## Market Posting

DAT-Heads Digest #440 Contents: Market Posting (Seth Breidbart)

From: Seth Breidbart <sethb@panix.com> Subject: Market Posting Date: Sat, 29 Aug 1998 12:34:42 -0400 (EDT)

This is the irregular market posting on decks, tapes, etc. Please send me (sethb@panix.com) any further information.

Modifications after 20 May 1992 are noted on the individual listings. Changes since previous posting are marked with *, new listings with **. Price quotes now have the (last) date they were quoted to me. Updates in that field do not trigger an update to the entry date or a *. Last posted: 23 June 1998

Disclaimer: This memorandum is based on or derived from information from sources I believe to be reliable. No representation is made that it is accurate or complete; further information and corrections are welcomed. Providers of subjective information are credited where possible. Prices are believed to be actual selling prices, not list.

The faq is available on http://www.eklektix.com/dat-heads/FAQ and also on ftp.funet.fi . The microphone faq is available from ftp://rahul.net:pub/davidj/microphone.data

This posting is available at http://www.eklektix.com/dat-heads/MarketPosting (though if you have it to see that, you don't need it :-)

The WWW server is at http://www.eklektix.com/rdp/dat-heads/

dat-heads digests can be found on ftp.eklektix.com:pub/dat-heads or http://www.eklektix.com/dat-heads/digests/

Mailing list for Modular Digital Multitrack (e.g. ADAT): mail to mdm-request@psc.edu to subscribe.

Abbreviations: People are [xx], commercial interests are <xx> [anon] anonymous [bc] Bruce Cassidy [bx] Brian Cox [ch] Chris Hecht [dc] Dave Chesavage [dg] David Gans <di> Dat's Incredible (ex-store) [dw] Douglas White <eq> EQ Magazine [el] Elspeth Cusack [fc] Forrest Cook [fg] Frank Goodrick [gd] Gary Davis [hl] Hans C Larsson [J] Josephson Engineering [j2] jordan2@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu [js] John Schulien [jsi] Jeffrey Silberman [jw] John Whitehead [jpc] J. Porter Clark <ka> Klay Anderson [km] Kurt R. Marko [ks] Keith Sklower <MAV> Masterpiece Audio/Video [mw] Mike Weitzman [nn] Naoyuki Nomura <nomura@ai.mit.edu> <ob> Oade brothers (store) [of] Oliver Friedman [pst] pthomson@spiretech.com [pw] Paul S. Winalski [reb] Richard Baum [rg] Richard Gastwirt [rs] Riccardo Schulz [sb] Seth Breidbart (me) [sk] Sean Kennedy <sp> stereophile [tb] Tony Berke [tc] Tom Clark [td] Tim Dalton <tm> Time Murray [weg] Mark Weghorst [ww] Wade Williams

Codes: {H: home deck; L: laptop; W: walkman-size portable F: full size heads; 2: half size heads O: optical connector U: US model exists (grey market might also); G: only grey market Wa/b: warrantee a on heads, b on everything else. Parts and Labor unless otherwise specified. D: digital connectors as follows: 1->SPDIF out 2->SPDIF in, adds 1 gen (scms) 3->SPDIF in, adds no gens 4->AES/EBU out 5->AES/EBU in (allows scms reset) 6->optical SPDIF, add 1 gen on input; - means no digital i/o V: headroom (from oVer), in db }

The warrantee on grey market decks is store only, if any.

*[6/24/98] Note that there are two incompatible 32kHz standards: 16-bit linear, which runs the tape at full speed (broadcast satellite standard, used in Japan and Germany (DSR)), and 12-bit non-linear, which runs the tape at half speed (so you can get 4 hours on a tape). The second is also called "long-play" mode. The Panasonic sv-3700 uses 16-bit linear, Sony decks (and Denons?), as well as the Pioneer D-05 (and others?) use both.

DECKS

General: Smaller heads wear faster [admitted by Panasonic] All decks have digital input and output unless noted. Some portables have full-sized heads, some have half-sized. All non-portables have full-sized heads.

[4/8/96] AIWA HD-S1 (also HD-X1 which is older and does not have scms): {W,F,G,D12}, wired remote. The HD-S1 is the digital-only part (also has headphone output), analog io is on the HD-A1 adapter (screws on end of HD-S1). Could play tapes that Sony 75ES had dropouts on, but wouldn't load a damaged tape that the Sony could. Can handle still video (1 picture every 2 or 4 seconds), with 12-bit non-linear audio, with HD-V1 adapter in place of HD-A1. Replaced by HD-S100.

AIWA HD-S100 {W,F,U,D12} $619, wired remote. Runs 70 minutes on internal battery, 2.5 hours (record) or 3 hours (play) with optional semi-external battery. Replaces HD-S1. 1-bit A/D, 18-bit D/A.

[10/4/93] AIWA V-1000 $1,000 (?) portable, similar in size to HHB-1, stores still video (similar to HD-S1?). "semi-pro", has scms, no provision for AA batteries. RCA connectors. No remote.

[1/5/96] AIWA HD-S1100 or XD-S1100 {H,O,D126} $??? 1-bit AD,DA, remote.

[5/6/94] AIWA HDV2000 $650 {W,D12} 12-bit nonlinear digitization w/video, 16-bit linear w/o. RCA line io, mini stereo mic in, camer-in socket, records video (1 frame every 2 or 4 seconds) w/audio

I don't know how the V-1000 and HDV2000 differ (if at all).

[12/7/92] AIWA HDX-3000: similar to HHB-1 and Marantz PMD-700.

[3/4/95] AIWA HHB1 PRO {L,F,U,W?/?,D145,2or3} $1400 [no longer available] Larger than, and shaped like, datman. Metal case, multi-voltage power supply, runs 40 minutes on PB-20 rechargeable, 3 hours on 10 alkaline AA's, can be switched between them in record mode without glitching. XLR mic in, RCA line/mic in, RCA line out, wired remote.

[8/9/92] AIWA XD-001(?) Identical to Sony DTC-1000ES except for transport panel layout.

[3/15/98] Aiwa HD-S200. UKP 369 [Turnkey, 3/15/98], 700-800 DM street, {W2GD6}1300 DM, 85,000 Yen list. 0.85 lb including rechargeable (lithium ion) battery (Sony LIP-12, compatible w/ new Walkman cassette players). Rec Review button. Up to 5.25 hours of playback w/internal & external batteries. Illuminated operation keys, back-lit large LCD display. Auto/manual record level. Stereo earphone w/remote included. Programmable playback. Battery capacity indicator. Double speed browse function. Auto power off. Smaller than Sony TCD-D7 (85mm*40mm*130mm, 374 g). Analog at 32kHz/LP, 44.1, 48 kHz. Line/mic, optical S/PDIF in appear to share one jack (using spear-headed optical plug like MD players). Margin display. Half-size heads. Display light only from external power. Rechargeable lasts 130 minutes recording, 3 hours playback. External compartment for UM-3 (AA) batteries last 80 minutes recording, 135 minutes playback. Discontinued? (No longer available from Aiwa in Holland.)

[2/1/98] AIWA XD-S260 {H,F,G,D:2,6} Note: no rca digital out. No L/R balance control. Smaller than other home decks. Will not move blank tapes (or parts of tapes), so can't be used to unpack tapes, and has problems with tapes that weren't started at the beginning.

AIWA XD-999 {H,F,G,???} $400 (demo unit).

[10/21/92] AIWA HD-X3000 {P,?} $2500 list. Claimes 3 hrs 40 mins continuous use (where do they find tapes that long?) Seems very similar to the HHB1-Pro [sb].

AIWA NS-XD1: mini stereo system. Includes DAT, cd player, 2 cassette drives (read only and read-write), pre-amp and amp, and speakers. $1200-1300.

[10/24/94] Alesis ADAT {} $3000 list, $2000 retail, 8 tracks! $2,000 for remote w/smpte and multi- deck sync. +4 dBu balanced i/o on 56-pin ELCO connector, -10 dBV unbalanced i/o on 1/4" phone jacks. Records on super-VHS videotape (40 minutes on a 120), proprietary fiber optic cable, ELCO connectors.

[8/23/96] Alpine Dat 5700. Car dat, plays 48, 44.1, 32 kHz (no LP mode).

[8/9/92] Audio + Design Prodat 1A: $3995 list, Apogee filters, AES sync. Modified Sony DTC-1000ES.

[8/9/92] Casio {D-} DA1: 15 bit recording with pre-emphasis, obsolete

Casio DA2: {D-} obsolete

Casio DA7: {L,F,U,W:?/?,D12} $789

[11/10/94] Casio DA-R100 {W,D126?} ~$1,000 list (300 pounds), $529 (J&R). Similar to Denon DTR-80P. Backlight is fluorescent with noisy ballast, which can be heard on the tape if turned on during recording. [ajr] Not [dw] Out of production.

[12/13/94] Clarion DAC-2000 car dat, indash, plays 48&44.1, bass & treble controls, scan.

[11/10/94] Denon DTR-80P: {W,D126} $599; portable, choice of nicads or alkaline batteries, coax digital io, optical digital in. Can record TOC on tape. Can record at 44.1 kHz from analog input. Out of production. Noisy ballast problem is with this deck, not Casio DA-R100 [dw]

[2/21/94] Denon DTR-100P: {L,F,G,D12} $1,000 Actually a rebuilt Casio DA7, with the mic pre-amp, A-D and D-A converters replaced. Out of production.

[6/28/93 Denon DTR2000: {H,F,U,W:?/?,D126} $1,000 list. "regular" edition. Sounds worse than Sony 75ES [reb] Sounds better than Sony 75ES [mw] No longer in production

Denon DTR2000G: {H,F,G,D126} $850, 100v. "limited, gold" edition of DTR2000.

[5/4/96] Eclipse EST-240 car DAT. More solid-feeling transport than Sony DTX-10 [rg] Shows absolute time or counter. No tuner. Doesn't like TDK 3-hour tapes (other brands OK) [rg]

[1/20/97] Esoteric R-1: $2500 list. (Esoteric is TEAC's high-end line.) Optical & coax digital connectors (but won't copy anything copy-protected, including scms=11), RCA & XLR analog, remote control. Superb converters [fg]

Fostex PD-2 portable {} $10,950 list. 4 heads, heating system, shock-mounted, samples at 44.056, 44.1, 48 kHz, AES/EBU, 12&48V phantom power, limiters, SMPTE time codes,...

[3/24/98] Fostex PD-4 portable. $7000 list, $5176 Dealer Cost, $5400 [Dat Store 3/22/98], $5450 [Full Compass 3/22/98], $5500 [Location Sound 3/22/98], $5600 Coffey Sound [3/22/98], $5950 [TAI Audio 3/22/98], 3-channel mixer, all inputs pannable. One digital input, AES/EBU or S/PDIF. SMPTE in and out. Same size as PD-2, twice the battery life, half the weight. Less software functions than PD-2. 4-heads. Samples at 44.1, 48, 48.048, 6 different frame rates.

[11/26/97] Fostex PD-4 v.2. List around $7000. 4 heads, punch in/out, pre or post striping of SMPTE/EBU timecode, 48 v. phantom power, variable low cut filters, small built-in mixer. (Available for about 2 years, so the listing for the PD-4 probably applies to this.)

