply yet.
The Marantz tech said that they don't recommend powering it with anything but the supplied AC adaptor.

This could be a deal breaker if you can't power it with 12v DC.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: RDunn on September 24, 2005, 11:38:23 PM
The 671 runs on 8 AA batteries and Marantz claims 5-6 hours on alkalines.  I'm running rechargeable Powercell NiMH batteries in mine and I understand it'll run for quite a while on these.  I recorded for over 4 hours tonight and the battery indicator hasn't changed.  I'll do some more recording at home tomorrow to see how much time I can get on a set.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on September 25, 2005, 08:09:11 AM
the 15v requirement is only for charging the optional internal battery.
otherwise, the unit runs anywhere from there down to 10v.

Doug told me this on the phone last week.
so it'll run on 12v just fine.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Chuck on September 25, 2005, 12:03:16 PM
The 671 runs on 8 AA batteries and Marantz claims 5-6 hours on alkalines.  I'm running rechargeable Powercell NiMH batteries in mine and I understand it'll run for quite a while on these.  I recorded for over 4 hours tonight and the battery indicator hasn't changed.  I'll do some more recording at home tomorrow to see how much time I can get on a set.

How do you like your 671?
That's good to know that it will run on rechargable AA's.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: RDunn on September 25, 2005, 06:47:12 PM
So far I really like the 671.  If money was no object, I would have sprung for the SD 722, but for less than half the cost of the 722, I was able to get the 671, 2 - 4 gig cards and a reporter style case for the 671.  It records at 24/96 through the digital input, passes a digital signal through the digital ouput, and the analog inputs are as good as what I've used before with the DAP1.  And I can record most shows I see (including the opening act) with 8 AA batteries.  Granted the mic inputs aren't great, but I don't see myself using them.  If I change my mind, I'll get Doug Oade to modify my unit.  Plus this is a sweet machine for doing DAT transfers.... and it's so nice to NOT be dealing with a Windows box for recording!

The only negative I see for my use is the fact that 8 gig compact flash cards are so expensive.  To do 24/96 with a 4 gig card, you'll only get a little over 2 hours record time.  So until 8 gig cf cards drop in price (which they'll probably do soon), I'll mainly be recording at 24/48 since I can get over 4 hours on the 4 gig cards I have right now at that resolution.  And you can get over 6 hours at 16 bit on a 4 gig card...  If I could get Marantz to make one change to the unit, I'd suggest including an internal hard drive of 20 gb or greater.... but since the majority of the market for these devices is ENG (elecronic news gathering), that's not something that will be in great demand.

I look forward to giving it another spin at the Allman Brothers in Raleigh this Friday!!!!
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Chuck on September 25, 2005, 06:56:55 PM
So far I really like the 671.  If money was no object, I would have sprung for the SD 722, but for less than half the cost of the 722, I was able to get the 671, 2 - 4 gig cards and a reporter style case for the 671.  It records at 24/96 through the digital input, passes a digital signal through the digital ouput, and the analog inputs are as good as what I've used before with the DAP1.  And I can record most shows I see (including the opening act) with 8 AA batteries.  Granted the mic inputs aren't great, but I don't see myself using them.  If I change my mind, I'll get Doug Oade to modify my unit.  Plus this is a sweet machine for doing DAT transfers.... and it's so nice to NOT be dealing with a Windows box for recording!

The only negative I see for my use is the fact that 8 gig compact flash cards are so expensive.  To do 24/96 with a 4 gig card, you'll only get a little over 2 hours record time.  So until 8 gig cf cards drop in price (which they'll probably do soon), I'll mainly be recording at 24/48 since I can get over 4 hours on the 4 gig cards I have right now at that resolution.  And you can get over 6 hours at 16 bit on a 4 gig card...  If I could get Marantz to make one change to the unit, I'd suggest including an internal hard drive of 20 gb or greater.... but since the majority of the market for these devices is ENG (elecronic news gathering), that's not something that will be in great demand.

I look forward to giving it another spin at the Allman Brothers in Raleigh this Friday!!!!

+T for the info. When you say you can record a show with openner with 8 AA's... Is that the rechargeables or alkalines?
I'm going to get the ACM 671 from Oade, because I like the sound of the ACM 660. Since the MicroTracker still has some serious bugs, I think the modded 671 will be my rig for a while.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: F.O.Bean on September 26, 2005, 03:19:05 AM
So far I really like the 671.  If money was no object, I would have sprung for the SD 722, but for less than half the cost of the 722, I was able to get the 671, 2 - 4 gig cards and a reporter style case for the 671.  It records at 24/96 through the digital input, passes a digital signal through the digital ouput, and the analog inputs are as good as what I've used before with the DAP1.  And I can record most shows I see (including the opening act) with 8 AA batteries.  Granted the mic inputs aren't great, but I don't see myself using them.  If I change my mind, I'll get Doug Oade to modify my unit.  Plus this is a sweet machine for doing DAT transfers.... and it's so nice to NOT be dealing with a Windows box for recording!

The only negative I see for my use is the fact that 8 gig compact flash cards are so expensive.  To do 24/96 with a 4 gig card, you'll only get a little over 2 hours record time.  So until 8 gig cf cards drop in price (which they'll probably do soon), I'll mainly be recording at 24/48 since I can get over 4 hours on the 4 gig cards I have right now at that resolution.  And you can get over 6 hours at 16 bit on a 4 gig card...  If I could get Marantz to make one change to the unit, I'd suggest including an internal hard drive of 20 gb or greater.... but since the majority of the market for these devices is ENG (elecronic news gathering), that's not something that will be in great demand.

I look forward to giving it another spin at the Allman Brothers in Raleigh this Friday!!!!

+T for the info. When you say you can record a show with openner with 8 AA's... Is that the rechargeables or alkalines?
I'm going to get the ACM 671 from Oade, because I like the sound of the ACM 660. Since the MicroTracker still has some serious bugs, I think the modded 671 will be my rig for a while.

same here minus the ACM mod since im pretty happy w/ my v3 for now :)
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: TenoRichards on September 26, 2005, 10:50:02 AM
Anyone care to speculate how the +mod on the 671 will stack up against the V3?
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on September 26, 2005, 11:21:40 AM
it will stack up favorably.
:-)

Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Rick on September 26, 2005, 11:38:03 AM
Isn't there an optional internal rechargeable battery? Anyone have any idea how long its last compared to AAs?
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Chuck on September 26, 2005, 11:57:17 AM
Yes, there is an internal rechargable battery option. Maybe someone that has it, can comment?
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: RDunn on September 26, 2005, 12:09:29 PM
Isn't there an optional internal rechargeable battery? Anyone have any idea how long its last compared to AAs?

There are two rechargeable battery packs available for the 671....
RB1100 (Ni-Cd)
RB1651 (Ni-Mh)
The retail price for either is $85 and it can be charged in the 671.  They also make an outboard charger, but it sells for $215.
The only benefit I see to for these packs over 8 rechargeable AA batteries is it can be switched quickly in the field.  Taking out 8 batteries and putting in 8 new ones isn't something you'll do as easily.

Marantz claims the following battery life for the different options:
8 AA's - 4-6 hours
RB1100 - 4-5 hours
RB1651 - 6-7 hours
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: nic on September 26, 2005, 04:15:54 PM
I've had a history of bad experiences with marantz products going south in a hurry. I'm intrigued with this deck, but my past has me being extremely cautious.

interesting, my Marantz pmd430 is a friggin work horse!
if I hadnt lost the ac power supply for it years ago, I would still have it hooked up to transfer old casette masters.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: F.O.Bean on September 27, 2005, 02:36:36 AM
i owned a marantz 4-track cassette many years ago and that thing was also a TANK

i'd like to play around w/ it at the very least
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: TenoRichards on September 27, 2005, 09:49:01 AM
Thanks Nick for yer opinion on the 671pre vs. V3. Of course a dedicated pre will certainly sound better, but simplicity for me is key, as I'm always passing off the recorder for others to tape me. I LOVE the fact you can auto-start/split the files too. Come October, I think I'll be splurging w/ this machine.

What are people's reactions to the Limiter's on the 660? I know most 24bit purists won't use them, but I'm interested in what they might do for live classical and the problems that the occasional cymbal or applause presents....
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on September 27, 2005, 10:38:32 AM
Thanks Nick for yer opinion on the 671pre vs. V3. Of course a dedicated pre will certainly sound better, but simplicity for me is key, as I'm always passing off the recorder for others to tape me. I LOVE the fact you can auto-start/split the files too. Come October, I think I'll be splurging w/ this machine.

disagree!!
the preamp section on the 660/671 will rival any outboard preamp.
this is an Oade pre we are talking about...least not forget.

also...Mike...
I believe this thing is around DAP1 sized.  certainly smaller than the Fostex FR2.
I've looked at the measurements.  Its like 2" tall x 7" deep x 10" wide.  thats not very big.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: krebsy on September 27, 2005, 10:54:58 AM
It does seem fairly sizable compared to some other decks, but if an Oade ACM 671 can replace my UA-5 and JB3 plus the assorted cables needed to connect them all, then it really tightens up my rig. That's one of the big plusses that has me looking closely at one of these. And the fact that the ACM should make it sound sweeet!!
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: eric.B on September 27, 2005, 11:11:37 AM
Quote
disagree!!
the preamp section on the 660/671 will rival any outboard preamp.

 :hmmm:
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on September 27, 2005, 11:19:47 AM
Quote
disagree!!
the preamp section on the 660/671 will rival any outboard preamp.

 :hmmm:

damn' straight!
it will.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on September 27, 2005, 11:20:57 AM
and...
its too small for my gear bag.  I'll have to get a camcorder case for it.
little bitt neumanns...small cables...small single deck (small to me).  its like a dream..
:-)

plus, lets not discount the fact that there are no moving parts in this deck.
reliability should not be an issue...assuming all the lights work, there is nothing else to go wrong.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: John Kelly on September 27, 2005, 11:27:51 AM
there is nothing else to go wrong.

Famous last words. ;)
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on September 27, 2005, 11:51:33 AM
well, then just call me Custer.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on September 27, 2005, 11:53:02 AM
fuck portable DSD.
someone needs to provide a way to duplicate the masters and be able to listen to them easily.
then i'm on board.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: nic on September 27, 2005, 11:59:53 AM
this is a email question/answer I received from oade yesterday regarding the ACM 671.


Quote
will the ACM mod disable any of the inputs like previous mods to other units?
oade>> yes
Quote
after mod, would the xlr inputs still be able to take a pro level sbd feed?
oade>> (no answer)
^^I wish he had been a little specific as to which inputs would be disabled.  ::)

Quote
I would be using one primarily with the AKG c414b-XLS as a stand-alone
pre/adc/recorder. I am looking for something that would be relatively transparent.
in looking through the brief synapsis of the mods, none say if they are
warm, transparent, etc...
oade>> yes, it is a 24/96 version of the adv concert mod for the 660. it is a transparent MOD style design
^^exactly what I wanted to hear!  ;D

Quote
as for powering, I have heard that it will run on a 12V SLA.
is there a cable for this or would the stock AC power cable have to be
hacked to support both ac or sla?
oade>> We do not supply the battery or the cable but the DC plug is easy to come by.
^^again, specifics would have been helpful. guess I didnt word the question correctly.


still looks like a great unit once the ACM mod is complete, but (imo) I would like to still have a functional xlr line input...
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Brian Skalinder on September 27, 2005, 12:03:15 PM
Quote
after mod, would the xlr inputs still be able to take a pro level sbd feed?
oade>> (no answer)
^^I wish he had been a little specific as to which inputs would be disabled.  ::)

Quote
as for powering, I have heard that it will run on a 12V SLA.
is there a cable for this or would the stock AC power cable have to be
hacked to support both ac or sla?
oade>> We do not supply the battery or the cable but the DC plug is easy to come by.
^^again, specifics would have been helpful. guess I didnt word the question correctly.

