Topic: Yamaha POCKETRAK CX Pocket Recorder OPINION NEEDED

[livejamz]

Just want to see what  the groups opinion is on this recorder. I can pick one up new for $125. It is the one made in Japan.

Mark

[heyitsmejess]

where?

[flintstone]

The Yamaha Pocketrak CX is a version of the Sanyo Diply Talk ICR-PS1000M recorder.  Somehow Sanyo manages to get 20+ hours of recording time from a single AA cell.  This recorder can capture WAV files at 16/44.1 and 16/48, and can record MP3 up to 320 kbps.  The recorder is unusual in that it uses microSDHC memory cards, the same type used in a cell phone.

The Pocketrak CX internal mics are no better or worse than the mics built into the portable recorders we talk about here.  There's a 3.5mm mic input for your pair of external mics or a line in signal.  The CX's preamp is OK, definitely not in the same class as everybody's favorite, Edirol R-09HR.  The CX has a mic sensitivity switch, limiter, and high pass filter.

The CX I looked at had a poor quality headphone amp.  My test recordings sounded a lot better when played back with a computer.

The Diply Talk ICR-PS1000M was introduced a little more than a year ago.  Sanyo updates its model line regularly, so it's possible that a new model is coming soon.

Should you buy one?  I would at the price you quoted, and use it as a music player and for casual recording.

Flintstone

[flintstone]

I forgot to add that B&H Photo Video is selling the Pocketrak CX for $249.
There's a coupon for a free pair of headphones included.

The price I see on Japanese web sites for the Sanyo Diply Talk ICR-PS1000M
is about $230 worth of Japanese Yen.

So a price of $125 would be unusually low.

[sunjan]

So a price of $125 would be unusually low.

It's true that it's a very low price, but if you're going to use it for concerts, you'd have to compare it to Zoom H2 (refurbs are selling for $130 these days), or with the Iriver (in the same price range used).

The H2 offers better built-in mics, and 24 bit.
CX is smaller and has better battery life, but is only 16bit and the mic performance under high SPL's is unverified.
The Iriver is 16bit, has no useful built-in mics, but otherwise perfect UI and recording features, and offers digi-in.

The question is whether the CX has a better line-in than the H2 or Iriver? In that case, you could pair it up with a Church combo for excellent stealth size.

[livejamz]

Thanks guys so it seems that you guys would buy something else. I will continue to look for other recorders.

[taperwheeler]

FWIW, I just picked up a tascam dr-07 thru buy.com for $136 shipped (after taking advantage of their referral rebate.  Spent 7 bucks on address labels to take advantage though, so recorder cost me around $143). 

So far really like it.  24/48 is the highest setting but expect an update to 96 khz eventually.

[sunjan]

Thanks guys so it seems that you guys would buy something else.

If you strictly look at its virtue as a concert recorder, yeah, a H2 or Iriver (CF mod) is probably better value for money.
But if you plan to have it as a dictaphone, interview recorder or taking oral notes on a long road trip, there's more benefit to the CX.
It's just not been proven enough in a concert setting. I'd be interested to find out more about it's line-in capabilities...

[heyitsmejess]

still tho....if i could pick one up for $129.....

[sunjan]

It's just not been proven enough in a concert setting. I'd be interested to find out more about it's line-in capabilities...

I was searching all over the place for sources, and I could only find one taper on Dime using this model:
http://www.dimeadozen.org/torrents-details.php?id=236912

This source uses the internal mics, so it doesn't really tell anything about the line-in quality. Let your ears judge if it's better/worse than the others in this league...

(The taper listed it as Sanyo PS100M, but no such model exists, so I assume it's a typo.)

[flintstone]

livejamz,

I'll pay you $150 for a new Pocketrak CX with English language menus
if it's in an unopened box.  Can you get more than one?  PM me.

Flintstone

[heyitsmejess]

i will second that ^^^