Tascam DR-100 vs. Marantz PMD661 (Audio Quality)

[Maxjames]

Originally Posted by Nityananda_SCSM

So now I'm looking to buy the only handheld XLR recorder with analog limiters under $1k, the DR-100. Can anyone give me some feedback on it? Do the limiters work well? Is the audio quality OK? I know it doesn't have XLR or TRS line inputs but I can live without it if I have to. Should I try to go with the PMD661 and just go crazy watching my levels? DR-100 Pros and Cons...?

Thanks for the input
-Chris

I have all three recorders you mention here: The Edirol R-44, the Tascam DR-100, and the Marantz PMD661.

- First of all, the DR-100, just like the other two, has XLR inputs with 48V phantom power.

- Have used both the R-44 and the DR-100 for piano recital/concerts, and both produce beatiful audio quality.

- Just bought the PMD661 and have not used it outside it the home yet. But initial tests indicate it is pretty much the same as the other two in terms of audio quality, input noise level, and general quality - no material difference.

- Have tested the input noise level (EIN), and all three have about the same EIN, around -122 give or take a couple of dB for the most sensitive gain setting.

- The DR-100 and the R-44 have almost identical gain at the highest setting - about -42 dBV input level corresponding to 0 dBFS output. The PMD661 on the other hand has sligtly higher overall gain than the other two - about -52 dBV input correspoinding to 0 dBFS output

- Have never tried/used the limiter though - I always set the gain on the low side and boost audio level in the post

- Generally I use the R-44 at home, the DR-100 in the field (the smaller size really helps, as I attached it to my camcorder bracket), and the PMD661 as the general backup.

- All three apear to be solidly built and of decent mechanical quality.

- The differences are in the features: the DR-100 has no digital input/output, but has two types of batteries that I really like, the R-44 has 4 inputs. Both the R-44 and the PMD661 have digital inputs/outputs.

[wilcofan]

Hi guys,
Sorry to hijack the thread a second!

Can any of the Marantz PMD661 users verify something for me?
The tripod hole on the rear, is it supposed to be threaded?
Mine has the hole but it's completely smooth.
I have the Sony PCM-M10 here and it's hole was threaded.
So did the Sony PCM-D50 I had here.

Thanks!
Bobby

[Maxjames]

Originally Posted by wilcofan

Hi guys,
Sorry to hijack the thread a second!

Can any of the Marantz PMD661 users verify something for me?
The tripod hole on the rear, is it supposed to be threaded?
Mine has the hole but it's completely smooth.
I have the Sony PCM-M10 here and it's hole was threaded.
So did the Sony PCM-D50 I had here.

Thanks!
Bobby

The tripod hole on my Marantz PMD661 is threaded. Yours must be a defective unit.

[wilcofan]

OK, I really appreciate the reply.
Damn, this is the third defective item this month!