Topic: Budget $300 to 500 -- what would you buy?

[Eric W]

Goal: the best sound quality I can get for my personal use.
Not concerned about bells and whistles: just quality sound and usability.
Will be burning to CD and playing on a good stereo system.
Music will be mostly folk, singer-songwriter, blues, and rock -- some acoustic, some electric.
Mostly smaller indoor venues (seating 50 to 500), but some larger outdoor concerts.
Crowds are generally respectful -- more prone to some chatter than rowdiness.
Most places will be OK to tape, but some not, so let's stick with stealth systems.
I have narrowed my choices to hard drive and compact flash recorders.
Thanks in advance for your advice. . .

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

Church CA-14 > Church 9100 preamp > R-09

Not sure if that brings you over $500. It should be pretty close. You might have to go used on some (or all) items.

[rowjimmytour]

Church CA-14 > Church 9100 preamp > R-09

Not sure if that brings you over $500. It should be pretty close. You might have to go used on some (or all) items.

R9 in yardsale right here:
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,113704.0/topicseen.html

[Belexes]

Church CA-14 > Church 9100 preamp > R-09

Not sure if that brings you over $500. It should be pretty close. You might have to go used on some (or all) items.

This would be an excellent choice. Used R-09 and new Church gear...you should come in around $500.

The CA-14's come either as omni's or cards.  If you want interchangable caps, then go with the CA-11's.

[sunjan]

Church CA-14 > Church 9100 preamp > R-09

Not sure if that brings you over $500. It should be pretty close. You might have to go used on some (or all) items.

What he said. This is the best value stealth rig in this price range, if you're OK with second hand gear. If you can afford it, go with the interchangeable mic caps.

Caveat: if you buy the R-09 used, make sure the input jack is intact, the earlier ones didn't take rough handling that well...

[run_run_run]

853s (get a few caps) ~> 9100 ~> Iriver 120

[sunjan]

853s (get a few caps) ~> 9100 ~> Iriver 120

With this rig, there's no benefit of the digital in-jack of the H1xx. So a H3xx would do just as well.

Still, the R-09 rig has the advantage of 24bit, so if the OP can afford the upper range of his budget I'd still go for that. For the lower range, the Hxxx are great though!

[illconditioned]

Church mics (CA-11 or CA-14) > Edirol R09 (plug in power)

Try that first, then if you need it, get the Church preamp.

  Richard

[sunjan]

Church mics (CA-11 or CA-14) > Edirol R09 (plug in power)

Yep, and if you really want to squeeze it down to $300, you could even go:
Church mics (CA-11 or CA-14) > Tascam DR-1 (plug in power)

Granted, the R-09 sounds nicer, but the DR-1 can be had for less than $180 new, which gives you more money to shop for mics (and pre if needed):
http://www.google.com/products?q=tascam+dr-1&btnG=Search+Products&show=dd

[Eric W]

Thanks much for the advice. I'm somewhat nervous about used equipment, but you gave me enough to go on.

[leehookem]

don't be nervous.  most people on here baby their gear.  i'm sure if you find something you are interested in, folks will chime in on the owner and/or the condition of the gear..

[rastasean]

Thanks much for the advice. I'm somewhat nervous about used equipment, but you gave me enough to go on.

Really, don't be nervous on buying used here. I have done a lot of used transactions and I have never been let down. Most of the people keep EVERYTHING that came with the original purchase. Ask for photos, why they are selling, payment plans, etc.