*[8/2/98] Fostex D-5. $1495 (list), $694 [Dat Store, demo, 8/12/98], $724 [Dat Store, new, 8/12/98], $729 [Full Compass 7/1/98], $899 [Sam Ash], $1000 [Masterpiece Audio, incl. shipping]. Analog output +4db only on older decks, now switchable. (input is switchable -10db/+4db), both on XLR connectors. 3-rack space, full size, slightly simplified transport from D-10 ("nearly bulletproof"), 4 motors, Fostex expects very high reliability (service center has never seen one). Totally pro, no SCMS (resets even on S/PDIF input, it appears). AES/EBU, S/PDIF (optical, or electrical on XLR connectors). No shuttle/jog wheel. Senses thin tape, adjusts tension properly. Has error counter. Made by Pioneer. Q code recording (recognizes start id's from CDs). Analog sampling at 32, 44.1, and 48 kHz. Comes without cables. Single digit error count. Can add TOC. Comes with IR remote control, can be disabled by front-panel switch (or masking tape). Several have had transports replaced in their first year [pst]

[2/7/96] Fostex D-10. $1694 [Dat Store] $2054 [Full Compass] {H,F,O,U,D:45} ignores SCMS entirely. Displays time code in HMS, frames, PCM Error and PCM Mute conditions. No relative or program time or counter reset (no way to time a segment). No pause button. Switchable display of recording margin, %errors, channel level. 8 Meg ram for auto-cue, instant-start, shuttle/jog wheel (up to 10x speed), ram-scrub (simulates Reel-to-Reel tape rocking for precise edits), ram-repeat (similar to Sony "rehearse" but no tape movement and 1 millisecond accuracy, Sony is 300 millisecond). 2 D-10's slaved together with DIN cord can do auto-record and millisecond level editing/splicing. Frame-accurate punch in/out on recording, 100 auto-locate points. Can go to nth start id, cannot program sequences. IR remote can support two D-10's simultaneously. Does not sync to external timecode without optional TC board, $500. Does not write or honor End-IDs. 44.1kHz, 48kHz only, no 32kHz. Analog IO switchable +4dbu, -10dbV, both RCA and XLR connectors.

[2/7/96] Fostex D-10T. $2896 list, $1894 [Dat Store] Fostex D-10 with SMPTE Timecode.

Fostex D-20 {H,F,U,W:?/?,D:1345,V:2} $8,000. Best sounding <di> Very professional, counts frames (not just seconds), inputs for remote synch, etc. Not very convenient for consumer use (e.g. no "skip to next start id and keep playing").

[10/21/92] Fostex D-20B: Fostex D-20 with more time code features, VTR emulation, control compatability with video edit consoles.

[4/4/95] Fostex D-25 $7995 list. 4 heads, punch-in/out, pre- and post-striping of time code, chase to sync, 16meg ram for instant start and ram scrub. (Is that megabye or megabit?)

[12/28/97] Pioneer/HHb D9601, $2500 list. $994 [Dat Store]. 96, 88.2, 48, 44.1 kHz sampling. Can dub to another such unit at double speed (presumably, for ordinary 48 or 44.1 only). Down converts to 44.1/48 digitally. Pro deck, balanced io, rack kit, RS422, AES/EBU, IEC, +4 or -10 operation, parallel remote connector.

[1/13/98] HHb Portadat PDR1000 {L,F,D1345} $3495 list, $3000 [Klay Anderson Audio, Dat Store], $2594 [Dat Store, demos] large portable (240mm x 55 x 177), 4 heads, 4 motors, mic & line analog in, line & headphone analog out, AES/EBU and S/PDIF in & out (electrical, not optical); runs on 12v DC, rechargeable NiMH battery (6V, 2400 amp-hour, lasts 2 hours recording, without backlight or phantom power), provides 48 volt phantom powering for mics, optional wired remote control, monitor speaker, record level control lock, switchable high-pass filter on mic inputs, limiter, backlit display (switchable). Weighs 1.62 kg (without battery), 1.94 kg (with battery) JVC transport. Doesn't recommend 90m tapes for mastering, but says they can be used "where long, continuous recording is of primary importance".

[4/27/98] HHb Portadat PDR1000TC list $7,295 $6100 [Klay Anderson Audio]. similar to PDR1000, with timecode (24, 25, 29.97 NDF (non-drop frame), 30FPS per EBU and SMPTE standards). 95mm high, weighs 2.28 kg without battery, lasts 1.5 hours recording.

[4/11/97] HHb Portadat PDR100 MasterSync. List $7,630, $6300 [Klay Anderson Audio].

Hitachi DAT 88: {W,F,U?,D126} $900 wireless remote.

[6/13/96] JVC XD-P1pro: $1800 list. $995 (412-923-1127, Full Compass). ($918, demo units, Full Compass) Discontinued. Weighs 21 oz (w/battery), 3.75x1.5x6.5 inches (smaller than D7). Dockable mic-unit with digital io, rechargeable battery. Outboard (connecting) A/D converter. No scms. Comes with microphone (with a/d converter), "telescopic" and "stereo" patterns. IEC958 type 1 digital i/o, optical in. Remote control. Uses 9v, 570mA power input. Regular battery lasts 2.5 hours, longer-life 5 hours ($267 if you can find one). Mic picks up motor noise when mounted, and motion noise when hand-held. [bc]

[3/14/98] JVC DS-DT900N {H,F,U,D45} $4500 list. SMPTE time code. Has S/PDIF rca output jack hidden under back panel which apparently outputs scms=00 for any tape.

[7/31/93] JVC KS-D1 car dat player. $1700 list, a couple of years ago.

[5/25/93] The JVC decks below probably support the 12-bit non-linear 32 kHz sampling format (doubles the playing time).

[3/6/96] JVC Victor XD-Z505: {H,F,U,W:?/?,D126} $740, no skip play, supports 12-bit non-linear 32 kHz sampling

[10/9/95] JVC XDZ507TN $599 [Sound City]. Analog rca io, rca + optical digital io. Drawer loading mechanism. Consumer scms. Won't fast forward new tapes. discontinued in 1994.

JVC Victor XD-Z707: {H,F,U,W:?/?,D126} digital fade, digital mixing.

[1/28/95] JVC Victor XD-Z909: {H,F,U,W:?/?,D126} $1000 ($500 demo unit) digital fade, digital mixing, variable analog output. Stereoplay (German) doesn't like it. Out of production.

JVC Victor XD-Z1010TN: {H,F,U,W:?/?,D126} $1200

[4/27/94] JVC Victor XD-Z1100: {O,D13} ($1,000 circa 1989) Doesn't know scms, but copies all bits to tape. Slow-responding (iso?) levels, digital headroom display. Some functions only on remote. Supports 12-bit half-speed mode.

[6/28/93] Kenwood DX7 {W,F,?,D12} same as Sharp RXP1CS, but deck only, no car adaptor or other neat stuff. Steroplay (German magazine) thinks it's worse than the Scoopman!?

[2/2/98] Kenwood KDT-99R (car dat): {} $ Player only, requires 12v and power amp. Also has AM/FM radio, remote control. Plays only 44.1, 48 kHz sampling frequencies.

[6/28/93] Kenwood DX 7030 {H,F,D126} DM 1200, 1 bit D/A, A/D, D/A monitor.

[8/12/92] Luxman KD-117 {V0.1,D126} $988. Made late 87/early 88. Sounds excellent [js]

[9/27/97] Marantz PMD-690. Uses flash cards (computer compatible) rather than tape. Records PCM or compressed. XLR mic/line in, rca line out, rca S/PDIF io. Controls on a D25 connector. Available 2nd quarter 1998, they claim.

[8/15/94] Marantz PMD-700 {w,D1345} $1500 (Harvey Electronics), $1425 (Wescott Audio) XLR line/mic in, RCA line in/out, rechargeable battery (40 minutes) and AA battery (10 batteries, ~2.5 hours) operation, backlit LCD display, 4" x 2.375" x 8.375", under 3 lbs with batteries, wired remote. discontinued

[6/1/93] Marantz PMD-700E European (multi-voltage) version of PMD-700.

[9/5/96] Nakamichi 1000 DARS {} $11,000. 2-box unit (outboard converter). Long discontinued; ignores scms; converter designed to handle 2 transports plus source; service/parts still available from Nakamichi; great transport; manual cleaning not for the faint of heart on this transport.

NEC KD-1000 {} $650 (floor model), $1200 list. Japanese model, set up for US voltage. Won't record tapes digitally if the tape has scms 11, but all tapes played on this and copied to a Sony 75ES come out with scms=00.

[11/8/97] Onkyo 2710. 96 kHz sampling, labelled Start-Ids. Samples from analog at 32 kHz LP, 48 kHz, 96 kHz. Coax & Optical digital input, optical digital output. Consumer scms. TOC, 60 chars/Start-Id. Hidden Error display mode: timer to repeat_play, hold rec_mute and open/close, get 2 digits/head. Apparently discontinued, at least in Holland.

[4/12/95] Onkyo Integra DT 2001. Mic & line inputs & mixing. No absolute time, has absolute program time. Start IDs written automatically only (?). RCA, optical digital IO, no 44.1 digital in. 100v, but works on 110v without transformer [rs] Program time can be read on Sony 1000; tapes can be retimed with absolute program time, which erases absolute time.

[12/15/96] Onkyo DT-9000 {H,F,?,D126} $700 Samples at 32k, digital fader. Manual and auto Start-Ids, doesn't copy on digital input (manual lies). Takes 3 hours tapes (manual says not to use). Records and observes Skip and End-Ids. Optical & coax digital io, switch on rear. Can add absolute time. Analog in at 48 kHz. Timer Record/Play.

[6/28/93] Onkyo DT-901 {H,F,D126} DM 1200, dig. fade in/out, 3x faster cueing mode, timer.

[10/27/92] Otari DTR-7 $1695 list. Pro on AES/EBU input, SCMS on S/PDIF. Can record 44.1 kHz wide track mode.

*[11/4/96] Otari DTR-8 $2,000 list, $694 [Dat Store, demo, 8/12/98], $754 [Dat Store, new, 8/12/98]. Made by Pioneer, no scms, hour meter, rackmount. Can enter 60 characters/track, displayed in a large window on playback. XLR analog, AES/EBU & S/PDIF digital. Plus 1-bit D/A converters, 1-bit A/D converters. Q code synchronized Start-Id. Hour meter. Wireless remote. Rack mountable. Handles 32 kHz LP.

*[12/28/97] Otari DTR-8S. $694 [Dat Store, 7/21/98] Made by Pioneer, similar to Fostex D-5. Samples at 48, 44.1, 32 kHz. XLR analog io, switchable levels, coax S/PDIF, XLR AES/EBU, no scms, multi-voltage power supply (100-230v), wireless remote, optional wired remote, low resolution error counter, LP speed, input monitoring, high-speed search, double- and half-speed play, converts CD Q-codes to Start-ID's. Stores up to 60 characters per Start-ID, write/renumber TOC, drum rotation time (usage) display. Allows input monitoring (or A/D, D/A) without tape inserted (so no head wear).

[4/12/94] Otari DTR-90 $8495 list. 4-heads. Can write TOC on dat tape. Companion editor ($3695 list) controls two DTR-90's for editing similar to video editing systems. (Very similar to Sony PCM-7030.)

