Topic: DR680 vs R44

[rastasean]

while not all the reviews on the dr680 and r44 at b&h are relevant, it certainly is a good idea to review them.

DR680

R-44

It is also interesting the the R-44 is $200 more than the newer DR680. The R44 is made in Japan; I don't know where the DR680 is made some maybe someone can comment on that.

[hi and lo]

I'd like to add to my earlier opinion. The tapes we've made with the 680 are fantastic! I can't comment if either recorder sounds better (both smoke) and we've been nothing but happy with the 680.

The channel difference issue has only been an isolated incident to this point.

[Fried Chicken Boy]

I bought the 680 when it first came out
after 3 months the main board crapped out and I sent it in to the vendor for repair
after 2 months and no word I contacted the vendor, and they dealt with TEAC
TEAC did replace that faulty unit with a new one after waiting 2 months
I know another member on this board (Chuck) who had the same problem
and now it appears as though tgakidis is having problems with one of his channels
that is all I have to say on the matter

I cannot speak about the R44 since I have never owned one

I can't speak about the DR680 as I've never used one.  But, I have heard some great tapes made with them.

That said, I can chime in on the R-44's reliability as I was one of the first kids on my block to have one; a stock model since late 2008.  Since then it's been accidentally dropped, kicked, and has taken a few small liquid spills.  Never had an issue with any of the electronics, inputs or outputs, never an issue with an SD card, it's never lost any of the many recordings I've made with it and, aside from burning through improperly charged rechargeable batteries (my fault), I've never had a lick of trouble with it.  Works every time as it's supposed to work and I still pull great tapes with it.  Wish I could say that about every piece of gear I've used.  They'll take my R-44 when they pry it from my cold, dead fingers, etc, etc... 

[kirk97132]

I sold my R-44 to grab one of the first 680's that came out. 

R-44 has ease of use if you are unfamiliar...BUT...if you are gonna own the 680 then you'll know how to run it. 

Sound wise I'd give the stock 680 an edge over the stock R-44.  I can't speak for mods.  But the 680 preamps sound better to me.  If I was forced to describe it I'd just say the 680 pre's are cleaner.

Since the price point is the same, why not have a deck that records more channels.  BUT then again to get all eight channels you need a preamp that outputs SPDIF or AES.  Otherwise the 680 stock is a six channel deck with two channel mixdown included.  You cannot do eight channel mixdowns on the deck. 

As for the board issue that some people are reporting, I have never had any problems with the deck that were not my fault. 

So if it was me choosing, I'd get the 680 over the R-44.   

[yltfan]

The R44 is made in Japan; I don't know where the DR680 is made some maybe someone can comment on that.

680 is made in China

[choros]

  The DR680 has a reverb effect only and no EQ.

Just to be clear, the DR-680 does not have reverb. Does it? Not that I know of anyway....

[Gutbucket]

  The DR680 has a reverb effect only and no EQ.

Just to be clear, the DR-680 does not have reverb. Does it? Not that I know of anyway....

Oops.  Thanks for catching that!  Mixing up Tascams.  No reverb on the DR680.  It's the DR2d that has reverb (and also no EQ).

[axomxa]

I bought the 680 when it first came out
after 3 months the main board crapped out and I sent it in to the vendor for repair
after 2 months and no word I contacted the vendor, and they dealt with TEAC
TEAC did replace that faulty unit with a new one after waiting 2 months
I know another member on this board (Chuck) who had the same problem
and now it appears as though tgakidis is having problems with one of his channels
that is all I have to say on the matter

I just took delivery on a 680 yesterday and an dbased on this fault history fortunately (for the 1st ever) I bought the 5 year plan from B & H!!!

I cannot speak about the R44 since I have never owned one