Topic: Marantz PMD 660 vs. Fostex FR2-LE

[Jammin72]

To those running the 660, how do you like the front-end and ADC on the 660??? My understanding is that the 660 does not have a digital in, is that correct??? Would that limit your opprtunity to upgarde your rig (You would have to sell the 660, you couldn't just throw another box in your chain and use the 660 as a bit-bucket) Or is the front-end and ADC more than you would ever need to upgrade(especially w/ the Oade Mod)

I'm not trying to play devil's advocat or dis the 660, I just had a few honest questions and wanted to know...

What's the price difference right now between the 660 and the 671??? And are both of their front-end's fairly similar??? Does Oade do any of the same mods on the 671??? Doesn't the 671 have a digital input and 24bit ADC???

1) 660 does not have digi-in.

2) preamp and ADC sounds fantastic after its modded

3) have to run the -20db pad for higher sensitive mics on both 671 and 660.

4)  I use to run UA5 (Busman) > JB3, and I consider the 660 an upgrade as far as 16 bit goes

5) 671 $1200 (modded), 660 $750 (modded)  - I believe.  I'm the 2nd owner of my 660

6) 671 - 24 bit or 16 bit, digi-in, 8 bats,    660 - 16 bit only, no digi-in, 4 bats

6) www. oade.com.  His mods are explained better there

7) Anything else, the "Search" button on this page actually works   

Good synopsis though I don't agree with statement 3 quite yet.

Modded (ACM or WCM) it sounds as good or better than any front end being used out there right now that makes the digi in unnecessary unless you are wanting to do more advanced techniques like Mid/Side or SBD+Aud Mixes.

[Jammin72]

I'm from Moncton/Fredericton but right now I'm living in Korea teaching English..I'm trying to buy my rig now while I have the cash and have it all ready for when I return in March '07 ..so unfortunately no east coast 660 shows  for a little while..but I am planning on taping all GTB's spring and summer 07 shows.

adam, since it appears that you don't need the box NOW, I'd wait on the fr2le.  no offense to all of you mod 660 owners, but if doug is able to mod the fostex, it'll make the mod 660 obsolete.  I called doug yesterday to discuss the fr2le and he honestly doesn't know what he'll be able to do to it yet, since he doesn't have one.  only once he's able to open it up and see how much room is inside is when he'll know if he can work his magic on it.  it all depends on how much physical space is actually in the box. 

if I was in your shoes I wouldn't even consider the 660, UNLESS doug can't mod the fr2le.

oh yea, fwiw, doug can't send to, or accept payment from, addressess and credit cards outside of the usa. 
 

It only makes it obsolete if you're convinced that 24bit recording is absolutely necessary ; )    Also you go back to a proprietary battery system.  There will be some advantages to the 660...

true ben, but the option to run 24 bit is not there with the 660, and it's definitely personal opinion if it's a limitation or not.
as for the proprietary battery, it has been stated that it uses one, but it's all up in the air if it also runs on "aa" batteries.
only time will tell what is the better option, since the fr2le has so many things not known about it.

oh yea, doug was stoked to hear that you ran the wcm for a festival last weekend, he's jonesin' to hear the recordings!!

I'm culling through it to find a good one for him.  I know for a fact that the sound engineer will piss him off to the point where he can't stand to listen to it for most of the recordings     It's going to have to be something from the Moonshine Still set... I just have to find the right tune. 

[paullySC]

To those running the 660, how do you like the front-end and ADC on the 660??? My understanding is that the 660 does not have a digital in, is that correct??? Would that limit your opprtunity to upgarde your rig (You would have to sell the 660, you couldn't just throw another box in your chain and use the 660 as a bit-bucket) Or is the front-end and ADC more than you would ever need to upgrade(especially w/ the Oade Mod)

I'm not trying to play devil's advocat or dis the 660, I just had a few honest questions and wanted to know...

What's the price difference right now between the 660 and the 671??? And are both of their front-end's fairly similar??? Does Oade do any of the same mods on the 671??? Doesn't the 671 have a digital input and 24bit ADC???

1) 660 does not have digi-in.

2) preamp and ADC sounds fantastic after its modded

3) have to run the -20db pad for higher sensitive mics on both 671 and 660.

4)  I use to run UA5 (Busman) > JB3, and I consider the 660 an upgrade as far as 16 bit goes

5) 671 $1200 (modded), 660 $750 (modded)  - I believe.  I'm the 2nd owner of my 660

6) 671 - 24 bit or 16 bit, digi-in, 8 bats,    660 - 16 bit only, no digi-in, 4 bats

6) www. oade.com.  His mods are explained better there

7) Anything else, the "Search" button on this page actually works   

Good synopsis though I don't agree with statement 3 quite yet.

Modded (ACM or WCM) it sounds as good or better than any front end being used out there right now that makes the digi in unnecessary unless you are wanting to do more advanced techniques like Mid/Side or SBD+Aud Mixes.

I agree, 16 bit at its finest.

[Corbin]

"oh yea, fwiw, doug can't send to, or accept payment from, addressess and credit cards outside of the usa."

Does anyone know why Doug won't mail to Canada or accept Canadian credit cards?  will he make exceptions?  It's seems like a strange policy in this day and age..Canada is practically part of the US (just joking) 
Adam

[agave]

Doug Oage  can't comfirm the shipping  address with the CC# that is outside the US .. Which is a common problem with a small retailer .. which puts him at risk of a charge back on CC's. due some dickwads who have burnt him in past . ie ; he might lose cash( as he has in the past) , he run's on a small profit margin on his rig's  soo it's an unacceptable risk to take a CC# from outside the US .. Doug is a up front guy, He says it at as it is , but can't assume the risk ... the deal he did for me with the 660 & the schoeps  ccm41lg's was no way matched by anyone in the world as i did shop around the price fer days before i figured that Doug is the Man !!  (and i got a warm 660 acm ta boot ) & what a sweet box it is .. with that great set of matched mics that he sent me ... as for 16 bit vs 24 bit fostex ..i'll run with the 660 fer now till more product hits the market ... the records i've done with this setup are the best i've heard & i'm just getting up to speed with the deck .. it's what you hear that matters !!  all of this is I M H O ... thanx Mike