Thanks for the samples -- will listen to them later today via my pro headphones. In the meantime, do you agree with the author(s) of this German review? http://www.audiotranskription.de/sony-pcm-d-100
Specifically, does your machine have the very same hardware characteristics as the pre-production model reviewed -- rather noisy mic positioning and fragile mem card holder? The extra features of the D100 aside, do you prefer it to the D50 at least when internal mics and the built-in preamps are concerned?
Since I read the review in translation only, I wasn't clear about all the criticisms. If the reviewer had read the manual, he would know that in order to move the record level knobs separately, you push in the middle knob. They're very smooth.
Yes, the mic housing is hard plastic, but I don't know how that affects the sound. Do other handhelds have metal internal mics?
Not sure what noisy mic positioning is. I wouldn't change the direction of the mics during recording, if that's what he means. But who would do that with any mic?
Yes, the mem card door is a bit vulnerable, but on the other hand, it's easy to open and get the card out without resorting to tweezers as I do on the D50.
I think the internal mics are better than the D50. Tomorrow I will set up a recording from the Beyers into the D50 and D100 simultaneously to compare their preamps.