I'd try again, with more specific questions.  If in a rush, it's easy to forget details like the above unless someone asks very specific questions.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on September 27, 2005, 01:00:56 PM
i hear ya.  dsd is the best thing since R2R.
:)

but its just not a workable solution for me.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Brian Skalinder on September 27, 2005, 01:59:11 PM
Discwelder Bronze will be cheaper quickly, and can convert dsd to dvd-a for a "digital resampling".

Ahhh...interesting, I did not know DWB could do such a thing!

And with a high-res pcm recorder like this marantz, or the 722, the 24/96 let-downs of the dsd stream are going to be breathtaking, regardless of the slight analog blip in the lineage. The dsd signal stream is just so fat, that the downstream version is gonna be plump full as well.

So, what noise-shaping does the analog > DSD conversion, or DSD > analog conversion employ?  I feel like it's gotta perform noise shaping of some kind, else it wouldn't sound better (as several have claimed) than a pure analog > 24/96.  It doesn't get any fatter than pure analog feeding the 24/96 ADC.  Now maybe the "bypass analog gain" thingie (Mr. Technology, here!) makes a difference, but I gotta learn more about that.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: zowie on September 27, 2005, 11:38:35 PM
Quote
disagree!!
the preamp section on the 660/671 will rival any outboard preamp.

 :hmmm:

damn' straight!
it will.


Hope so.  ACM 671 + media will probably cost a bit more than an R-4.   Those preamps will have to be awfully good to justify giving up the hard drive storage capacity and two extra tracks.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: zowie on September 27, 2005, 11:48:04 PM
I see that Doug has lowered the price of the ACM 660 to $709 FROM $749 about a week ago.
http://www.oade.com/digital_recorders/hard_disc_recorders/PMD-660MODS.html

hmm, are you sure about this Chuck?  i've always had the $709 figure in my mind for the ACM 660.  actually, i'm pretty sure i have an email from Doug back in August about just this, and i believe he wrote $709.  i don't have it with me now (it's at work), but i'll check tomorrow. 

either way, +t for all the info you've been providing us!

Well, I don't have a screen shot, but I do have a file on this with the price as $749 plus $15 shipping.
Either way, it's a good deal.

I guess the question is...
Is the ACM PCM 671 worth the $449 difference, if the ACM PMD 671 goes for $1150? (the price is estimated, based on what I've seen and heard from Doug and others)

I remember the price being $749 for the ACM mod also

And so it is again.   ???
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: TenoRichards on September 28, 2005, 03:36:26 AM
Quote
disagree!!
the preamp section on the 660/671 will rival any outboard preamp.

 :hmmm:

damn' straight!
it will.


Hope so.  ACM 671 + media will probably cost a bit more than an R-4.   Those preamps will have to be awfully good to justify giving up the hard drive storage capacity and two extra tracks.
fuckin' A. Color me STOKED. I can't WAIT for Doug to get modding this thing, then.!

Uh, Moke....+t to you for usage of "fat" and "plump" all in the same post. Talkin about this 671 is making ME fat and plump, if ya get's my drift....
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on September 28, 2005, 07:40:15 AM
ewe..

for pure sonics, I dont think the R4 will come anywhere near the ACM671.  not within a mile.
the analog section of the R4 is decent, at best. 
the ACM 660 *fucking smokes it*.  so I expect the 671 w/its 24bit res to be even better.

Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: MattinSTL on September 28, 2005, 02:33:14 PM
Wow... the latest member is the President!

Nick... could you venture an educated guess as to which would sound better?

The 671 stock with a MixPre... or the 671 with the ACM mod? I kind of need the MixPre for other stuff that applies to audio for video (like splitting the mic to a wireless and recorder simultaneously) and I'm hoping that the 671 fed line-in by a MixPre won't be too far off a modded 671 fed mic-in.

Would you mind giving me some input on that?

As I already stated the safe advice is to buy from Doug no matter what... 'cause then the mods are an option! But in my case, figuring in that I want to run line-in with a split to wireless... what do you think?
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: F.O.Bean on September 28, 2005, 02:46:35 PM
Wow... the latest member is the President!

Nick... could you venture an educated guess as to which would sound better?

The 671 stock with a MixPre... or the 671 with the ACM mod? I kind of need the MixPre for other stuff that applies to audio for video (like splitting the mic to a wireless and recorder simultaneously) and I'm hoping that the 671 fed line-in by a MixPre won't be too far off a modded 671 fed mic-in.

Would you mind giving me some input on that?

As I already stated the safe advice is to buy from Doug no matter what... 'cause then the mods are an option! But in my case, figuring in that I want to run line-in with a split to wireless... what do you think?

get the ACM 671 and get a pair of HQ XLR splitters and split the mic signal
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: MattinSTL on September 28, 2005, 03:06:04 PM
I wonder what would happen when the 671 is pumping 48v into the transmitter... rather then simply giving it a signal?
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: F.O.Bean on September 28, 2005, 03:13:30 PM
I wonder what would happen when the 671 is pumping 48v into the transmitter... rather then simply giving it a signal?

what? just split the mic sugnal so one pair goes into the 671 and is powered w/ phantom, and the other pair of signals goes into your transmitter

or simply run the mics>671 w/ 48v on and run rca's out of the 671
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on September 28, 2005, 04:37:33 PM
i've never heard the miniMP, so I can't comment.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: MattinSTL on September 28, 2005, 06:35:03 PM
Does anyone know what the line-out situation becomes after the mod? I'm guessing that with a larger box you don't lose the line out like in the 660 right?
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: d5 on September 28, 2005, 06:49:16 PM
Does anyone know what the line-out situation becomes after the mod? I'm guessing that with a larger box you don't lose the line out like in the 660 right?

Can't speak for 671, but with the ACM 660 you lose the line-in, not the line-out. Speaking with Doug, this was due to the menu based switching mechanism in the 660, not due to the size. It looks like the input selection on the 671 is also software based, so it may have the same issues for the mod.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: RDunn on October 01, 2005, 06:51:26 AM
Got to put my new 671 to use last night at the Allman Brothers Band show in Raleigh, NC.  Ran Schoeps MK4 > Lunatec V3 > Marantz PMD 671 at 24/48 from 10th row dead center.  The deck worked great and was so easy to use.  And to make it even better, this is probably the best ABB recording I've made in my many years of recording them.  Must be the 24 bits as the recording is incredibly dynamic.  Crank it up and it sounds like you're there.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on October 01, 2005, 07:38:37 AM
nice!  +T
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: F.O.Bean on October 01, 2005, 09:13:45 AM
damn, i think i want one of these instead of the MT :)

any bugs i should know about? im pretty sure they were all corrected but just wondering
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on October 01, 2005, 09:52:10 AM
nothing i'm aware of
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: MattinSTL on October 01, 2005, 10:57:00 AM
RDunn... this is still the bone stock machine we talked about before right?

I finally got my 671. I'm just using this for location sound (dialog for video)... my setup is 480b/ck63>fp24>671 running 24/96.

While I'm really happy with it I'm not 100% happy. I'm surprised that I can still hear some low level hiss with this setup.

Try taking your machine into a quiet room or studio and crank that rig up... get your phones up too. What do you think? Is this still considered to be really quiet on hiss? I don't know why Doug took two of his recordings down... but he had one of the pmd660 with no mic and gain maxxed... the clip went ACM, Basic, and Stock... and you could clearly here the hiss come in just a tiny bit on the first jump... and lots when it went to stock. What I'm hearing isn't as bad as the stock 660... but it's more then I expected.

I definitely got the feeling I should have just got a modded 671 from Doug in the first place.

Also I should add that in this machine I'm surprised that running it line-in with the FP24 doesn't make more of an improvement... it's better, but it's not even as dramatic as the difference in Doug's ACM versus stock 660.

I know I have a lot of points going in this post... but I really feel any comments you could make would be very helpful to people trying to decide on a 671... and the ACM 671 from Doug.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Chuck on October 01, 2005, 11:30:38 AM
I see that Doug has lowered the price of the ACM 660 to $709 FROM $749 about a week ago.
http://www.oade.com/digital_recorders/hard_disc_recorders/PMD-660MODS.html

hmm, are you sure about this Chuck?  i've always had the $709 figure in my mind for the ACM 660.  actually, i'm pretty sure i have an email from Doug back in August about just this, and i believe he wrote $709.  i don't have it with me now (it's at work), but i'll check tomorrow. 

either way, +t for all the info you've been providing us!

Well, I don't have a screen shot, but I do have a file on this with the price as $749 plus $15 shipping.
Either way, it's a good deal.

I guess the question is...
Is the ACM PCM 671 worth the $449 difference, if the ACM PMD 671 goes for $1150? (the price is estimated, based on what I've seen and heard from Doug and others)

I remember the price being $749 for the ACM mod also

Today, the price is back to $749  ???
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: RDunn on October 01, 2005, 09:57:37 PM
I bought the stock machine because I wanted to test it to see if I wanted/needed the mods, plus the mods aren't available yet.

I'm not familiar with the fp24 and in most cases I'll be using the SPDIF input from a Lunatec V3....... but I just did a test of the analog inputs to check for excessive noise and here's what I found.....  First I took the analog outputs from my Linn Mimik cd player and ran those into the analog inputs of the 671.  I put in a cd and set the levels on the 671 so it would be peaking near 0 (which was at 3 out of 10 on the input knob).  I recorded about a minute of this and then paused the cd player while continuing to record on the 671.  I then increased the record level one number every 10 seconds, while continuing to record silence, until I maxed out input record level at 10.  I then played back the recording on the Marantz and there was no noticeable increase in noise at any point in the recording..... it actually stayed very quiet.  I then copied the file to my PC using a PC card reader and opened the file in Sound Forge 6.0.  Looking at the wav file, you see the initial signal I recorded and from the point I stopped the playback cd, the wav file flat lines and remains quiet.  I don't know how scientific this test is, but I definitely didn't hear or see evidence of noise through the analog inputs.

Hope that helps....

RDunn... this is still the bone stock machine we talked about before right?

I finally got my 671. I'm just using this for location sound (dialog for video)... my setup is 480b/ck63>fp24>671 running 24/96.

While I'm really happy with it I'm not 100% happy. I'm surprised that I can still hear some low level hiss with this setup.

Try taking your machine into a quiet room or studio and crank that rig up... get your phones up too. What do you think? Is this still considered to be really quiet on hiss? I don't know why Doug took two of his recordings down... but he had one of the pmd660 with no mic and gain maxxed... the clip went ACM, Basic, and Stock... and you could clearly here the hiss come in just a tiny bit on the first jump... and lots when it went to stock. What I'm hearing isn't as bad as the stock 660... but it's more then I expected.

I definitely got the feeling I should have just got a modded 671 from Doug in the first place.

Also I should add that in this machine I'm surprised that running it line-in with the FP24 doesn't make more of an improvement... it's better, but it's not even as dramatic as the difference in Doug's ACM versus stock 660.

