Wow, Furburger.
You really think that a Tascam DR2d with internals is better than the same recorder with external mikes and a preamp. Amazing opinion.
Which mike-preamp combination does your rig beat out? The low end Church stuff, or is your Tascam internal rig better than AKG, Neumann, Naks, and Schoeps, as well?
I'm dying to know.
nowhere did I say "better than".
I've always been happy with my recordings sounding 90% as good as a mic-stand recording at a fraction (1/20th?) of the cost.
the Tascam internals produce a superior recording to the Sonic Studios with the 3-way lo-cut 2-3 times out of 10.
it's usually when I'm at the Loon in the balcony (like the Mulvey show I linked) and put the deck at my feet on the projector box, but I've also done it in arenas and clubs in the States.
I've also done excellent recordings putting the DR-2D right at the performers feet (Kevn Kinney in Atlanta in '13 was a great one, ran two of them on stage, Sarah Peacock was another one that came out amazing)
throw in the non-existent set-up and tear-down time, and it's a viable alternative in more ways than one. (cost/hassle/sound quality).