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5. Re: Marantz PMD661 opinion please

Subject: 5. Re: Marantz PMD661 opinion please
From: "Jez" tempjez
Date: Wed Jun 5, 2013 6:58 am ((PDT))
haven't used one but I did hear rumours that the pre-amps are different on =
the mkII. Specs looks the same but they're a different model.

--- In  "shooze53" <> wrote:
>
>
>
> Thanks everyone for your opinions and help - I am 95% decided on going wi=
th the Marantz as my next recorder - now I just have to decide if the addit=
ional features on the PMD661-MKII are worth the extra money.  Password, and=
 encryption does not seem necessary. Does anyone use the newer version?
>
> Thanks again,
> Scott
>
> --- In  "Jez" <tempjez@> wrote:
> >
> >
> > no probs Eric - I didn't include every recorder in the same price range=
 because it really does depend on what features are most important - also, =
prices vary quite a bit by country, so here in the UK the 661 is around the=
 same price as the FR-2LE, the R-44 etc.  So, when mentioning the LS-100 I =
took the approach of 'chap has =A3500 or so to spend on a recorder & wants =
to be able to do a wide range of things without it being bulky, always havi=
ng to have external mics, wanting quiet pre-amps for the price, xlr inputs'=
 etc. & in that case the Olympus wins. I'm sure someone else on here will h=
ave the analysis stats for the pre-amps of the LS-100 & the 661 but hands o=
n i'd say there is nothing between them.
> >
> > The headphone issue on the LS-100 isn't a big problem, it's just on the=
 low side so it takes a bit of getting used to - which one always has to do=
 with each new recorder anyway.
> >
> > FR-2LE: a bit on the bulky side / internal mics not great.
> > R-44: not a hand held / pre-amp noise can be an issue if one goes outsi=
de the 12 noon outer dial rule.
> > Tascam DR-100mk II: internal mics not as good as the olympus / pre-amps=
 a bit noisier
> > R-26: very plastic / all kinds of noise issues
> > Zoom H4N: plastic / coloured sound via not great internal mics / noisey=
 pre-amps
> > Zoom H6: as above
> > Sony PCM-50: good internal mics / no xlr inputs
> > PDM661: sturdy construction / decent pre-amps / internal mics not great=
 / battery life not great
> >
> > the ones above that operate only on standard batteries might also be an=
 issue for some folks.
> >
> > ta,
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In  Eric Fassbender <eric@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Jez, sorry to be nit picking, but from how I read your email, there i=
s only the LS-100 in the same price range of the 661, which is similar in q=
uality but has a problem with headphone out, as you point out. What are the=
 recorders that "plenty of folks [...] say you get more for your money"? Fr=
om what 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 invests in a recorder in this more expensive category then you are par=
tially right. Of course you will get better quality with these, however, it=
 really depends on the use case. Scott's question was about a mid-price rec=
order (limited budget). So which other recorders are there in this price ra=
nge that have quieter pre-amps and how do the 661 and LS-100 really compare=
 in terms of quality? I haven't tested the LS-100 and if you have both, I'd=
 be very interested in a comparison recording :) However, looking at Scott'=
s other requirements (interviews, live concerts), the LS-100 may be the bet=
ter choice because it seems a lot smaller than the 661.
> > >
> > > What limitations do you refer to with the 661? I have found none, oth=
er than that I would sometimes like a couple more channels ...
> > >
> > > Cheers,
> > >
> > > Eric
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > On 04/06/2013, at 7:24 AM, Jez <tempjez@> wrote:
> > >
> > > > oh oh :) this is one of those questions that can result in tons of =
different answers, of course.