I know I have a lot of points going in this post... but I really feel any comments you could make would be very helpful to people trying to decide on a 671... and the ACM 671 from Doug.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: MattinSTL on October 01, 2005, 11:03:12 PM
RDunn... thank you very much... yes you have put my mind at ease... I just got this thing yesterday and haven't had much chance to play with it so I'm guessing this is operator error. ;)

Actually I've been REALLY surprised at how good even the mic-in sounds... yes it is a little hissy... you music afficianados will surely NEED the ACM mod... but for what I was used to this sounds really really good. The only issue that's still haunting me is the one I started a new thread for... and since I see that you (RDunn) also use Sound Forge 6 there is no reason why I shouldn't be able to easily get the 24/96 files into that app.

BTW are you just piping the files through USB or do you put the CF card in a reader to get your files in? WinXP doesn't want to recognize the 671... how did you get around that?
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: d5 on October 01, 2005, 11:06:49 PM
I definitely got the feeling I should have just got a modded 671 from Doug in the first place.

I didn't think the ACM 671 was available yet, but if you bought the stock 671 from him, then he'll mod it later. Seems like the low risk way to go.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: RDunn on October 01, 2005, 11:10:45 PM

BTW are you just piping the files through USB or do you put the CF card in a reader to get your files in? WinXP doesn't want to recognize the 671... how did you get around that?

I've actually done both, but normally just use the card reader.  I also run Windows XP and it recognizes the 671 just fine..... although it's not as simple as plug and play to get it to work.  You have to conect the 671 to the computer via the USB2 connection.... then power off the 671.... press and hold the USB MENU/STORE button while you slide the POWER switch to the right.  The display on the Marantz should then read USB Online.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: MattinSTL on October 02, 2005, 12:04:51 AM
Damn dude! You are one incredibly helpful guy! Thanks! :)

Edit: Yeah I just check it and that worked exactly like you said. Okay Sound Forge still doesn't want to open the files... but I'm making progress. Also the little hiss thing I was hearing sounds like a grounding problem or something... I'm waiting for my good cables to come in and I've got a mess of Hosa junk running between my pre and 671... so I'm guessing the new cables should take care of what I thought was hiss... but I think it's something else. Thanks again for your help.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on October 02, 2005, 07:46:28 AM
the problem you are seeing (i think) is that Marantz chose the new microsoft .wav protocol when saving its files.  and most apps dont recognize them
I think there is a firmware fix for this.  its discussed on the oade board.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Chuck on October 02, 2005, 10:59:09 AM
Dumb question, but....
Can I transfer to a USB 1.1 port? I don't have USB 2.0...  ???
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on October 02, 2005, 12:03:05 PM
yes

Dumb question, but....
Can I transfer to a USB 1.1 port? I don't have USB 2.0...  ???
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Chuck on October 02, 2005, 12:17:13 PM
yes

Dumb question, but....
Can I transfer to a USB 1.1 port? I don't have USB 2.0...  ???

Thanks Nick +T
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: kindms on October 02, 2005, 01:44:42 PM
The Connection for USB 1.x and 2.0 are the same. A 2.0 will just work at the slower speed of 1.x if being used with that type of port etc
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Chuck on October 02, 2005, 02:25:43 PM
so there isn't an incompatability issue so much, as just slower speed.

thanks!
+ to ya

Another +T to ya...
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: twoodruff on October 06, 2005, 12:58:04 PM
so I am really considering getting one. thinking of using 2 gb cf cards until 4 gb comes down and going 24/48. I can't decide if I want an all in one box or just a recorder. Wish this one had a HD, but just a wish, really disappointed in the sound of the 722. opinions?
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: sygdwm on October 06, 2005, 01:08:30 PM
the fact that it doesnt have a HD is not a deal breaker for me really. looking at the r4 in memphis, i thought the meters sucked (no increment b/w -6db and 0db). eric, owner of said r4, (which is stock btw) preferred using his v2 w/ his mg200's rather than the pre on the r4. so basically he has no meters and its not an all-in-one solution for him. other than that he loves it. its big as fuck too, not sure how big compared to the 671. an oade modded r4 could be the shit. i am looking forward to hearing them both. i cant see how either could not sound good as per dougs rep. it will basically come down to the metering and user interface for me as i a can deal w/ cf or hd.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: twoodruff on October 06, 2005, 01:23:35 PM
the fact that it doesnt have a HD is not a deal breaker for me really. looking at the r4 in memphis, i thought the meters sucked (no increment b/w -6db and 0db). eric, owner of said r4, (which is stock btw) preferred using his v2 w/ his mg200's rather than the pre on the r4. so basically he has no meters and its not an all-in-one solution for him. other than that he loves it. its big as fuck too, not sure how big compared to the 671. an oade modded r4 could be the shit. i am looking forward to hearing them both. i cant see how either could not sound good as per dougs rep. it will basically come down to the metering and user interface for me as i a can deal w/ cf or hd.

not a deal breaker, just a wish, is anyone running this thing stock?
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: sygdwm on October 06, 2005, 01:32:53 PM
i think the only guy running it stock is MattinSTL on here. but he only uses it for voice or something. line in from the v3 or possibly the brick would be fine for the time being i reckon. until the mods are ready at least.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: thegreatgumbino on October 06, 2005, 03:05:18 PM
the fact that it doesnt have a HD is not a deal breaker for me really. looking at the r4 in memphis, i thought the meters sucked (no increment b/w -6db and 0db). eric, owner of said r4, (which is stock btw) preferred using his v2 w/ his mg200's rather than the pre on the r4. so basically he has no meters and its not an all-in-one solution for him. other than that he loves it. its big as fuck too, not sure how big compared to the 671. an oade modded r4 could be the shit. i am looking forward to hearing them both. i cant see how either could not sound good as per dougs rep. it will basically come down to the metering and user interface for me as i a can deal w/ cf or hd.

Is Doug offering mods for the R4?  Realisticallly, it's not much bigger than the PMD671.  The R4 is bigger than the 722/744, but what isn't?

I think an Oade mod R4 could be a sweet deal due to the 4 inputs.  It would be great to have one box for running matrix or comparing different mics.  That's the big plus for me since I'd like to be able to run a matrix when possible.

The 671 only handles 24/48 digital 24/96, so if you're going to use it solely as a 24 bit capture device you'd be better off waiting for M-Audio to work out the kink on the Micro Tracker, no?  Save some cash?  I can see if you're going to use it's pre/adc though.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: twoodruff on October 06, 2005, 03:09:50 PM
the fact that it doesnt have a HD is not a deal breaker for me really. looking at the r4 in memphis, i thought the meters sucked (no increment b/w -6db and 0db). eric, owner of said r4, (which is stock btw) preferred using his v2 w/ his mg200's rather than the pre on the r4. so basically he has no meters and its not an all-in-one solution for him. other than that he loves it. its big as fuck too, not sure how big compared to the 671. an oade modded r4 could be the shit. i am looking forward to hearing them both. i cant see how either could not sound good as per dougs rep. it will basically come down to the metering and user interface for me as i a can deal w/ cf or hd.

Is Doug offering mods for the R4?  Realisticallly, it's not much bigger than the PMD671.  The R4 is bigger than the 722/744, but what isn't?

I think an Oade mod R4 could be a sweet deal due to the 4 inputs.  It would be great to have one box for running matrix or comparing different mics.  That's the big plus for me since I'd like to be able to run a matrix when possible.

Isn't the 671 only good for 24/96 in analog?  I think it only handles 24/48 digital.

he says he will be offering mods to the r4 in the future but that due to the limited availability of these units, he has not worked out what mods he would make. So you can't feed the 671 a signal from a v3 and get 24/96???
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: sygdwm on October 06, 2005, 03:11:09 PM
Quote

Is Doug offering mods for the R4?


i believe

Quote
  Realisticallly, it's not much bigger than the PMD671.  The R4 is bigger than the 722/744, but what isn't?

good to know

Quote
I think an Oade mod R4 could be a sweet deal due to the 4 inputs.  It would be great to have one box for running matrix or comparing different mics.  That's the big plus for me since I'd like to be able to run a matrix when possible.

agreed but didnt i read somewhere that some of the 744 runs at panic were unsuccessful mixing in post 2 diff sources? can the r4 create 2 stereo tracks w/ 4 inputs?  it seems cool that it could be done, but a pita.

Quote
Isn't the 671 only good for 24/96 in analog?  I think it only handles 24/48 digital.

if thats true, i dont care. 24/48 is plenty for me.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: thegreatgumbino on October 06, 2005, 03:11:42 PM
he says he will be offering mods to the r4 in the future but that due to the limited availability of these units, he has not worked out what mods he would make. So you can't feed the 671 a signal from a v3 and get 24/96???

Sure, you could run V3 xlr analog out to the 671, no?
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: sygdwm on October 06, 2005, 03:16:34 PM
do you know if the metering is up to par and how to power it for a while? sorry for all the silly ???'s.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: thegreatgumbino on October 06, 2005, 03:17:04 PM
Dimensions are rounded off to nearest 1/4".

Edirol R4  10"       x  8 3/4" x   2 3/4"
PMD 671  10 1/2" x  7 1/4" x   2"
722/744   7 1/2"  x  4 1/2" x   1 3/4"

Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: thegreatgumbino on October 06, 2005, 03:20:36 PM
do you know if the metering is up to par and how to power it for a while? sorry for all the silly ???'s.

I don't know anything about the 671's meters.  Nickspicks said the R4 meters aren't ideal, but he got used to them after a few uses.  He's got a review of the R4 up on his website (www.nickspicks.com).

I think Nick makes a great point about the R4 here:

"What will be really cool, is when the Oade Brothers start to offer their MODs for it. A warm mod on one stereo pair, transparent on the other."

I don't know if that's really possible, but it would be sweet as hell.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: sygdwm on October 06, 2005, 03:22:52 PM
ive seen the r4 in person and have read nicks review. that said, the r4's meters really suck. not ideal is putting it nicely.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: thegreatgumbino on October 06, 2005, 03:26:35 PM
The UA-5 meter sucks, but it's a great f'n box   ;)  At least the R4 has more than just a peak light.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: twoodruff on October 06, 2005, 03:30:08 PM
he says he will be offering mods to the r4 in the future but that due to the limited availability of these units, he has not worked out what mods he would make. So you can't feed the 671 a signal from a v3 and get 24/96???

