Topic: Looking to replace JB3 (need optical imput, vista compatibility)

[palmettobum]

So I am basically tired of always having to use my xp machine for transfers, as well as the tedious nature of recording on a jb3, so I am looking to upgrade to a recorder that is vista compatible.  I need a recorder that can receive the optical signal from the UA5- perhaps this is the time for me to move up from 44.1k?   I would also like something that has better playback capabilities than the "preview" option on the JB3.  In addition to field recording, I also use the (mic + sbd > UA5 > jb3 > playback) to record band practices and "instantly" hear how we sound when I play back the jb3 over the monitors.  The highly imprecise ff and rw on the jb3 is not really the best for poking around an hour long file to find a song.  I think this post is clear enough for you guys to get my drift.

Thanks so much for any recommendations!

PB 

[Scooter]

on the cheap = Iriver h120
Plus it doubles as a nice mp3 player!

but you're not limited to optical inputs, as the ua-5 also kicks out spdif on RCA.

[Todd R]

I love my Sony D50 -- great 24-bit recorder!  Get it via ebay with this microsoft cashback deal and you can get it for the equivalent of $360 shipped for a brand new recorder.

[page]

on the cheap = Iriver h120
Plus it doubles as a nice mp3 player!

but you're not limited to optical inputs, as the ua-5 also kicks out spdif on RCA.

He's got it. the iriver h1XX series, and I'll add the Microtrack series as the only things I can think of in the department of digi-in cheapoes.

I've got the iriver 120 and I'm happy with it (especially since it will do double-duty, very well if you have access to usb2). I'm looking at the Microtrack2, but I havn't committed yet because right now I can trade the truncation of 24>16bit that the UA5>120 does when looking at costs (since I wouldn't sell the 120, it's a good player for work). Both have drawbacks and advantages, so it truly depends on what you want. Is field recording time a factor? How about bit depth or truncation?

[willndmb]

if you have a ua5
then tech you don't need a optical in
for like $10 you can get a coax digital cable and that opens you up to other recorders as well, like a microtrack 1/2