Topic: Any reason NOT to buy a Tascam DR-40?? - or DR-100mkII better??

[yates7592]

I am looking for a small (as possible) recorder with phantom power and 2 x XLR inputs to power a pair of Nevaton MCE400's. Looking through all the threads on XLR-input decks the Tascam DR-40 is rarely mentioned as an option, (but there is one thread with reasonably favourable review).

I wondered is there a reason why this unit does not appear to be as popular with tapers? I understand the preamps not as quiet as others but guessing its more than adequate for taping loud amplified music? Anybody with experience of this unit?

I don't need 4 channels, nor digital input, just the XLR's + phantom power. Seems quite cheap compared to the others, am I missing something?

[yates7592]

Doing some more reading I am finding that the DR100 mkII has better pre's. Would i be better going with the DR100 mkII rather than the DR-40? I will be taping loud/very loud amplified music.

[Nigel Tufnel]

I am happy with my DR-40. I don't rely on the built in mic pres most of the time. The few times I have used them, the shows were so loud (fIREHOSE) that I really wasn't leaning on them for any gain. cd2go did some tests (http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=148888.msg1952490#msg1952490) comparing the DR-40 to his PMD-661 and found that the inputs were pretty clean except when using phantom at max gain.  I normally run with a littlebox.

I think for loud/very loud shows, you really wouldn't have any complaints, but there are a lot of good decks out there.