Sure, you could run V3 xlr analog out to the 671, no?

but no digital signal?
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: thegreatgumbino on October 06, 2005, 03:32:24 PM
Nope.  Digital is only upto 24/48.  From the Oade site:

Analog - 16 bit
48, 44.1, 32, 24, 22.05, 16, 12, 11.025, 8 kHz (PCM)
48, 44.1, 32, 24, 22.05, 16 kHz (MP3)
48, 44.1, 32 kHz (MP2)
Analog - 24 bit
96,88.2, 48, 44.1,kHz (PCM)
Digital : 48, 44.1kHz


Edit: Outdated date.  It will accept 24/96 digital as confirmed by JasonSobel.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: sygdwm on October 06, 2005, 03:34:33 PM
i am really ok with that. 24/96 is not something i must have.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Brian on October 06, 2005, 03:35:16 PM
The UA-5 meter sucks, but it's a great f'n box   ;)  At least the R4 has more than just a peak light.

yeah but at least the ua5's peak light is time accurate and you know it is right around -3dB.

the metering on the R4 is possibly the worst metering i've seen on any audio device ever!
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: JasonSobel on October 06, 2005, 03:39:28 PM
Nope.  Digital is only upto 24/48.  From the Oade site:

Analog - 16 bit
48, 44.1, 32, 24, 22.05, 16, 12, 11.025, 8 kHz (PCM)
48, 44.1, 32, 24, 22.05, 16 kHz (MP3)
48, 44.1, 32 kHz (MP2)
Analog - 24 bit
96,88.2, 48, 44.1,kHz (PCM)
Digital : 48, 44.1kHz

this is WRONG, and old data.

if you look at the Marantz website, and I have confirmed with marantz techs when the product first came out, the PMD-671 will accept a 24/96 S/PDIF signal.  when it first came out, there was some confusion, but just to clear up any mis-understanding, it will take a 24/96 digi signal.

taken from the Marantz Website:
http://www.d-mpro.com/users/folder.asp?FolderID=3689&Tab=Data+Sheet (http://www.d-mpro.com/users/folder.asp?FolderID=3689&Tab=Data+Sheet)
Quote
Sampling frequency 
 
 Analog
 
 
 24bit PCM
  96, 88.2, 48, 44.1 kHz
 
 16bit PCM
  48, 44.1, 32, 24,22.05, 16, 12, 11.025, 8 khz
 
 MP2
  48, 44.1, 32 kHz
 
 MP3
  48, 44.1, 32 , 24, 22.05, 16 kHz
 
 Digital
  96, 88.2, 48, 44.1 kHz
 
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: sygdwm on October 06, 2005, 03:44:53 PM
thats good to know. either way is fine w/me really. thanks for the info guys. t's all around
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: thegreatgumbino on October 06, 2005, 03:50:27 PM
this is WRONG, and old data.

if you look at the Marantz website, and I have confirmed with marantz techs when the product first came out, the PMD-671 will accept a 24/96 S/PDIF signal.  when it first came out, there was some confusion, but just to clear up any mis-understanding, it will take a 24/96 digi signal.

 Digital
  96, 88.2, 48, 44.1 kHz

You da man!  I stand corrected!  That's excellent news.  Now if you could run 4 inputs that would be awesome.   +T
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: RDunn on October 06, 2005, 06:35:19 PM
I also run a "stock" 671 and can confirm that it will record 24/96 through the spdif input, as I personally have done it coming out of a V3.  Now with that being said, until 8 gig cards drop way down in price, I'll mostly be recording at 24/48..... which still sounds pretty frickin nice.

RD
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Chuck on October 06, 2005, 06:53:45 PM
I also run a "stock" 671 and can confirm that it will record 24/96 through the spdif input, as I personally have done it coming out of a V3.  Now with that being said, until 8 gig cards drop way down in price, I'll mostly be recording at 24/48..... which still sounds pretty frickin nice.

RD

How's the metering on the 671?
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: kindms on October 06, 2005, 07:39:13 PM
+ts all around. I was reading the specs and that was the 1 question about the digi in that I just couldnt figure out. The way it looked was it was 24/48

I might just have to get this then sell off my UA-5 and VX Pocket. It would make lidfe so easy. The MT jsut seems to be a little to touchy and I drink too much for that :)
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: twoodruff on October 06, 2005, 08:11:27 PM
I also run a "stock" 671 and can confirm that it will record 24/96 through the spdif input, as I personally have done it coming out of a V3.  Now with that being said, until 8 gig cards drop way down in price, I'll mostly be recording at 24/48..... which still sounds pretty frickin nice.

RD

i feel the same, just really wanted to see if it *could* record at 24/96, most of what I do will be at 24/48 for the time being, where are people finding 4 gb cards? And I believe I read that Kingston cards are recommended, experience?
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Ed. on October 06, 2005, 08:35:25 PM
check out the retail section for 4gb cards, i'm pretty sure they go on sale quite often for around $165-$190 if you're patient.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: sygdwm on October 06, 2005, 08:44:26 PM
http://cgi.ebay.com/High-Speed-Elite-4GB-Kingston-Compact-Flash-4-GB-CF_W0QQitemZ7552385606QQcategoryZ48526QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
 (http://cgi.ebay.com/High-Speed-Elite-4GB-Kingston-Compact-Flash-4-GB-CF_W0QQitemZ7552385606QQcategoryZ48526QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/shoppingcart.asp?CartID=MWV@RWXWZGLPBKJUWYSBLG4ST8RU42QZHHZ6FXCXEQ8QYU6VBZ&scriteria=BA20999&UpDepts=FLASHMEDIA-CF&DName=Flash%20Media%20-%20Compact%20Flash&Back=FLASHMEDIA-CF-KINGSTON&Bname=KINGSTON&recal=1
 (http://www.mwave.com/mwave/shoppingcart.asp?CartID=MWV@RWXWZGLPBKJUWYSBLG4ST8RU42QZHHZ6FXCXEQ8QYU6VBZ&scriteria=BA20999&UpDepts=FLASHMEDIA-CF&DName=Flash%20Media%20-%20Compact%20Flash&Back=FLASHMEDIA-CF-KINGSTON&Bname=KINGSTON&recal=1)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820160034 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820160034)

Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: RDunn on October 06, 2005, 09:01:50 PM
I also run a "stock" 671 and can confirm that it will record 24/96 through the spdif input, as I personally have done it coming out of a V3.  Now with that being said, until 8 gig cards drop way down in price, I'll mostly be recording at 24/48..... which still sounds pretty frickin nice.

RD

How's the metering on the 671?

The metering is fine..... although it doesn't have as many segments as my Sony PCM-R500 home deck or an HHb PDR1000, particularly between -6 and 0.... but then again the metering is much better than what you get with a Sony D8.  It does have a hanging peak hold though and a numeric readout of the loudest peak (which can be reset).  And with the back lighting on, the display is easily viewable.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: sygdwm on October 06, 2005, 09:13:51 PM
good info. thanks. would it be too much to ask to see pictures of it in action? the ones on the oade site dont show the front clearly. +t
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Chuck on October 06, 2005, 09:29:58 PM
Yeah, thanks for the info...
It's that type of info that really helps.
 +T
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: RDunn on October 06, 2005, 09:55:27 PM
good info. thanks. would it be too much to ask to see pictures of it in action? the ones on the oade site dont show the front clearly. +t

Here's a couple I just took while cloning a DAT.  The levels are peaking pretty low at the time, but it should give you an idea of what they look like.....
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: sygdwm on October 06, 2005, 11:38:12 PM
 Sorry, you can't repeat a karma action without waiting 12 hours.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: F.O.Bean on October 07, 2005, 04:02:09 AM
sorry to take ya from 69 to 70 BUT .............. ;D

thanks alot man!
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: RDunn on October 07, 2005, 06:31:11 AM
It seems like a number of other recorders require a stopping/restarting to create a new file.  One cool thing about the Marantz is that all you have to do is slide the record switch to the right and it immediately starts recording a new file.

A couple other things regarding powering the 671.  It uses a battery holder that holds 8 AA batteries.  You can use different types of batteries including rechargeables and get between 4-7 hours per "sled".  Rather than dealing with pulling out the holder and changing 8 batteries, you can purchase an extra battery holder from Marantz.  They run $22 plus shipping and I also believe Doug Oade has ordered them to offer for folks buying a 671.  If you're looking at the internal battery packs that Marantz has available, make sure to get the RB1651 and NOT the RB1650.  The RB1651 is the newer battery that will charge inside the 671 recorder, while the RB1650 requires an expensive outboard charger.  Both will power the 671, but only the RB1651 will charge inside the recorder.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on October 07, 2005, 07:29:29 AM
i'm coming late w/my comments...

R4 meetering.
it doesn't suck.  It just not "great".  its better than a jb3, but not as good as nice segmented meeter displays.  You get used to it quickly.  Its just tight.  -12 to 0db is all in the last quarter inch of display.
they are touchy...and accurate.  once you use it a couple of times, you'll get to know them and like them.
the analog section sucks...its pure edirol ass cheese.  well, its their best ass cheese, but it still sucks.

there has been no talk of Oade mods to the R4 ...as of recent any way.  we'll see what comes of that in the future.  he's probably backlogged w/the Marantz mods at the moment.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: MattinSTL on October 09, 2005, 07:18:47 PM
i think the only guy running it stock is MattinSTL on here. but he only uses it for voice or something. line in from the v3 or possibly the brick would be fine for the time being i reckon. until the mods are ready at least.


Sorry I haven't been on the forum much in the past week... I had a video project due and that got all my time. I just wanted to drop by and add my .02 to this discussion since my previous posts. (I can see that RDunn is really doing everybody a service with info and pics  :)

I happened to get one of the 671's that hasn't had the firmware update yet, but Marantz gave me an RA# to have it taken care of... I didn't send it back yet because it sounds so good at 16/48. Earlier in this thread I asked RDunn about hiss issues and he said he wasn't getting hardly any... which had me worried, but I was only trying 24/96. When I switched it to 16/48 the hiss virtually dissappeared. The easy way to know if you need the firmware update is when you go into the quality presets and switch from 16 to 24 it will give a second option of 24 shown as 24e... this is the updated 24 format that the windows programs recognize and I assume that my hiss issue will be fixed with that update as well. Like I said I'll have to post back for that... since my video project is done I'll send it out tomorrow.

Other then that I'd just like to say that I'm absolutely ELATED with this thing. It's everything I wanted and more... I'm running it stock with mic-in sometimes and FP-24 (mixpre) line-in others. I've used it with Oktava and AKG 480b so far... and it flat out rocks. Some things which won't be as useful to you guys that are killer for me is the ability to listen to any part of a recording WHILE you are still recording the current event! You can listen to the opener while it's recording the encore! Another cool trick is the silent start... again for many of you guys this will be worthless, but when you combine the fact that it records audio from 2 to 4 seconds BEFORE you push record... along with the silent start... this thing can be abandoned and it will just sit there and switch from record to record-pause so that it edits all the silence out of an interview... or some other special use where there could be long pauses that you don't want. You can even change the number of seconds of silence that it allows before pausing the record.

Sure that may not be of use recording music... but as RDunn also mentioned, the thing does everything seamlessly... you can split files any way you want or even split 'em on the fly or you can even tell the machine where to split them ahead of time... simply put, this thing rocks. I'm loving it. Running it stock it even sounds great! Popping the on the FP-24 makes it sound virtually transparent to my ears.

Is it an SD722? NO... would I trade my rig for the Sound Devices rig? Hell YES. But I do think this is a really pro answer for those that can deal with the size and plan to add a pre.

Obviously I'd predict that the ACM 671 will be damn near the ultimate all-in-one. I'd love to hear one... the only reason I chose the stock route is 'cause I wanted the mixpre in the chain... my normal use has the 671 and FP24 in a bag with a wireless transmitter also... then the soundguy ONLY runs the levels at the FP24... everything else is left to do it's job with no attention needed. No touching anything means no fudging anything up during a shoot. As long as he hears sound and I hear sound we both know everything's good.

If I got this thing for music I'd be hard-pressed to find a reason not to go with the ACM version and call it done. (although as you can tell I'm totally satisfied with the rig I've got set up too)
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Chuck on October 09, 2005, 07:52:08 PM
Thanks for the update. +T
I'm on the ACM PMD 671 list. I can't wait to get it in my hands.