[10/23/94] Panasonic D-05 (Y89,800 list, $560?) Japanese domestic (96 kHz sampling), coax and optical digital in, coax out (not at 96 kHz, though). has scms, remote

Panasonic D-07(Y150,000?) Japanese domestic

Panasonic DA10: {H,F,U?,W:?/?,D126} $600. home version of sv3700, similar except for Pro features (ie scms); Matsushita MN6460 MASH A/D, MN6470 MASH bitstream D/A, M5219's op-amps. Grey-market in US.

Panasonic sv250: {W,2,U,D1} $1200 pro, seating problem on loading TDK tapes, correctable by repair. Sometimes fails to record w/o notice [dg][td][reb] improved for $350, (better capacitors on analog input, fixed loading problem) Only minimal head wear after 1.5 years, (my) estimate 500 hours use [reb] Very durable [td]

[5/4/96] Panasonic sv255: {W,2,U,D1} $1800 (Oades) pro, batteries last over 2 hours. Said to have best sound quality of a portable, around 1992. Recommended by Healy [reb] Used by Healy at shows [jw] 93 db signal-to-noise (worse than sv250), 16 bit d/a. Class B, good mic pre-amp <sp>; sometimes has problems loading tapes (test before recording). discontinued around 1992

[12-Dec-93] Panasonic sv3200. $995 list, $725 (Oade, modified) Consumer home deck, slightly modified DA-10. Records 44.1 or 48kHz from analog, 48, 44.1, 32 from digital. 1-bit D/A, 4 DAC's, 64-bit oversampling, shuttle wheel. Mod exists to treat scms like the sv-3700 ($100 from Oades if you bought the deck elsewhere) This deck has been discontinued by Panasonic.

[4/12/95] Panasonic sv3500: {H,F,U,D13,V:0.5} $1700, hand-made; Class A [stereophile, old] Records at 44.1 from analog (older models have switch inside deck, later moved to outside rear). Same click problem as sv3700; fix available. Won't transfer start ID's (or scms!) in either direction. RCA digital in takes either S/PDIF or AES/EBU.

[3/11/96] Panasonic sv3700: {H,F,U,W:90days/1year,D1345} $1199 [Sam Ash] $1275 delivered [Masterpiece Audio], $1300 [Full Compass] Records at 44.1. Digital fade, which isn't good [jw],[hl] Wireless remote. Problem with d/a circuitry (Clicks at -12 db), not audible in music; fix is available from Panasonic. (Current models don't have the problem.) Shuttle wheel for fast cue/review. Used by Healy at shows [jw] Can show error counts on tape, can add absolute time to a tape recorded without it. Uses Crystal 5326 one-bit A/D, 4x oversampled "4-DAC" w/ 2 PCM-56 DACs (lowest grade) per channel, gain-switching below -12 dB (remember the click?); 5532's op-amps. Requires constant cleaning and adjustment [dg] SCMS copied on S/PDIF input, user-adjustable on AES/EBU input. Analog is pro-level only. Being discontinued 1/96.

*[12/28/97] Panasonic sv3800. $1700 list, $794 [Dat Store, demo, 8/12/98], $894 [Dat Store, new, 8/12/98], $987 [Full Compass, 7/1/98], $994 [Dat Store, 7/21/98], $1049 [E.A.R.], $1050 [B&H Photo, 6/29/98], $1100 [Oades], $1250 [Masterpiece Audio, includes shipping], $1290 [Hunt] $1350 [Gand Music]. replacement for sv-3700. Same basic unit, A/D and D/A from the sv4100, switches moved to front panel from back, optical io. Separate level controls for left, right on analog input (3700 has level & balance controls).

[1/17/96] Panasonic sv3900: {H,F,?,D1345} $2232 [Full Compass], $1706 [Full Compass, demo, full warranty]. Similar to Panasonic sv3700, with more features for post-production: extensive remote capabilities ($370), synch, etc. External ports for ES-Bus and P-2 protocol. Software to control from RS-422 post costs $600. Requires constant cleaning and adjustment [dg]

[12/28/97] Panasonic sv4100: $2695 list, $1894 [Dat Store], $2199 [Sam Ash], $2235 [Full Compass], $1825 [Full Compass, demo, full warranty]. instant start (8 megabit memory, about 5 seconds), external sync (25Hz PAL, 30Hz NTSC, word clock, AES/EBU, S/PDIF, internal clock sync), optical io, programmable output-level control, enhanced system diagnostics & user interface, remote control. RCA digital out to digital in of sv3500 gives scms 10, contrary to the manual. Problems with intermittent digital out, supposedly fixed (depends on s/n). Manual is a bear [rs]

[7/30/96] Philips DAT850. (Also a Marantz model.) $1200 (roughly) list. introduced in 1992, discontinued 1995. 42 cm consumer deck. Wide track playback, normal track record playback, 48, 44.1, 32 kHz (both formats). RCA analog IO, RCA & optical S/PDIF. IR remote control. Cassette drawer, won't FF or play blank tape.

[8/17/97] Pioneer SP-AR1, box for D-9601 to record at 96kHz and 24 bits.

**[8/12/98] Pioneer D-04. $444 [Dat Store, demo, 8/12/98], $544 [Dat Store, new, 8/12/98]. Similar to Fostex D5.

[12/28/97] Pioneer D-05: samples at 96 kHz. $494 [Dat Store], [75000yen list, 56000yen including sales tax at Tereon in Akihabara] officially supports 90m tapes (user manual says no, service manual says it detects them and feeds the signal to a chip). Japanese domestic model, also available in Europe. Sounds very good.[nn] Ugly digital filter [of] No DAC mode. Writes TOC, takes Start-Id from CDs, optical & rca digital in, rca digital out, up to 60 characters writeable on each Start-Id. 96 kHz tapes are copied digitally at 1/2 speed. Error display available but not documented (similar to Tascam DA-20, set Timer to repeat_play, hold rec_mute and open/close, get 2 digits/head).

*[1/14/98] Pioneer D-HS5. $564 [Dat Store, demo, 8/12/98], $644 [Dat Store, new, 8/12/98], (D-05 with new A/D converter; same transport at Fostex D5).

[12/28/97] Pioneer HS-5. $594 [Dat Store, incl. transformer]. 100v model for Japanese home market. 96kHz sampling and consumer SCMS, otherwise similar to Fostex D5.

[11/24/95] Pioneer D-06: $700 street price in Tokyo. samples at 96 kHz. Has DAC mode. Samples at 44.1 (and 88.2?) kHz from analog.

[12/29/94] Pioneer D-07: samples at 96 kHz. Tape runs at twice normal speed. Can add 60 characters to Start-Ids. Can create TOC at beginning of tape. Consumer deck in Japan (mic ins are 1/4" unbalanced). Sound differences inaudible [jsi]

[8/17/97] Pioneer D-07A. Records at 96 kHz.

*[8/23/98] Pioneer D-C88: Yen 160,000 list (still?). $1394 [Dat Store], ???[Klay Anderson Audio]. 12"x10"x2.5" roughly. Records 96kHz (tape runs at double speed), 48, 44.1, 32LP. 4 heads. Fostex transport. 1/4" mic, rca line analog input, coax and optical S/PDIF. Display window is on top and flips up 45 degrees for easy viewing. Includes wireless remote, leather case, battery & charger. Rechargeable battery lasts 100 minutes.

Pioneer DTR-500 Yen 85,000 list.

[11/26/95] 96kHz sampling, general: According to [Dr. Fred Bashour], sounds better than Wadia 4000 A/D, Meridian 618 dither/noise shaping box, <any dat>, Wadio 2000D D/A, if used at 96 kHz sampling/playing; otherwise, doesn't sound as good.

[11/26/95] Pioneer D-9601. $2495 [Klay Anderson Audio] $2500 [Independent Audio] Samples at 44.1, 48, 88.2 and 96 kHz. Balanced analog io, selectable levels (+4, -10). AES/EBU & S/PDIF2 coax digital io. RS-422 remote control. 8-pin DIN interface and infrared wireless remote. Frequency response of 2Hz-44kHz (now try and find mics to match :-) Peak margin/program # indicator, error status for each head, IR remote control. 2x copy speed for 44.1 and 48 kHz sampling rate tapes, sampling-down conversion for 88.2 and 96 kHz tapes.

[5/24/93] Radio Systems RS6700. Based on Sony 670, balanced io, special controller.

[3/9/96] Samsung made dat players until ~1992. Roughly equivalent to Sony 55ES, $1000 in Korea.

[11/16/96] Samsung DAT-7000. No digital io. c. 1990.

[11/16/96] Samsung DT-850. S/PDIF coax, optical io, similar to Sony 55ES. c. 1991

[12/28/94] Sharp RX-P5 {} list Yen 111,000. can handle still video. It's quite like the Sony D3 but with a large LCD-display with a keypad (pressure-sensitive LCD-display?) [hl]

[10/23/94] Sharp RXP1CS {W,F,?,W:?/?,D12} $500. $390 in Hong Kong for the RXP1 (same deck?) portable with car adapter, wired remote

Sharp SX-D100: {H,F,U,W1yr,D?(pro)} $1000 SPDIF digital io, also optical. Strange effect on SCMS (I don't have full details yet.) Fixed and variable analog out. plays 32, 44.1, 48, records 48. Writes abs time, etc. Works fine [td] Now obsolete <di>

Sharp SX-D200 {H,F,D?(pro)}

Sony, general: The sound isn't as good as others [ch] [dg] The sound is better than Denon [reb]

The following Sony decks have the same transport (model DATM102), possibly different firmware and electronics: DTC-A7, DTC-55ES, DTC-57ES, DTC-59ES, DTC-60ES, DTC-75ES, DTC-670, DTC-690, DTC-700, PCM-2300 (transport is DATM-102). There were problems with that transport, specifically the tension. The part number of the repair is x33673481. Newer decks have the fixed transport; DTC 59ES through s/n 802099, DTC-690 through 800991, PCM2300 through 802500 have the older transport. All 60ES have the new transport. The modification where required is described in service bulletin #358, which is described as having a source code of CSA-13. The modification kit itself is designated as: Repair Kit (59) Part # X-3367-352-1. The Sony 75ES and 59ES tend to run hot; that may be related to the problems. The 60ES runs cooler [fc].

Masterpiece A/V was asked by Sony to remove their prices from the Internet, so their prices on Sony aren't listed here; call them.

*[3/17/98] Sony PCM-M1. $594 [Dat Store, demo, 8/12/98], $669 [Klay Anderson Audio 6/10/98, good in June], $679 [B&H Photo-Video 3/17/98], $694 [Dat Store, new, 8/12/98], $699 [American Digital 7/9/98, Sonic Sense ($6 shipping) 4/27/98], $700 [Terrapin, incl. shipping, 7/15/98], $715 [Oades]. Warrantee is 90 days labor, 1 year parts. 20% smaller, 25% lighter than D-8. Margin indicator. Runs 3.5 hours on Ni-Mh battery, 2.5 on alkalines. Uses same mic amp as SBM-1 (and D100): NJM2122. Allows manual control of scms. Includes mic power. Optional remote control. 7-pin connector, same as D-100. European model (price?) comes with remote, earphones, optical cable, and mic adapter.

