Topic: Marantz 661 power question

[braweave]

If I am planning on using the 661 just as a bit bucket (Via Coax In)

How long can I expect it to last on AA batteries?

Thanks!

I am trying to decide between going:
A.) Sound Devices UsbPre2 > 661
OR
B.) just using a 702

[JasonSobel]

here's some battery tests:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=119213.msg1597270#msg1597270
but I don't think any of those are with the S/PDIF input.
I've never done a full battery test with the S/PDIF input, but I know that it'll run for a long time.  With rechargeable NiMH AA's, running digital into the PMD-661, at the end of a Phish show, the battery meter still shows a full charge.  My educated guess is that it'll run 7-8 hours on internal AA's when using the digital input.

[su6oxone]

Recording at 24/44.1 with P48 to a pair of CCMs with LED on and LCD on powersave, I was getting about 4-5 hours with 2500mAh Sanyos, so I think 8 hours at least could be expected, if not more than 10 hours even.  If I had a digital source I could do a battery test (or you can borrow mine if you want to test it yourself).

[braweave]

Thanks for the info! I was a little worried about it, as the only battery life that I saw was running phantom.

It sounds like I will be fine on battery life using this as a bit-bucket!

[TomBoisseau]

I've had my PMD661 for about 2 weeks, and I'm pretty pleased, however the coaxial power connector keeps popping out.  The only solution seems to be to put a piece of tape around it to hold it "in".  Does anyone else here have that problem?

Thanks,
Tom

[Chimney Top]

whoever said the battery sled on the 671 was useless is exactly right!

i walked to the gas station twice during a show tonight only to end up having about 30 used up AA batteries and bits and pieces of the show recorded.

i was extra glad to see the last set of batteries i bought died right at the begining of a song when the allman brothers band bass player Oteil Burbridge came up on stage.

that is shitty flaw on this model.

[JasonSobel]

I've had my PMD661 for about 2 weeks, and I'm pretty pleased, however the coaxial power connector keeps popping out.  The only solution seems to be to put a piece of tape around it to hold it "in".  Does anyone else here have that problem?

I've never had an issue with either the digital coax cable input, or the external power input (either with the wallwart that came with the 661, or using an external battery (I used to power the deck with a Tekkeon MP3450 battery).

If you are having an issue with the digital coax input, I'd suggest getting a different S/PDIF cable, because mine is nice and snug.  If you are having issues with the power connection and you are using an external battery system, I'd make sure that you are using the right sized tip.  maybe the tip you are using sort of fits, but it's not quite right, which is why you are having issues.

whoever said the battery sled on the 671 was useless is exactly right!

i walked to the gas station twice during a show tonight only to end up having about 30 used up AA batteries and bits and pieces of the show recorded.

i was extra glad to see the last set of batteries i bought died right at the begining of a song when the allman brothers band bass player Oteil Burbridge came up on stage.

that is shitty flaw on this model.

while that sucks, it doesn't really relate to what this thread is about, which is battery power for the PMD-661, not the 671.  The 661 doesn't have a battery sled, rather, the four AA's fit nice, tight, and snug right in the back of the unit.  never heard of anyone having any issues.

[TomBoisseau]

I've never had an issue with either the digital coax cable input, or the external power input (either with the wallwart that came with the 661, or using an external battery (I used to power the deck with a Tekkeon MP3450 battery).

If you are having an issue with the digital coax input, I'd suggest getting a different S/PDIF cable, because mine is nice and snug.  If you are having issues with the power connection and you are using an external battery system, I'd make sure that you are using the right sized tip.  maybe the tip you are using sort of fits, but it's not quite right, which is why you are having issues.

Sorry. Maybe I should have started a new thread.

My problem is with the original power adapter.  It keeps coming out of the 661 while recording unless I secure it with tape.  Now I'm trying to decide if I should return it or not.

[Chimney Top]

I've had my PMD661 for about 2 weeks, and I'm pretty pleased, however the coaxial power connector keeps popping out.  The only solution seems to be to put a piece of tape around it to hold it "in".  Does anyone else here have that problem?

I've never had an issue with either the digital coax cable input, or the external power input (either with the wallwart that came with the 661, or using an external battery (I used to power the deck with a Tekkeon MP3450 battery).

