please give references-

The Roland machines sound like cheap recorders- the Sound Devices are professional industry standards-

Do you have some end users you could refer us to to get their opinions?

You know that axiom of "you get what you pay for"? I have yet to hear a Sound Devices owner feel that they didn't get their moneys worth...

Many people on taperssection.com use products with busman's mods. I can tell you that most everyone who has his mods prefers them over the stock sound.

Disclaimer - I used to own a busman modded Edirol UA-5, but no longer own or use any of his stuff. Chris is very good to deal with, though!

Just as a follow up, way back when I did purchase the 302. I've always been very happy with it, but I do generally feel like I have to push the mic gain a little more than I should. I swear it's a touch more gain and hiss heavy then the 442 or 552, but I still love the unit, and can't really imagine selling it even if it's just taking up space.

I occasionally get the same feeling but I have never been caught out by it (only by the cable that came from camera out to the H2 line - which someone at assembly time had thoughtfully shorted left and right together to make it mono compatible). Schoeps on the inputs sound good. M-S pair plus centre for commentary/solo spot. Has also been used for outside broadcast - 3 presenters' mics plus a music feed on "4" and "5". A very versatile and reliable bit of kit!

The 302 also gets used as extra channels for the Nagra V via line in - for spotters or outriggers. Limited (same as the Nagra) panning - L/C/R - but with mains on the mic ins setting the quality, the 302 does not deliver a noticeably inferior result.

I know the tendency is to re-inforce one's own previous buying decisions, but like you, the 302 will never be replaced in the kit. Highly recommended in its field.

I rented the HD-P2 for a week of sound gathering. The sound really is amazing, my only hesitation is that when it comes to hard-core field work, where you are breaking down and setting up a lot, the HD-P2 is made of plastic. I started getting a little nervous about damaging the unit. If I were buying, I'd buy one made of metal.

John

SD are excellent devices - but just to let you know. Nagra re bringing out a stand-alone mic. pre. later this year. Same quality mic. pres as are in the Nagra VI (and will make the VI a true 6-channel recorder with 6 mics. in one go. But, obviously can be used with loads of other things as well (including SD). I was having a look at an early prototype at the AES in London this week.



The HD-P2 is no better, maybe slightly worse, than the Fostex FR-2 the OP had originally.

The next step up, of course, is the SD 702 and Nagra LB.