Hello DigiGal,
I am new here and this is my first post.
I own a Mixpre-D and use it to record directly into the cameras I've used. I also use the Mixpre for voiceovers in favor of various Apogee and Avalon micpres I owned for years.
I will be purchasing a Blackmagic Production Camera soon and believe that having an external recorder will be necessary. Looking for a decent recorder I came across the Marantz PMD 661 and to this post of yours.
You own both devices and build the digital connecting cable between them. If the digital connection sounds cleaner than the XLR analog connections, I am in.
I have tried to PM you about the cable, but I have had no luck. Maybe because I am new here, I don't know. If you have the time, please be kind to contact me.
I would prefer to use only one device on location, but if the Mixpre - D mic pre's are above the Marantz 661 mic pres then two devices will do. You probably also know about the 661 mods. That would simplify it to one recorder. Your opinion counts toward my next purchase, either a 661 modified recorder or the Mixpre-D/661 combo.
I am of course looking for less noise and better sounding mic pres for better options in post. So again, I am not married to the color the Mixpre-D adds. Any good clean sound will do.
Will a Modified Marantz 661 sound better on it's own than a Mixpre - D digitally connected to a Marantz 661? Is the difference significant? You might have the answer from personal experience.
I am not married to Sound Devices. I simply want two really good channels of portable location sound recording without dishing out more than another $700. When I need more, I add a sound guy.
This is an old post. I hope that you get to read it.
Your help is appreciated.
All the best,
Alex
Here is a much better solution I ran across for this application and made up one of these cables myself using parts on hand. It works clean from MixPre-D AES to Marantz PMD661 S/PDIF at 24/96. I can confirm this cable also works going the AES out of a Apogee MiniMe to S/PDIF in on a PMD 661.
A passive impedance conversion AES to S/PDIF cable can be made using a quality 75 ohm coax video cable (i.e. Belden 1505A, Canare LV-61S or equivalent), and to turn the 110 ohm AES source into a 75 ohm impedance install 237 ohms of resistance across pins 2 and 3 within the cables AES's XLR-F connector with the center conductor of coax to pin 2 and shield to pin 1. Then terminate the other end of the coax with either a 75 ohm BNC or 75 ohm RCA connector to meet your needs.
The 237 ohm resistance in parallel with the 110 ohm AES source converts it to 75 ohm internally in the XLR-F connector and is then 75 ohm impedance matched all the way to the SPDIF termination. I've since purchased a large stock of 237 ohm resistors and hand tested/sorted each using my HP3478A Bench Meter to find the ones that meet the tightest tolerance. My cable utilizes a Neutrik XCC connector which maintains the coaxial shield something that ordinary XLR connectors don't.
I've many requests from TS members to sell these cables from another post I made. If you'd like one please feel free to send me a PM, I'd be glad to make one for you if you're not capable or don't want to make one yourself. There are now several people out there using my DigiGal AES > S/PDIF passive impedance conversion cable. I keep stock on hand for a quick build time and am considering posting in the Retail thread since demand has been fairly steady.