Topic: Tascam DR40mk2 or Zoom H4nSP

[Jerseyboy]

I'm not really happy with the noise floor/hiss coming from the mic pre-amps on my Tascam DR40mk2.    I was reading where the Zoom H4n's  pre-amps have the same HDDA pre-amps used in the higher-end Zoom products.  I noticed this hiss when testing two different sets of NAK cm300s.   Any thoughts?  preferences, recommendations, etc.

[F.O.Bean]

I'm not really happy with the noise floor/hiss coming from the mic pre-amps on my Tascam DR40mk2.    I was reading where the Zoom H4n's  pre-amps have the same HDDA pre-amps used in the higher-end Zoom products.  I noticed this hiss when testing two different sets of NAK cm300s.   Any thoughts?  preferences, recommendations, etc.

I wasn't aware that Tascam released a DR-40mkii

What about the Tascam 70D? I have run my mk4's & mk41's->Naiant 48v & 60v PFA's->DR-70D right next to my VMS02IB Schoeps preamp, and I can BARELY tell the difference when recording louder music! Yes, the VMS02IB is quieter than the 70D preamps, but unless you're recording acoustic or unamplified music, you'll NEVER notice it! I can ONLY tell that my VMS02IB preamp is more quiet than the 70D preamps ONLY when recording dead silence and ambiance/birds/nature/etc!

Also, have you tried any other mics than the Nak 300's What I've noticed using the 70D preamps is that, if you put good in, you'll get good out! Meaning, if you use HQ mics into the 70D, then you'll get similar results out of the 70D! So if the Nak 300's are noisy by nature, then no preamp will really help that. And if you're recording acoustic or unamplified music, then you might want to get a HQ external preamp with a lower noise floor and higher quality components, but plan on spending a nice chunk of $$ to do so [around $800-$1k]

And IMO, the Zoom and the Tascam HDDA [High Definition Discrete Architecture] preamps sound about the same! I have heard a ton of Zoom F8/F4 recordings and even more 70D sources, and I can't really say that one is "better" than the other! They both have fast sounding transients and a super detailed sound IMO and both will get the job done! I would say that the 70D has a "flatter" sound than the little bit brighter Zoom Preamps, but as always, YMMV And FWIW, Tascam has the HDDA preamps, and NOT Zoom

[Jerseyboy]

I labeled the dr40 incorrectly. It's "Version Two" as stated on the box.  As far as I can  tell it means it comes with the 2.0 firmware already installed and it can handle SDXC 128gb cards.   
I don't have the funds to afford the high-end pre-amps, and most of my work is stealth.  Although it's going to be interesting crotching the DR40 and cables with the AT8533s
I won't be wearing slim-fit jeans that's for sure. 
As always I appreciate you opinion Mr. Bean, thanks!