amplayer
10-08-2007, 07:26 PM
I played with the Sony D50 in their booth. The Sony people were mum to say just how much better the mics and electronics were on their flagship PCM-D1 than on the new D50. But, I played with the D50, and it sure seemed to be very good for the $599 list price. Here's a link:
Sony PCM-D50 (http://bssc.sel.sony.com/BroadcastandBusiness/DisplayModel?m=0&sm=0&p=10&sp=83&id=90227)
Anderton
10-09-2007, 10:12 AM
The mics on the PCM-D1 are matched to within 1dB, and the pres are better too. But "better" is relative...the D50 is no slouch. The main reason for the price differential ($2K vs. $600) is the mics, pres, meters, and titanium case.
As to the MR-1, the MR-1 uses DSD and nothing I've heard other than SACD beats the sound quality. It's hard drive-based, whereas the D50 has 4GB internal of RAM and the option for more recording time with Sony memory sticks. Also, the D50 runs on standard AA batteries; the MR-1 uses a non-user-replaceable battery. So they do have some significant differences...to me, the MR-1 seems more designed for the highest possible level of recording quality, while the D50 is designed more for getting knocked around in the field.