Topic: R-26 or DR-100

[penfolder]

purchasing options are between these two, any advice? 

[flintstone]

First, avoid the original DR-100.  The preamp in the DR-100 MkII is better.

The R-26 has a quieter preamp than the Dr-100 MkII, but it's much larger.  The R-26 really isn't a pocket recorder.  The DR-100 Mk II has S/PDIF digital input, the R-26 does not.  This may or may not matter to you.  Neither has particularly good built-in mics, but you're probably considering these for XLR input, not for their mics.

If you can wait two weeks for the Olympus LS-100, it's worth considering, even if you don't need the muscian/composer features.

[stevetoney]

I assume you mean the Tascam DR100mkII.  If so, you can read my detailed review elsewhere in this section. 

I'm thinking that which you buy would be almost totally dependent on whether you think you'll be recording four channels.  If so, then for sure go with the R-26.  If not, then I think the Tascam makes more sense because it's cheaper and has quite a few more features, some of which are pretty desirable and not available on the R-26 (like hot swappable power option and digital input).

EDIT:  I just checked out the Olympus.  I like the color display, but the on-board Li-ion battery as the only internal battery is a pretty huge negative for that unit, even though it looks like it lasts for awhile.

[penfolder]

ta, priority will be portability and battery power, S/PDIF is a bonus.

[kenyee]

I thought the R-26 was roughly the same size as the DR-100 and H4N?

It has 4 channel recording like the H4N.
We need someone to review it, so I vote you get the R-26 

[rastasean]

Another four channel recorder is the tascan dr2d and at b&h its about $120. Either the DR100mkII or dr2d are very tempting since the roland is a little more than i would pay.

[kenyee]

The DR2D doesn't have XLRs which is a fail IMHO...