Topic: Anyone know anything about this Fostex FR2 LE (previously FR3 LE)

[flintstone]

My guess is that Fostex will continue to sell the FR-2 to compete with the Marantz PMD671 and Tascam HD-P2.  The FR-2LE will be positioned as a competitor for the Marantz PMD660.  The FR-2LE is about the same size as the PMD660, and has similar features.  I don't think it will include digital input, since the target market (ENG) doesn't require it.

Since the FR-2LE has 24/96 and potentially better preamps, I'm guessing its price will be higher than the PMD660, but less than the PMD671.  In the USA marketplace, that puts the street price of the FR-2LE between $500 and $900, so I'll guess list of $900, street $700.  Fostex will sell a lot more FR-2LE at $700 than at $1000, where they will be in direct competition with the PMD671 and HD-P2.

Flintstone

[spyder9]

I think the 2LE will compete directly with the P2 and 671.  24 bit vs 24 bit.  Plus, the FR2 is a beast and energy hungry.  This new model cures both of those problems, I assume.  Leaner and meaner.

It would be a bummer if it didn't had digi in.  But won't be a deal kill for me.  I wonder what external voltage it will require.  I'm interested in this bad boy.

[spyder9]

Taking a 2nd look at those pictures, one picture has the headphone jack in the front.  Another has the headphone jack on the side, next to the RCAs.  My bet is the headphone jack will remain in the front and the digi-in will go next to the RCAs.

[spyder9]

B&H Photo is taking pre-orders.  $499.00

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&kw=FOFR2LE&is=REG&Q=&O=productlist&sku=432017

[Rick]

B&H Photo is taking pre-orders.  $499.00

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&kw=FOFR2LE&is=REG&Q=&O=productlist&sku=432017

wow $499

[spreetaper]

yeah but wont have digi in.. so thats why so cheap

[OOK]

That looks like a digi in in the photo up top.......they could possibly be rca ins r and l, however they are both yellow which is ussally the collor use for a digi in, where as red and white are used for analog in.....

[Rick]

I would think this would pretty much kill the 660. Looks to be around the same size, same price and does 24bit... Pretty nice. I wonder if Oade will do any mods.

 

[spreetaper]

That looks like a digi in in the photo up top.......they could possibly be rca ins r and l, however they are both yellow which is ussally the collor use for a digi in, where as red and white are used for analog in.....

i sure hope your right.. but i just think thats way too cheap to have digi..

[Todd R]

Frankly, it should be cheaper to do a digi-in bit bucket rather than designing high quality mic pres and analog input.  Nevertheless, this doesn't look to promising:

http://www.hhb.co.uk/hhb/uk/products/largeimage.asp?ID=2412

Looks like the RCAs are L-R analog outputs, not digital in and digital out.

[spreetaper]

Frankly, it should be cheaper to do a digi-in bit bucket rather than designing high quality mic pres and analog input.  Nevertheless, this doesn't look to promising:

http://www.hhb.co.uk/hhb/uk/products/largeimage.asp?ID=2412

Looks like the RCAs are L-R analog outputs, not digital in and digital out.

umm to design maybe.. ala the microtracker..

to put in to production something that functions properly... not so fast...

[flintstone]

+T to Spyder9 for making this discovery. 

Outside the Musikmesse news item on their Japanese language web pages, I don't see this recorder mentioned anywhere by Fostex.  So the actual release date may still be a few months off.

$499 is the price most reputable dealers post for the Marantz PMD660, so it appears that Fostex wants to compete directly with Marantz.  With 24/96 and potentially better preamps, the FR2 LE is looking good!  Can't tell yet about digital input.

Flintstone

[spyder9]

I would think this would pretty much kill the 660. Looks to be around the same size, same price and does 24bit... Pretty nice. I wonder if Oade will do any mods.

 

Its a little bit thicker than a 660.  Probably by a couple of inches.  Makes crotchability a little bit dicey, but should be able to do. Definitely within the same length and width of the 660.  To add, I hope this thing can be powered by AA rechargeables. 

[rodeen]

[Its a little bit thicker than a 660.  Probably by a couple of inches.  Makes crotchability a little bit dicey, but should be able to do. Definitely within the same length and width of the 660.  To add, I hope this thing can be powered by AA rechargeables. 

So Dan, when are you selling your P2?       <--- Rick eyeing it carefully

[spyder9]

[Its a little bit thicker than a 660.  Probably by a couple of inches.  Makes crotchability a little bit dicey, but should be able to do. Definitely within the same length and width of the 660.  To add, I hope this thing can be powered by AA rechargeables. 

So Dan, when are you selling your P2?       <--- Rick eyeing it carefully

Nah.  Just thinking of another stealth box.  I've been waiting for this to come out since April.  Go get that P2!