Some first impressions on my DR2D:
I was mainly interested in this unit for the dual recording function, in particular the "line" mode where it can write separate stereo files from the mic and line inputs. There's also a safe mode where you can record the mic input at two sets of levels to guard against clipping which could come in handy in some situations.
The line mode dual recording works pretty much as expected based on the manual. Somewhat unfortunately, that means you CANNOT adjust levels on the line input while recording in dual mode. You can use the Dual button to toggle the level display between the mic and line inputs, but any level adjustments you make affect the mic input and only the mic input even if the line input is selected on the level meter display. This probably isn't a deal killer as line input of 100 on the DR2D seems to match up with 8-9 on the line in of my Edirol R09, which was generally what I used for most board feeds if not a setting just a bit higher - so except for boards with a really hot output (where I'd probably prefer external attenuation than relying on the deck) you'd probably just set the line input to 100 and forget about it and have a recording that peaks in the -12 to -3 dB neighborhood. (I wasn't able to directly test how much the DR2D could attenuate a line signal before distorting, since nothing I own puts out an input hot enough to peg the line in at 100.)
Also of note: I measured the mic plug in power at 2.3V running off NiMH batteries.
Audio quality: For now I'll just post samples, without comments to see what other folks hear without projecting my biases. First a line in comparison with my old Edirol R09. I hooked both recorders up to the line outputs of my DVD player and recorded a few tracks off the Waybacks' Pasture to the Future CD. I know it's a little silly to make a 24bit recording of a 16bit CD, but not as silly as the situations most of us use 24 bit recording in the field, so why not? The DR2d was set to 100 on the line input, the R09 to 9 on line input, and both got peaks in the -3dB neighborhood. I peak normalized both to -0.11dB in post using Sound Studio.
DRD2 sample:
http://homepage.mac.com/satterwill/TascamTests/DR2Dsample.flacR09 sample:
http://homepage.mac.com/satterwill/TascamTests/R09sample.flacUltimately, I'm hoping to use this recorder for matrices in the field, taking a line input from the soundboard and mics via the mic in. Preferrably phantom powered mics through a preamp, so I wondered how well the mic input would handle a relatively hot input. For now, I used a recording played back on my FR2LE through it's line outputs into the DR2D's mic input (low sensitvity), adjusting the FR2LE's outputs so that I got the peaks I wanted at various settings on the DRD2.
Running the DRD2 wide open required turning the FR2LE down about half way:
http://homepage.mac.com/satterwill/TascamTests/TascamMicIn100.flacWas able to turn the FR2LE up a bit and get good levels at 80 on the DR2D without obvious distortion:
http://homepage.mac.com/satterwill/TascamTests/TascamMicIn80.flacRunning wide open on the FR2LE required turning the DR2D down to ~60, and the behavior of the level meters made it obvious it was brickwalling:
http://homepage.mac.com/satterwill/TascamTests/TascamMicIn60.flacHowever the FR2LE may be at least partially to blame since it also had some distortion (albeit less) as recorded by the line input of the R09 at 9, usually a safe setting:
http://homepage.mac.com/satterwill/TascamTests/R09takingFR2LEfullBlast.flacI've certainly noticed that I cannot listen to headphones at max volume on the FR2LE without them distorting.
Battery tests are now in progress, using 2000mah Duracell pre-charged rechargeables (the sort that are supposed to hold a charge for months) - not the most powerful solution, but the one I find most convenient and a good conservative test. These particular batteries have been sitting around for a few weeks, and were not used in the earlier testing, thus they should be "fresh" save for the effects of sitting around.