Sony PCM D50
jimmyt...@googlemail.com
block...
I ordered it on friday at midnight U.K. time online from B&H Photo
Video New York and it arrived via UPS at noon on the Monday here in
Bristol U.K. Well that in it's self was pretty amazing!
So how does it stand up...
Well I bought the Zoom H2 when it came out and was somewhat
dissapointed by it's sound with the built in mic's and the line in.
The former had a nasely quality, a bit like Mettle Mickey and the line
in was very poor with distortion underlying everything. Verdict was my
old portable mini disc was sonically far superior.
To cut to the chase... the Sony is very good.
The self noise with the built in mic's is very low for a hand held
unit.
The mic's themselves sound good.
The line in is excellent, as is the line out.
The digital in (optical) is a breeze.
The headphone amp is loud and clean. As is line out.
The analogue circuits are great and noise free.
Good limiter.
Good meters.
Useful speed control feature (helpful for checking things back in a
hurry).
The handling noise is good but still there ( of course, never avoid
that completely)
Windjamer does a good job.
Menus are clear and easy to navigate.
Backlight is great and switchable.
Buttons are well laid out like a real deck.
Battery life is very good.
Feels good in hand.
Good features all round.
Finally a product which does the job properly and for $460 +
$45(windjammer) or for me £345 all in, the best in class.
Don't bother with anything else, there really is no comparison with
the Zoom. If you can spend a bit more then do.
The only things I would say the Zoo h2 has going for it is the side
address mic's.
I would love to see this unit with an M-S pair option instead of X-Y
too.
I would change those but nothing else in this design.
The project manager and team who created this should be congratulated.
It is a product that harks back to Sony's glory days.
I have recorded line in from various T.V. situations, bootlegged
applause and through the desk. Drum kit (amazing for a unit like this)
guitar, various voices close up and away. Nature, ambiance.
Can't say yet if the mic's are as quiet as an MKH 50/30 pair yet but
they are quiet. Would be pretty surprised if they where that quiet
though.
Basically I really like the way it sounds and works. The optional
windammer is a must and a great idea.
The tripod is not required as a regular camera mini tripod from the
pound shop will do.
My U.K. freinds should buy online from USA as it saved me £200. I paid
£63 import tax and the total was £345 inc.
To finish off I just say that I have been working with 3 old pro's all
week and they all intend to buy one. One in china when he does the
Olympics and the other 2 via B&H.
Cheers