Topic: Marantz PMD661 MKI vs MKIII Digital In

[bhoy]

I just purchased a second Marantz PMD661 to do DAT transfers.  I have an old one from 2011, most likely an MKI.   With the MKI, on a digital input coming in from a DAT, I can't adjust the record levels.  This is as expected as I'm just trying to copy the DAT data.

However, with the MKIII, with the same settings, the REC level is taking effect on the recording, leading me to believe that I am no longer doing a digital transfer, there is D > A and A > D happening.

Can anyone confirm if Marantz changed this between MKI and MKIII models?  I'm guessing I'll use the MKI for DAT transfers and MKIII for cassette transfers then.

Thanks,
Bill

[yug du nord]

Info:

https://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=189088.0

[bhoy]

Ah yes!  Thank you.  I see the discussion about this.  I should have looked more thoroughly.

[DSatz]

just to summarize, it looks as if the mark III model normally routes digital signals through the record level knob UNLESS you (non-intuitively) set automatic level control to be ON.

Whether the transfer is then bit-transparent or not, I haven't tested, nor have I seen messages from anyone else who has--but at least the record level knob is out of the circuit then.