Do you find the meters to be accurate? How are you powering it?
What CF card are you using?
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: MattinSTL on October 09, 2005, 09:33:54 PM
The meters are okay for me... I have meters on the FP-24 and they're super-fast... they flicker and light so it's easy to assess averages between values (for each LED)... Anyway the 671 meters seem to mimic the FP-24 pretty well. Also the highest peak number (or margin, as they call it) is handy... so you can see if you're hitting a 0db or over (says "OV")... I'm running mine with 2500mAH Energizer NiMH rechargeables from Target ($10 per 4 pack)... and I'm using the Kingston Elite Pro 4 GB card that was $188 from Dell.

If I had one criticism I'd say that the meters on the 660 would be more handy. I guess Marantz figures the 660 meters are cheaper because they're LED and the 671 has the nice display... but I'd like to be able to glance down and see a row of green lights with a red at 0db. Like RDunn says, if the backlight is on then it's pretty easy to monitor levels, but I'd still rather have a row of LEDs.

The one good thing about running at 24bit is you can run your levels as low as -20db and you still have all the headroom in the world to get the levels where you want them (cleanly). So if you don't want to watch levels too carefully (or else give yourself a wide margin for error) then it's no big deal... 'cause unlike 16bit the 24bit can be brought WAY up without distorting the signal.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: nickgregory on October 10, 2005, 07:52:52 AM
The one good thing about running at 24bit is you can run your levels as low as -20db and you still have all the headroom in the world to get the levels where you want them (cleanly). So if you don't want to watch levels too carefully (or else give yourself a wide margin for error) then it's no big deal... 'cause unlike 16bit the 24bit can be brought WAY up without distorting the signal.

you lose bits that way...you want to get as close to zero to get full resolution.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: MattinSTL on October 10, 2005, 09:19:05 AM
Sorry I phrased that poorly... obviously you don't want to run at low levels... I just meant that a signal as low as -20db is still salvageable in 24 bit. ;)

For anybody who read my previous post and doesn't know digital is the opposite of analog... the quieter the signal the higher the distortion.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: d5 on October 10, 2005, 07:25:52 PM
If I had one criticism I'd say that the meters on the 660 would be more handy. I guess Marantz figures the 660 meters are cheaper because they're LED and the 671 has the nice display... but I'd like to be able to glance down and see a row of green lights with a red at 0db. Like RDunn says, if the backlight is on then it's pretty easy to monitor levels, but I'd still rather have a row of LEDs.

The LED's are REALLY difficult to see outdoors on a sunny day, but good when not in direct sunlight.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: kgreener on October 10, 2005, 07:42:03 PM
If I had one criticism I'd say that the meters on the 660 would be more handy. I guess Marantz figures the 660 meters are cheaper because they're LED and the 671 has the nice display... but I'd like to be able to glance down and see a row of green lights with a red at 0db. Like RDunn says, if the backlight is on then it's pretty easy to monitor levels, but I'd still rather have a row of LEDs.

The LED's are REALLY difficult to see outdoors on a sunny day, but good when not in direct sunlight.

d5...is this on the 660 or 671? 

thanks
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Chuck on October 10, 2005, 07:44:25 PM
If I had one criticism I'd say that the meters on the 660 would be more handy. I guess Marantz figures the 660 meters are cheaper because they're LED and the 671 has the nice display... but I'd like to be able to glance down and see a row of green lights with a red at 0db. Like RDunn says, if the backlight is on then it's pretty easy to monitor levels, but I'd still rather have a row of LEDs.

The LED's are REALLY difficult to see outdoors on a sunny day, but good when not in direct sunlight.

d5...is this on the 660 or 671? 

thanks

The 660 has LEDs. The 671 has an LCD panel.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: kgreener on October 10, 2005, 08:17:33 PM
If I had one criticism I'd say that the meters on the 660 would be more handy. I guess Marantz figures the 660 meters are cheaper because they're LED and the 671 has the nice display... but I'd like to be able to glance down and see a row of green lights with a red at 0db. Like RDunn says, if the backlight is on then it's pretty easy to monitor levels, but I'd still rather have a row of LEDs.

The LED's are REALLY difficult to see outdoors on a sunny day, but good when not in direct sunlight.

d5...is this on the 660 or 671? 

thanks

The 660 has LEDs. The 671 has an LCD panel.

doh, good stick Chuck, my bad.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: F.O.Bean on October 10, 2005, 08:27:08 PM
I was reading thru my Full Compass magazine the otehr day and noticed that there is a remote for the 671 as well, its menat to go around a mic, and could EASILY fit around a stand at eye level

it supposedly has meters on the remote and also has a battery meter or sometrhing

im gonna have to dig that zine out and see whats up!
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Chuck on October 10, 2005, 08:36:08 PM
I was reading thru my Full Compass magazine the otehr day and noticed that there is a remote for the 671 as well, its menat to go around a mic, and could EASILY fit around a stand at eye level

it supposedly has meters on the remote and also has a battery meter or sometrhing

im gonna have to dig that zine out and see whats up!

Let us know what you find.
Bean, are you going to be getting one of these? I'm commited to it! I've got my order in.  ;D
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: F.O.Bean on October 10, 2005, 08:49:32 PM
I was reading thru my Full Compass magazine the otehr day and noticed that there is a remote for the 671 as well, its menat to go around a mic, and could EASILY fit around a stand at eye level

it supposedly has meters on the remote and also has a battery meter or sometrhing

im gonna have to dig that zine out and see whats up!

Let us know what you find.
Bean, are you going to be getting one of these? I'm commited to it! I've got my order in.  ;D

I think so, im just gonna wait til tax return time and splurge some money on taping ;D

Maybe get some TL's as well
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Chuck on October 10, 2005, 08:58:34 PM
I was reading thru my Full Compass magazine the otehr day and noticed that there is a remote for the 671 as well, its menat to go around a mic, and could EASILY fit around a stand at eye level

it supposedly has meters on the remote and also has a battery meter or sometrhing

im gonna have to dig that zine out and see whats up!

Let us know what you find.
Bean, are you going to be getting one of these? I'm commited to it! I've got my order in.  ;D


I think so, im just gonna wait til tax return time and splurge some money on taping ;D

Maybe get some TL's as well

But not leaving Team AKG though... are you  ???

Even with the Tascam unit recently announced, I'm going with the ACM PMD 671.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: F.O.Bean on October 11, 2005, 02:28:44 AM
I was reading thru my Full Compass magazine the otehr day and noticed that there is a remote for the 671 as well, its menat to go around a mic, and could EASILY fit around a stand at eye level

it supposedly has meters on the remote and also has a battery meter or sometrhing

im gonna have to dig that zine out and see whats up!

Let us know what you find.
Bean, are you going to be getting one of these? I'm commited to it! I've got my order in.  ;D


I think so, im just gonna wait til tax return time and splurge some money on taping ;D

Maybe get some TL's as well

But not leaving Team AKG though... are you  ???

Even with the Tascam unit recently announced, I'm going with the ACM PMD 671.


not yet ;D
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: F.O.Bean on October 11, 2005, 02:29:52 AM
oh and chuck, I think the ACM PMD-671 will be the BOMB ;D

I wonder if i could still use digi-in if i got the ACM mod as well ???

how much is an ACM mod 671 ???
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on October 11, 2005, 07:13:30 AM
yes, digi in is still hot.  the ACM is just the preamp.
price will be under $1200.  or, that is the latest projection.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: esteyes on October 17, 2005, 07:37:47 PM
been a while since i posted, so here are some things i have found:

taped the Comes A Time gig at the greek a couple of weeks back. used 40 NiMH & 8 alkaline batteries in the course of the day and still did not get the whole show on my 671. glad i was running DAT out of the FP33 as well. i have never had this problem before. further investigation reveals that the 2500 and 2400 Lenmar NiMH batteries are fat enough that when the battery sled is dropped in the tray, the contacts are shifted enuogh to make the connection weak. i can pinch the deck in the middle of the battery cover and the deck will shut off. the best run time i had with this deck was using the 2000mah lenmars, they are a nicer fit in the sled/tray. To make the higher capacity batteries, lenmar and the other manufactures add girth and length to the case, note that the positive tab on many high cap NiMH batteries is shorter. SO BEWARE fitting the big capacity batt's into this deck. at least test it out at home bewfore heading to the show. the fat batt's do not let the sled move in the tray so that the springs in the end can keep the sled up against the contacts, plus i think the high cap batt's raise the sled up enough to make the contacts sketchy.

ohh, what i did get (all but the last 45min) came out NICE!
*************************************************
Doug Oade is only recommending the Cross Technology BC900 battery charger for NiMH recharging. i ordered mine today from thomasdistributing.com for about $50 delivered. the charger will cycle batteries until they reach their max charge and it will display each battery's charge level!!!!!

http://www.thomasdistributing.com/la_crosse_bc-900_battery_charger-display.php

so, seeing as how i had a couple of sets of batteries that had only been cycled 4 or 5 times, i may have also been struck by bad or not-fully-charged batteries. after the new charger arrives i will see.
**************************************************
after much wrangling with levels on the 671, i finally went with doug's suggestion of "7" on the 671 input and then setting the level on the FP33 to get good levels on the 671. worked like a charm - NO MORE TICKS. HOWEVER the FP33 levels end up so low that the unbalanced signal out of the FP33 as well as the headphone levels are pretty low... i miss having the nice loud headphones... i may try an attenuator cable into the 671 and see what that does. in the end, i think i will have to send the 671 to doug for some custom work to get the 671 to live happily with the output level of the FP33. and YES i know the FP33 can output MIC levels and YES i could just run that into an ACM 671, BUT i really dislike losing the LINE IN that happens when doing the ACM mod.
**************************************************
MEMORY, MEMORY
i spoke to D&M pro today. they only recommend Lexar, PNY, Viking, Hitachi, & IBM for media. i have been running Delkin 4G cards with poor results (at least one 1sec burst of static in my recording each time i used the card) as well as the basic A10 ScanDisc 4G with great results. i spoke to Delkin today as well as a couple of weeks back and their answer as to why i always get a burst of static on their cards is that their cards are not optimized for continuous write. so i caution all of you to look carefully at spec before purchasing CF cards. my memory retailer buddy was amazed t6hat the cheapie ScanDisc worked until he went to their website where he noticed that the cheapie card is the only card (of all levels they make) ScanDisc indicates will work with digital audio devices. he also commented that Lexar was way out of line pricewise. (remember that ScanDisc invented the CF card...) anyway, i can find PNY 4G cards for $200 and i need to grab a couple of cards fast...

has anybody any experience running PNY CF cards????
can we get some posts of what people are using for memory including size??? and whether they are successfully recording and PLAYING BACK their recordings???
*************************************************
yes, the deck will run on 10v or greater, i can confirm from inhouse testing. it needs the 15v in order to be able to charge the NiMH.  i plan to run 12vSLA to get rid of the NiMH issues this run, then do some heavy research. btw, i am building my SLA battery packs with a 4 digit digital voltage display. will try to post a picture tomorrow or the next day. the display only pulls 1ma, so it can actually be on all the time or can be made to turn on when you plug in the 4pin XLR.
*************************************************
the meters are not as nice as my ole HHB PDR1k. but that does not really bother me, what really bugs me is that the preamp issue clouds the usefulness of the meters. you can overload the input, ruin your recording,  and still have your recording showing that it never peaked higher than -6dB. i would also LOVE to have some sort of peak light for each channel. still i have the FP33 up front, so i have to use that now.
*************************************************
i have 6 Govt Mule shows coming my way starting friday nite at the fillmore. i gotta solve this memory issue pretty d*mn cop-chop.

