The Roland R26 is out of my price range unfortunately. The R05 doesn't seem bad, but doesn't have XLR inputs.
I think I read that some of their newer models do not roll off anymore. I had an LS-11 and loved it (great build quality and awesome ergonomics). I switched to the M10 because I didn't want to carry a preamp to avoid the rolloff, and it's a good unit (quiet preamp, great battery life), but I didn't buy it for the internals and I don't like the ergonomics as much as the Olympus (button layout and menu system).
Here are Olympus' current offerings:
http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/audio/pcm-recorders.html
That LS-100 looks really nice. I'd love to play with one. Maybe you could find a place locally where you could bring in your violin and your externals and test some units?
When I read the first couple of reviews of the LS-14 at amazon, they're not very good. The first reviewer seems to be more interested in ambient sounds so I don't know if his review is relevant to my intended useage. But the second is a bit worrisome, he recommended another brand. So the LS-100 must be better right? Well the reviews are just as bad. I read them at amazon & B&H. I saw a few issues:
- one user reported he couldn't pause a recording and then unpause. Another reviewer said this does work. So that would have to be verified.
- no indexes on multitrack
- can't seem to overdub part of a track, it erases the track and re-records it instead of creating a new file. Is this user error?
- the biggest issue: a 0.2 sec delay in the headphone monitor when recording multitrack. That's completely unacceptable. And I'm glad I read about it because I'm not sure that's something I'd notice in the 30 day return period. It seems this was fixed with a firmware update, but how did they even release this with the delay?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/audio/hands-reviews/hands-review-new-olympus-ls-100-portable-recorderIn this video there is a comparison/review of the LS-100 & Zoom H4n. in the usability area, I can see the olympus is a pain to use. For example when you hit record you have to select several menu items (mode, folder) before it records. The zoom records immediately. That just isn't useable for me when I want to record something quickly.
http://youtu.be/AZ3zsarY4LM?t=4mThe review also says that the Olympus mic positioning results in an unnaturally wide stereo image. It seems that the Zoom H5 mic setup (90 degrees) is ideal. The H4n was adjustable between 90 & 120 but the Zoom H5 is not.
http://youtu.be/AZ3zsarY4LM?t=5m43s (same review, just cued to a different spot)
Same link, just after, is another example of how the 90 degree angle gives the zoom a more focused sound. I think this is better for recording musicians, definitely if recording a single one or a few, if recording a large group I'm not sure.
Also note that for me (in France) the Olympus LS-100 is 400 euros compared to 250 for the Zoom H5. That's a huge difference.
I'm still debating between Tascam and Zoom H5. A found someone with a Zoom H4n who will bring it over and let me do some tests. I am thinking the Zoom H5 might be the best bet. I can accept a bigger size if it means having something really designed for musicians.