The 246 kicks ass, first of all, because it's a 4-buss mixer matrix.
So, any of 246's 6-input channels, with full EQ, Aux and channel strip, can be routed to any of 4 output busses, and thus, to any 4 tape tracks.
A 4-buss design [246] is a lot more advanced than a 2-buss design, [L/R-Stereo], like on the 424, [8x2 mixer] but the 424 gets added utility with the DIRECT-to-4 recording mode. Still, direct-to-4 as in the 424std/II/III is not as high an engineering feauture as true 6x4, 4-buss mixer, [246].
Also, the 246's dark brown motif, with real VU meters [6], and wildly bright colored knobs, makes the 246 an example of vintage 4-track Portastudio engineering excellence.
The 246's design features go well beyond the 424's. On the other hand, a 424mkII is still a fine machine, and it's relatively a lot newer, to say nothing of the still-available-as-new 424mkIII, which IMO is the best analog new 4-track out there.
Vintage equipment, as in the 246, is a whole other level of engineering, when you get down to it, on several choice Tascam units, starting but not ending with the 246.
That being said, I do have the 424mkII and 424mkIII, and they're fine recorders that I like very much. I produced a whole album's worth of cover material on the 424mkII, the [Dave's] Ramones Tribute Album [cd] that was part of my 'Davemania' 4-cd set.
But, stacking up the 246 & the likes of the 424, the 246 wins, and I have a 246, also. [two, acutally]./DA
- We were talking about self-contained 4-track analog recorders, eh?
From notebook sized to moderate-suitcase-sized analog 4-trackers, means nothing to me, except "Tascam Portastudio", with the exception of the "Tascam 234 Syncaset", which is an overdubbing 4-tracker, with cue/stereo mixer, but not a full mixer, and therefore is a "Syncaset" and not a "Portastudio".
Maybe I should sign off, before I repeat myself any more.
I'll admit, that I'm a 4-track analog fanatic, as well a a vintage analog fanatic of all track numbers and formats, and it's a tough decision, based on what's out there.
You want top of the line in brand new equipment, 4-track analog, then go GC or musiciansfriend, and get the brand new 424mkIII.
If you're into the used/vintage scene, then there's a LOT of equipment out there, and you just have to shop and bid on a truly mint item, which I assure you, people are dragging out of their closets from time to time, in Like-New-in-box condition, and selling them on EBAY. I assure you, it's possible still to find absolutely mint items that are 15-20 years old, right now and until further notice.
Case in point, among many other things, I have two very mint 246's, that look new-in-box, and function perfectly. Got them for an appreciably good deal, too. That's just an example, but the deals are out there. Enough about me.
GOSH, forgot to mention, that the 246 has 2-band SWEEPABLE EQ, and the 424mk2/3 has 3-band EQ w/2-FIXED and 1-SWEEPABLE, so there's a relative difference there. It's a fine hair to split, but I think the 2-band sweepable [246-EQ] is better. YMMV.
Good luck! C'ya