244 Mk1 or 414 Mk2????

[Andrew Rolls]

Hi,
I've currently got the chance to buy secondhand, either a Tascam 244 Mk1 or a Tascam 414 Mk2.
Any advice on which would be the best and why, would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Andrew.

 

[The Ghost of FM]

Though the 414 is a newer model and gives you addition mixer channels to play with, the 244 is the superior machine in tone controls, frequency response of the recorder, lower distortion, better transport design with feather touch mechanism, built in power supply-no wall-wart and much better construction quality.

I used to own a 244 and it was built like a tank, priced like a tank and produced wonderful results.

The 414 was built to hit a price-point first and performance second.

Cheers!

 

[Andrew Rolls]

Thanks

Thanks mate.
Unfortunately the 244's gone!! :-( But the 414's still on for around 40GBP.
How high do you reckon I should go for it to still be a bargain?

 

[timmerman]

14th July, Leeds,UK 2004

Hi Andrew,

£40,- is not a bad deal for a second-hand one, I have seen new ones hoving in the price-range of £185-£220, so I guess £40 is not too bad.

As far a qualiy goes: a 414 will not record a clear as a 424 MK III, but you did not ask about a 424, however 424s are not that much more in money [new about £240]

See Ya,

Eddie the Carpenter