Topic: Edirol R-09 or Zoom H4 Which is best for first rig?

[rePat]

Looks Like the general consensus is the R-09. So the R-09 it is. Next question is best place to purchase it? On ebay they go for around 325.00 plus shipping. Any feedback on where to get it?
Bill

Got mine at http://www.bpmmusic.com/ as listed in the R-09 FAQ.  Great price, excellent service.

Pat

[mandoman]

If you are taping open, save an extra $100 for a Marantz PMD-660.  Rock solid 16/48 unit. 

If you ahve to choose between the R09 and the H4, go with the R09...

Terry

For the cost and size of the PMD-660, I'd actually try the Fostex FR2LE instead, it's supposed to sound killer and can do 24/96.

The H4 would be a good choice if you are a musician/guitar player, since the unit
doubles as a computer usb interface. Otherwise and for stealth, I agree R09 is your best bet.

[Frosty]

Ok, lots of replies already with different opinions.  Adding my opinion to the mix, FWIW, I am not a stealth taper - I'm an acoustic musician who does a lot of field recording.  I have the R-09, H-4, Microtrac and a few minidisc units.  Actually, I sold the Microtrac. 

For portable digital recording fidelity, to my ears the recordings made with the H-4 (with external battery pack) sound the best.    The R-09 recordings have noticeable hiss regardless of settings in my experience, and the omnidirectional mics pick up too much festival background noise.  So, I keep the R-09 in my fiddle case for something that's always handy.

Geez, now that I think of it... where are those old minidisc recorders... haven't seen them around the house in a while...