Topic: Tascam DR-70D 4-channel audio recorder (Part 2)

[noahbickart]

I'm just posting to confirm that Chris @ Bussman Audio is doing modifications to the DR-70D for $150 for TS.com members (saves you $20).

Mine should be on its way....

[pohaku]

I'm just posting to confirm that Chris @ Bussman Audio is doing modifications to the DR-70D for $150 for TS.com members (saves you $20).

Mine should be on its way....

What does the mod consist of?

[404 Not Found]

Looks to me as if someone wiped the screen with a paper towel and dulled the screen.   

Someone at TASCAM or whoever the prior owner was that had this before it was sent back to TASCAM wiped the screen with something.  When it's turned on it is somewhat foggy as to why I said it looks like a headlight on a car that the plastic had oxidized.  Paper towel, Rubbing Alcohol or some combo of solvent and wipe did a job on it.  On my original DR-70D, I  had a screen protector that I put on as soon as I got it, just so I would not end up with a screen like on the replacement.

404 Not Found, did they even fix the gain/noise issues you were having? Probably not by the looks of it

No, They said that they could not resolve the issue, as to which I was informed in email and by voice mail that they where replacing it with a "New" DR-70D.  If they had just done what they had said and stood behind that with a new unit, I would have been a very happy customer. 

[2manyrocks]

Having looked at the pictures of the replacement they sent, I wouldn't call it a "beater" now that I see the pictures, but IMO it's fair to say you were sent a "blemished" unit to replace your new unit.  Since they've opted to refund your money, presumably you're better off now that the price of the new units has fallen.

Now what about Pohaku's question --what exactly does Busman do to modify the 70d for $150? 

[Cheesecadet]

I asked Busman what the mod consisted of since I got the JWmod and wanted to know if they were somehow comparable or not and he said he prefers not to share that information because he was not a known as JW.  That's cool I suppose.  I'm sure Busman's mod would do the deck justice as well.  Don't think anyone could really go wrong with either mod, although I have not heard Busman's as of yet.  Remember the deck sounds mighty fine stock right out of the box too!

[F.O.Bean]

404 Not Found, did they even fix the gain/noise issues you were having? Probably not by the looks of it

No, They said that they could not resolve the issue, as to which I was informed in email and by voice mail that they where replacing it with a "New" DR-70D.  If they had just done what they had said and stood behind that with a new unit, I would have been a very happy customer. 
[/quote]

I know! That's all they had to do was send you the NEW replacement and it would've been a done deal! But they chose to do a 180* and send you a blemished unit! I don't think that makes any of us feel too great! But for the price and what I got with it, I had to take the chance!

[picklemic]

I asked Busman what the mod consisted of since I got the JWmod and wanted to know if they were somehow comparable or not and he said he prefers not to share that information because he was not a known as JW.  That's cool I suppose.  I'm sure Busman's mod would do the deck justice as well.  Don't think anyone could really go wrong with either mod, although I have not heard Busman's as of yet.  Remember the deck sounds mighty fine stock right out of the box too!

I am working on last night JRAD show with a busmod DR70 and must say I think I like it. Of course it doesn't nearly have as smooth or nicely round sound that my Grace's has, but it will do. Links coming later.

[voltronic]

FYI, I moved the FAQ to a new, locked thread and locked the old one as well.  Don't update your bookmarks yet though - I'm having a problem where I cannot unlock either of those threads to edit them.  It's been reported to the mods, but in the meantime I can't edit anything so please be patient.  In the meantime if anyone knows what I did wrong and how to fix it, I'm all ears.

Never mind, I'm an idiot.  New FAQ is here: http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=172795.0

[jbell]

How about compared to the R-44 pres?? 

I asked Busman what the mod consisted of since I got the JWmod and wanted to know if they were somehow comparable or not and he said he prefers not to share that information because he was not a known as JW.  That's cool I suppose.  I'm sure Busman's mod would do the deck justice as well.  Don't think anyone could really go wrong with either mod, although I have not heard Busman's as of yet.  Remember the deck sounds mighty fine stock right out of the box too!

