Fostex fr-2le or Tascam HD-P2?

[nbasila]

I'm looking at these two... for live recordings of acoustic instruments (strings, piano, etc.) on classical, usually.

The timecode feature of the HD-P2 looks interesting, but I don't do any film. At the pricepoints, one could get a fr-2le with an Oade transparent concert mod for about $750 or an HD-P2 with no modifications for about $800. I'm mostly interested in getting the most transparent sound out of the preamps.

I only need two channels and, unfortunately, I don't have any external preamps - so I'd be relying on the built in preamps. I typically use a pair of AKG 414 B-XLS for the recordings.

Any recommendations out there? Anyone have any comments on the FR-2LE or the HD-P2 - specifically the preamps? I definitely prefer transparent over warm, but I guess there's not much choice at this level. The SD 722 or even 702 is out of my range.

I had also considered the R4, but I've heard mostly bad things about its preamps, and I don't necessarily need four channels. I've also heard mainly bad things about the preamps in the Marantz recorders in this range.

[Don S]

I'd spend a little more and go for the Sound Devices 712. A big step up in both sound and build quality for only a couple hundred dollars. But out of the 2 you mentioned the fostex would get my vote.

[nbasila]

Originally Posted by Don S

I'd spend a little more and go for the Sound Devices 712. A big step up in both sound and build quality for only a couple hundred dollars. But out of the 2 you mentioned the fostex would get my vote.

Thanks for the reply!

I'm assuming you're talking about the SD 702 or 722, right? Unfortunately, it's about $1,000 more than either one of these... that'd be my first choice, if I could spend that much.

[uosdwis]

If you haven't already, take a look at the Taperssection.com forums. With luck you could find a modded HD-P2 with some accessories for the price of a new un-modded unit. Lots of opinions and advice there, too.

[chris319]

I see a $400 price difference between the Tascam and the Fostex. I can't speak for the Tascam, but I have an FR-2LE and like it a lot — except for the mic preamps.

What I'd do is get the Fostex and put the $400 into a real mic preamp. I wouldn't go with anything less than the M-Audio DMP3. I set up a friend with a DMP3 and for his purposes we are both happy with it.

[studiovv]

I would go for the FOSTEX, I have one and I like it a lot!
j.

[fifthcircle]

There are deals out there to be had on the full FR2 right now. Fostex just dropped the price on them. Just yesterday, I bought one for $1000 including the timecode option. I believe they were $800 w/out.

Given a choice, I'd choose the full FR-2, not the LE version. The LE doesn't have a digital I/O.

The Tascam has a funky menu tree and the documentation sucks (like all Tascam products). It probably sounds better than the Fostex, but I really didn't like the way it worked. In addition, the timecode on it only goes 1 way. If you want to sync to an outside source, you're fine, but you cannot send timecode out of it.

The worst part about the fostex (which is only mildy better on the Tascam) is the power consumption. If you use batteries, the Tascam will last longer on a charge. The Fostex will only last a couple hours. The wall warts for both of them suck.

--Ben