[3/2/97] Sony WMD-DT1 $330 [Camera World of Oregon], $394 [Dat Store] play-only dat walkman. No digital output. Very small (9 oz.). Runs over 4 hours on two AA batteries. Full controls on remote, limited controls (volume +-, play, stop, forward, backward) under sliding panel on deck. Proprietary headphones plug into remote control (!), standard headphones plug into deck. Includes leather carrying case (which doesn't hold deck, remote, & headphones easily), no AC adaptor. Optional car adaptor $35, AC adaptor $49. Headphone output too quiet, irritating beep on FF, RR [dg] Discontinued as of 11/95, but apparently undiscontinued later. Adapter to convert micro-mini plug (in remote) to standard mini is part #P-CMP1-HG, $9.99+shipping from Sony Parts 800-488-7669.

[3/2/93] Sony TCD-D3 Dat Walkman (someone else owns the trademark on "Datman"): {W,2,U,W?/?,D126} $600. $440 in Hong Kong. US model includes optical connectors, Japanese model doesn't. Other connectors cost extra (~$75 for rca in only, $200 for rca in/out with remote control). 5v phantom power supplied. Officially discontinued.

*[10/2/97] Sony TCD-D7 $489 [Executive Photo] $494 [Dat Store, demo, 8/12/98], $528 [Oade Brothers] $478.95 (Cambridge Camera Exchange, in Photographic 12/94? issue), $442.42 (AAA Camera Exchange, 800-221-9521, 212-242-5800; warning: they want another $50 for the case and adapter, which actually come with the deck). $525 [Terrapin Tapes, Klay Anderson Audio] $480 [Sound City]. (Some of the cheapest ones no longer carry it.) Cheapest is to find ad in back of Popular Photography, take it to store that matches & gives 10% of the difference off (The Wiz no longer does). Smaller than the D3, operates on 4 AA batteries (4 hours). Defeatable gain limiting. Undefeatable high-pass filter on mic input (?) Optional: optical and coax connectors ($80 optical io, $80 coax in, $200 coax in/out + remote), AC adapter (AC-E60L, $35) or worldwide version (AC-E60AM, $120), car adapter (DCC-E160L, $40). No on/off switch, goes to low power after 3 minutes of inactivity. Choice of line out or headphone, not both (same connector). Actual date/time recording & display. Display shows source. LP mode. Machine lasts longer w/o headphone plugged in. Reviewed in Jan 95 Stereophile. 81dB signal-to-noise (measured by Fred Armentrout). Handles 90m tapes less than well. Discontinued 10/95. Doesn't like falling off cars at 40 mph, but sort of survives the experience [bx]. Level meters are inaccurate (from -1.5dB to +2dB, in a fairly small sample of decks).

*[3/25/98] Sony TCD-D8. List $899; $594 [Dat Store, demo, 8/12/98], $599 [Sonic Sense ($6 shipping) 4/27/98; Camera World of Oregon, Uncle's Stereo, Klay Anderson; 3/25/98], $625 [Terrapin, incl. shipping, 7/15/98; Oades 3/25/98], $629 [American Digital 3/25/98], $659 [National Sound and Video 3/25/98]. $583 [Sony nominal dealer cost in case lots, before incentives, etc.]. very similar to D7: same case (but black), size, weight. Analog recording at 48/44.1/32(LP), digital all + 32kHz LP/SP selectable, hold (when deck stopped & on battery) puts deck to sleep immediately (almost an "off" switch), "Record Mute" function, all jacks gold-plated, 3-way switch for headphone (AVLS on/off) & line out jack, comes with carrying case, cleaning cassette & 6V adaptor. Alkalines last 3.5h play, 4.0h record, 3.0h record w/phones <Sony>, up to 7 hours record w/alkalines, 3 hours on Radio Shack high-capacity NiCads (w/o Phones or mic pre-amp) [GD] Rechargeables last 2.0h play, 2.0h record, 1.5h record w/phone. Records calendar date/time. Has head-cleaning pad.

*[7/17/98] Sony TCD-D100. $594 [Dat Store, demo, 8/12/98], $675 [Masterpiece Audio, incl. shipping], $18 Fedex economy shipping], $699 [Klay Anderson 3/17/98], $700 [Oades], $710 [B&H Photo-Video 3/17/98], $649 [Cambridge Camera, NYC, in Popular Photography, but without all the accessories that should be included; figure more like $750+shipping by the time you're done], $799 [W.B. Hunt]. Same runtime as D8 on 2 AA batteries (claimed and disputed), 90mm x 117.3mm x 29.2mm (thinner than D8), 300 gm. Analog at 32lp, 44.1, 48, 7-pin connector for digital. Same mic preamp as SBM1 (NJM2122). Metal case. Includes headphone, AC adapter, remote control, carrying case, cleaning tape, 2 Ni-MH rechargeable batteries, external charger. Manual says not to use the light during recording. Sony says that the accessories used on the TCD-D3, -D7 and -D8 will not work on the -D100, except for the SBM-1 -- they've issued new accessories for it. (RMT-D7 remote control has been reported NOT to work with it.) Same input section as SBM-1. r-mtd1-00 ($87.95 from Sony), remote control with record function and glow-in-the-dark buttons, connects at 7-pin connector. (rm-ed100 comes with the deck, has no record button, has limited metering, connects through headphone jack.) European ("World") packaging excludes rechargeable batteries, external charger, and AC adapter; list is 700 UKP. Has head-cleaning pad.

[11/8/97] Sony RM-D3K. $194 [Dat Store]. Remote control/coax & optical digital io for D3, D7, D8, and D100(?); also has add/erase/renumber Start-Ids (on D7/D8), timer recording/playback (with external timer). Requires wall power.

[4/25/98] Sony DTC-ZA5-ES. $894 [Dat Store, or make an offer]. 4 direct-drive motors, 48, 44.1, 32kHz sampling digital or analog, 20-bit SBM A/D converter, switchable emphasis, optical and coax S/PDIF io, doesn't write skip and end IDs, (but honors end IDs), rehearsal, digital fader, "Message" function, remote control, timer switch, stereo 1/4" mic inputs, scms. Seen in Dutch Sony winter 95/96 catalog. Runs very hot (temperature). Senses thin tapes. Records time and day (and displays during ff/rew). 4-digit error counter for each head via 9,1,<hidden button> (drill a hole in the remote's faceplate for the latter).

[2/7/98] Sony A6. $574 [Dat Store, remaindered], $649 [American-Digital], $699 [Sam Ash]. Home deck, coax & optical io, switchable SBM, records from analog at 32, 44.1, 48 kHz (32 kHz is LP), lame wireless remote, 3 year warrantee, 2 motor transport. Does not believe in Skip or End Ids. Replaced by R300. Transport is model DATM110.

[12/28/97] Sony DTC-A7 $394 [Dat Store], $699 [Sam Ash], $750 (R&M Pro Audio 415-386-8400), $890 [Sweetwater Sound] "semi-pro" machine, has scms, records from analog at 48, 44.1, and 32 khz. Claimed to have higher quality transport, D/A, and A/D converters than consumer decks.

[9/3/97] Sony DTC-A8 $1395 list, $1000 [Dat Store, Full Compass, Sam Ash]. 4 motors. Has SCMS. Has Super-Bit-Mapping. Same transport as PCM-2600 (not same as A7). Better loading slot than A-7. Optical, coax, analog (1/4" and RCA) io. Foot switch. Records at 32, 44.1, and 48 kHz. Rack kit. Can't add End-Ids. Can fast forward past end of recorded tape, by pressing the FF button after it stops at end of recorded part. Roll Back REC function. Discontinued as of 9/2/97.

[4/17/97] Sony DTC-A9. ~1600 list (incl 17.5% VAT). Basically an A8 with additional balanced analog IO, parallel 8-pin DIN port.

[3/29/93] Sony DTC-P7 {H,F,?} GBP400, midi-sized, remote, 1-bit AD,DA, coax in, optical io, date-stamping, LP mode. DTC-750(?) in a smaller box? Numeric keypad on the remote only. Controls are small & fiddly. Mic & line input, headphone/line out, 7-pin connector (same as D3).

[5/4/96] Sony DTX-10: in-dash player/tuner $1200 list, long out of production. low output, nice features, interface w/Sony cd changer [mw] Tendency to alignment problems [rg]

[8/9/92] Sony TCD-D10: {L,F,U?,W?/?,D-} $1500? consumer version of D10 pro, no XLR inputs, worse mike preamp, 85db signal to noise, 16 bit (d/a?)

[8/9/92] Sony D10 pro: {L,F,U,W?/?,D1345} pro, $2400. Digital Domain has a modification to the a/d converter that is said to be a great improvement, also a mod that eliminates the 1/2 Hz filter on the digital input. Fragile [tc] 85 db signal to noise. Has a 1/2 hertz filter on the digital inputs, with suboptimal calculations <sp>

[2/7/96] Sony TCD-D10 PRO II {L,F,U,D?} $4000 list, $400 upgrade from TCD-D10 Pro. $2800 [Dat Store] Adds absolute time recording, new graphic display (20-segment digital peak-level meters, tape time/clock, battery, sampling freq. and caution indicators), built-in speaker, mic limiter, AES/EBU but no S/PDIF digital, XLR mic & line in, RCA line out, remote control. Noisy mic preamps (.28% @ -60 dBm) [jpc]

Sony 55ES: {H,F,G,D126,V:8} $599. This is the non-US version of the 75ES, available for either 100v, or 220/240v. No US warrantee. Replaced by 57ES.

[7/7/92] Sony 57ES: {H,F,O,G,D126} Yen 88,000 (DM 1300) list, $600 replacement for 55ES. 1-bit ADCs from Crystal, Sony proprietary DAC. Improved drive (tension control), same features as 55ES + recording of real time/date

[11/9/94] Sony 59ES: {H,F,U,W:3yr,D126} $600 (Masterpiece Audio, including shipping, 20 left) Discontinued March 1994. 120v. Replacement for 75ES (new transport). 1-bit ADC & DAC. Digital fade. Shows & records calendar time/date of recording. Writes SCMS=11 recording from sv-255 (category problem?). Try to talk Sony into upgrading to 60ES for free, if you have transport problems.

[6/1/97] Sony DTC-60ES {D126?} $1300 list, $800 [Masterpiece Audio, incl. shipping; Dat Store] Super-bit-mapping a/d. 3 Motor transport. 44.1 kHz from analog, fast search (200/400x), direct track access, remote control. reviewed in 12/94 Stereo Review. Full keypad on remote & under flip-down panel on unit. Superseded by DTC-ZE700 Supposedly has error count available, only by using the Service Remote.

Sony 67ES: {H,F,O,G,D126} $800 list. Replacement for 75ES. US version of 57ES. ((Sony of America doesn't know about this machine.))

[10/15/92] Sony 75ES: {H,F,U,W:3yr,D126} $580. 120v. Prone to recording dropouts on digital input [td]; prone to playing dropouts [sb] Replaced by 67ES. Causes bad tape packs on multiple playings of Panasonic 120's [el, tb] Tendency toward transport problems <anon>

[4/12/94] Sony DTC-77ES: {H,F,G,D126} Yen 160,000 list, $1500. 4 heads (true monitoring). Features galore: it shows the actual date/time a tape was recorded (if those were written on the tape. I think the D10pro does that). 100v. Samples at 32 and 48 kHz. (32k is 12-bit non-linear, "long play" mode.) Best "feeling" machine I've used [sb] Tendency to "bark" in fast-forward (& listen) mode. Records digitally at 48, 44.1, 32 (16-bit linear), and 32 (12-bit non-linear, long play). Same transport at PCM-2700A.