neil in san marcos
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Chuck on October 17, 2005, 08:00:54 PM
been a while since i posted, so here are some things i have found:

taped the Comes A Time gig at the greek a couple of weeks back. used 40 NiMH & 8 alkaline batteries in the course of the day and still did not get the whole show on my 671. glad i was running DAT out of the FP33 as well. i have never had this problem before. further investigation reveals that the 2500 and 2400 Lenmar NiMH batteries are fat enough that when the battery sled is dropped in the tray, the contacts are shifted enuogh to make the connection weak. i can pinch the deck in the middle of the battery cover and the deck will shut off. the best run time i had with this deck was using the 2000mah lenmars, they are a nicer fit in the sled/tray. To make the higher capacity batteries, lenmar and the other manufactures add girth and length to the case, note that the positive tab on many high cap NiMH batteries is shorter. SO BEWARE fitting the big capacity batt's into this deck. at least test it out at home bewfore heading to the show. the fat batt's do not let the sled move in the tray so that the springs in the end can keep the sled up against the contacts, plus i think the high cap batt's raise the sled up enough to make the contacts sketchy.

ohh, what i did get (all but the last 45min) came out NICE!
*************************************************
Doug Oade is only recommending the Cross Technology BC900 battery charger for NiMH recharging. i ordered mine today from thomasdistributing.com for about $50 delivered. the charger will cycle batteries until they reach their max charge and it will display each battery's charge level!!!!!

http://www.thomasdistributing.com/la_crosse_bc-900_battery_charger-display.php

so, seeing as how i had a couple of sets of batteries that had only been cycled 4 or 5 times, i may have also been struck by bad or not-fully-charged batteries. after the new charger arrives i will see.
**************************************************
after much wrangling with levels on the 671, i finally went with doug's suggestion of "7" on the 671 input and then setting the level on the FP33 to get good levels on the 671. worked like a charm - NO MORE TICKS. HOWEVER the FP33 levels end up so low that the unbalanced signal out of the FP33 as well as the headphone levels are pretty low... i miss having the nice loud headphones... i may try an attenuator cable into the 671 and see what that does. in the end, i think i will have to send the 671 to doug for some custom work to get the 671 to live happily with the output level of the FP33. and YES i know the FP33 can output MIC levels and YES i could just run that into an ACM 671, BUT i really dislike losing the LINE IN that happens when doing the ACM mod.
**************************************************
MEMORY, MEMORY
i spoke to D&M pro today. they only recommend Lexar, PNY, Viking, Hitachi, & IBM for media. i have been running Delkin 4G cards with poor results (at least one 1sec burst of static in my recording each time i used the card) as well as the basic A10 ScanDisc 4G with great results. i spoke to Delkin today as well as a couple of weeks back and their answer as to why i always get a burst of static on their cards is that their cards are not optimized for continuous write. so i caution all of you to look carefully at spec before purchasing CF cards. my memory retailer buddy was amazed t6hat the cheapie ScanDisc worked until he went to their website where he noticed that the cheapie card is the only card (of all levels they make) ScanDisc indicates will work with digital audio devices. he also commented that Lexar was way out of line pricewise. (remember that ScanDisc invented the CF card...) anyway, i can find PNY 4G cards for $200 and i need to grab a couple of cards fast...

has anybody any experience running PNY CF cards????
can we get some posts of what people are using for memory including size??? and whether they are successfully recording and PLAYING BACK their recordings???
*************************************************
yes, the deck will run on 10v or greater, i can confirm from inhouse testing. it needs the 15v in order to be able to charge the NiMH.  i plan to run 12vSLA to get rid of the NiMH issues this run, then do some heavy research. btw, i am building my SLA battery packs with a 4 digit digital voltage display. will try to post a picture tomorrow or the next day. the display only pulls 1ma, so it can actually be on all the time or can be made to turn on when you plug in the 4pin XLR.
*************************************************
the meters are not as nice as my ole HHB PDR1k. but that does not really bother me, what really bugs me is that the preamp issue clouds the usefulness of the meters. you can overload the input, ruin your recording,  and still have your recording showing that it never peaked higher than -6dB. i would also LOVE to have some sort of peak light for each channel. still i have the FP33 up front, so i have to use that now.
*************************************************
i have 6 Govt Mule shows coming my way starting friday nite at the fillmore. i gotta solve this memory issue pretty d*mn cop-chop.

neil in san marcos

Is your 671 a stock unit?
I spoke with Doug today and he says it'll be December before all the parts for the Advanced Concert Mod PMD 671 arrive.

the meters are not as nice as my ole HHB PDR1k. but that does not really bother me, what really bugs me is that the preamp issue clouds the usefulness of the meters. you can overload the input, ruin your recording,  and still have your recording showing that it never peaked higher than -6dB. i would also LOVE to have some sort of peak light for each channel. still i have the FP33 up front, so i have to use that now.
^^^
Could you elaborate on this? The meters on the 671 are not accurate?

Doug recommended the Kingston Elite Pro media, which I bought. I don't have the deck yet to try it in.

I guess I'll have to get the specs on various AA NiMH batteries to find "thin" ones. I planned to go with 2300 mAh AA's and the La Crosse charger.

My understanding is that you can still run line in on the ACM PMD 671, you just have to do it through the XLR inputs.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: spyder9 on October 17, 2005, 08:30:29 PM
Chuck,

He's referring to a stock unit.  The overloading happens on both 660 and 671 stock units. 
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: RDunn on October 17, 2005, 08:30:44 PM
I've been using the Kingston 4 gb 45x elite pro with my 671 and and gotten great recordings so far (only done 2 shows though).  Picked them both up on Ebay for less than 180 each.  As for batteries...... I'm using Powerex 2500 mh NiMH batteries with a Lacrosse BC900 charger.  I've been getting 5+ hours on a set of batteries, but do carry along an extra "loaded" battery holder so I can replace them quickly if needed.  They seem to be the same size as the Duracell alkalines I have around the house.

Still haven't used anything but the digital input so far at shows...... hard to beat that V3 as a mic pre / a>d.....  I do expect to use the line in in the near future though and will report back my findings.

RD
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Chuck on October 17, 2005, 09:20:05 PM
I've been using the Kingston 4 gb 45x elite pro with my 671 and and gotten great recordings so far (only done 2 shows though).  Picked them both up on Ebay for less than 180 each.  As for batteries...... I'm using Powerex 2500 mh NiMH batteries with a Lacrosse BC900 charger.  I've been getting 5+ hours on a set of batteries, but do carry along an extra "loaded" battery holder so I can replace them quickly if needed.  They seem to be the same size as the Duracell alkalines I have around the house.

Still haven't used anything but the digital input so far at shows...... hard to beat that V3 as a mic pre / a>d.....  I do expect to use the line in in the near future though and will report back my findings.

RD

So you haven't had an issue with the PowerEx 2500 mAh in the 671 battery holder? I'm probably going to get 16 of them to start with the La Crosse charger. Where did you get the spare batt holder? Now, I'm on the list for just a stock 671 from Doug until he gets the parts for the ACM mod. I may have to pick-up a UA-5 until the ACM parts come in. Good to hear that the Kingston card is working.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: esteyes on October 17, 2005, 10:04:47 PM
the meters are not as nice as my ole HHB PDR1k. but that does not really bother me, what really bugs me is that the preamp issue clouds the usefulness of the meters. you can overload the input, ruin your recording,  and still have your recording showing that it never peaked higher than -6dB. i would also LOVE to have some sort of peak light for each channel. still i have the FP33 up front, so i have to use that now.
^^^
Could you elaborate on this? The meters on the 671 are not accurate?

**********************
i do not think the meters are fast enuff to keep up with the input; ie the ballistics are slow. i doi not know where they derived the source for the meters. that would matter.
***********************
yes the deck is STOCK.
***********************
I'm using Powerex 2500 mh NiMH batteries with a <snip> They seem to be the same size as the Duracell alkalines I have around the house.

good to know. i have considered taking off the shrink label to thin them down. just makes keeping matched sets tougher.

neil in san marcos
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on October 18, 2005, 08:16:31 AM
no, they are accurate.   its just that the stock preamp brickwalls.

Latest word, btw...
is that the parts doug is waiting on have been bumped back to Dec.
:(
so, the options are BC mod, which will probably sound stock, but will not brickwall.  Like the Omod for the FR2.
this is an assumption..btw.

or, just buy a stock one (he gives an excellent price to tapers, lower than i've seen anywhere) and run a preamp in front of it for a while.
thats my plan.  time to put that 248 back into deployment.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: timP on October 18, 2005, 08:28:02 AM
just got an email saying the same about the parts...

I think I am going to get a stock one  and run cooker's  d-mod UA5 spidif into it and see how that sounds at 24bit......
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on October 18, 2005, 08:37:17 AM
d mod?
does it sound like this?
www.nickspicks.com/mp3/D.WAV
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: timP on October 18, 2005, 08:40:41 AM
harh harh harh...


usually it sounds a little bit better.. actually love the digi-mod with my MGs

I usually sound like that when I pull a bad tape   
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on October 18, 2005, 09:06:53 AM
:)
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Chuck on October 18, 2005, 09:19:04 AM
no, they are accurate.   its just that the stock preamp brickwalls.

Latest word, btw...
is that the parts doug is waiting on have been bumped back to Dec.
:(
so, the options are BC mod, which will probably sound stock, but will not brickwall.  Like the Omod for the FR2.
this is an assumption..btw.

or, just buy a stock one (he gives an excellent price to tapers, lower than i've seen anywhere) and run a preamp in front of it for a while.
thats my plan.  time to put that 248 back into deployment.


That's my plan as well.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: twoodruff on October 18, 2005, 10:39:01 AM
whats the stock one go for?
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on October 18, 2005, 12:07:21 PM
$850 shipped.
$100 more than the ACM 660, which made it an easier decision between the two.

the 660 sounds soooo good.  but i suppose 248>671 @ 24bit will sound nice too.
:)
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Chuck on October 18, 2005, 09:35:42 PM
I feel my enthusiasm for the PMD 671 waining a little bit as the news of the parts delay sinks in. I'm trying to keep my interest alive.
I downloaded the manual and have a few questions.

Does the PRE REC option work well? Is it useful? I see this as possibly a great feature of this recorder. I would have loved to have this for a few times when the band started playing 1 second before I got my DAT rolling.
After you set the unit up, it looks like you can put a cover over the Recording Set-Up Controls on the top of it. Is that accurate?
Also, once you have the Presets set, can you just basically turn it on and be ready to roll? Is there a lot of menu driven stuff to do to start recording?

I'm also still worried about the Media Cards. If re-formated every time you use them, will they work 100% of the time at say 24 bit, 48 kHz PCM WAV for 1-3 hours? I bought the Kingston PRO Elite 4 GB card, I just hope it will work well.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on October 18, 2005, 09:42:25 PM
you think too much chuck.

- pre record works very well.
- not sure about the cover
- the presets are programable (on the 660,so i assume the same here) to whatever you want, so yea.  it'll boot up at the last used preset as well as being able to swap throught them easily.
- your kingston card will work fine. i hope so.  i just bought one too.  they should be robust as hell, and 2448 for just around 4 hours.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on October 18, 2005, 09:44:57 PM
btw..
the 660 ACM uses a different cap that he has.  so those are not on the "off list".  and if your happy w/16 bit, then you'd be real happy with one of these.

