Topic: Tascam DR-680 versus R-44 / Marantz PMD661 / Sony PCM D-50 or other device?

[manleyf]

Tascam DR-680 versus R-44 / Marantz PMD661 / Sony PCM D-50 or other device?

I currently run Earthworks mics into a Grace V3, and only use my MT and MT2 for bit buckets via the SPDIF inputs.

The primary purpose of my new purchase is to be a rock solid and reliable bit bucket via a digital in (preferably coax, but I do have an optical out on my V3).  I also want to have built in mics on my new device for an all in one recording tool for band rehearsals, quick song ideas, etc.

Here is a list of my requirements:
Must have:
Reliable
Digital input
External battery support

Nice to have:
coaxial SPDIF
Built in microphones
XLR inputs
4 inputs to grab board sources along with ambient mics (possible at $500 price point?)

I'm looking to stay in the $500 price range, and so far it seems that the Marantz PMD 661 or Sony PCM are the only devices that fit my needs or maybe there are others I should consider?

It looks like I need to expand my budget as the R-44 and DR-680 are looking like good options and a strong long term investment in my recording gear and service offering.... So there goes the budget, but cost is still a factor in the decision.

The DR-680 looks awesome and I suppose the only thing the R-44 has over it on my list is the built mics....
What would you recommend?
Thanks,
Manley

[JasonSobel]

well.

both the PMD-661 and the PCM-D50 meet all of your "must haves".
neither deck meets all of your"nice to have" list, but the PMD-661 meets more of the "nice to haves" than the PCM-D50

Nice to have:
coaxial SPDIF - yes for PMD-661, no for PCM-D50 (the D50 has optical S/PDIF input)
Built in microphones - yes for both decks
XLR inputs - yes for the PMD-661, no for PCM-D50
4 inputs to grab board sources along with ambient mics (possible at $500 price point?) - neither the PMD-661 nor the OCM-D50 have 4 inputs.

If you really want 4 inputs, you should step up to the Edirol R-44.  4 XLR inputs.  coax S/PDIF input for 2 of the channels.  but I think the R-44 puts you over the $500 mark.

[manleyf]

Thanks for your reply Jason-

so they both have built in mics- does one produce significantly better recordings with its built in mics than the other deck?

Thanks everyone....

[rastasean]

like jason said, the r-44 has all of your requirements but it is overbudget. you're using nice microphones so maybe you can raise the budget to include the r-44.
 
In the yard sale, there is a edirol r-4 selling for a good price. it has digital xlr input/output. Does the v3 have digital xlr out?

[manleyf]

like jason said, the r-44 has all of your requirements but it is overbudget. you're using nice microphones so maybe you can raise the budget to include the r-44.
 
In the yard sale, there is a edirol r-4 selling for a good price. it has digital xlr input/output. Does the v3 have digital xlr out?

Budget wise, I'm looking in the $500 or less range, which a used R-4 or R-44 might fit...

I don't see a R-4 for sale in the Yard sale- maybe you are talking about the Busman mod one?  I think I just missed it?  damn....

Yes, the V3 has AES-XLR out

[rastasean]

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=138342.0

busman modded r-4. once again, at $650 it is over budget.

I would only recommend buying used. a lot of tapers are selling their r-44 to buy the 8 channel tascam so you may be able to get one at a good price.

[Fried Chicken Boy]

Agreed that the R-44 is a great piece of gear and has everything that the OP is looking for even if it is out of his budget.  Have one myself that I love to death.  But being a nearly $1k machine when brand new, $500 might be an optimistic price to find it used even if the masses are selling them in droves to buy the Tascam DR-680.  Then again, you never know so don't let me rain on the parade.

[manleyf]

Yeah, at this point I've pretty decisively moved into the r-44 / dr-680 shopping mode, completely blowing said budget and wife's initial amacable attitude towards the new purchase.... 

Totally off topic now (I think I'll edit it to expand the relevant focus as I did my ISO thread :-)....

So yeah seems like the r-44 covers all my desires, and the dr-680 except that the dr-680 does not have any built in mics...

Maybe that's not a big deal since I have a MT2 I can use with the little omni T-mic for quick scratch recordings....  Sound quality is not too good, but ok for quick song ideas, etc....  And then I can focus on the dr-680 for all serious recording- it seems like the ultimate bang for the $, especially with my V3 as channels 7/8

[rastasean]

has anyone done a comp between the pre-amps on 680 and r44? more channels are nice but not always necessary.

[kirk97132]

has anyone done a comp between the pre-amps on 680 and r44? more channels are nice but not always necessary.

Having sold my R-44 to get a 680 here is what I think.  The 680 is step up in the quality of the preamps.  BUT....BIG BUT, the R-44 preamps are more than adequate and will sound good on their own.  I think the R-44 will not do as well in a situation that requires very high gains.  The spec sheets support the fact that the 680 has slightly better preamps.  Of course your source material would make a difference too.  In a blind shoot out I think you would be happy with the sound of either one.  The R-44 is a little easier to use.  The 680 is slightly bigger but not much.  I almost always run external preamps with my decks but the times I did use the internals I was never disappointed.  I cannot speak about the built in mics, I never used them.  The R-44 is very easy to use right out of the box and you could almost use it without reading the manual.  the R-44 is a great 4 track box and I still have a soft spot for it.  The 680 is a kickass piece of gear.  I am SO HAPPY I bought it.  I was always borrowing gear to get more tracks when I owned the R-44 so it was a logical switch for me.  If the R-44 offered a way to sync clocks I might have thought about getting a second one.  But the 680 costs nearly the same so why bother?  The 680 has a little more flexibility when it comes to adjusting the input gain structure.  There have been some comps done with the 680 VS a Lunatec and it held it's own no problem.  Personally I feel like the 680 has a little cleaner transparent sound compared to the R-44 but the differences are very subtle. 

If the OP REALLY wants mics built in and more than two tracks then the R-44 is a perfect fit. 

They could also think about a two track unit with a UA-5.  Then you could do on the fly matrix's and keep within the original budget.  But on the fly matrix can be hit or miss. 

If it were me, I'd make my choice between the R-44 or the 680 and forget about the two track units.  But then again, you're not me

[flintstone]

Several members here have had problems with an assortment of SDHC cards.  Tascam recorders are fussy about memory cards, in my experience.  Once you get the card issue sorted out, the DR-680 is a great choice if you have $830 to spend.

Flintstone

[kirk97132]

I know that a few of those reported issues were actually bad cards. 

[manleyf]

I bought a new dr-680 from Adam at Full Compass (great service and price btw)
I'll report on it in the tascam dr-680 part 2 thread

Thanks everyone for your advice and gear offers!