Topic: Sony PCM-D100

[illconditioned]

A lot of great things about the Sony decks:
- excellent , low noise preamps
- long battery life, including the ability to go into very low use "standby" mode,
- excellent user interface/controls.

The new deck adds SNR that is as good as, or better than many USB interfaces.

These are most useful if you want to do field recording, play back and/or edit on the deck.  All you need is a set of (Sony) 7506 phones.

For live recording, there are lots of options, but nothing beats a great all-in-one deck when you need it.

  Richard

[kingtut38]

Does anyone know what the EIN of this recorder is?

[F.O.Bean]

And this is the first deck, IMHO, that has killer internal mics! Those piano samples were amazing IMO! I'll probably buy 1 and see what its like!

[dogmusic]

Here's a photo I found on the web that apparently shows separate A/D converters for DSD and PCM:

[Amir]

Guys, do you know which cable should be used to connect the digital output of the Sound Devices USBPre2 to the D100's digital input? Is this the correct cable, and if it is, do I need an extra adapter for the connection to be established?
Hosa Technology -   Toslink Male to Mini-Toslink 3.5mm Male Fiber Optic Cable: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/297015-REG/Hosa_Technology_OPQ_210_Toslink_Male_to_Mini_Toslink.html

[yates7592]

Here's a photo I found on the web that apparently shows separate A/D converters for DSD and PCM:

Interesting. Which site was this from (all Japanese presumably?  The official Sony press releases suggested there was separate ad converters so this seems to confirm.

[page]

Guys, do you know which cable should be used to connect the digital output of the Sound Devices USBPre2 to the D100's digital input? Is this the correct cable, and if it is, do I need an extra adapter for the connection to be established?
Hosa Technology -   Toslink Male to Mini-Toslink 3.5mm Male Fiber Optic Cable: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/297015-REG/Hosa_Technology_OPQ_210_Toslink_Male_to_Mini_Toslink.html

that looks right.

[dogmusic]

Guys, do you know which cable should be used to connect the digital output of the Sound Devices USBPre2 to the D100's digital input? Is this the correct cable, and if it is, do I need an extra adapter for the connection to be established?
Hosa Technology -   Toslink Male to Mini-Toslink 3.5mm Male Fiber Optic Cable: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/297015-REG/Hosa_Technology_OPQ_210_Toslink_Male_to_Mini_Toslink.html

That's what I use from my USBPre2 to my D50, so I assume that'll work.

[dogmusic]

Here's a photo I found on the web that apparently shows separate A/D converters for DSD and PCM:

Interesting. Which site was this from (all Japanese presumably?  The official Sony press releases suggested there was separate ad converters so this seems to confirm.

Yes, all Japanese which I don't understand, but found while clicking around looking for some info about this unit (very little available!).

Here's the site:

http://like-a-sony.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2013-09-25-1

[H₂O]

If they are seperate sony went to a lot of trouble to add DSD - meaning they must see some future value in it

[voltronic]

If they are seperate sony went to a lot of trouble to add DSD - meaning they must see some future value in it

Of course they do - Sony was one of the key players in the development of DSD / SACD.  Speaking of DSD, I really don't see the advantage to using it - right now, it seems much more trouble than it's worth.  Not trying to hijack this thread, but can anyone shed any light on why one would record in DSD over high-bitrate PCM, other than with the end goal of selling SACDs?

Here's an interesting article on the topic from Ayre with some sound samples to compare:
http://www.ayre.com/insights_dsdvspcm.htm

[H₂O]

I am not going into DSD anymore on this thread except that DSD is bigger then ever right now (indirectly linked to the PS3 ability to extract SACD's into ISO's or DSF/DST files).  But it is seeming to become a more Pro-sumer format with all the DSD playback (not necessarily SACD) capable DAC's and receivers on the market now.

I don't see the need to go to SACD anymore as many Receiver's and DAC's can play DSF files natively (plus the plugin's for many PC/MAC based players).

[Amir]

Thanks, "page" and "dogmusic," for confirming the digital cable.

[yates7592]

Not trying to hijack this thread, but can anyone shed any light on why one would record in DSD over high-bitrate PCM, other than with the end goal of selling SACDs?

I'm not entirely sure. As I understand it, DSD vs (hi res) PCM opinion is fairly evenly split among 'audiophiles'. DSD supporters will tell you that DSD captures the live performance (and particularly transient hits like drums) better than PCM, as DSD is simulating a pulse or wave with a moving series of 0's and 1's, whereas PCM is trying to nail an absolute value (I don't think I explained that 100% correctly but hopefully you get my drift).

[Amir]

Not trying to hijack this thread, but can anyone shed any light on why one would record in DSD over high-bitrate PCM, other than with the end goal of selling SACDs?

I'm not entirely sure. As I understand it, DSD vs (hi res) PCM opinion is fairly evenly split among 'audiophiles'. DSD supporters will tell you that DSD captures the live performance (and particularly transient hits like drums) better than PCM, as DSD is simulating a pulse or wave with a moving series of 0's and 1's, whereas PCM is trying to nail an absolute value (I don't think I explained that 100% correctly but hopefully you get my drift).

@Yates7592, out of curiosity, do you own the D100, or are you planning to get one? It's in the list of your recorders along with the M10.
If nothing goes awry, a distributor is going to offer the D100 later next week or in 2 weeks here. Hope I can get one!