Carl and I were listening on his system last weekend to that ratdog show I did w/one, and man...it was just as enjoyable as the 24bit stuff we were listening to.  the fidelity was aparrent. 
so fuck it.  save several hundred (for the eventual acm costs) and rock out w/that sweet little 660.
:-)
then again....its only $100 between the two.  and if you can borrow a v2 or something???
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: d5 on October 18, 2005, 09:58:20 PM
btw..
the 660 ACM uses a different cap that he has.  so those are not on the "off list".  and if your happy w/16 bit, then you'd be real happy with one of these.

Carl and I were listening on his system last weekend to that ratdog show I did w/one, and man...it was just as enjoyable as the 24bit stuff we were listening to.  the fidelity was aparrent. 
so fuck it.  save several hundred (for the eventual acm costs) and rock out w/that sweet little 660.
:-)
then again....its only $100 between the two.  and if you can borrow a v2 or something???


I had that show on again tonight also.... it's just an awesome recording... really shows off the mod's sound stage nicely (+t Nick). have to believe the acm 671 is going to an incredible recorder.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Chuck on October 18, 2005, 09:59:40 PM
Yeah... I'm over thinking it for sure. I definately want the 24 bit plus digital in outs on the 671. I feel like the 660 is limiting as is my DAT. Just drinking GIN and wishing I had something to tape with soon. WSP soon, Ratdog in Nov. ARU in January all being announced, is making me "tweaky."

I tried to talk Doug into leaving in the existing caps and do the rest of the mods until the new caps come in, but he didn't want to do that. I'm on the list to get the stock unit, so I'm sure I'll do that. But basically all I'll have until mid December is a 24 bit recorder with lousy mic preamps.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: sygdwm on October 18, 2005, 10:09:32 PM
stay the course chuck. its not that long. im sure you could borrow a preamp seeing as how there are more tapers per capita where you are.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: RDunn on October 18, 2005, 10:10:29 PM
The 671 does have 3 presets, but if you turn the deck off.... and then back on..... it always restarts with Preset 1.  With my unit, I set preset 1 as 16/44.1, preset 2 as 24/48 & preset 3 as 24/96.  If I record a show at 24/48 and then power the deck down at the break, it'll start back up as 16/44.1, but it's an easy change to another preset.... although you do have to access the menu to do it.  Guess I should just setup preset 1 as 24/48 to make it simpler in the field.

The plastic cover screws on to cover up most of the functions that you rarely use... but it still allows you to use the menu.  Personally I wish they had recessed those controls and put a clear plastic cover over them.....  I don't particularly like the idea of a screw on cover, but that's just me.

4 gb media cards will get you just over 4 hours at 24/48..... and the Kingston's work great.

One other feature of the 671 is that it allows you to monitor the actual recording (not just the signal going to the card)..... sort of like a 3 head cassette deck.  BUT this feature doesn't work at 24 bit.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Chuck on October 18, 2005, 10:18:46 PM
The 671 does have 3 presets, but if you turn the deck off.... and then back on..... it always restarts with Preset 1.  With my unit, I set preset 1 as 16/44.1, preset 2 as 24/48 & preset 3 as 24/96.  If I record a show at 24/48 and then power the deck down at the break, it'll start back up as 16/44.1, but it's an easy change to another preset.... although you do have to access the menu to do it.  Guess I should just setup preset 1 as 24/48 to make it simpler in the field.
Yeah, that just confirms what I thought and what Nick said. Cool.

The plastic cover screws on to cover up most of the functions that you rarely use... but it still allows you to use the menu.  Personally I wish they had recessed those controls and put a clear plastic cover over them.....  I don't particularly like the idea of a screw on cover, but that's just me.

4 gb media cards will get you just over 4 hours at 24/48..... and the Kingston's work great.
Thanks for the reassurance on the Kingston. Have you succesfully used it at 24/96?

One other feature of the 671 is that it allows you to monitor the actual recording (not just the signal going to the card)..... sort of like a 3 head cassette deck.  BUT this feature doesn't work at 24 bit.
Yeah, I read that. I probably wouldn't use that feature in the field.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: spyder9 on October 19, 2005, 03:17:19 AM
btw..
the 660 ACM uses a different cap that he has.  so those are not on the "off list".  and if your happy w/16 bit, then you'd be real happy with one of these.

Carl and I were listening on his system last weekend to that ratdog show I did w/one, and man...it was just as enjoyable as the 24bit stuff we were listening to.  the fidelity was aparrent. 
so fuck it.  save several hundred (for the eventual acm costs) and rock out w/that sweet little 660.
:-)
then again....its only $100 between the two.  and if you can borrow a v2 or something???


I have Nick's recording and I have to say its just plain sick!  The 660 is a sweet sounding box.  I'd love to do an A/B between the 660 and my Denecke combo with my AT853RXs.  That setup gives me the cleanest, most transparent recordings.  If the 660 can come close to that transparency, I'll would be very happy.   Nick, do you think if I send me my mics to Doug, he could do the A/B for me?  I doubt he would send me a 660 for demo, like the chance you had.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on October 19, 2005, 07:36:24 AM
Dougs pretty busy....
so probably he'd tell you he doesn't have the time for the test.

the Inbox is clean sounding.  and crispy..i'll give it that.
but it will not carve the same 3d soundstage that the ACM 660 does. 
in my mind, there is no comparrison between the two sounds.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: spyder9 on October 19, 2005, 09:12:13 AM
Dougs pretty busy....
so probably he'd tell you he doesn't have the time for the test.

the Inbox is clean sounding.  and crispy..i'll give it that.
but it will not carve the same 3d soundstage that the ACM 660 does. 
in my mind, there is no comparrison between the two sounds.

The comparison can't be said until the test is done.  Its not just the AD20, but the PS2 plays a roll as well.  That box improves the dynamic range because of the phantom power provided to the 853s.  If it was just battery box > AD20, that would be a different story.  Phantom > AD20 does give good soundstage, IMHO.  I have recordings to prove it.

I want the 660 for a All-In-One stealth box.  It would chop down my rig from 4 pieces to 2.

Anybody here with a 660?  If you can help me with an A/B, please PM me.   Thanks.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: MattinSTL on October 19, 2005, 10:59:30 AM
Chuck and RDunn... On my unit it's INSTANTLY ready to record... and it's even got a Power-Up Pre-REC so that it starts recording a buffer the second you turn it on.

Then the normal Pre-REC works GREAT... it's just as if you had a time machine to go back a couple seconds (up to 5 seconds when recording 16/48).

RDunn... you gotta' check things out on your unit... I don't ever have to change any of my presets. It's always on Preset 3 and all my bit/sample rates are the same. On my unit it's always exactly like I left it and it's instantly ready to record from turn-on with NO other buttons pushed.

Chuck... the other thing that's nice about the 671 form-factor is the sliding red REC button instantly activates recording... you don't have to go into REC-PAUSE or anything like that... plus with the pre-rec function it's damn near impossible to miss something you want. This thing is Uber-userfriendly.

Since I'm not pushing my unit with detailed music recordings I can't comment on the pre "brick-walling" but I can tell you that everybody's been blown away hearing this thing... even running mic-in. The lower specs for mic-in just don't sound so low. I don't know if it matters but I'm running 480b with it. (ck63, 61, 69)

EDIT: Oh and I forgot... I actually like the plastic cover... it only conceals the buttons you're not likely to change once you set it up how you like it... and the bunch of buttons that it covers are part of the reason that the menu is so quick and clean. Much of the unit setup is determined by physical switches rather then software switches.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on October 19, 2005, 12:24:24 PM
Dougs pretty busy....
so probably he'd tell you he doesn't have the time for the test.

the Inbox is clean sounding.  and crispy..i'll give it that.
but it will not carve the same 3d soundstage that the ACM 660 does. 
in my mind, there is no comparrison between the two sounds.

The comparison can't be said until the test is done.  Its not just the AD20, but the PS2 plays a roll as well.  That box improves the dynamic range because of the phantom power provided to the 853s.  If it was just battery box > AD20, that would be a different story.  Phantom > AD20 does give good soundstage, IMHO.  I have recordings to prove it.

I want the 660 for a All-In-One stealth box.  It would chop down my rig from 4 pieces to 2.

Anybody here with a 660?  If you can help me with an A/B, please PM me.   Thanks.

I know the ps2>inbox sound very well.  ran it with 853s, mbho's, akgs...
i like it ...its just not the same as the acm marantz.
buy one...you'll see.
:)
plus, its overall far better to use.  nice meeters.  "one box" vs. 3.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Chuck on October 19, 2005, 01:13:35 PM
Thanks for the comments MattinSTL. Those features are very benificial, I think.

Has anyone tried using the Hitachi 4 GB microdrive in the Marantz recorders? The MicroTrack guys are reporting success using it in that device. Man, it would be sweet (and cheap) if that microdrive works in the 671.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: RDunn on October 19, 2005, 01:37:07 PM

RDunn... you gotta' check things out on your unit... I don't ever have to change any of my presets. It's always on Preset 3 and all my bit/sample rates are the same. On my unit it's always exactly like I left it and it's instantly ready to record from turn-on with NO other buttons pushed.

Just did some checking on my unit and here's what I found.  Previously when selecting a preset, I've gone into the menu, switched the preset, hit enter and then stop/cancel.  Using this methold does switch the preset, but it doesn't store the settings when you cut the unit off and back on.  If you switch the preset in the menu, hit enter, and then hit the menu button again, it switches the preset AND stores it so when the unit is powered off and back on, it comes back to the last used setting.

As I expected it's a case of "user headspace".....
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on October 19, 2005, 01:42:37 PM
:)
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: spyder9 on October 19, 2005, 01:51:24 PM
Dougs pretty busy....
so probably he'd tell you he doesn't have the time for the test.

the Inbox is clean sounding.  and crispy..i'll give it that.
but it will not carve the same 3d soundstage that the ACM 660 does. 
in my mind, there is no comparrison between the two sounds.

The comparison can't be said until the test is done.  Its not just the AD20, but the PS2 plays a roll as well.  That box improves the dynamic range because of the phantom power provided to the 853s.  If it was just battery box > AD20, that would be a different story.  Phantom > AD20 does give good soundstage, IMHO.  I have recordings to prove it.

I want the 660 for a All-In-One stealth box.  It would chop down my rig from 4 pieces to 2.

Anybody here with a 660?  If you can help me with an A/B, please PM me.   Thanks.

I know the ps2>inbox sound very well.  ran it with 853s, mbho's, akgs...
i like it ...its just not the same as the acm marantz.
buy one...you'll see.
:)
plus, its overall far better to use.  nice meeters.  "one box" vs. 3.

Agreed.  I think I'm gonna buy the 660 for my 480s.  I bet the 480s sound sweet with it.  Then I can do the test with the 853s on my own.   
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Chuck on October 19, 2005, 01:56:39 PM
Dougs pretty busy....
so probably he'd tell you he doesn't have the time for the test.

the Inbox is clean sounding.  and crispy..i'll give it that.
but it will not carve the same 3d soundstage that the ACM 660 does. 
in my mind, there is no comparrison between the two sounds.

The comparison can't be said until the test is done.  Its not just the AD20, but the PS2 plays a roll as well.  That box improves the dynamic range because of the phantom power provided to the 853s.  If it was just battery box > AD20, that would be a different story.  Phantom > AD20 does give good soundstage, IMHO.  I have recordings to prove it.

