Topic: Need Advice: V3 > HDP2 or 671 vs. SD722 all in one

[kindms]

I have been debating what to do in terms of upgrading my rig.

I currently run AKG414xls/st > V3 > COAX . VXPocket 440 > laptop

I definitely want to move away from the laptop. I was debating a few options.

1) Sell V3 and laptop + accessories and get moded HDP2 or 671
2) Keep V3, sell laptop and VX440 and get moded HDP2 or 671
3) Sell everything and get SD722.

I think I am leaning towards either 1 or 3 but I have been considering this and keep going back and forth in my mind. Figured it would be good to get some outside input.

[JasonSobel]

my vote is to keep the V3 and buy an unmodded HD-P2 or PMD-671 and run digi from the V3.  I've had excellent results with this setup

[kindms]

my vote is to keep the V3 and buy an unmodded HD-P2 or PMD-671 and run digi from the V3.  I've had excellent results with this setup

what type of battery run time do you get witht he HDP2 when running as a bit bucket ?

[Brian Skalinder]

If your primary goal is to move away from the laptop, and you're happy with the rest of your sound, you simply need to replace the laptop with a bit-bucket.  If you have the budget, go for a stock HD-P2 or 671, as Jason suggests.  If you're a bit shorter on cash, the MicroTrack proved sufficiently reliable for me when I used it (though it hasn't for others).

As for swapping out the V3, I think you should evaluate the sonic characteristics you do not like with your gear, identify the sonic characteristics you would prefer to hear, determine which other gear may provide the sonic characteristics desired, and act accordingly.

If I were you, I'd hang tight until hearing the forthcoming ACM V3 / stock V3 comp to make a call about whether you prefer V3 or 722.  Personally, I prefer the V3 sound to the 722, but others obviously prefer the 722.  You really can't go wrong with either, it just depends what you like.  If it was me, I'd do what Jason suggests (since I prefer the V3 sound).

[JasonSobel]

my vote is to keep the V3 and buy an unmodded HD-P2 or PMD-671 and run digi from the V3.  I've had excellent results with this setup

what type of battery run time do you get witht he HDP2 when running as a bit bucket ?

I've never used the internal AA's (although there are reports from others saying that they get somewhere in the 4-5 hour range from rechargable AA's when recording from the S/PDIF signal).  There are many external battery options.  personally, the external NiMH battery I have will go for 7-8 hours, I think.  I've run it for 6.5 with no problems, but I've never run it until it was dead.

edit to add:

Brian has it right.  you need to figure out if you want to keep the V3 in the mix based on sound.  this is an excellent comp of the V3's A/D vs the 722's A/D:
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,81297.0.html
the files should still be up, so check it out if you haven't already.
although, obviously, it's not a comp of the straight V3 vs straight 722.  and it sounds like your option of buying the 722 includes selling the V3.  the comp posted above skips the 722 pre-amp and goes line-in.

based on my limited experience with the 722, I definitely prefer the V3's pre-amp over the 722 pre-amp.  and I think most would agree that the pre-amp has a larger influence on the overall sound relative to the A/D.  so keep that in mind as well.  of course, the convenience of having a small, all-in-one like the 722 is tempting as well.

[SClassical]

I have been debating what to do in terms of upgrading my rig.

I currently run AKG414xls/st > V3 > COAX . VXPocket 440 > laptop

I definitely want to move away from the laptop. I was debating a few options.

1) Sell V3 and laptop + accessories and get moded HDP2 or 671
2) Keep V3, sell laptop and VX440 and get moded HDP2 or 671
3) Sell everything and get SD722.

I think I am leaning towards either 1 or 3 but I have been considering this and keep going back and forth in my mind. Figured it would be good to get some outside input.

Changing your options abit.... Have you thought about

2) Keep V3, sell laptop and VX440 and get moded HDP2 or 671 MT (MT prices are really cheap now).

Since there is no point to have a moded HDP2 or 671 if you are already keeping your V3

3) Sell everything and get SD722 SD702

Becuase it is cheaper and does the same job...maybe lighter to carry around, does not heat up as much, use less power since you are not running a internal HD. Also the new firmware allow you to connect a HD to it if you REALLY wanted to have a HD option in the future.

[kindms]

I have been debating what to do in terms of upgrading my rig.

I currently run AKG414xls/st > V3 > COAX . VXPocket 440 > laptop

I definitely want to move away from the laptop. I was debating a few options.

1) Sell V3 and laptop + accessories and get moded HDP2 or 671
2) Keep V3, sell laptop and VX440 and get moded HDP2 or 671
3) Sell everything and get SD722.

I think I am leaning towards either 1 or 3 but I have been considering this and keep going back and forth in my mind. Figured it would be good to get some outside input.

Changing your options abit.... Have you thought about

2) Keep V3, sell laptop and VX440 and get moded HDP2 or 671 MT (MT prices are really cheap now).

Since there is no point to have a moded HDP2 or 671 if you are already keeping your V3

3) Sell everything and get SD722 SD702

Becuase it is cheaper and does the same job...maybe lighter to carry around, does not heat up as much, use less power since you are not running a internal HD. Also the new firmware allow you to connect a HD to it if you REALLY wanted to have a HD option in the future.

Will not get a MT simply because the auto-split feature. I dealt with that pain in the ass issue with Soundforge back in the day and don't want to deal with it in the future.