> > > >
> > > > It all depends on what features you want on the recorder & which ar=
e most important. The Olympus LS-100 is, imo, the best all round hand held =
recorder with decent-ish built in mics for below =A3400 for example, but of=
 course like every recorder it has some quirks (low headphone output that t=
akes some time to get used to etc.). I try to keep up with developments at =
all price ranges but have to say that if you can afford it it's worth stret=
ching your budget a bit. Again its just my opinion but I think there's not =
much advantage in recorders over =A3400 until one begin to look at somethin=
g like the Tascam DR-680. Some folks like the Roland R-44 & R-88 or the Fos=
tex FR-2LE also for example.
> > > >
> > > > Just to be clear the Marantz is ok & if you like the features & don=
't mind its particular limitations then i'm sure you'll get a lot out of it=
.
> > > >
> > > > --- In  Eric Fassbender <eric@> wr=
ote:
> > > > >
> > > > > Hi Jez,
> > > > >
> > > > > could you please provide some examples? I would be very intereste=
d to improve my gear.
> > > > >
> > > > > Cheers,
> > > > >
> > > > > Eric
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > On 04/06/2013, at 2:04 AM, Jez <tempjez@> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > the 661 has ok pre-amps but not the quietest in this price rang=
e. If you start with a zoom then just about anything else will be a big ste=
p up as they have some of the noisiest pre-amps. The 661 is an ok recorder =
for sure, but there are plenty of folks who'll say you get more for your mo=
ney with other recorders (good in-built mics, better power usage etc etc).
> > > > > >
> > > > > > --- In  Tim Kahn <timothy.kahn=
@> wrote:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > I also have the 661 and I love it very much. I moved from the=
 original H4. I purchased mine from Doug Oade (oade.com) with the "super mo=
d" which supposedly uses quieter pre-amps than the stock unit. I have never=
 tried a stock unit so I can't say for sure there is a difference. I have u=
sed the 661 in a lot of different applications and conditions and except fo=
r 2 occasions it has worked as it should.
> > > > > > > In the two occasions that it failed, it was raining very hard=
 and the recorder got wet. It seems water can get between the buttons on th=
e front panel and cause erratic behavior (like a particular button is being=
 pressed over and over rapidly, for example). In both cases I placed the re=
corder in my food dehydrator, set on low, and left it to dry over night. No=
w it works perfectly well again. I should add that in both cases the rain w=
as extremely heavy and I was in the rain for extended periods of time and I=
'm really surprised that there was not more damage.
> > > > > > > My main complaint with it is that there are not two separate =
knobs for gain adjustment. For a stereo pair where you only need to change =
the gain for both at once its fine, but often I have two lav mics on people=
 and it is a two hand job to change the gain on one channel and almost alwa=
ys you will change the gain on the other as well. If you happen to have esp=
ecially large fingers it might even be more annoying.
> > > > > > > But really, for me it has been an excellent recorder standing=
 up to my particular abuses very well.
> > > > > > > Here is a recording I am particularly fond of: http://www.fre=
esound.org/people/Corsica_S/sounds/184797/
> > > > > > > Tim
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > On Jun 1, 2013, at 10:17 PM, shooze53 wrote:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Hello folks,
> > > > > > > > I have a question regarding the quality and durability of t=
he Marantz recorders. I have in the past owned the ZOOM H4n and Tascam DR10=
0-mkII recorders. Both have their strengths I suppose, but those strengths =
are not the durability of the switches and controls. The Tascam I had for a=
pprox. 6 months, and it was suitable for some situations using onboard micr=
ophones, but the rotary wheel started to fail, and the power switch was alw=
ays a little questionable from the very beginning. I returned it, unsatisfi=
ed.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > I am now considering purchase of the PMD661 Marantz recorde=
r for field recording, (as well as other uses, ie. interview and live music=
 recording) Does anyone have experience using the Marantz product? If so, a=
ny comments as to durability and ease of use, and sound quality would be ve=
ry useful and helpful in my decision to purchase.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > i am on a limited budget, but am willing to spend what is n=
eeded to obtain both high grade audio, and durable hardware.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Thanks in advance.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Scott
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