Topic: The Merits of the 722?

[stevetoney]

I know that the 722 is great gear built in a great package, but I'm curious to hear people's opinions of this piece of equipment.  Specifically, I wonder what is the logic (or maybe the primary reason) used to justify paying over $2300 when there are seemingly comparable high quality options out there for far less cheese. 

Not to answer my own question, but the most obvious answer to me is a very high quality all-in-one box.  But what else?

[sygdwm]

if you can afford (justify) a 722, then do so. if you cant, get an oade acm671/hp2/r4 or whatever for less $$. to answer your question buy a v2/m148/mp2/psp/aerco or pre of your choice and a stock 671/hp2/r4. it will cost more but substantially less than a 722.

[stevetoney]

if you can afford (justify) a 722, then do so. if you cant, get an oade acm671/hp2/r4 or whatever for less $$. to answer your question buy a v2/m148/mp2/psp/aerco or pre of your choice and a stock 671/hp2/r4. it will cost more but substantially less than a 722.

Honestly, I'm not interesting in buying anything.  I was just more curious with what's up with peeps being willing to chuck so much more money for the 722 and what makes the 722 worth it over the far far less expesive all-in-one options that you mention.  Course, the danger is that once I find out, it might climb right to the top of my slut wish list.

[Nick's Picks]

colored lights can hypnotize, sparkle someone else's eyes...now woman...get away from me!

[MattD]

I know that the 722 is great gear built in a great package, but I'm curious to hear people's opinions of this piece of equipment.  Specifically, I wonder what is the logic (or maybe the primary reason) used to justify paying over $2300 when there are seemingly comparable high quality options out there for far less cheese. 

Not to answer my own question, but the most obvious answer to me is a very high quality all-in-one box.  But what else?

For me it was about a $1k difference between the 722 and my old rig (4021 > ULN-2 > powerbook). That money reduced the weight of my gear bag from 40-45 lbs to about 10-15 lbs. I was able to get rid of the SLA battery and no longer had computer crashes costing me entire shows (even when the 722 crashed on some of the old bad firmware revs, I only ever lost about 30 seconds of music to reboot it). The new rig also gave me the ability to stealth when desired.

For the effective $1k price tag, it was sure worth it to me. The sound quality is as good as the other top portable gear out there, though I preferred the ULN-2's sound to the 722's as an all-in-one box. If someone can figure out how to get the guts of a V2, Mytek, and Microtracker in a single box this size, I might be convinced to switch to something else. Until then, this is more than adequate. The only difficulty is justifying the relatively few shows I now have time for (down to about 20/year).

[ghellquist]

I might not be the typical taper doing only open recordings of classical music. This is my second rig, intended to be easy to carry and running on batteries.

I wanted a machine that simply works all the time (ruled out for example the R4 that I tried but had trouble with as it could not switch from internal to external powering without stopping) and decent low-noise preamps with phantom (ruled out almost all of the lowpriced ones).

Compared to the alternatives on the short list, the 722 was a bargain (alternatives where Nagra, Deva  or Cantar).

And it has indeed fulfilled all my requirements.

When the demands are higher I use my larger rig that has both better preamps and better AD, alas at a much higher price, fills the car and requires AC power.

Gunnar

[T.J.]

the all in one box is really the answer for me. many times when i tape it is 4-5 shows in a row. the last shows i taped were 5 nights of moe. at the highline in NYC. everywhere i went before and after the shows in the city i was lugging my gear. by the last show (or the last day of a festival) 35-40 lbs feels like 100 lbs.

the fact you can buy a couple 7.2v sony style batteries with the 722 and be set for at least 10 hours is another factor. with the V3 > 671 combo i was lugging at times 4-5 walmart style batteries to get the equivalant runtime.

when compared the cost vs. the size vs. the convenience, the 722 won. to be honest with you, when you total up the cost of the V3, 671, batteries, cables, CF cards, portable hard drive vs. the 722 it is about even.

i debated sticking with the 671 as an all-in-one with a possible oade mod done, but the 722 was just too sexy 

[fozzy]

I was a fairly early adopter of the 722, not the first here for sure, and there were no other options available for an all in one solution.  I was previously hauling 30-40lbs. to a show.  Now I am @ ~5lbs which will get me 12hrs. of nonstop recording, throw in an extra pound and i can get around 30hours.  I had become used to the HD recording since I had a JB3 and wasn't looking forward to using CF cards.  CF is now finally becoming affordable as well.  Really the proof is in the pudding, the 722 is very consistant, idiot proof and rock solid in the most extreme conditions (8hrs in 115 degree heat(direct sunlight), rain, a few spills and kicks), excellect manufacturer and community support.

I think the 7xx recorders are really in a whole different league than the Marantz, tascam and edirol units.  You don't see any shortcommings till you start to compare them to the zaxcom and cantar, devices which are 4x more.

I would consider a modded R4 if the layout was was totally revamped or a modded 4 channel ~671 w/ a new layout and a HD.  These probably will come available shortly after i move up to a 744 in a few years but I will not have any regrets.

[flintstone]

722 pro
all in one without compromises
good battery solution
hard disc = record for hours, no worries
great preamp, see http://www.avisoft.com/recordertests.htm
medium size, weight
very solid construction
excellent resale value

722 con
high price
hard disc more vulnerable to shock than flash memory
conclusion:  buy Sound Devices 702, save $600

alternatives
Tascam HD-P2 $1000
Marantz PMD671 with Oade ACM mod $1275
Grace is working on a preamp with flash memory

[nickgregory]

722 con
high price
hard disc more vulnerable to shock than flash memory
conclusion:  buy Sound Devices 702, save $600

I had a 722 out of the gate and had zero issues with the HD in any circumstance, and have not heard of anyone who has had "shock issues" so to call that a con is misleading

[mandoman]

Grace is working on a preamp with flash memory

Seriously? Where can we get info on that?

[Todd R]

Grace is working on a preamp with flash memory

Seriously? Where can we get info on that?

The idea of an all-in-one Grace recorder seems to be rumors built upon hope and desire.  I had a conversation with Mike Grace awhile back when I went to pick my V3 up after the polarity reversal fix, and he told me flat out that Grace Designs has no plans or interest in building a field recorder.  Never say never I guess, but I wouldn't be holding my breath.

[leehookem]

Grace is working on a preamp with flash memory

no he's not.  don't get your hopes up.

[T.J.]

Grace is working on a preamp with flash memory

no he's not.  don't get your hopes up.

although he'd be alot cooler if he did 

[Sanjay]

nah, doubt there'll be a recorder from them.

another v3 mod, i think so.