The SD722 vs. 702. for me the extra few hundred for the sd722 seems well worth it. having the option of using the HDD and using CF is huge. I can always take the HDD out if I dont want the added power or weight. so to me the 722 is a little more flexible.

I would get the modded HDP2 over stock because again it is only a few hundred more and gives me the option of running it solo and bit bucket.

[Kyle]

I have been debating what to do in terms of upgrading my rig.

I currently run AKG414xls/st > V3 > COAX . VXPocket 440 > laptop

I definitely want to move away from the laptop. I was debating a few options.

1) Sell V3 and laptop + accessories and get moded HDP2 or 671
2) Keep V3, sell laptop and VX440 and get moded HDP2 or 671
3) Sell everything and get SD722.

I think I am leaning towards either 1 or 3 but I have been considering this and keep going back and forth in my mind. Figured it would be good to get some outside input.

Changing your options abit.... Have you thought about

2) Keep V3, sell laptop and VX440 and get moded HDP2 or 671 MT (MT prices are really cheap now).

Since there is no point to have a moded HDP2 or 671 if you are already keeping your V3

3) Sell everything and get SD722 SD702

Becuase it is cheaper and does the same job...maybe lighter to carry around, does not heat up as much, use less power since you are not running a internal HD. Also the new firmware allow you to connect a HD to it if you REALLY wanted to have a HD option in the future.

Will not get a MT simply because the auto-split feature. I dealt with that pain in the ass issue with Soundforge back in the day and don't want to deal with it in the future.

The SD722 vs. 702. for me the extra few hundred for the sd722 seems well worth it. having the option of using the HDD and using CF is huge. I can always take the HDD out if I dont want the added power or weight. so to me the 722 is a little more flexible.

I would get the modded HDP2 over stock because again it is only a few hundred more and gives me the option of running it solo and bit bucket.

That is exactly what I did. I got the BCM, as I run an outboard pre, but there are still sonic advantages with this mod if I want to run an all in one. And of course with the AD2K I have my bit-bucket. That being siad, I probably should have saved the scratch and picked up a 702. Just an all around great unit and built like a tank. I would still run an outboard pre, though.

[T.J.]

i just made a similar decision b/w the V3>671 i own and the 722. i want to give you a little info that went into my thought process:

i chose the 722 as an all-in-one box. it was a VERY hard decision to make b/c i LOVE the V3's sound and would have loved to keep both. but i had to sell it to afford the 722. to me it really boiled down to trimming the fat off my rig (less batteries, cables, etc...). i wanted a nice compact all-in-one.

will i miss the V3? most definitely. i listened to a lot of samples of the 481/3>722 combo and liked what i heard. it is a different sounding rig than the V3 that i'm willing to give a try. 

could i have kept the 671 as an all-in-one box and possibly get if modded for shorter money? sure, but i didn't want to deal with dumping cards to a portable HD at festivals.

[JasonSobel]

but i didn't want to deal with dumping cards to a portable HD at festivals.

while media sizes/prices are certainly a consideration, the price of CF cards are constantly dropping.  16 GB cards are now affordable.  and if you're fine with 24/48, that's 16 hours per card.  a couple of those cards and you'll be good to go for a festival without dumping.

[kindms]

great replies people keep them coming.

I think I would sell the V3 if I went SD722 simply for peace of mind when it comes to $ invested. If I was single I would keep the V3 and get the SD722 but well you get the idea.

I am only a 24/48 guy. I have been limited by the VX pocket at 24/48 but I am very happy with that (when I get it right anyway)

Oh and +T's all around

[db]

722

you'll leave the venue checking yourself for all the extra shit you used to carry...and then a warm feeling comes over you when you realize that you don't have any other shit, just the shit.

[rokpunk]

As a member of the "I love the Grace preamp sound" camp, I am with those who suggest the 671 with external preamp. I'm not a fan at all of the mods that members of this board rave about. I'd stick with the V3 and the unmodded 671 if I were you. Big deal...ya gotta carry another 2 lbs of weight with ya as opposed to the 722.

[sheffield]

I was pretty much in the decision process that you are in a short time ago, my two cents would be to save up keep the v3 simply b/c its such a nice piece of equipment and you can have lots of options with the setup and go with the 722, I have ran the v3 combo many different ways with my dpa4023's and have found that the v3 adds the color that the 722 does not but the a/d in the 722 is top notch.  Depending on the show and venue is how I choose to run the combo, but for me and my ears, v3 analog to the 722 a/d at 24/96 is the best pulls I have ever made.  To each his own on preference but you should listen to as many recording comps as you can before you make your decision.  Many of the tapers that I have come to know that got rid of their v3 has regreted it in one way or another.  Good luck on your search, but I've learned patience can and will pay off.    Sheffield

[discopanic1]

I myself had had nice results w/ the v3>hdp2

If I had it all over to do again, the money of course & the plans real soon, is for the 744 keep the v3 & grabbing me another set of schoeps.

It is all according to the money at hand.  The hdp2, I only paid $849 for, is a real nice unit.  Even though not the best, without the v3 if had be the recording does come out more enjoyable more than not.  You've just gotta make sure the levels do not peek.

The 722 is a nice unit to have.  If someone would trade it w/ my hdp2, it'd be a deal I would take...jrm