Topic: BB or preamp > mic in or line in M10 w/EM172 pair

[anatta]

N00b question on set up:  I have decided on Sony M10 for more or less exclusive nature recording applications (low to moderate sounds).  I'm thinking external PIP EM172 (14db) for mics.  But to equip the set-up for recording down to the quietest (nature) sounds possible with the EM172s (Frogloggers.com says they really should be fed 5VDC  (http://www.frogloggers.com/Binaural%20BT-BI172.htm) and M10, do I just  want a BB, or is some kind of preamp better for the quietest applications? 

And then, with whatever (BB or preamp) is recommended, should I go mic in, or line in?  Again, the goal is to get the lowest noise (hiss) rig for quietest nature sounds withe the EM-172s.  I realize there is a naturerecordist site, and I have been prowling there, and that Tapers generally is oriented to musical performance sound levels -- but I thought I should ask my question here anyway, given the encyclopedic expertise of many contributors regarding technical issues.

Thanks for any help

Frank

 

[Roger Gustavsson]

I have no experience of the M10 but according to this page, http://www.avisoft.com/recordertests.htm , dynamic range is very limitied at high gain settings of the mic preamp. Will the dynamic range be better at lower gain settings? The EM172 are specified to 40 mV/94 dB. At maximum gain it will only allow about 62 dB before overloading. You should run them with low gain settings.

Roger

[willndmb]

line in is better imo
with a preamp for sure

[F.O.Bean]

line in is better imo
with a preamp for sure