Topic: Putting together an open rig

[rastasean]

If you're looking to save money for a laptop, consider chris churches CAFS mics which are similar (sorry, I don't know specs...check retail space) he sells these for about $200 which plug into a pre-amp. You certainly have gone from wanting an open rig to something pretty small.

Good luck!

[indietaperwloo]

Well, priorities change pretty quickly sometimes.

[jeromejello]

i would hold off on getting the r-09hr.  to me, it seems you are just marginally replacing gear you already have (the r-09).

use the money towards a field worthy pre and a stereo point mic... like the at825 (oops, you already have the at822) and a mp2.  that should give you most of what you are looking for.

[Dede2002]

The new R-09HR is a real sonic improvement IMHO.
I own both the R-09 and the new R-09HR.
Anyway, don't take my words for granted. Check both models and let your ears decide.
Above all things, have fun 

[Todd R]

If you think you could swing $800+, I'd skip the upgrade from the R-09 to the R-09HR.  Here's a thought:  get the Beyer MC930 set ($700 new), and look into getting a custom Naiant preamp:

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,107750.0.html

The Naiant pre can be configured to provide 18V phantom to the Beyers, which would work fine.  I think the custom pre would end up being $100-150.  Then you could just use a cheap t-bar, can pick up a basic one at Guitar Center for <$10.

[indietaperwloo]

Just FYI, the R-09 I was using was a rental from Long & McQuade (the Canadian Guitar Center) and I usually borrow one from illconditioned on occasion.  So in reality I'm looking for an upgrade from a Sony MZ-NH700 HiMD deck which I've found to be way too unreliable.

I'll be getting $3300 from this archival project I'm doing and I intend to spend around $1500 on a MacBook and after some other expenses that leaves me around $1000 to play with for gear.  If anyone could recommend either a stealth or open rig that would fall into the budget range of anywhere from $800 to $1200 max, that'd be great.  I'll still keep illconditioned's Sennheiser KE4-211-2 hat for stealth work but I'd love to have an open rig to work with.