Topic: Tascam DR-100 vs Marantz PMD661

[lordzoster]

Hallo
I'm pondering between these two solid state recorders: they differ by about 200€, but is the PMD661 actually better than the DR-100, in quality?

[dgale]

I don't know much about the Tascam deck but right off the bat I notice it doesn't have digital spidf input like the PMD661.  The 661 is the only small recorder I've found so far that does have a digital input - just depends on your plans for the recorder but for me I like the option of taking a feed from an external A/D or otherwise using it as a bit bucket.  I'm not sure what the other differences are between the two.

[flintstone]

PMD661 sounds better, to my ear.  And there are a couple of people
(oade, busman) offering inexpensive mods to make the 661 sound even better.

[sunjan]

I don't know much about the Tascam deck but right off the bat I notice it doesn't have digital spidf input like the PMD661.  The 661 is the only small recorder I've found so far that does have a digital input.

For the record, you could add Sony D50 and MTII as well, both 24bit and digi-in. H1x0, JB3 and MT too, although 16bit only, and they're getting obsolete...

[datbrad]

The PMD661 is the only small recorder that has full size switchable mic/line XLR inputs and a spdif coax digital input that I know of.

The Marantz is more like a full size deck, without the full size.

Tascam makes great stuff as well, and I have a couple of their DAT machines and a CD burner that are still chugging along just fine.

If you don't need the digital input or XLR line in, I am sure the Tascam will work for you just fine.

[ShawnF]

I don't know much about the Tascam deck but right off the bat I notice it doesn't have digital spidf input like the PMD661.  The 661 is the only small recorder I've found so far that does have a digital input.

For the record, you could add Sony D50 and MTII as well, both 24bit and digi-in. H1x0, JB3 and MT too, although 16bit only, and they're getting obsolete...

The MT has always done 24-bit . . .

[dgale]

I don't know much about the Tascam deck but right off the bat I notice it doesn't have digital spidf input like the PMD661.  The 661 is the only small recorder I've found so far that does have a digital input.

For the record, you could add Sony D50 and MTII as well, both 24bit and digi-in. H1x0, JB3 and MT too, although 16bit only, and they're getting obsolete...

I should have phrased my comment that the 661 is the only small recorder I've found so far that has spdif input and XLR inputs - the later is important to me...Id like to think I'm done with 1/8" mini inputs in my life.

[capnhook]

I don't know much about the Tascam deck but right off the bat I notice it doesn't have digital spidf input like the PMD661.  The 661 is the only small recorder I've found so far that does have a digital input.

For the record, you could add Sony D50 and MTII as well, both 24bit and digi-in. H1x0, JB3 and MT too, although 16bit only, and they're getting obsolete...

I should have phrased my comment that the 661 is the only small recorder I've found so far that has spdif input and XLR inputs - the later is important to me...Id like to think I'm done with 1/8" mini inputs in my life.

Everything I see, even the new stuff debuting at NAMM, still is bringing me around to this 661 unit.  Cool...

[lordzoster]

I agree with you, I just sold my MT but the lack of a digital in could make the difference sometimes. Moreover, I just find a local reseller selling the 661 at only 50€ more than the DR-100.
But what about the internal mics? That was a bonus that MT lacked in.

[capnhook]

I agree with you, I just sold my MT but the lack of a digital in could make the difference sometimes. Moreover, I just find a local reseller selling the 661 at only 50€ more than the DR-100.
But what about the internal mics? That was a bonus that MT lacked in.

Yeah, with internal mics, if by chance your full rig gets shut down, the show is not a total loss (we all know what I mean, eh?    )