Sony 87ES: {H,F,G,D126} $1800 list. US version (120v) of 77ES.

Sony 300ES: {H,F,G,D136} $700, Japanese home unit [100V]

*[4/27/98] Sony PCM-R300. $995 list, $554 [Dat Store, demo, 8/12/98], $569 [Klay Anderson Audio, 6/10/98, for June], $585 [Oades], $594 [Dat Store, 8/12/98], $599 [Sonic Sense (incl. shipping) 4/27/98], $599 [American Digital, with purchase of 25 dats], $600 [Terrapin, including shipping, 7/15/98; B&H Photo 4/2/98]. Warrantee is 90 days labor, 1 year parts. SBM, scms user-settable (except on digital in from consumer deck or CD or MD, acts like consumer deck except copies 10 to 10), CD-Q decode, 4 digits/head error rate display available via menu, head usage (hour count up to 9999) via menu, RCA -12dBu (it says; I don't know why), S/PDIF optical and coax, wireless remote, 2 motor transport (very reliable <ka>). Transport is model DATM110. Crude mechanical cleaning every 10 hours of use. 90m tapes recognized but not recommended.

[11/30/95] Sony 500ES: Japanese home deck, gray market imported into US in 1988. Pre-SCMS copy protection protocols, will not take a 44.1 digital input. 100 volt power supply (Japan). Has ATIME, margin indicators. Same transport as DTC-1000 but with different front panel control surface, harder to modify for copy-prohibit prohibit. Coaxial and optical SPDIF I/O, RCAs analog I/O. [Mine's still running after servicing, 7.5 years later! -- flawn@aol.com]

*[8/6/98] Sony PCM-R500: $1899 list, $794 [Dat Store, demo, 8/12/98], $974 [Dat Store, new, 8/12/98], $975 [Oades, 8/6/98], $999 [Klay Anderson], $1025 [Terrapin, incl. shipping, 7/15/98], $1095 [Sonic Sense (incl. shipping) 4/27/98], $1100 [American-Digital], $1200 [Sam Ash]. Pro studio deck, scms settable, XLR & RCA analog io, AES/EBU & S/PDIF, Jog/shuttle wheel, SBM, LP, error counter, non-removable sharp rack-mount handles, auto head cleaning, wireless remote control, DIN 8-pin parallel remote connector, 4 motors. Optional RM-D750 wired remote commander. Sony says it works on 90m tapes but they're not recommended.

[11/29/93] Sony 670 {H,F,O,D26} $429 [J&R]. successor to 55ES/DTC700, no numeric keypad, fewer subcode-based features; improved drive (tension control), present devices have audible drive noise (Sony promises cure with next production series), 1-bit ADCs from Crystal, Sony proprietary DAC

[2/19/96] Sony DTC-690 {H,F,O,D26} $500 [Goodwins Audio in Boston; DAT Store] similar to / replacement for 670. Discontinued July 1995.

[12/28/97] Sony DTC700: {H,F,U,W:?/?,D126} $494 [Dat Store]. Similar to Sony 75ES. (Lacks wood panelling and gold-plated contacts, has same internal circuitry.) Replaced by DTC-750? Pretty old now (1992 or earlier).

*[2/7/97] Sony DTC-ZE700. $594 [Dat Store, demo, 8/12/98], $694 [Dat Store, new, 8/12/98]. Replacement for DTC-60ES (in Europe, anyway). UKP 100 less than DTC-60ES (list). Switchable SBM, smaller than DTC-790. Remote has many fewer features, no SkipId button. Can set track Ids without rehearse. No coax out (coax in, optical io). Mode+number only works for 6 (scms), no dimming the display. No digital fade.

*[12/28/97] Sony PCM-R700. 4-head version of PCM-R500. $1594 [Dat Store, demo, 8/12/98], $1694 [Dat Store], $1775 [Masterpiece Audio, incl. shipping]

Sony DTC750: replacement for DTC-700.

[9/6/96] Sony DTC-ZE 700. Replacement for DTC-790. Has SBM.

[10/2/97] Sony DTC-790 {H,F,O,D26} $499 [Audio Consultants, Evanston, IL], $560 [Sound City], $590 [Camera World of Oregon, Electronic Wholesalers], $594 [Dat Store] $650 [J&R]. $800 list. new version of DTC-690. No coax digital out. Pulse 1-bit D/A, 20-bit digital filter. New quickload mechanism. Timer play & record. 3-motor transport. Records at 44.1 kHz from analog. Improved tape drive (per Sony). Ignores Skip Ids, respects End-Ids. Takes Start-Ids from digital input (including PQ code from CDs). Overly sensitive VU meters.

[11/15/94] Sony PCM-800: $6,000 list. similar to Tascam DA-88, except all analog IO is balanced, AES/EBU on all 8 channels.

[8/9/92] Sony DTC-1000ES: {H, F, G, D13, V adjustable} This is the original Sony DAT deck ca. 1987. Late Sony SAR A/D (last before they started using Crystal parts), highly variable sound unit-to-unit; D/A not bad. Comes in two vintages, neither of which knows anything about SCMS. The earlier unit will record at 44.1 kHz from the digital in by removing D721, the later vintage will also record analog at 44.1 kHz by changing some jumpers on the front panel board. Strong, reliable. Complete 316 page theory book available from Sony, actually in English, highly recommended reading including theory of non-SCMS digital i/o chips, etc (p/n 9-960-029-11). [J]

Sony DTC-1500ES: {H,F,G,D126?} $2500, Yen 300,000 list. 4 heads, even more features (I think; the manuals are in Japanese) than the 77ES, hand-made.

[5/4/96] Sony DTC-2000ES {D26} $2800 list, $1400 Dat Store. Very solid (25 pounds). Coax and optical io (2 optical ins). 1/4" mic inputs on front. Cleaner SBM than DTC-60ES by 4 dB. Records calendar date/time. Super-bit-mapping a/d. 4 Motor transport, 4 heads. 44.1 kHz from analog, fast search (200/400x), direct track access, remote control. 1/2" digital inputs (?) Very good sound & build quality <sp>

Sony PCM 2000: $6,000 list. pro, portable, huge [sk] records at 44.056, 44.1, 48 from analog, also 32 digitally. AES/EBU digital, balanced analog mic inputs w/phantom power

[5/24/95] Sony PCM-2300: {H,F,D13(6?)} $950 (Full Compass Systems [very old price]) XLR analog in/out continuously adjustable between pro and consumer levels. Better digital fade than sv-3700. [dc] Coax pro digital interface (can't go from this deck to sv-3700's consumer port, can use sv-3700's AES/EBU port with special cable). 1-bit D/A, A/D, selectable sampling rates, records subcodes separately, remote control. "A lot" have transport problems <> Superseded by PCM-2600.

[8/9/92] Sony PCM-2500: pro, old model. Two box set. Bulky, troublesome [sk] Doorstop [dg] First Sony "pro" DAT which is the DTC-1000ES painted grey on top, with all i/o and some input and output buffers and error lights in a second box underneath. Records digital or analog at 44.1 or 48. Pre-SCMS. Bulky and troublesome due to the two box arrangement but IMO not a doorstop. Mods available to allow top unit to function alone. Some Nashville studios think that this deck, with Apogee input filters replacing the Soshin filters in the A/D, sounds better than any of the current crop (see comments above about sample-to-sample variability of the DTC-1000 which is the same as the 2500). (I don't agree) Both of these decks are fixable by mortals, especially with the Sony theory book. [J]

[3/11/96] Sony PCM-2600: $1875 list, $1300 [Dat Store, Sam Ash] $1349 [Full Compass, Professional Audio Supply]. Professional, 4-motor transport, SBM (switchable) capability. Replace PCM-2300. Balanced analog IO, AES/EBU digital IO, S/PDIF digital io (rca, not optical).

[8/29/93] Sony PCM 2700: [$2400] Discontinued. Coaxial IEC-958 Type I output, type I & II input. Defeatable SCMS. 4 head deck allows confidence playback while recording. Balanced analog I/O. Same basic 'bombproof' transport as the PCM-2500 (from Sony sales propaganda). Parallel remote control port, wireless remote. Same transport as 77ES.

[12/28/97] Sony PCM-2700A. $894 [Dat Store]. Identical to PCM-2700 except has AES/EBU balanced digital I/O instead of IEC-958. No SCMS at all.

[12/28/97] Sony PCM-2800. $994 [Dat Store] 4-heads, professional, older than R-700.

[10/30/96] Sony PCM-5550 probably around $8,000. 24-bit, portable, timecode capability, compatible with 16-bit DATs. Tapes (90m?) run for 90 minutes. (The tapes can't be compatible, this deck must have 2 operating modes.) Available 2Q 1997. All the features of the PCM-7030 (including Sony 9-pin), instant start, instant record.

[8/29/93] Sony PCM 7010: Synchronization capable, real time, variable speed. 4 head design allows seamless punch-in and confidence playback. SCMS ID's 6 & 7 fully settable for recording. "Sony's best-sounding DAT" -- from the service training manual. Optional SMPTE Time Code module - $450, digital I/O (AES/EBU, SDIF for CD mastering, IEC-958 I & II) - $500, Memory Instant Start - $900, RS-232 serial control $???. RM-D7200 edit control console available for editing with two PCM-7010's, $????. PCM-7010 retail $3,900, street $3,400.

[9/28/97] Sony PCM 7030: "Broadcast Quality" DAT. "Designed for servicability". Synchronization capable, +/-12.5% varispeed. RS-422 control, parallel remote, XLR in (line level only), XLR & RCA out. 4 head design allows seamless punch-in and confidence playback. Optional SMPTE Time Code module - $1,000, AES/EBU - $500, Memory Instant Start - $1,500, RS-232 serial control $???. Sold direct by Sony Broadcast only, retail $8,000. Many have transport problems [anon] Replaced by PCM-7040.

[9/28/97] Sony PCM-7040. Replaces PCM-7030 and PCM-7050. SMPTE/EBU/FILM time code. 9-pin serial control port. Varispeed record & playback. RS-232 control port. Weighs 10 kg. 424(w) x 132(h) x 360(d). Auto start-id with settable level. Automatic time-stampting. 37-pin parallel remote can eject. ISR support. Memory start. External Synchronization, chase synchronization. Read After Write and Read-Modify-Write capabilities with electronic crossfade. Level adjustment on digital input, -infinity to +12dB. XLR analog IO, -4dBs, AES/EBU digital io. (0 dBs = .775V)

[9/28/97] Sony PCM 7050 [~$11,000]: SMPTE timecode A PCM-7030 with a different front panel and some pre-installed options. Make full editing system with RM-D7300 controller & PCM-7030 for about $25,000. Replaced by PCM-7040.