If you are having an issue with the digital coax input, I'd suggest getting a different S/PDIF cable, because mine is nice and snug.  If you are having issues with the power connection and you are using an external battery system, I'd make sure that you are using the right sized tip.  maybe the tip you are using sort of fits, but it's not quite right, which is why you are having issues.

whoever said the battery sled on the 671 was useless is exactly right!

i walked to the gas station twice during a show tonight only to end up having about 30 used up AA batteries and bits and pieces of the show recorded.

i was extra glad to see the last set of batteries i bought died right at the begining of a song when the allman brothers band bass player Oteil Burbridge came up on stage.

that is shitty flaw on this model.

while that sucks, it doesn't really relate to what this thread is about, which is battery power for the PMD-661, not the 671.  The 661 doesn't have a battery sled, rather, the four AA's fit nice, tight, and snug right in the back of the unit.  never heard of anyone having any issues.

thanks for pointing that out.

i didn't feel like starting another fucking thread.


it seemed relevant enough as i didn't want to sort through thousands more posts.


i don't care.  take it down, take a shit on it, do whatever you want.

[aaronji]

thanks for pointing that out.

i didn't feel like starting another fucking thread.


it seemed relevant enough as i didn't want to sort through thousands more posts.


i don't care.  take it down, take a shit on it, do whatever you want.

Nice...The proverbial pissed in Cheerios for breakfast this morning?

[Chimney Top]

thanks for pointing that out.

i didn't feel like starting another fucking thread.


it seemed relevant enough as i didn't want to sort through thousands more posts.


i don't care.  take it down, take a shit on it, do whatever you want.

Nice...The proverbial pissed in Cheerios for breakfast this morning?

yeah, i guess... sorry ya'll.

bout to kill someone for a cigarette today.

[JasonSobel]

I've never had an issue with either the digital coax cable input, or the external power input (either with the wallwart that came with the 661, or using an external battery (I used to power the deck with a Tekkeon MP3450 battery).

If you are having an issue with the digital coax input, I'd suggest getting a different S/PDIF cable, because mine is nice and snug.  If you are having issues with the power connection and you are using an external battery system, I'd make sure that you are using the right sized tip.  maybe the tip you are using sort of fits, but it's not quite right, which is why you are having issues.

Sorry. Maybe I should have started a new thread.

My problem is with the original power adapter.  It keeps coming out of the 661 while recording unless I secure it with tape.  Now I'm trying to decide if I should return it or not.

Tom,  if you are having an issue with the original power adapter that came with the deck, I'd return it (hopefully you can return just the power adapter and not need to return the deck as well).  The power adaptor that came with mine fits great, and no issues with it popping out.  It sounds like something isn't right with yours.  whether the problem lies with the power adapter or the power jack on the deck itself, there's no real way to know unless you send it back.

and in regards to Chimney Top, I don't care one way or another if you start another thread to complain about the PMD-671 battery sled.  It's been talked about before, and I'm sure it will be talked about again.  I just wanted to point out to anyone reading this thread about powering the PMD-661 that the 661 does not share the same battery sled issues as the 671, because there is no battery sled in the 661.  andin my opinion, the battery compartment design on the 661 is a big step up from the battery sled on the 671.

[Chimney Top]

I'm not going to quote all that -

ok


yes, i sure as heck hope so... 661 users should be all the more satisfied with their investment after my post.  i will be contacting marantz for a refund on a new useless battery sled the charge $30 for.

[Rockinman59]

I've had my PMD661 for about 2 weeks, and I'm pretty pleased, however the coaxial power connector keeps popping out.  The only solution seems to be to put a piece of tape around it to hold it "in".  Does anyone else here have that problem?

Thanks,
Tom

Hey Tom,  I've used this Hosa coax cable and it fits nice and snug and has a flex end and is less than $10.  No problems whatsoever with connection.


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/160865-REG/Hosa_Technology_DRA_501_S_PDIF_RCA_Male_to.html

[DigiGal]

I think Tom was referring to the original power adapter cable, this link is for an RCA - S/PDIF cable. 

Wonder how it worked out for him?

I've had my PMD661 for about 2 weeks, and I'm pretty pleased, however the coaxial power connector keeps popping out.  The only solution seems to be to put a piece of tape around it to hold it "in".  Does anyone else here have that problem?

Thanks,
Tom

Hey Tom,  I've used this Hosa coax cable and it fits nice and snug and has a flex end and is less than $10.  No problems whatsoever with connection.


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/160865-REG/Hosa_Technology_DRA_501_S_PDIF_RCA_Male_to.html