Topic: Is the Roland R-05 a good substitute for PCM m10?

[benwah]

Prices on the popular Sony PCM m10 have skyrocketed since the model was discontinued.
Used models may sell for over $300, while a new Roland R-05 can be had for less than $200.

Why isn't the R-05 a more popular alternative -- what am I missing?
I have read all the old R-05 comments on this forum I could find.

It has a comparable quality pre-amp according to avisoft
http://www.avisoft.com/recordertests.htm

It is slightly smaller. 

The battery life isn't anywhere the epic level of PCM-M10, but still  good.

I'm looking at these two models because I very much need the smaller size and want a good included preamp with lower self noise.
I won't use the integral mics.

[jbell]

You are thinking of the R09!   The R05 is a nice recorder and would be a fine replacement for the M10

input jack problems in r5. apparently ok in the r5hr.

[Gutbucket]

I think you may be confusing the R-05 with the previous R-09 / R-09HR.  The original R-09 is the one which had input jack issues on early models, but those are over 10 years old now.

I've not used the R-05 but it seems fully capable.  I used several of the the original R-09s back in the day and they were workhorses.  I expect the R-05 has superior preamps and I'm sure it has a superior ADC.  Others who use it will likely post, but I don't think going that route would be a bad choice.

[dallman]

As a long time Roland R-05 user, I think it is a great deck. Most R-05 users think so. I have always preferred the R05 to anything else in the 1/8 input small deck category. The Sony was a fine deck too, but I prefer the Roland.

[yltfan]

I too, prefer the R-05 to the m-10. The Sony has unbeatable battery life, but in all other features, I prefer the R-05. SD card instead of mini, simpler controls, no rec level wheel...

[ilduclo]

  thanks for the correction, gys! I was wrong and will delete that post!

[benwah]

Thanks all, just ordered one new for $170

[spyder9]

You made a great choice.  I bought one recently and ran it side by side with the Sony M10.  Without question, it can hold it's own against the M10, sound wise. 

Roland/Edirol finally got it right with the R05.  A natural evolution from R1 > R09 > R09HR >R05.  Sadly, the R05 was so "late to the party", that not many people own them in our field.   Its a well built recorder and it's tiny too.

[bombdiggity]

thanks for the correction, gys! I was wrong and will delete that post!

Actually no. 

The R-05 had issues with the circuit board that lead to a fault at the input jack (I believe mine was on the line in jack as I vaguely recall).  That was the end of mine.  Someone here bought mine with the disclosed flaw and took it apart to reroute some things on the board and got it working again (I think using the headphone jack instead).  There's a thread here somewhere... 

It lasted a few years (though I did baby it) but I was ultimately disappointed and bought an M-10 the next time despite that costing more.  I've never looked back and much prefer the M-10 but it seems those factors may be a matter of personal preferences. 

Maybe they've fixed it since.  It does appear the price may have gone up (though with no competition I'd expect that to occur). 

The R-05 is probably the best option being made now though.  Mine was good until it went unreliable (and toasted a channel at a show - at least I got mono as it quit). 

[Fried Chicken Boy]

If you like this recorder you might want to grab a back-up if you can.  Going the way of the Sony M10, B&H has the Roland R-05 listed as "discontinued" on their website.  Guitar Center and Musician's Friend have it as "unavailable", Sweetwater notes it as "out of stock".  Full Compass and Adorama appear to still have them.

[dactylus]

If you like this recorder you might want to grab a back-up if you can.  Going the way of the Sony M10, B&H has the Roland R-05 listed as "discontinued" on their website.  Guitar Center and Musician's Friend have it as "unavailable", Sweetwater notes it as "out of stock".  Full Compass and Adorama appear to still have them.

Amazon has them for $199 (new). 

Used ones, shipping from Japan @ $169

https://smile.amazon.com/Roland-R-05-Studio-WAVE-Recorder/dp/B003FGN0I0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493894923&sr=8-1&keywords=roland+r-05