[1/4/96] Sony PCM-E7700 "DATstation" (was $13K (from Sony's Broadcast Division)). $8-9K [audart@aol.com] Dual-dat editor, graphic display. AES/EBU, balanced analog, IEC-958 inputs, only headphone outputs. Can copy Sony's time-of-day clock when cloning. Able to store 1,000 item Edit Decision List in RAM from many source tapes. Edit assembly and dubbing is done at double speed. 44.1 kHz & 48 kHz sampling rates supported. DAT SMPTE time code (R-Time) supported. Continuous 'scrubbing' from tape is possible due to 2X play mode and RAM buffer. Uses computer data-drive type transports.

[5/22/96] Sony PCM-9000 MO disk recorder..

[5/22/96] Sony PCM-3348HR 24 bits, 48 tracks. $"If you have to ask..." (available "really soon", working model at NAB in Vegas in April)

[12/29/94] Sony PC204/208 Instrumentation Recorder. Uses Np-1B nicads internally. Remote control unit. (300mm x 220 x 70) records 4 channels at double speed (90 minutes on a 90 meter tape). Call B&K for more info.

[3/11/96] StellaDAT: {} $15,000 list, $?? [Klay Anderson Audio]; portable; Reconfigurable by plug-in cards: 4-mike mixer, phantom power, remotes, AES/EBU & SPDIF, ... Original manufacturer went out of business, bought by Sonosax. No longer modular; has 2 mic preamps w/ 48volt and T power, attenuation up to 70 db, low cut, pan controls for mic input, mic trim, 2 line inputs (can mix all 4). Master fader controls, can be ganged. AES/EBU I/O, SMPTE, 1.5 hours on internal NP-1B nicad, or external DC via 4-pin XLR. Full menuing, RS-232 port for control.

[11/15/96] Stellavox ??? (shown at CES 11/96). $15,000 list. Records 1-4 channels at 48 kHz (double-speed tape usage for 4 channels).

[3/2/97] Studer (Revox) D780 Dat Recorder. Transformer balancing, 12v or 48v phantom power, remote, Quickstart (queueing). 2 heads, 400x fast forward/rewind. Tray loader. Shuttle wheel (0.5 to 15 times speed). Error correction on leds or display. Operating hours readout. Analog/digital fade (in 2.5 sec, out 4 sec). Selectable emphasis. External clock capability. Input pots not gangable. Fade in/out are ragged.

*[1/19/98] Tascam DA-P1 portable $1899 list, $1050 [Jim Labbs; may not still be available], $1179 [Spier Music in Texas], $1250 $lowest this week [Full Compass], $1275 [Little Warehouse], $1299 [Sam Ash], $1300 [Oades, Dat Store], $1325 [Terrapin, incl. shipping, 7/15/98], $1350 [Sonic Sense (incl. shipping) 4/27/98]. S/PDIF io, rca & xlr analog in, rca analog out, switchable limiter, 20 db pad, switchable phantom power (48v). No scms on input. 11 7/8" x 7 1/16" x 2 3/16". All new model, not reworked version of previous. 2-hour rechargeable battery (100 minutes with phantom power). Claims to require 7.2v on the outside jack (3-pin; ground, 7.2v for running the deck, 7.2v for charging the nicad), but the deck will run on 6v. Manual doesn't like 90m tapes, deck doesn't seem to mind. 2 motors. Well built, solid-feeling controls, very high quality mic preamp, phantom power, D/A and A/D [weg]. [As of 1/9/96: Analog output has clicks at beginning/end of tracks with digital silence in between, caused by mute on/off switch problem in PCM 1710 Burrbrown D/A converter. TEAC has a mod to fix this problem. It does not apply to all DA-P1s, but there's no obvious way to tell by serial #.] Error count is available by holding "Stop", ">>", "<<" when powering up; then "Counter Mode" cycles through other diagnostic info. Survived (with minimal damage) being run over by a car [dg]. ([dg] is a trained professional. I don't recommend trying that at home.)

[2/1/96] Tascam/Teac R-9, list DM2700 (around $1800), SCMS, jog-shuttle wheel, analog recording at 44.1/48/32kHz (32kHz LP via digital in only) (???). Optical, rca S/PDIF digital io. Based on Tascam DA30 mk II, some parts possibly less reliable.

*[2/7/98] Tascam DA-20, {H,F,D12} recently/soon to be discontinued. $1099 list, $725 [Terrapin, incl. shipping, 7/15/98; Oades], $729 [EAR Profesional Audio/Video out of Phoenix, AZ], $749 [Sam Ash; Guitar Center (Clark St., Chicago), E.U. Wurlitzer, Interstate Musician's Supply, Little Warehouse, Daddy's Junky Music] $759 [American Music Supply, Dat Store will match] $779 [B&H Music, 800-221-5662x2454 (Craig)], $780 [Sonic Sense], $790 [Full Compass, incl. shipping & 3 60m dats], $799 [Goodwin Music, Hollywood, CA], $867 [Broadcast Supply], $875 [Dat Store]. rack-mounted studio dat, RCA analog IO. SCMS handled like consumer on S/PDIF input (but can be set to always write 00 at power-on), analog input is selectable 11 or 00; outputs SCMS from tape. 180 minute tapes "not recommended" but work. Samples at 48, 44.1, and 32 kHz (12-bit nonlinear only, but will record 16-bit linear from digital input). Wireless remote. No jog-shuttle-data wheel. Can add TOC and alpha labels to Start-IDs. Recognizes Q-code (CD start IDs). Can write/show 60-character labels per track.

*[11/11/97] Tascam DA-20 mk II. $1099 list, $594 [Dat Store, demo, 8/12/98], $??? [Dat Store 8/12/98], $679 [American Digital, 8/4/98, Guitar Center 7/21/98, Musician's Friend 7/21/98], $750 [Sonic Sense], $775 [Oades], $850 [Masterpiece Audio, includes shipping]. Has real error counter. Built by Tascam (from Pioneer parts) [gd].

[7/19/96] Tascam DA25: similar to DA30 mk 2, but lacking AES/EBU io, and balanced analog io. Only writes scms=00.

[12/4/92] Tascam DA30/100v: {H,F,G,W:90 days,D1245?} $859 [Guitar Center, Hollywood]. Manual says scms is copied on AES/EBU inputs. Scms is defeatable.

[11/19/92] Tascam DA30/120v: {H,F,U,W:1 yr,D1245?} $989 from AVR (617-924-0660, "Rob"). Warrantee may be only 90 days on the heads.

Tascam DA30/multi voltage: {H,F,?,W:?,D1245?} $???? (100-240v). The warrantee is 90 days p+l, 1 yr parts, may be only 90 days on the heads.

*[12/28/97] Tascam DA30 mk 2: $1499 list. $794 [Dat Store, demo, 8/12/98], $??? [Dat Store, new, 8/12/98], $1098 [Guitar Center in Berkeley, Daddy's Junky Music, Sam Ash] $1100 [Terrapin, incl. shipping, 7/15/98], $1146 [Speir (sp?) Music in Dallas, incl shipping, 800-219-3281, Ted] $1150 [Pro Digital, Parker Music in Houston] $1175 [Audio Techniques] Has shuttle wheel like Panasonic sv-3700. SCMS adjustable on all inputs. Can record at 32 kHz at half-speed. Requires optional remote control to enable skip play. Software update to translate CD track-change IDs to Start-IDs. Manual no longer claims thin tapes may damage the deck (?) but still claims they may be broken. 4-motor transport (made by Pioneer).

*[8/26/98] Tascam DA-45HR. $1999 list. 24-bit audio data, XLR & RCA analog, AES/EBU and S/PDIF, Word Sync, parallel control interface, 24-bit A/D, 20-bit D/A w/ dither, Shuttle Wheel, subcode edit, output trim for XLR analog, Quto-ID level settable, reference level setting, timer play/record. Tape runs at double speed in 24-bit mode. <60 seconds fast wind (60m tape). 44.1 and 48 kHz. SNR >113dB (HR recording), >103dB (HR record/playback), >95dB (SP mode record/playback). THD <.002% (HR record), <.004% (HR record/playback), <.005% (SP record/playback).

[11/13/95] Tascam DA-50. Fairly old; optical, coax, xlr, and rca i/o. Corded remote, rack mount.

[11/15/96] Tascam DA-60 $5,500 list. 2 or 3 second RAM buffer, used for instant start; frame editing, 4 heads, configureable scms, XLR digital IO (supports S/PDIF), RCA&XLR analog, SMPTE timecode support.

[4/20/97] Tascam DA-60 mk II. List Dfl 12,500 (about $6250 US) 4 head, 4 motors, onboard chase synchronizer (what is that?), RS-422 serial port, 64x oversampling 1-bit A/D, 8x oversampling 20-bit sign-magnitude D/A, monitoring, 44.1 and 48 kHz from analog, RAM for instant start, rehearsal, seamless punch, digital crossfade, 2 autolocate points, sub-code editing, selectable SCMS, playback pitch control +-12.5%, error monitoring LED, AES/EBU digital IO, word clock in/out/through, cue & rewind 1, 3, 9x normal speed, 37pin parallel port, XLR analog IO, RCA analog output, video input.

[3/10/94] Tascam DA-88 $2995, uses 8mm tape, get 100 minutes (8 track), DB-25 w/separate word clock, S/DIF-2, expandible by plug cards.

*[8/27/98] Tascam DA-302. $2,000 list (proposed). $1254 [Dat Store, demo, 8/12/98], $1350 [Terrapin, incl. shipping, 7/15/98], $??? [Dat Store, new, 8/12/98], $1450 [Oades], $1250 (demo unit, under 200 hours) [Sonic Sense 3/27/98], $1525 [Masterpiece A/V], $1600 [American Music Supply]. Has transport problem that Tascam is working on. (Same transport as DA-P1; it must be a high-speed problem?) 2 decks in one. Independent S/PDIF digital IO for each deck. Headphone can monitor either or mix. AES/EBU output. SCMS controllable. Independent transport controls. 3U rackmount configuration. High-speed dubbing (within one unit only) (double-speed). Continuous recording (up to 8 hours with 2 60m tapes at 32 kHz sampling, longer with ganged multiple decks). Optional balanced analog IO. *Takes 90m tapes*. Wired remote included. Error counts are very low on copies (0002 on tapes made at normal speed up to 0038 on 60m tapes made at double speed, measured on Sony decks; 0004 measured on the Tascam; up to 0068 on 90m tapes made at double speed, measured on Sony decks; 0012 on the Tascam)<MAV>.

[2/2/98] Teac DA-P20 {L,F,D:12} rechargeable nicads (2-hour capacity), XLR mic in, RCA analog out, RCA digital io, scms, same case and transport as Denon DTR-100P and Casio DA-7. Has scms, no 44.1 from analog. Stopped being produced in 1993. Plays only 44.1 and 48kHz tapes. Same transport as Tascam DA-30.

