Topic: best iriver for taping?

[pdastoor]

Which iriver device would you recommend for taping? Its h120 good, because it has external mic input, or is there something better. Looking for iriver devices only, can all of them be rockboxed?

thanks

[jbell]

H120/140 has an opical input/output the H320/340 doesn't have digital input/out put.  Both can be rockboxed and used for recording

[pdastoor]

thanks. i have a iriver h10... got it years back. the only thing i dislike is it has no option for a mic (unless you buy a cradle but i want a device which doesnt need a cradle)

[acidjack]

If you have to buy something new anyway (which it sounds like maybe you do), you might prefer something different than an iRiver. There are many decks in the sub-$200 range that are quite serviceable - the Tascam DR-07 and DR-08, among others - and are actually designed for recording without having to be Rockboxed.

Not knocking the iRiver generally and it's a fine choice if you already have one, but if you are buying something specifically for recording, I'd go for something else.

[mmadd29]

I still prefer the H120/140.  The only reason being the optical input.  I don't want a recorder doing the A/D conversion.  I haven't found a sub $200 recorder that has an optical input.

[fmaderjr]

I still prefer the H120/140.  The only reason being the optical input.  I don't want a recorder doing the A/D conversion.  I haven't found a sub $200 recorder that has an optical input.

I still like the H120 and though I may be in the minority, the AD conversion sounds fine to me.

If buying a new compact system, though, I'd go for the M10. Reports on its ADC have been very positive & I can't believe recordings made with it (and a battery box or ST-9100 if recording very quiet stuff) wouldn't sound every bit as good (or possibly better) than a UA5 > H120. I find a rig like one built around the M10 much more convenient to carry around and operate than one with an external ADC.

If your  heart is set on an H120 though, add a ST-9100 to it and with a good mic you have a rig capable of making great recordings. With a battery box instead of a preamp it will not perform too well when recording something that isn't fairly loud. Or you can add a UA5 instead of the ST-9100. Just my opinion, but with the UA5 I don't think you will really hear an improvement in your recordings and the rig will not be quite as easy to operate as it would with a ST-9100 (especially when stealthing).

[restevezes]

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IMHO one of the strongest benefits of the h120 is that, besides the great recording capabilities (and optical in!) is that it is a GREAT personal music player for everyday use when paired with Rockbox (FLAC support... etc)

[sunjan]

I still prefer the H120/140.  The only reason being the optical input.  I don't want a recorder doing the A/D conversion.  I haven't found a sub $200 recorder that has an optical input.

From a usability point of view, if you're going for recorders with digi-in, RCA coax inputs are superior to optical/toslink jacks. I've had two optical cables gone bad, with glitched recordings on my Iriver as result.

Regarding the comment above, the MT II can now be had for $167 new and you get the coax jack and 24/96 capability as a bonus, if you can stand its quirks:
http://www.google.com/products?q=MicroTrack

[jbell]

I wouldn't get an MT II!  Many people have had difficulties. 

I still prefer the H120/140.  The only reason being the optical input.  I don't want a recorder doing the A/D conversion.  I haven't found a sub $200 recorder that has an optical input.

From a usability point of view, if you're going for recorders with digi-in, RCA coax inputs are superior to optical/toslink jacks. I've had two optical cables gone bad, with glitched recordings on my Iriver as result.

Regarding the comment above, the MT II can now be had for $167 new and you get the coax jack and 24/96 capability as a bonus, if you can stand its quirks:
http://www.google.com/products?q=MicroTrack

[deadheadcorey]

I still prefer the H120/140.  The only reason being the optical input.  I don't want a recorder doing the A/D conversion.  I haven't found a sub $200 recorder that has an optical input.

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