Tascam 688 vs Tascam 238

[El Barto]

Alright Hot Rocks, I'm up to the challenge...I kinda of didn't pay much attention to your 238 recommendations until I scoured around eBay searching for TASCAM, and I checked out the 238...looks nice. I managed to find a 238 FAQ on the net (http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:www.indiemusicsite.com/multi/tascam.html+tascam+238&hl=en) and it sounds impressive...then I searched this BBS for info on the 688 and 238, and I read a comment where you said a 688 basicly is a 238 with a built in mixer. If this is true, then I will be relieved, since I am planning on purchasing a 688 with a flight case for $660 including shipping. Does this mean the 688 sounds as good as the 238? Cause I hear the 238 sounds really good, and you even said it's "professional gear." Now, here's the kicker...could a 688 be synced with a 238? And if so, how? If you say yes, I will be very excited.

[Hot Rocks]

El Barto, They are the same deck. They both went into production in 1989.They carried very hefty price tags, The 238 went for 1899.00 and the 688 went for 3200.00 and change. Alot of money even by todays standards. I have read that the 238 was developed to spec out and sound like the 8 track reel to reels of that era with out the bulkyness of a open reel. I don't Know if I believe that but they are the best of the cassette based system,Barring the 234, I've had a few and this is the best 8 track. This is what it sezs in the manual, and I quote. The Tascam 238 Syncaset is a rack mountable 8 channel 8 track multitrack recorder for professional studio applications.... I'm sure you can sync it up some how, But don't get ahead of yourself,From what I've heard the mixer is intense on yours and capable of some pretty incredible options.Study the manual, get to know it and Have fun with it.

[Track Rat]

You can sync the 238 ( I have one). You need a SMPTE generator and you'll lose a track on each unit cause you'll have to strip them with time code. I must say you can make great recordings on the 238.

[regebro]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Hot Rocks:
[B]I have read that the 238 was developed to spec out and sound like the 8 track reel to reels of that era with out the bulkyness of a open reel. I don't Know if I believe that
[B]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

With 4 times the tape speed and twice or four times the channelwidth, a reel-to-reel is sure to sound better, and thereby be more expensive 2nd hand. It seems now like 8 channel reel-to-reels can be found for $400-$500, and a 238 for $300-400.
The 238 can be a sync-slave though, which is cool, most cheap 8-tracks can't. A 238 would surely be a good addition to a 688, to get a 14-track studio.

[El Barto]

Alright...so I *should* go with the Tascam 688 then? I could go for a 238 later on if I feel so inclined, having 14 tracks would be great. Now, how much would one of those SMPTE generators be?