Teac RD-200T: 16 tracks, BNC connectors, 4 heads, GP-IB control interface. Used as flight data recorder ("black box)

[11/30/95] Technics SV-MD1: original version of first Matsushita portable, sold in Japan late 1987, gray-marketed in Dec 87 Audio Gallery etc. Has MASH A/D conversion, definitely better sounding than other contemporary (and current?) portables from other brands. But front end VERY sensitive to overload, the input gain controls are after the first input stage so if you run more than a -10 dbV nominal line input into it clipping will result. Quarter-inch unbalanced mike ins, a bit hissy with weak mikes, but great with condenser mikes and 20 dB built in mike pad. Lead acid battery good for 2 hrs, easy coaxial connection for external 6-volt supply. SPDIF digital OUTPUT ONLY on submini plug. RCA lines in/out. Timer record/play (with external timer trigger). NO ATIME, no time display at all, just the four-digit "tape counter" that all Panasonics share. (BTW I have a conversion chart that correlates that four-digit counter to clock time, if folks are interested.) 15mm head drum. Mine's still tooling along on its first set of heads...it was used to record NPR's first stereo documentary from DAT field recordings in Vietnam January 1988. -- flawn@aol.com

[4/12/95] Technics SV-D1000 very obsolete (replaced by SV-D1100, which was replaced by Panasonic SV3500) Variable output, absolute program time, 2 levels of auto id sensitivity (-40, -60 db), programmable playback, can't remove or renumber start IDs. Better headphone amp than its successors. Optical & RCA digital io, no scms, no 44.1 digital in. Shows error rates. 100v, works without transformer [rs], uses same heads as Panasonic sv3500, better level meter than sv3500.

[3/11/96] Technics DA10: {H,F,U,W:?/?,D126} $610 same as Panasonic DA10, for the US market (120v). $800 No long play, margin indicator. Loading mechanism is noisy. [hl] Discontinued. [Klay Anderson Audio] has a mod for 44.1 kHz sampling from analog input.

[1/20/97] Technics sv-260 $3000 list, $1594 [Dat Store], $1494 [demo unit, Dat Store] European version of Panasonic sv-255 (only difference is 220v power supply). Pro portable. Dat Store's version includes 120v power supply. Best mic preamps of any portable <tm>.

Technics SV1100: Japanese version of Panasonic sv-3500.

Technics sv-md1:

[10/11/93] Yamaha DTR-2 {H,F,O,D:126} ~$1250 claims pro, but has SCMS. No AES/EBU; optical & coax digital, RCA and XLR analog, records at 44.1 and 48, no peak margin display. SCMS is defeatable on input, via link installation.

TAPES (section removed because the list was very obsolete)

Other Devices of Interest

[2/9/98] Fostex DP8 Digital Patchbay/distribution box. $350 list, $300 [Klay Anderson]. 1 rack unit. 8 inputs (6 optical, 2 coax); 8 outputs (6 optical, 2 coax); any pattern possible. Uses 12v power. Acrobat file of owners manual at <ftp://members.aol.com:/yalk>;

**[7/13/98] Apogee 1000 A/D. Includes mic preamp, phantom power. Three outputs: S/PDIF electrical and optical, AES/EBU. Takes 12v power.

[1/26/98] Zefiro InBox. $249 [Zefiro Acoustics]. 20-bit A/D converter with mic preamp. Runs 8 to 10 hours on a 9v alkaline battery.

[6/11/97] Sony S7000 DVD Players $894 [Dat Store]. Plays CDRs and video CDRs.

*[6/11/97] Pioneer-type "PRO" CD Recorder. $1594 [Dat Store, 7/21/98] Uses computer CD-R blanks. Optical, coax, AES/EBU io, volume, balance, wireless remote, auto-fade, sample rate converter (32K-48K), start_ID to index converter. Same size as regular CD player.

[1/20/97] Dat Errormonitor: connects to Sony (and some other) dat decks, reports errors via RS-232 connector, to printer or PC. http://homepage.cistron.nl/~wpn/wpna.htm or send email to wpn@cistron.nl

[10/12/92] Digital Domains FCN-1 Format Converter: $450 electrical only, $500 w/optical connections. The electrical version has S/PDIF (rca jacks) and AES/EBU (XLR) in (switch-selectable), and 3 S/PDIF plus one AES/EBU out (all run in parallel). There are 8 dip switches that control one byte of output; this byte includes sampling rate and emphasis (which means you have to carefully check the switches for each tape you copy); it also includes SCMS, and some other stuff I don't care about.

[5/22/94] Digital Domains "Problem Solver" $600 list. AES/EBU & S/PDIF ins & outs, control of channel status bits

[5/22/94] Akai DP88. 10 digital ins & outs (AES/EBU) + 1 optical, MIDI-controlled patching with 127 presets.

[2/11/97] Hucht MKII Copyprocessor ($325 R&M Pro Audio, 415-386-8400) Resets scms to 00, Optical & RCA ins and outs. Maker claims that it can be upgraded as copy protection changes. It also has an error light that offers some help for those whose decks don't show error rates- it usually lights before the errors become audible. No longer available.

[2/11/97] Copy Processor CM3. DM 399 [for kit, including drilled case] + 15% VAT + shipping (about $300). Optical & coax io. Sample rates (32, 44.1, 48) and emphasis copied from input. Scms can be set to 11 or 00. On CD->Dat, generates Start-Id for each cd track orindex. Indicates sample rate, emphasis, error. [Firma Bernd Mohr, Steige 2, D-69429 Waldbrunn-Wk., Germany; +49-6274-1416] [sold by Juergen Weinlein, Langenelzer Strasse 41, D-69427 Mudau; Tel.: 06284/91031 Fax: ../91032] Designed by Juergen Mai & Werner Rittereiser, published by "Elektor", Sonderheft uP-Projekte (1 or 2, don't remember). Software CP2 V2.0 signals Skip and Index marks, translates CD subcodes to DAT. No longer available.

[2/11/97] Hucht ICP I, ICP II copy processors (new German emissions law). ICP II has 4 inputs (selectable), 2 outputs, DM 800-900 (available in a few months). ICP I is DM 598.

[11/15/94] Prism Sound DA-1 20-bit D/A converter, $2,500 list ($5,000 model with lots of D/D processing)

[10/22/92] Sony Scoopman: $755 <Uncle's> tiny cassette, very small deck; uses 32kHz 12-bit nonlinear sampling, 120-minute tape, 7 hours battery life, stereo. No digital io. 112 x 23 x 55 mm, 147 g including battery.

[1/7/94] Etymotic Research ER-4S earphones. [$280 from Jeff Silberman] Very high quality earphones (their ER-4B are the best I've used <sb>)

[1/7/94] Etymotic Research Hi-Fi Earplug [$15 from Jeff Silberman] cut 12 db, flat response.

[3/9/96] Sony MZ-R3 MiniDisc Recorder

[1/19/97] Sony NT-2 Auto Reverse NT Recorder. $1794 [Dat Store]. Optional digital IO, slightly wider than NT-1, 90 minutes (or 2 hours?) on tiny (postage-stamp size) tape.

*[2/7/98] Sony SBM-1 ADC. $399 [Sonic Sense ($6 shipping) 4/27/98; Klay Anderson], $400 [Terrapin, incl. shipping, 7/15/98; Oade Brothers], $424 [Dat Store], $438 [Full Compass], $330 (equiv. in Japan) (GBP549, Y40,000 list). Outboard super-bit-map A/D for D7 or D3, line & mic inputs, 7-pin connector, SPDIF output. Samples at 32kHz, 48kHz, 44.1kHz, uses 4 AA batteries. Same footprint as D3 but thinner. Output is 7-pin Sony jack, and 7-pin Sony plug. Mic preamp is NJM2122, same as D100 and M1.

[1/9/95] Sony 3.7 gig 5" optical disc, holds 2.25 hrs MPEG-2 video

[1/9/95] Sony digital video cassette, large 8mm tape, 4 hours DCT compressed digital video with 2 58kHz audio channels

[2/24/95] Ampex DATpak Storage System, 10"x10"x1" w/ plastic insert that holds 12 dat tapes. $11.99 from Art Munson.

[3/10/95] Mytek digital meter. [$1250] AES/EBU connector, loop-through. AC power, or +5V (draws 1.5 amps). "Over" triggers at 1-4 consecutive samples (settable). -1 to -20 db in 1 db steps, -20 to -85 in 5 db steps. Peak, VU ballistics, peak hold, correlation meter, calibration mode (set reference level from -12 to -20 with .2dB resolution).

[5/30/97] Philips Digital Sound Enhancer (ISP-5022, pro model, $2600); $1560 consumer model. 24 bit! digital scratch removal, digital gain adjustment up to 3 db, Pro has both rca and XLR digital outputs. sample rate converter, D/A converter, digital compression/expansion, digital fader, digital bass, treble, balance, volume controls, pitch variation +-12%, slave mode: both word clock and AES/EBU, stereo spatial control: widens or narrows soundstage, jitter removal, noise reduction (low-pass filter with adjustable cutoff between 5.5 and 16kHz), digital level indicator, 1 dB resolution from -10 to 0. Pro model is 1U rack mount, rca and xlr analog io; consumer is table-top, rca analog only. Pro has 2 S/PDIF outputs & 1 AES/EBU output.

[4/11/97] Technolab Digicon SCMS stripper. Restraining order against sale in the US has been served on Technolabs.

[9/26/95] Beyerdynamic MV-100 mic preamp. $565 [Klay Anderson] $600 from ASC. 48v phantom power, XLR inputs, RCA and stereo mini line level outputs. Uses 2 9v batteries.

[9/26/95] PSC 48-phantom boxes, $125 [Klay Anderson] XLR in/out, one channel, about 3x3x1.5, uses 1 9v battery.

[10/2/95] Peavey Electronics PS2B stereo phantom power $70 [American Music in Seattle] XLR in, out. Takes 2 9v batteries (uses one at a time, switchable, has led to tell when current one is low (by pressing a button)). About 2.5 lbs, twice the size of a D7.

[10/30/95] Rolls PV-23 (48v phantom power supply). $59 list, $44 street. 12v input (wall-wart included). very small (size of XLR connectors), metal box. No provision or space for internal batteries.

[1/2/96] Denon DA500 $450 [Klay Anderson Audio] 5 digital input (3 optical, 2 coax), 2 output (1+1), analog output (Denon Alpha 20-bit D/A). Hifi component size, 120v ac powered.

[1/5/96] Toslink (optical) cables. one-meter $13 [Core Sound, includes shipping].

[2/12/96] Fostex COP1 $95 [Klay Anderson]. coax-to-optical or vice-versa digital converter

[12/28/97] Marantz CDR-615 pro CD recorder, $1694 [Dat Store, with remote]

[12/28/97] Marantz CDR620 CD Recorder $2494 [Dat Store, includes remote], $3000 [Klay Anderson]. Has scsi connector, uses pro CDs.

[12/28/97] Pioneer PD-04 consumer CD recorder. $594 [Dat Store]. 44.1K optical digital input only. Analog input has auto "peak set" level. Auto index marks based on silence between tracks only. Manual index marks possible. Wireless remote control included. Uses consumer discs only.

[12/28/97] Pioneer PDR-05 CD Recorder $894 [Dat Store], $1500 [J&R Music]. Optical & coax digital input, RCA analog, sample rate converter, Start-ID converter.

[12/28/97] Pioneer PDR-99 CD Recorder. $994 [Dat Store]. "Elite" version of PDR-05 (better warrantee, wood ends).

