Over the past few weeks, I've been evaluating recorders for song sketches (guitar / mando / vocals),
open mike recordings & harmony overdubs. Sound fidelity was my primary criterion, moderated by price
(I really didn't want to spend more than $200, tho' I could have if I thought the performance delta justified the extra cost.)Today, I opted for the Tascam DR-2D ($200 @ B&H). After listening to various recordings available on the 'net,
I decided that,
using the internal mics, the DR-2D was preferable to the PCM-M10 (also available for $200).
And that the DR-2D was
good enough.
Were I planning to use external mikes, I might have decided otherwise. But I just don't want that hassle.
The units are virtually the same size & weight.
Yes, the battery life is marginal on the DR-2D.
So I bought the power supply.
But I simply think that the DR-2D sounds better than the PCM-M10.
The Tascam's cordless remote was also a minor factor in it's favor -- the PCM's wired remote is just
sooo 20th century.
This may help you -- it's a spreadsheet that I started using to compare the units -- just add columns of criteria
that are
important to you, and fill 'em in:
http://www.oldwithoutmoney.com/recorder.xlsCheers,
- Richard