I want the 660 for a All-In-One stealth box.  It would chop down my rig from 4 pieces to 2.

Anybody here with a 660?  If you can help me with an A/B, please PM me.   Thanks.

I know the ps2>inbox sound very well.  ran it with 853s, mbho's, akgs...
i like it ...its just not the same as the acm marantz.
buy one...you'll see.
:)
plus, its overall far better to use.  nice meeters.  "one box" vs. 3.

Agreed.  I think I'm gonna buy the 660 for my 480s.  I bet the 480s sound sweet with it.  Then I can do the test with the 853s on my own.   

...and I'm hoping the ACM PMD 671 matches well with my 480's...
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: F.O.Bean on October 19, 2005, 10:06:52 PM
when tax time comes, I'm DEFINITELY getting one of these bad boys, seems too damn user friendly to pass up, even w/ the 12v batts

I plan on getting a handful of 12v NIMH batts to use seperatly from the vr box(jb3/16-bit backup w/ the v3>analog out>jb3 ;D )

then again i may just get a bunch of those small 12v NIMH batt packs and wire them in parallel so i can power the v3/jb3 off of one 12v system ;D

and the ACM mod may get done as well, just to have some diff pre/ad options ;D

the rest of my tax return is going to fines :P
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: spyder9 on October 20, 2005, 03:13:36 PM
Hmmm, the 671 is 12v you say.  Interesting.  The 660 is 5v.  I have to start saving some cash.   ^-^
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on October 20, 2005, 04:33:38 PM
actualy...
i've got my 671 right here in front of me, and its running my 140s and doing some living room ambience tests.....
on my Walmart 9v.
Hmmm......

it even worked w/the same cable as the R4 (which aslo worked w/the Mme).
its a Radio Shack "M" adaptaplug tip.  Doug told me it worked from 10-15v DC.  Looks like we can make that 9-15v DC !
here's hoping this thing runs for a few hours.
:0
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on October 20, 2005, 04:34:37 PM
and fwiw...
its about the same size, look and feel as a Sony D-10.
nice meters.  peak and db readout.  "ov" is the over indicator.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on October 20, 2005, 05:33:10 PM
indeed...
its still running.  I recieved an email from doug saying it runs on a 9.6v NiCD pack.  that must be one of the "optional" batteries?
and the 8 AAs it takes...thats 9.6v in NiMH.
and I hear it gets many hours running line in.
way cool.

this is going to be fat. 248>671.  i cant wait to hear it!
STS9 Saturday in Worcester.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: F.O.Bean on October 20, 2005, 05:39:46 PM
SWEET nick, looks like i'll be selling off the 7.2v's then  ;D
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: zowie on October 20, 2005, 05:47:42 PM
Is this a mod or stock 671 you're playing with?
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on October 20, 2005, 05:50:55 PM
stock
only the basic concert mod is available, which I am uninterested in.
the AC mod should be available by EOY.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: spyder9 on October 20, 2005, 06:51:09 PM
Nick,

Could you run a recording time test at 16 bits w/ no Pre?   or 24 bits.  If you have the time of course.

1) internals: w/ phantom on

2) Walmart: w/ phantom on

The tests would come in handy, since the Microtracker has cued most people's interest at TS.  The Marantz', sadly, are getting over-looked, and they shouldn't be.   

Thanks.   :)
 
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on October 20, 2005, 07:48:10 PM
i'll see when i can get around to it...
but i'll run in through the paces.  its running w/the walmart, phantom right now. been 3+ hours and the pack is only one light down.  at 5 hours, i'll stop the test. 
I read on this board from another marantz owner that they get 5 hours running line in.  this is with good nimh AA cells.  Also, the battery tray is an easy RS part.  so you can have several AA sleds ready to pop in the battery compartment. 

power connecter fits nice and tight.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: MattinSTL on October 21, 2005, 01:41:39 AM
Hey Nick... just for laughs why don't you try running a mic straight in and comment on what you think. I'm curious what somebody of your experience will say.

I did my own tests w/o any mics connected and I don't think that's a valid way to compare because the inputs see no impedence and the noise will be higher, but if you can plug in a mic or plug in an XLR that shows the unit a load then you can get a more accurate hiss test.

And you got a newer one that shows 24e in the RecFormat menu right? As long as that's the case give it a listen with just a mic.

I'll probably never run mine like that, but I'm curious what your impression will be.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on October 21, 2005, 07:32:03 AM
honestly, i know that the preamp is crap.  so i'm not into testing how crappy it is.
and i'm also not fond of livingroom tests to try and get a feel for how a unit sounds. 

as for battery life.
I shut mine down last night after nearly 5 hours on my Wamlart 5500mAh 9v LiON pack.
and the battery was not even 1/2 way down on the "status lights".  so that is good.  looks like this thing will be a snap to power.
I'll be running internal battery tests, but I need a new charger as my NiNH charger sucks ass and appears dead.  so once that is replaced, then i'll go forward.
but for the mean time, its EASY to power, and does not seem power hungry at all.

I was running w/the light on, phantom on and powering my 140s..fwiw
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: vince on October 21, 2005, 09:27:06 AM
Nick,
Could you run a recording time test at 16 bits w/ no Pre?   or 24 bits.  If you have the time of course.
1) internals: w/ phantom on
2) Walmart: w/ phantom on
The tests would come in handy, since the Microtracker has cued most people's interest at TS.  The Marantz', sadly, are getting over-looked, and they shouldn't be.   
Thanks.   :)

I found TS a while back when getting interested in Taping but had no gear. The MT2496 is what brought me back really. I bought one, and will probably keep it just based on the price though I dont think it is ready fr prime-time. Still I am considering buying an ACM660 or 671 with AKG391s from Oade. This thread has been great as have the others on the MT

All of you folks here kick ass, I have learned soooo much. Now time to spend some $ and get tapin'.

Thanks,

Vince
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: zowie on October 21, 2005, 10:41:02 AM
honestly, i know that the preamp is crap.  so i'm not into testing how crappy it is.
and i'm also not fond of livingroom tests to try and get a feel for how a unit sounds. 


I'm curious whether the stock line input is also subpar, i.e., is the stock deck worthwhile with an external pre.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: JasonSobel on October 21, 2005, 12:41:15 PM
Doug told me it worked from 10-15v DC.  Looks like we can make that 9-15v DC

FWIW, I recently got a 9.6V NiMH battery to run my MicroTrack with (using a voltage regulator).  when fully charged, it measures somewhere between 10.5 & 11V DC.  so maybe it actually is 10-15V, and you're "9V" battery is actually outputting more than that.  just a thought...
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Chuck on October 21, 2005, 12:55:16 PM
i'll see when i can get around to it...
but i'll run in through the paces.  its running w/the walmart, phantom right now. been 3+ hours and the pack is only one light down.  at 5 hours, i'll stop the test. 
I read on this board from another marantz owner that they get 5 hours running line in.  this is with good nimh AA cells.  Also, the battery tray is an easy RS part.  so you can have several AA sleds ready to pop in the battery compartment. 

power connecter fits nice and tight.

A Radio Shack part? Really? Wierd...

Hmmm... I may re-think getting the LaCrosse charger w AA NiMH's and go with the Walmart battery...

I'm still waiting for a new shipment of 671's to arrive :(
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Chuck on October 21, 2005, 01:02:32 PM
honestly, i know that the preamp is crap.  so i'm not into testing how crappy it is.
and i'm also not fond of livingroom tests to try and get a feel for how a unit sounds. 


I'm curious whether the stock line input is also subpar, i.e., is the stock deck worthwhile with an external pre.

Doug told me he thought it sounded OK running line in. It's the microphone pre-amp thats sh*t.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on October 21, 2005, 01:13:50 PM
line in is how i intend to run it.  i dont know if that still runs through the preamp though.  a lot of decks like this, "line in" is just mic in with some built in attenuation.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: esteyes on October 24, 2005, 11:49:01 PM
line in is how i intend to run it.  i dont know if that still runs through the preamp though.  a lot of decks like this, "line in" is just mic in with some built in attenuation.

i am pretty sure that we can infer that the line in is seperated from the mic in as the ACM mod causes a loss of the line in - here's my thinking - part of doug's unhappiness with the stock front end is that the signal runs thru some switching (MIC or LINE source select). knowing this, i would guess that one of what he eliminates is a switch (IC or MULTIPLEXER of some sort) leading me to believe the line in is not just a padded version of the mic in. IMHO

i have been running line in and when i told doug what my current setup was, he inferred that i should be fine. and i have no complaints with what i have taped input stage-wise.

fwiw, if you want to test the mic pre's for noise on the end user level, you should short the inputs (pins 2/3 on an xlr) to pin one - make sure phantom is off. then listen with the gain's all the way up, you can also use a matched pair of resistors to shunt to ground. then any noise you hear is the circuitry. it is too bad i no longer have access to an AudioPrecision test rig. we could do tons of test really fast. i may get lucky tho and hook up with a local company shortly that does have a couple and then we could do some of these tests accurately.

also i am still hoping people will post the brand of memory that they are using. or maybe you guys could just send me the info and i could post the results...

neil in san marcos
esteyesatcoxdotnet
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: spyder9 on October 25, 2005, 12:43:13 AM
Neil,

It would be nice if you can get that test rig.  I'd like to see a full battery of tests on the 671.  If I can get a good pull without running a Pre in front, that would be great.

For myself, I just met a local TV reporter who had a stock 660 at one of our Town Board meetings tonight.  Here we are talking about the Town's 2006 budget, and I couldn't take my eyes off the Marantz.  I'm gonna throw him some cds of some of my shows and he's gonna give me a complete demo of the 660.  I'm psyched about that.   I can't get over the 660's size.  Easy smuggle job.  Ultimate stealth box.  ;D   Eventually, I'd like to get a 671 too, for 24 bit stuff.  But 660 is the main target right now.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on October 25, 2005, 07:51:22 AM
yea, the 660 is cool....
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: bagtagsell on October 25, 2005, 09:36:07 AM
I would love to hear a shoot out (acm660 vs acm671), when doug gets all the parts.  I think it would answer, in a lot of peoples minds, is 24bit worth it?  Is size, price, worth it?  Depending on the results, I could see the 660 being very popular.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Nick's Picks on October 25, 2005, 09:54:52 AM
i had that same dilema.
but Doug told me "a good ear will want 24bits".
and i'm sick of teaching myself that Doug is always right.
:)
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: thegreatgumbino on October 25, 2005, 10:05:34 AM
I would love to hear a shoot out (acm660 vs acm671), when doug gets all the parts.  I think it would answer, in a lot of peoples minds, is 24bit worth it?  Is size, price, worth it?  Depending on the results, I could see the 660 being very popular.

I agree.  Could be a very interesting comparision.  Ultimately, 24 bit will probably be the winner, but more so for audiophiles with the playback to support it.  For the next XX years, 16 bit will still be the playback of the common listener.  That's the dilemma I face.  A 24 bit playback system would be fantastic, but 95% of my listening is in the car or at work on 16 bit systems.  Sure it would be nice to archive everything in 24 bit & create a 16 bit copy as well, but that's a few more steps and blank discs that I don't know if I want to mess with for "future" capabilities. 

Oh the dilemma of the common taper.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD 671 announced (on Oade)
Post by: Chuck on October 25, 2005, 01:06:40 PM
We're at our 25 page maximum, so lets take this over to:

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=52751.0