Phone numbers

Aiwa 201 512 3600 Casio 201 361 5400 Denon 201 808 1608 (modem or fax#, not voice) Fostex 800-636-7839, http://www.fostex.com Guitar Center, Hollywood CA 213-874-1060 JVC 201 794 3900 Marantz 708 299 4000 Mytek 212-388-2677 Panasonic 800 524 1197 Philips 800-423-4147 (Digital Sound Enhancer) Pro Digital 610-353-2400 (Paul Plotnick, dat repair) Sharp 201 529 8200 Sony 201 833 5200

Market sources (from Jeff Maggard, maggard@subpac.enet.dec.com, as of 25-May-1993, with later updates by Seth Breidbart)

Decks: ======

The DAT Store 310-828-6487 [will match mail-order pricing for us, but must verify it] Uncle's Stereo 212-721-7500 Mention DAT-Heads 800-978-6253, 212-334-1072 (mail order) (complaints have been posted about them) Hi-Fi Sales & Service 912-228-0093/4480 Ask for Jim or Bruce, mention DAT-Heads. fax 912-228-0112 (=Oade Brothers) http://www.oade.com Masterpiece Audio 800-677-8650 or 'boulder@well.sf.ca.us' (Masterpiece Audio = Terrapin Tapes) Full Compass Systems 800-356-5844 +1-608-831-6330, Ken Udell has left the firm, try Ron Vogel Pro Digital +1 610 353 2400; 700-B Parkway Blvd., Broomall PA 19008 American Digital <mail@am-dig.com> http://www.american-digital.com 888-USA-DATS (888-872-3287) Harvey Electronics 212-228-5354 Woodbridge Stereo 201-575-8264 no longer carries dat Skip's Music 916-484-7575 J&R Music World 800-221-8180 Big Daddy Electronics folded Crutchfield 800-955-3000 no longer in DAT business Sound City 800-542-7283 Kinnnelon, NJ Lechmere (in Mass.) ac 508/617 The DAT Dudes no longer exist Pro Audio Services 800-883-1033 division of TAI in Orlando, FL Bananas at Large 415-457-7600 (ask for Richard; mention DAT-HEADS) Wescott Audio 814-867-8088 (Anthony Beecher) or adb103@psuvm.psu.edu Dale Electronics 212-475-1124 American Musical Supply 1-800-458-4076, 1-201-262-3777 Independent Audio 207-773-2424 distributor for HHB, fax +1 207 773 2422, 75671.3316@compuserve.com Klay Anderson Audio Inc. 801-94AUDIO (942-8346), 800-FOR-KLAY, yalk@aol.com, dealer for HHB Audio Techniques 1-212-586-5989 Professional Audio Supply 5700 E. Loop 820 South, Ft. Worth, TX 76119 817-483-7474 ask for Shaun Camera World of Oregon 1-800-222-1557 Executive Photo 1-800-882-2802 Broadcast Supply Worldwide 1-800-426-8434 Tacoma, WA Broadcast Supply West 206-565-2301 Seattle, WA Sweetwater Sound www.sweetwater.com National Sound & Video 1-800-541-9140 Gand Music 847-446-4263 Chicago, IL Sam Ash 212-719-2299, 160 W 48 St. NYC, other stores Rhythm City 404-320-7253 Atlanta, GA Music Center (WI) ??? ask for Tom Merritt The Little Warehouse 800-445-8273 Ing. Bernd Rosenberger +49-30-781 44 07 (fax and phone) (Hucht dealer) Daddy's Junky Music 617-247-0909 (store throughout NE) Guitar Center (apparently a national chain) Rock & Rhythm, a division of Woodwind & Brasswind, 800-348-5003. Thoroughbred Music 800-800-4654 Masterpiece A/V, Inc. www.masterpieceav.com, 888-462-7828, fax 860-354-9057 mpiece@mail2.nai.net (Masterpiece A/V has no relation to Masterpiece Audio.) Sound Professionals Microphones and accessories, soundpro@uscom.com http://onramp.uscom.com/~soundpro, 1-800-213-3021 Next Generation in NJ (advertise in mix), for repairs; recommended by Sony & Panasonic, per Doug Oade E.A.R. http://www.ear.net TEAC America Montibello, CA repairs on Tascam equipment (same company) B&H Photo-Video, 420 9th Ave., New York, NY 10003, 212-444-6615, 800-606-6969, http://www.bhphotovideo.com, audio@bhphotovideo.com

Tapes: (prices removed because they were probably all obsolete anyway) ====== Art Munson/Cassette House 800-321-5738 or fax 800-848-5738 or artmuns@tape.com or http://www.tape.com/ch/index.html J&R Music World 800-221-8180 Al Rizzo @ W.B.Hunt 617-662-8822, 800-278-8273 The DAT Dudes 415-661-9239 Terrapin Tapes 800-677-8650 <boulder@well.sf.ca.us> http://www.ttapes.com Dan Harley 609-667-0747 or fax 609-482-5351 (reliability problems have been reported with him) MEI/Micro Center 800-634-3478 Micro Supplies Warehouse 800-371-0111 Computer Placement Inc (CPI) 800-522-4CPI ask for Joe Navalance, mention dat-heads; Sony 60m, Sony 90m (ask for prices) Dominant Systems Corp. 800-966-8649, terry@domsys.com Elec Tec 800-395-1000 Burlington Audio Tapes 516-678-4414 Sal Trigona Tape World 1-800-245-6000 APS Technologies 1-800-325-6316 Digital Out DDS Tapes PO Box 426, Dept-N, Shelburne, VT 05482-0426 or Digitalout@aol.com Media Mart (was Data Center Surplus) tel/fax 510-888-0508, bone@hooked.net HHb sales@hhb.co.uk, +44 181 962 5000, fax +44 181 962 5050 kabella@inow.com once-used HP dats Wagon Photo Sales 800-343-3290, in Mass. 800-732-3717, Fax 800-800-3736 ask for Mark Sussman Tapehouse (Europe & UK) http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/tapehouse, mail to <sales@tapehouse.win-uk.net> Megasoft http://www.megasoft.com Masterpiece A/V, Inc. www.masterpieceav.com, 888-462-7828, fax 860-354-9057 markertek 800 522 2025 in NY Transco http://www.transco.co.uk, near Oxford St. in London Turnkey <http://www.turnkey.uk.com>;, <mailto:sales@turnkey.demon.co.uk>; Misco (01933) 400400 or (0181) 207 4414; http://www.misco.co.uk (said to have cheap Fuji 60m tapes) MacWarehouse in Toronto has relatively cheap tapes 1-800-268-7805

Misc: =====

Jeff Silberman 415-380-8273, ambisonx@well.sf.ca.us earwear(tm) 21 Millay Place, Mill Valley, CA 94941

Sony service manuals and parts/accessories: Sony Electronics Inc. National Parts Center 8281 NW 107th Terrace Kansas City, Missouri 64153 800-488-7669, +1-816-891-7550

Sonic Studios, 1311 Sunny Court, Sutherlin, OR 97479 USA 1-888-875-4976, (541)459-8839/8842Fax, Guysonic@aol.com, http://www.sonicstudios.com SonicStudios@compuserve.com. Various adapters, battery packs, and mics.

Digital Audio Labs home page is at: http://www.protocom.com/protomall/DigitalAudioLabs/docs/

[9/18/97] Zefiro Acoustics - ZA2 digital I/O card $495 list, $440 [Bayview Pro Audio, www.olywa.net/duper] Coaxial S/PDIF in and out, optical S/PDIF in and out, AES/EBU XLR in and out, analog stereo line out, 24bit digital signal processor for real time sample rate conversion, SCMS control, Auto Start_ID recording for CD mastering, hard disk backup to audio DAT, drivers for DOS, Win3.1, Win95 and Win NT4.0. Info@zefiro.com http://www.zefiro.com (714)-551-5833

Multi!Wav Digital PRO: $495 list. professional AES/EBU, optical S/PDIF, and coaxial S/PDIF digital I/O capability. Attn: David Sheiman AdB International 2180 Pleasant Hill Road Suite A-5100 Duluth, GA 30136 Tel: 770-623-1410 ext 801 Fax: 770-623-1629 E-Mail: Adbdigital@Aol.com E-Mail: 102151,1116@compuserve.com

Battery Rebuilders: Perrott Engineering, 2843 Rodgers Drive, Falls Church VA 22042; 703-573-6266, 800-933-6422. Probably around $65 for TEAC DA-P20 battery.

Core Sound: Len Moskowitz, moskowit@panix.com, http://www.panix.com/~moskowit. They sell various useful cables and devices.

IDS 5-year extended warrantees: Tim Sorrentino, Harvey Electronics, 201-652-2882 (ultraa@aol.com)

[4/24/98] Delta Warranty: $80 for products up to $1000. 5 years parts and labor. Transferable for a $10 fee. Covers all parts including heads. Contract is underwritten by American Zurich Insurance Company (whoever they are). Delta Warranties went out of business 4/7/97. Their insurance company, American Zurich, will still honor properly registered contracts. The contact person is Mr. Vrolijk at (212) 748-2328. Contracts purchased from 11/1/92 thru 10/31/94 and 5/1/95 thru 3/6/97 will be honored by American Zurich, (562) 988-8520, (562) 989-0377 FAX. Hours 7:00am -5:30pm PST. Contracts purchased between November & December of 1994 will not be honored because DELTA did not pay their premium. Contracts purchased from 1/1/95 thru 4/30/95 can call A.I.G. Insurance at (212) 732-3261 for info. Claims are now being processed by W.T.I., 562-988-8526. Get the repair done, submit photocopies of repair invoice & receipt, Sales Receipt for Delta Warranty, Delta Warranty Service Contract (front & back), Sales Receipt for covered product, to W.T.I., 3939 Atlantic Ave. #201, Long Beach, CA 90807, attn: Insurance Quality Control Center. To check on submitted claim, email <Zurich@woodtek.com>.

Warrantech RepairMaster warranty, New West Electronics 1-800-488-8877; for Sony D7, D7, 690/790, 5 years costs $79 (use any Sony authorized service center). Must buy before manufacturer's warranty expires. (Mention Jason Lin).

Also available from J&R, probably at a higher price.

RepairMaster: 1-800-2warran

Sonic Sense (microphones, batteries, decks, cables (including RK-DA10 modified coax>7-pin>coax), etc.) Marc Nutter Box 61141, Denver, CO 80206; (303) 698-1296 http://www.henge.com/~sncsns; email: sncsns@henge.com

binaural mics (Danbury Electronics Lab) $100-200 Battery boxes, bass level control switch, warranties, 30 day trial period http://members.aol.com/rhcp9876/microphones.html Rhcp9876@aol.com

FYI: ----

sony service center 200 river oaks pkwy san jose, ca 95134-1947

800-282-2848 ('voice' - usually recorded) 408-955-5450 (fax)

Sony vice CEO: Kathern O'Brian (sp?), 201-930-6604. http://www.sel.sony.com/SEL/consumer/hifi/esdigtape.html

Sony Direct Response Center 12451 Gateway Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33913 attn: Eric Bigelow 1-800-222-SONY (1-800-222-7667) x7517

TDK web site: http://process.ocm.com/tdk/

Cassette House home page: http://www.cassette.com/ch

Panasonic, "The DAT Help Line", 800-524-1448, 800-624-1746 inside NJ. Panasonic Pro Audio, 6550 Katella Avenue, Cypress CA 90630, 714-373-7277.

Matsushita Service Company 60 Glacier Drive Westwood, MA 02090 617/329-4280 Phone 617/329-0586 Fax

Hucht, Axel: + 49-30-7845372 (Factory)

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