Topic: new marantz PMD 661

[audBall]

I'm seriously thinking about picking up an Oade 661 - Has anybody tested the Kingston SDHC cards with this unit?  I have NEVER been disappointed with the Kingston cards, CF or SDHC.

Hey dactylus, see my previous post on the last page.  I was actually using Kingston 8gb SDHC cards (not Sandisk) at Hampton, but totally spaced when typing my post at work earlier. 

I'm running more tests at home right now.  I want to confirm the file-saving/powering-down discrepancy.  I also received a PP-99 in the mail today.  It's currently charging but I hope to have some info on run-times with it as well (vs. internals) here soon.  The PP-99 is 4000mah, btw.

I stated before that the unit will not power down during REC PAUSE.  The same goes for RECording as well. 

regarding your external power supply, does the 661 require a particular voltage? or just the right tip? I got a 9v 5400mah external and wanted to make sure it was compatible.
I read the owners manual and this thread and didn't see anything on what it requires.

I've tried both the "5v" and "6v" settings on the battery and they worked just fine.  The specs for the unit are "5v".  I asked about our common wally batts...9v is too much according to Doug, so I wouldn't recommend exceeding 6v for the time being. 

[GDfan]

How much time did you get with the pp-99?
thanks for the info

[dennisrtyler]

fwiw, doug has always recommended either sandisk or lexar to me for marantz decks. i never had a problem with sandisk or kingstons for that matter.

[dactylus]

I'm seriously thinking about picking up an Oade 661 - Has anybody tested the Kingston SDHC cards with this unit?  I have NEVER been disappointed with the Kingston cards, CF or SDHC.

Hey dactylus, see my previous post on the last page.  I was actually using Kingston 8gb SDHC cards (not Sandisk) at Hampton, but totally spaced when typing my post at work earlier. 

Thanks for the correction update - I have several Kingston 8gb SDHC cards already on hand.

[datbrad]

Ok, I'm still trying to trouble shoot this.

I'm using a 16 gig PNY SDHC card, class 4.  I had several problems last saturday in the field and again last night at home. I have no idea what caused it but my unit has stopped recording on several occasions. Saturday night I had the key lock on and looked down and the red record light was no longer lit. This was about 12 minutes into the show. This same thing happened a few times that night. It looked like the pre-amp was still working as there were still levels on the side but the led screen was showing nothing. Could this be an issue with my card? Also do you folks format the card before each use? Do you format the card in the unit or with your card reader?

I will shoot an e-mail to Mr. Oade and will let you know what he says. Just wondering if anyone here has had similiar issues?

Any update on this? I have my finger on the trigger for one of these, but cannot accept even the slightest chance that there is some ghost in the machine that will cause it to stop recording for no apparent reason. Reliability is the number one requirement for a field recorder, IMO. Just wondering if it's a card issue, and nothing to do with the 661.

[Goldy]

I will not be able to get a new card and do some testing until this weekend at the earliest...

[datbrad]

I will not be able to get a new card and do some testing until this weekend at the earliest...

Thanks. I may just wait for your report on this potential issue before ordering.

[audBall]

*** NOTE:  To anyone who downloaded my recent Phish - Hampton torrents ***

All three nights are out of phase.

Through the help and guidance of a few kind souls here at TS, I was able to determine that the polarity of my cm1000's is somehow reversed.     I'm assuming this happened during the phantom mod.  I ran some tests with another mic pair at home this evening and found that is was mics, not the recorder. 
 

[Luminousoctaves]

Has anybody tested the Kingston SDHC cards with this unit?  I have NEVER been disappointed with the Kingston cards, CF or SDHC.

Hey dactylus, see my previous post on the last page.  I was actually using Kingston 8gb SDHC cards (not Sandisk) at Hampton, but totally spaced when typing my post at work earlier. 

Thanks for the correction update - I have several Kingston 8gb SDHC cards already on hand.

This might not be related at all: I had major problems using a 4gb Kingston card with a Microtracker 24/96 a while back. When pressing REC the recording wouldn't start (”Media not formatted”), I had to wait 5 secs and press again. This was only CF-cards together with a Microtracker. But since then I avoid Kingston and only use Sandisk.

[datbrad]

I can't stand waiting any longer, so I  just ordered one from Doug, whoo hoo !!!!

Now, time to shop for a bag half the size of the one I now use. 

[kbergend]

Ok, I'm still trying to trouble shoot this.

I'm using a 16 gig PNY SDHC card, class 4.  I had several problems last saturday in the field and again last night at home. I have no idea what caused it but my unit has stopped recording on several occasions. Saturday night I had the key lock on and looked down and the red record light was no longer lit. This was about 12 minutes into the show. This same thing happened a few times that night. It looked like the pre-amp was still working as there were still levels on the side but the led screen was showing nothing. Could this be an issue with my card? Also do you folks format the card before each use? Do you format the card in the unit or with your card reader?

I will shoot an e-mail to Mr. Oade and will let you know what he says. Just wondering if anyone here has had similiar issues?

Any update on this? I have my finger on the trigger for one of these, but cannot accept even the slightest chance that there is some ghost in the machine that will cause it to stop recording for no apparent reason. Reliability is the number one requirement for a field recorder, IMO. Just wondering if it's a card issue, and nothing to do with the 661.

Haven't had an opportunity to use in the field yet (maiden voyage this Saturday), but I've tested my Oade 661 with the PNY 16Gb card twice at home @ 24/44.1 and 24/48 with no issues.  I formatted the card in the recorder before starting each test.

[todd e]

I can't stand waiting any longer, so I  just ordered one from Doug, whoo hoo !!!!

Now, time to shop for a bag half the size of the one I now use. 

oh snap!  ncie pickup

[datbrad]

I can't stand waiting any longer, so I  just ordered one from Doug, whoo hoo !!!!

Now, time to shop for a bag half the size of the one I now use. 

oh snap!  ncie pickup

You know it!! Went for the Warm Mod to compliment my 460s.

Now I just need something to record, shows around here are kind of weak until April.

[GDfan]

I ordered mine this morning as well 
I got the Concert Mod. I need to get a external power source now.
I guess I am a Marantz nut, I have had the PMD430, 660, and now the 661.

[JasonSobel]

I ordered mine this morning as well 
I got the Concert Mod. I need to get a external power source now.
I guess I am a Marantz nut, I have had the PMD430, 660, and now the 661.

My oade concert mod was just delivered and is now sitting on my desk here at work, still in the box.  I'll unpack as soon as I get home this afternoon.

I'm also thinking about an external power solution, for longer run times.
Internal rechargeable AA's are abuot 2500mAH, right?  so I figure to make it worthwhile, the external pack should be at least 5000mAH... because, is it really worth it to run a 3000mAH external pack when you could get close to that just running the internals?  not for me.

I'm thinking about these options:

lead acid:
http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2087
6V, 7000mAH
$20 (+ charger)

NiMH:
http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=5000
6V, 4500mAH
$30 (+ charger)

the lead acid is 4 times heavier (2.78lbs) and a bigger physical battery, but it does have 55% higher capacity than the NiMH.  and its cheaper.  and when size is really a concern, I'm planning on running internal batteries anyway.

So those two are my thoughts.  Has anyone else put together an external power supply for a PMD-661 yet?  Anyone else have other suggestions?