I am working on last night JRAD show with a busmod DR70 and must say I think I like it. Of course it doesn't nearly have as smooth or nicely round sound that my Grace's has, but it will do. Links coming later.

[picklemic]

Ya, eventually. I think it is pretty comparable to the R-44 pres. I don't have an unmodded dr70, so I can't compare the difference there. I recently got a AKG 522 XY in addition to my AKG 522 MS and the new recorder and new kick ass Darktrain cables that I wanted to check first. I did bring the R-44. I just didn't switch. It only runs on AAs these days. So I went with the 522xy after I decoded the 522 MS. The XY was less roomy with better mids and a rounder bass. Uploading now.

[willndmb]

FYI, I moved the FAQ to a new, locked thread and locked the old one as well.  Don't update your bookmarks yet though - I'm having a problem where I cannot unlock either of those threads to edit them.  It's been reported to the mods, but in the meantime I can't edit anything so please be patient.  In the meantime if anyone knows what I did wrong and how to fix it, I'm all ears.

Never mind, I'm an idiot.  New FAQ is here: http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=172795.0

I never understood why there was a different thread to begin with.
Coming up in thread 3 now I see even less reason, just have the first post be the FAQ and continue on

[picklemic]

Ya, eventually. I think it is pretty comparable to the R-44 pres. I don't have an unmodded dr70, so I can't compare the difference there. I recently got a AKG 522 XY in addition to my AKG 522 MS and the new recorder and new kick ass Darktrain cables that I wanted to check first. I did bring the R-44. I just didn't switch. It only runs on AAs these days. So I went with the 522xy after I decoded the 522 MS. The XY was less roomy with better mids and a rounder bass. Uploading now.

https://archive.org/details/jrad2015-04-23.picklemic

[voltronic]

FYI, I moved the FAQ to a new, locked thread and locked the old one as well.  Don't update your bookmarks yet though - I'm having a problem where I cannot unlock either of those threads to edit them.  It's been reported to the mods, but in the meantime I can't edit anything so please be patient.  In the meantime if anyone knows what I did wrong and how to fix it, I'm all ears.

Never mind, I'm an idiot.  New FAQ is here: http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=172795.0

I never understood why there was a different thread to begin with.
Coming up in thread 3 now I see even less reason, just have the first post be the FAQ and continue on

I hadn't considered that option.  At the time we were discussing it here, it seemed people wanted a separate FAQ thread so I started one.

[dogmusic]

Anyone having trouble with the USB connection? It seems to drop easily. It doesn't like a USB hub and it only seems to work with the supplied USB cable. But even then it's very touchy.

And even the supplied cable doesn't plug all the way in into the USB input. The plug is very loose and shaky in there.

They should have spent a few more pennies and at least put in a USB mini connection.



*Maybe this is why they're getting rid of a lot of the early units at bargain discounts.....

[voltronic]

Anyone having trouble with the USB connection? It seems to drop easily. It doesn't like a USB hub and it only seems to work with the supplied USB cable. But even then it's very touchy.

And even the supplied cable doesn't plug all the way in into the USB input. The plug is very loose and shaky in there.

They should have spent a few more pennies and at least put in a USB mini connection.



*Maybe this is why they're getting rid of a lot of the early units at bargain discounts.....

Yes, I've also found it to be picky with USB cables.  I initially tried it with this Monoprice one, which is usually the best for charging and file transfer with my phone: http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=103&cp_id=10303&cs_id=1030307&p_id=5457&seq=1&format=2

It kept failing as you describe - the file transfer would abruptly end and then unit would power down.

Then I tried it with this cable I bought to use with my USB battery, and the connection is solid every time: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003YKX6WC/ref=twister_B0089W5Q1O?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I have not found the plug to be loose though - mine is pretty tight.