Topic: Marantz PMD671 A/D conversion

[achabloop5080]

Hi guys,
I mainly record classical music and I'm upgrading my recording chain.
I use Schoeps CMC5 with MK4s, MK21s and MK2Ss capsules, and record to a Marantz PMD671 (using XLR ins on the unit) so far.
I want to upgrade to better preamps first, something like Millennia, Pacifica, Neve Portico and so on.
These units have balanced XLR outs and I'd connect them to unbalanced RCA ins on the Marantz: could signal degradation be a problem in this case? And how much do you rate Marantz A/D conversion compared to consumer PC interface such as Motu, M-Audio, Presonus ecc.?
Or maybe is Lunatec V3 or API A2D better combos due to digital board feeding tha Marantz via Spdif in (bypassing Marantz A/D stage)?
Thank you

[goodcooker]

The stock preamps in the unit can be upgraded. I had a PMD670 upgraded by Busman and it sounded great.
That would be your least inexpensive and most compact solution.

But if you're talking about Portico and Pacifica you might not be all that concerned about price.

IMHO the ADC section of the Marantz sounds as good as anything else without making a big jump to a pricey external ADC.

If I recorded classical with Schoeps (and had no budget) I would get a Neve Portico and a Mytek 192 ADC converter and keep the 671 as a bit bucket. All battery powered and fits in a bag.