please dont flame me

  • Thread starter Thread starter e unum pluribus
  • Start date Start date
i understand i would need a transformer... i have an extensive history with them being overseas 4 out of the last 6 years (unfortunately)lol...

i guess what i was really curious about was if the AC is converted to DC before being used by the device... so you answered that question, thanks...

so on to the "which one" question, which do you think would be better in terms of simple but best quality of the tascam cassette family? im kinda leaning towards the 424 becasue i have heard a lot about it, although it does have a few more bells and whisles than i need...

i checked out the 244 and the 246 and they both look great (and like they would fit right in with the 3340) but... what would make them as good as a new 424? the preamps and circuits?

i can understand how the reel to reel would sound better then the cassette (tape speed for one) but would nt a new 424 be better than a 246 or a 244?

im sure i m completely missing some point here...

i guess what im looking for is the closest to professional quality recordings as i can get in a cassete deck thats portable so i dont feel like i bought two of the same things (considering that i have already bought a reel to reel) you know?
 
cjacek said:
As a general rule, the models are not voltage switchable unless specified on the machine (sticker at the back of it).
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This isn't always the case, although probably will be with eBay gear (especially from North America). If you get a 'general export' model you will normally have a range of voltages from 110-250 which should be ok.
 
arjoll said:
This isn't always the case, although probably will be with eBay gear (especially from North America). If you get a 'general export' model you will normally have a range of voltages from 110-250 which should be ok.
Click to expand...

Yes and this would be specified on the sticker at the back of the unit. ;)
 
The 424 is the most recent model but personally I prefer the the 244 and 246 portastudios. However, they are much older, from the 80's and thus you must be certain you're getting a well preserved one with good belts (or change them). Most likely you'd need to change the capstan belt. If you don't want the hassle, you still can get a new 424mkIII if you look hard enough and they're the newest. They have an external power supply so I'm now wondering if you could just order another one from TASCAM in your voltage range ... :confused:
 
yeah i think im gonna go with a 424mkIII cause it has the external power supply..

what voltage does the external power supply provide in terms of DC? like if i wanted to buy a dual voltage... what output whould i need there mkIII owners???(i downloaded a manual and couldnt find it in there)
 
actually what am i thinkin, the external power supply will hook to a transformer... if it burns out due to the hz difference ill just get a new one that supports 50 hz
 
e unum pluribus said:
actually what am i thinkin, the external power supply will hook to a transformer... if it burns out due to the hz difference ill just get a new one that supports 50 hz
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It shouldn't burn out. Probably the heat in Iraq would influence it more than the extra 20% in transformer heat due to the 50hz difference. You could also email TASCAM UK and ask if they'd ship you their 230/50 power supply.
 
One more thing which may or may not be an issue for you ... The 424's do not have dedicated connections for a compressor, in contrast to the 244/246, but there is a work around for this. ;)
 
Here's a good one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tascam-424-MK-I...ryZ41480QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

If you win, make certain to ask the seller to at least DOUBLE BOX it, ideally putting some padding on all sides between the boxes, tape it securely and make certain nothing shifts inside.

Another one to consider is a stripped down unit such as this one:

http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--TAS414MKII

I've used both and they sound identical to me but the 424 has more features. Still, I liked the simplicity of the 414 and gravitated to it more. If I wanted to get a new in box I'd get the 414 mkII 'cause I just don't need the extra features and I love simple designs.
 
sweet dude...

so the 414 is the same except the extras .... that sounds like what i want... too many extras and i cant stop messin with crap and spend more time recording than writing (which is a huge reason i want to get away from the computer in the first place)

i might just suckit up and buy new... unless i can find a sweet deal on the 414 on ebay...

you know im sure that tascam sold millions of these little recorders but you just dont see a lot of em on ebay....

must me a good sign...
 
I think it reasonable to find a new 414 mkII on eBay for about half of the retail price. It's a nice, basic, no bells and whistles unit and it sounds as good as the 424 mkIII from my experience.
 
hey cj do monitors do the ac to dc thing or do i definately need dual voltage? ...
 
e unum pluribus said:
hey cj do monitors do the ac to dc thing or do i definately need dual voltage? ...
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Active Monitors (ones with amps inside) need an external step down transformer if they're made to operate solely on US voltage.
 
never mind... most of em are dual voltage anyway... boy that was a super noob question!!...
 
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