Sound Devices recorders (702, 722, 744t, and so on) are excellent field rec=
orders by any criterion. They're also expensive. Hoping to find a less co=
stly alternative, I compared the preamp of the 702 recorder ($1875 USD) to =
the Sound Devices MixPre preamp ($665 USD) using Sound Devices' published s=
pecifications.
My conclusion: Compared to the MixPre, the 702 provides small improvements =
in most categories. I have attached the comparison below.
Whether the 702's performance improvements will be audible in a recording m=
ade in the field is another matter. If you have used the MixPre (or its pr=
edecessor, the MP-2) and a 7xx recorder, please tell me about your experien=
ces! Thanks.
--oryoki
-----------
Specifications from the Sound Devices web pages
http://www.sounddevices.com
-----------
702 Dynamic Range
114 dB, A-weighted bandwidth
110 dB, 20 Hz =96 22 kHz bandwidth
MixPre Dynamic Range:
110 dB minimum
-----------
702 Frequency Response, Mic or Line:
10 Hz=9640 kHz, +0.1, -0.5 (gain controls centered), Fs 96 kHz
MixPre Frequency Response:
20 Hz - 30 kHz, +0.1, -0.5 dB; -1 dB at 5 Hz & 50 kHz
(relative to 1 kHz with 150 ohm source, gain controls set at 50%)
-----------
702 Equivalent Input Noise:
-128 dBu max (-130 dBV), 150 ohm source, 20 Hz=9620 kHz BW
flat filter, gain fully up
MixPre Equivalent Input Noise:
-126 dBu (-128 dBV) maximum (150 ohm source, flat weighting, 22 - 22 kHz ba=
ndwidth, gain control set at 50% or higher, phantom power off)
-----------
702 THD + Noise:
Mic: 0.004% max (1 kHz, 22 Hz=9622 kHz BW, gain control down, -15 dBu input=
); Line: 0.004% max (1 kHz, 22 Hz=9622 kHz BW, gain control down, +16 dBu i=
nput)
MixPre THD + Noise:
Message: 0.
Subject: 05% maximum (from 60 Hz to 22 kHz @ +4 dBu output level, 22 Hz - 22
kHz f=
ilter bandwidth, gain control at 50%, phantom off)
-----------
702 Gain: (input dBu to -20 dBFS)
mic (normal gain mode):
25 to 70 dB; mic (low gain mode):
10 to 55 dB;
line: -6 to 18 dB, 0.1 dB increments
MixPre Gain:
LINE output 66 dB
TAPE output 56 dB
-----------
702 Input Clipping Level:
Mic input: -5 dBu minimum (normal gain mode, gain control fully down);
mic input: +10 dBu minimum (low gain mode, gain control fully down);
line input: +26 dBu minimum (gain control fully down)
MixPre Input Clipping Level:
-10 dBu minimum
-----------
702 High-Pass Filters:
40, 80, 160, 240 Hz @ 12/18/24 dB/oct (all menu selectable)
MixPre High-Pass Filters:
80 Hz or 160 Hz (switch selectable), 6 dB per octave
-----------
702 Mic Powering:
48 V phantom through 6.8k resistors, 10 mA per mic available,
Each XLR selectable, mic or line input
MixPre Phantom Power:
48 V through 6.8k resistors or 15 V through 680 ohm resistors (switch selec=
table)
-----------
702 Mic Input Limiters:
analog (pre-A/D converter), dual-stage optocoupler and FET,
-4 dBFS threshold, 20:1 limiting ratio, 5 mS attack time, 200 mS release ti=
me
MixPre Limiter:
Thresholds adjustable per channel from -10 dBu to +18 dBu, 10:1 limiting ra=
tio,
5 mS attack time, 100 mS release time, Dual mono or stereo linked
-----------
702 Analog Line Output Clipping Level:
+24 dBu minimum, 10k ohm load
Attenuation & Resolution 0 to 40 dB, 1 dB increments
MixPre Output Clipping Level (Line):
+22 dBu minimum with 100k ohm load, +20 dBu minimum with 600 ohm load
MixPre Output Clipping Level (Tape):
+11 dBu (2.75 V RMS) minimum with 100k ohm load
|