Topic: Rig decision, need some advice!

[aberg]

Ok, so I've changed rigs a lot over the past 6 months or so, and I feel the need once again.

I just sold my USBPre, and am moving out of  laptop taping. If I'm able to get $250 for my set of akg ck91 caps, then I will have $750 to play with for pre/adc/recorder. I know it's not a lot, and I can throw a little extra in come christmas time too. Here are some options I'm considering. Also, 24bit isn't necessary. I'd go for a real nice sounding 16bit setup too if the price is right.

1. wmod or t+mod ua5 > jb3 or mt2496 or edirol r1

2. ACM pmd660

3. BCM or ACM pmd671

4. MP2/mixpre/shure fp24 > SBM-1 > jb3 or mt2496 or edirol r1

I've had experience with ua5's before and I would probably need an svu1 to do the job right so that adds a little more complexity and cabling/power issues, but I do think the ua5 sound is great for the money and I'm familiar with it. I've also ran a jb3 for a couple years and am confident in it as a recorder, although I'm not too crazy about optical cables.

With the mt2496 likely getting a decent firmware upgrade, it might be a good option, however, I would just be using it to store digital information.

The other options I was considering were the marantz units modded by Oade. I was almost sold on the ACM pmd660, but the idea of the pmd671 in either basic or advanced flavours is appealing with the different options like digi-in/out and 24bit, however it is obviously more expensive.

The edirol r1, while not having digi-in, is supposed to have great internal ADC and looks to be a good competitor for the mt.

I also enjoy the sound devices sound so an mp2 or something like that would be nice coupled with an sbm1, however that is creeping up in price too.

Anyways, what do you all suggest?

I'm open to other ideas too... thanks guys!

[Brian Skalinder]

IMO, your best bang for the buck - including feature set, sound, and maintaining flexibility for the future - is Oade W/P/T + mod and JB3.  Then, after saving up a bit more scratch, replace the JB3 with a 24-bit recorder like the MT, or another similar.

[aberg]

maintaining flexibility for the future

That's a good point. Putting all my eggs in one basket with either of the marantz units sort of becomes limiting. I might even go straight to the mt since I honestly can't stand optical cables.... we'll see what others chime in to say. Thanks!

[aberg]

How about:

Lunatec V2 > stock pmd671

or

Lunatec V2 > edirol r1/jb3/mt2496?

The one in the yard sale for $600 is tempting me.

[Kyle]

You can't beat a good analog device. Snag that V2

[aberg]

bagtagsell's got 'er unfortunately for me...

too many options... so little money haha.

[Chanher]

Anyways, what do you all suggest?

I'm open to other ideas too... thanks guys!

I'm gonna do my best to wait until after the New Year until I make some purchases. Because first, I wanna see how the next MT firmware update goes. Second, let's hear some ACM 671 concert recordings!

Until these two things happen I'm not pulling the trigger on anything.