any experience with the d160?

[treymonfauntre]

does anybody on here have any advice/warning/reviews/compliments for the fostex d160? its pretty much exactly what i'm looking for in the second hand market. the only thing i don't really like is that the inputs are RCA (is using a converter a sound quality issue?) and it only records at 16bit (i'd like higher just because of the 1bit loss per -6db but i'm sure i won't notice it).
so, any input?

 

[bwindsor]

Fostex D160

Treymonfauntre,

For the past 4 years I've owned and used a Fostex D160v2/D108 setup (for 24 tracks).... both recorders are equipped with the balanced I/O option cards, so there are no RCA's on the units, just 1/4 Balanced...never had any issues with either recorder at all, sound is good (convertors are by no means a bottleneck), never had any crashes, all in all a very good set-up for the money...I recently have downsized and moved to another system, so while the above does sound like a salespitch, my whole setup is for sale (you can PM me if you like) but just google the units...I think you'll find mostly favourable comments and experience with them...used is the way to go now, as the prices have dropped "drastically" on these (from original prices) due to an influx of "new" products.

Regardless if you are interested in these or not, PM me if you have more questions, as there is more info I can provide on the above.

Best of luck, and if interested I do have a list of buyers who have dealt with me, and am on the "recommended good guys list"....and my price is very good...also have the I/O breakout cales for 24 tracks (D-Sub to 1/4 balanced) as well as extra HD's with extra caddies.

Thanks,
BW

 

[ausrock]

Hey trey,

I can only back up what has just been said. I've been using a D160 for a similar period and would not consider parting with mine. My only concern is that as with virtually all digital recorders, you are at the mercy of h/drives and their ability to crash, but I don't lose sleep about it...........when necessary "special" recordings are backed up onto 1" 16 trk tape.

In regard to whether 16bit is an issue........personally, I have never thought so and after talking to a reputed mastering engineer, I'm even more convinced, the main thing is to get the sound right before it hits the recorder. Have a listen to the following link, the mix was never finished as the band kind of fell apart so don't be too critical but you may get an idea of what the D160's are capable of.............

http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/album.php?aid=2061&alid=-1

As for dealing with this bwindsor guy.................well I could tell you some stories ..........


















but they'd all be bloody good, he is a gem and I have the goods to prove it.

Bob, only the original purchase........still waiting for the others to make it across the Pacific.

 

[moinho]

If you get one, check which firm/software version comes with it. The older 1.x versions only support IDE harddiscs up to a size of something like 4.8GB. The newer software, while supporting up to (I think) 24GB is still not what their cheapo models (VR880) support, which go over 100GB right out of the box.

I've never actually used the analogue connectors (interfaced via ADAT).

Experience: the Fostexes do not crash. They are more stable than any other means of recording I'm aware of.

The 16bit limitation might be an issue if you use it for professional jobs with customers who think they are professional.

Rainer