Topic: km184>mp2>r1 vs. km184>acm-pmd660 [poll]

[aberg]

So, I know not too many of you have used or heard the pmd660, or even the R-1 for that matter, but for people in the know? What's your opinion. For the purpose of comparison, let's assume that the R-1 would be recording in 16bit mode.

[aberg]

So far, it's a pretty lopsided win for the 660...

What I might do is just outright buy run and try out both setups in a comparison... run the mp2>r1 for set 1, and the 660 for set 2. Try that for a couple of shows, and then sell the setup I don't like as much.

That would work assuming any of that gear could be sold quickly and easily. mp-2's are usually a hot commodity but I dunno about the r-1 or 660. Any thoughts?

[Rick]

Sell the 184s and MP2 and buy KM140s with actives    Then do KM140 > ACM 660. That would be a sweet stealth setup too

[aberg]

Sell the 184s and MP2 and buy KM140s with actives    Then do KM140 > ACM 660. That would be a sweet stealth setup too

It's an option but a 140 active setup would run like $1500 no?

If I sell the 184's, mp-2, and r-1, I think the best I could get would be about $1700 for everything. That would leave much room for an acm660....

How much do 140's without actives usually run?

[Rick]

Sell the 184s and MP2 and buy KM140s with actives    Then do KM140 > ACM 660. That would be a sweet stealth setup too

It's an option but a 140 active setup would run like $1500 no?

If I sell the 184's, mp-2, and r-1, I think the best I could get would be about $1700 for everything. That would leave much room for an acm660....

How much do 140's without actives usually run?

You could find a pair for around $1000 and buy the actives later but the set is better... then you get the XY/ORTF mount too.

[aberg]

Sell the 184s and MP2 and buy KM140s with actives    Then do KM140 > ACM 660. That would be a sweet stealth setup too

It's an option but a 140 active setup would run like $1500 no?

If I sell the 184's, mp-2, and r-1, I think the best I could get would be about $1700 for everything. That would leave much room for an acm660....

How much do 140's without actives usually run?

You could find a pair for around $1000 and buy the actives later but the set is better... then you get the XY/ORTF mount too.

If I could find a set of 140's without actives for $1000, I might take it... but for now, I will stick with the 184's. I'm really just considering pre/recorder comparison here and what works best with neumann mics.

[Nick Graham]

Sell the 184s and MP2 and buy KM140s with actives    Then do KM140 > ACM 660. That would be a sweet stealth setup too

It's an option but a 140 active setup would run like $1500 no?

If I sell the 184's, mp-2, and r-1, I think the best I could get would be about $1700 for everything. That would leave much room for an acm660....

How much do 140's without actives usually run?

You could find a pair for around $1000 and buy the actives later but the set is better... then you get the XY/ORTF mount too.

If I could find a set of 140's without actives for $1000, I might take it... but for now, I will stick with the 184's. I'm really just considering pre/recorder comparison here and what works best with neumann mics.

FWIW, the sonic differences between 140s and 184s are so small, that unless you're getting the active cables the price difference just isn't worth it.

[aberg]

Yeah, that's pretty much what I'd heard. I don't need actives since I never stealth and I hate doing it... so I'll stick with the 184's.... the pre/recorder is the only question now...

[d5]

The price/sound quality of the acm mod 660 is pretty difficult to beat. The constraints are no digital in/out (besides the usb) and it doesn't do 24 bit. You may have already read it, but Nick (http://www.nickspicks.com/) did a very nice review of the 660.

[F.O.Bean]

i really liked the one 140>acm660 that nickspicks made of ratdog

[aberg]

i really liked the one 140>acm660 that nickspicks made of ratdog

Yeah, I've been trying to find that recording... no luck so far.

[F.O.Bean]

i really liked the one 140>acm660 that nickspicks made of ratdog

Yeah, I've been trying to find that recording... no luck so far.

damn, id send it to ya if i wasnt leaving town

ummm, PM sending

[aberg]

Now here's a twist:

Does the advantage of being able to record in 24/44.1 make the R-1 rig slightly more attractive here to the point that people might change their votes?

I've heard some real nice 184>mp2 tapes so I'm curious why people don't seem to like this setup.

[d5]

I've heard some real nice 184>mp2 tapes so I'm curious why people don't seem to like this setup.

I haven't heard the mp2, but it might be because there's an extra piece of equipment involved.

[aberg]

I've heard some real nice 184>mp2 tapes so I'm curious why people don't seem to like this setup.

I haven't heard the mp2, but it might be because there's an extra piece of equipment involved.

Yeah, that's the true... from a purely sound quality perspective the 660 might be best. I'm a little concerned with issues like:

- lack of 24bit
- battery compartment requiring paper shims for proper NiMH contact
- line-in disabled
- level meters which are hard to read outdoors during the day

If anyone can chime in on their experiences with such issues, it would be helpful.

[d5]

I've heard some real nice 184>mp2 tapes so I'm curious why people don't seem to like this setup.

I haven't heard the mp2, but it might be because there's an extra piece of equipment involved.

Yeah, that's the true... from a purely sound quality perspective the 660 might be best. I'm a little concerned with issues like:

- lack of 24bit
- battery compartment requiring paper shims for proper NiMH contact
- line-in disabled
- level meters which are hard to read outdoors during the day

If anyone can chime in on their experiences with such issues, it would be helpful.

Haven't had much experience with using the xlr's for line input, but one of Doug's goals with the ACM mod was for the 660 to be able to take a board feed.