hi, I can stick my nose in her if you like.
I have the 611 and the LS100. The 611 is a proper nice bit of universal kit=
that finally replaces anything you were struggling with before you found o=
ut it was time to get a unit of this type. It's very reliable and all featu=
res are pretty equal with no nasty surprises.
The Ls100 is a very different beast. It excels at line and mic via XLR. It =
also has the ability to fool around with multitracking but I've not tried t=
hat. It's got 2 very serious negatives that spoil it badly.
1) it cannot be used in recording mode while it's connected to mains power/=
usb ( charge ).
2) the little stereo mini Jack mic input is "horrible". Seriously, it's not=
just poor, it's gastly. I really don't know what on earth Olympus were thi=
nking when they decided that was ok for public release.
So, The LS100 has got nasty problems. Even the built in mics have a queer s=
tereo field that I can't live at all. I think I'm very likely to sell mine =
before long. The XLR inputs are great, but when it's running on a battery (=
which is all it will do ), I can only get a max of 3 to 3 and a half hours=
recording out of it. That may be fine for a musician with a pocket full of=
batteries but I need something I can leave out in the woods over night.
If you need XLR and phantom power, get the 611, it's a good'n. The LS100 is=
a pain for an outdoor recordist.
norman.
From: Eric Fassbender <>
To:
Sent: Tuesday, June 4, 2013 3:33 AM
Subject: Re: [Nature Recordists] Marantz PMD661 opinion please
Jez, sorry to be nit picking, but from how I read your email, there is only=
the LS-100 in the same price range of the 661, which is similar in quality=
but has a problem with headphone out, as you point out. What are the recor=
ders that "plenty of folks [...] say you get more for your money"? From wha=
t I can see all other recorders in your list are way above the price of the=
661 and LS-100 and if you mean that one gets more value for money if one i=
nvests in a recorder in this more expensive category then you are partially=
right. Of course you will get better quality with these, however, it reall=
y depends on the use case. Scott's question was about a mid-price recorder =
(limited budget). So which other recorders are there in this price range th=
at have quieter pre-amps and how do the 661 and LS-100 really compare in te=
rms of quality? I haven't tested the LS-100 and if you have both, I'd be ve=
ry interested in a comparison recording :) However, looking at
Scott's other requirements (interviews, live concerts), the LS-100 may be =
the better choice because it seems a lot smaller than the 661.
What limitations do you refer to with the 661? I have found none, other tha=
n that I would sometimes like a couple more channels ...
Cheers,
Eric
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