Tascam HD-P2 still viable?

K

kaidomac

Member
Still doing some shopping around after a discussion in this thread:

http://dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=221385

The HD-P2 is really appealing because (1) 24-bit/192kHz, and (2) it has Timecode, which would be handy as a field backup. Also looking at the Fostex FR-2LE and the Tascam DR-680. Bottom line is sound quality - I like the price of the Fostex and the multiple inputs of the DR-680, but if the HD-P2 sounds better, that's what I want.

Thoughts/suggestions? :D
 
You're comparing three very different beasts. Two are 2-track recorders that are not in the same class. One is a multi-track recorder.

If time code is the issue, then get the HD-P2.

If multi-track capability is the issue, get the DR-680.

I really don't think the FR-2LE can be fairly considered here. The FR-2, perhaps... especially if it has the Time Code option installed, but the HD-P2 is much less expensive and has TC already. But if you have the budget for either TASCAM, don't even bother with the FR-2LE.

I will say this about the HD-P2: I was a little disappointed the first time I used it, having come from the DA-P1 DAT recorder. The XLR inputs, though labeled as such, do not actually accept line-level inputs. The DA-P1 did. I think this was a failing in TASCAM's new design, and labeling the XLR inputs as "MIC/LINE" was irresponsible.

What I have seen happen on a colleague's HD-P2, was a blown input card. He connected the XLRs to a line source, and as soon as signal was opened up there was a large pop and then crackly sound from there on. I'm glad I saw that happen before I worked with one myself. The response he got from TASCAM's service tech was that the board was fried, and that line-level inputs should NEVER be connected to the XLR ins. Go figure.

But, the RCA ins are just fine since the recorder is always located very close to the mixer.

I have not worked with the 680, so I cannot attest to sound quality there. But as line-level recorders both the Fostex and the HD-P2 are perfectly fine. Pre-amps in both are good, though I find the HD-P2 to be better. You get get either with Oade Bros. modifications on the pre-amps. The headphone amp on the FR-2LE is noisy; the HD-P2 has a very clean headphone amp. But again, the FR-2LE can't even rank with the HD-P2, especially if you're already considering spending the money on the HD-P2.
 
Last edited:
C2V said:
You're comparing three very different beasts. Two are 2-track recorders that are not in the same class. One is a multi-track recorder.

If time code is the issue, then get the HD-P2.

If multi-track capability is the issue, get the DR-680.

I really don't think the FR-2LE can be fairly considered here. The FR-2, perhaps... especially if it has the Time Code option installed, but the HD-P2 is much less expensive and has TC already. But if you have the bidget for either TASCAM, don't even bother with the FR-2LE.

I will say this about the HD-P2: I was a little disappointed the first time I used it, having come from the DA-P1 DAT recorder. The XLR inputs, though labeled as such, do not actually accept line-level inputs. The DA-P1 did. I think this was a failing in TASCAM's new design, and labeling the XLR inputs as "MIC/LINE" was irresponsible.

What I have seen happen on a colleague's HD-P2, was a blown input card. He connected the XLRs to a line source, and as soon as signal was opened up there was a large pop and then crackly sound from there on. I'm glad I saw that happen before I worked with one myself. The response he got from TASCAM's service tech was that the board was fried, and that line-level inputs should NEVER be connected to the XLR ins. Go figure.

But, the RCA ins are just fine since the recorder is always located very close to the mixer.
Click to expand...

This is for my personal kit - for small projects and for emergency backup on larger stuff. So just poking around the sub-$1000 market...not really set on any particular niche, just want something that sounds great. The HD-P2, spec-wise, looks to be higher-quality than the others, but I have no experience with anything in this price range, so I'm looking for advice. I've heard a lot of recommendations on the Fostex FR-2LE. I was going to go with a Marantz PMD661 initially because I liked the sound & size, but the Fostex is supposed to be even better for about the same price. And now I'm just confused :tongue:
 
C2V said:
I have not worked with the 680, so I cannot attest to sound quality there. But as line-level recorders both the Fostex and the HD-P2 are perfectly fine. Pre-amps in both are good, though I find the HD-P2 to be better. You get get either with Oade Bros. modifications on the pre-amps. The headphone amp on the FR-2LE is noisy; the HD-P2 has a very clean headphone amp. But again, the FR-2LE can't even rank with the HD-P2, especially if you're already considering spending the money on the HD-P2.
Click to expand...

Hmm - anything else in the sub-$1k market you'd recommend? 90% of the time I'll be using it with XLR lavs (Sanken COS-11D mainly). A Schoeps boom here and there and maybe a few other things, but mostly lavs. I've been playing with dSLR Video a lot lately and would really like a nice little (quality) recorder for my own small projects.
 
I did a ton of research on this a while back. I ended up getting the Marantz PMD661. It rules!

For about $600, it's the only device in the price range that has a 1/4" headphone out, good quiet preamps, and accepts line level inputs.

You can listen to how the preamps stack up against other units here:

http://www.wingfieldaudio.com/portable-recorder-noise.html

My only complaint is that the headphone amp isn't quite as powerful as some, but when you compare all the pros and cons of the various units around this price range, I would buy it again without question.
 
kaidomac said:
This is for my personal kit - for small projects and for emergency backup on larger stuff. So just poking around the sub-$1000 market...not really set on any particular niche, just want something that sounds great. The HD-P2, spec-wise, looks to be higher-quality than the others, but I have no experience with anything in this price range, so I'm looking for advice. I've heard a lot of recommendations on the Fostex FR-2LE. I was going to go with a Marantz PMD661 initially because I liked the sound & size, but the Fostex is supposed to be even better for about the same price. And now I'm just confused :tongue:
Click to expand...

Why confused? You asked about three machines that don't fairly compare to each other. Well, two that sort of compare, and one that's a whole different machine.

Let me summarize: if you want a two-track recorder, and you're already considering the HD-P2, get the HD-P2. It's much, much more useful than the FR-2LE. If you want multi-track recording, get the 680.

About the Marantz: it sounds good, but the form factor is clumsy. It can work okay on a cart, but it is a terrible design for a bag. It reminds me of the old cassette player/recorders that were ubiquitous in classrooms 25 years ago.
 
C2V said:
Why confused? You asked about three machines that don't fairly compare to each other. Well, two that sort of compare, and one that's a whole different machine.

Let me summarize: if you want a two-track recorder, and you're already considering the HD-P2, get the HD-P2. It's much, much more useful than the FR-2LE. If you want multi-track recording, get the 680.

About the Marantz: it sounds good, but the form factor is clumsy. It can work okay on a cart, but it is a terrible design for a bag. It reminds me of the old cassette player/recorders that were ubiquitous in classrooms 25 years ago.
Click to expand...

Ah, just confused because of the options - I'm not in a class-comparison mode for this purchase. If the HD-P2 is the best-sounding of the bunch, then that's the ticket. Sound quality is my primary metric. The other variables are not significant, just nice perks - lower price or multi-track recording.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top