# Audiophiles: Where's a Good Portable Tape Recorder? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 15, 2002, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/audiophiles-wheres-a-good-portable-tape-recorder/98472 "2002-03-15T15:09:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DougC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@DougC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DougC)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2002, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/audiophiles-wheres-a-good-portable-tape-recorder/98472/1 "2002-03-15T15:09:44Z")
- - - Where can I find -new- high-quality portable cassette recorders? While sitting on the minidisk fence, someone tells me that there are such things as high-quality portable cassette recorders, and they do perform far better than the typical cheap crap in modern stereos. Problem is, ain’t nobody got none… - I can find reviews and mentions on the web: Sony WMD3, Sony WMD6, Sony TCS580V, but all these are out of production, and only available used (I’m not insisting on a Sony, that’s just mostly the brand that I found mentioned). To give a ballpark figure, new, these would have cost $250-$350+; they have real Db meters, NR filters, and support all 3 types of tape. Are any machines like these still available new at all? - DougC ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2002, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/audiophiles-wheres-a-good-portable-tape-recorder/98472/2 "2002-03-15T15:33:46Z")
Ebay is your friend [Sony TCM-EV5000 Professional Tape Recorder](http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1338154132) or get it new here for $ 550.00 [http://www.lodde.com/products.dictation.sony.htm](http://www.lodde.com/products.dictation.sony.htm) > [@](#): > > Standard Cassette system, Three head recording/monitor system, Voice operated recording (VOR), Automatic or manual record level adjustment, Bucket brigade device (BBD), Cue and review 3-digit tape counter, Counter intertial flywheel, Large built-in speaker, Audible/Visible pre-end alarms This one retailed out for approx $ 280 [http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?iewItem&item=1711421131](http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?iewItem&item=1711421131) > [@](#): > > MODEL: TCM 5000EV CONDITION: BRAND NEW, NEVER BEEN USED RETAIL PRICE: TCM-5000EV msrp $549.95 ·Voice Operated Recording for UnparalleLED Ease of Use 1. Begins recording as soon as talking beings 2. Bucket Brigade Device (BBD) stores first sounds until motor starts tape-- so nothing is lost 3. Rotary dial sensitivity control for voice over recording ·BUILT-IN SPEAKER Large, 3 5/7" diameter for clear sound ·Easy to Use Controls > > 1. One Touch Recording eliminates juggling play and record buttons 2. Speed control (+40%,-20%) for exact pitch matching and slow or rapid review 3. Instant edit for on-the-spot corrections and gap free results in playback 4. One Touch Review 5. Cue And Review for sound during fast forward or rewind 6.Automatic Shut-Off at tape end from play and record modes 7.Locking PAUSE Control 8.Continuous tone control Convenient Meters, Jacks, Indicators and Counters 1. Professional level VU meter to set recording levels 2. Battery level switchable indication on VU meter 3. Pre-End Alarm (PEA) LED and audible signal through headphones 4. Three digit Tape Counter 5. Microphone jack 6. Earphone jack 7. LED battery indicator ·Three Heads and Other Advanced Technology for Great Recordings 1. Three head recording/monitor system with separate erase, record and play heads permits specialization of function and direct off-the-tape monitoring for superb results2. Built-in electret condenser microphone for small size and extended Frequency of response3. Counter Inertial Flywheel for uniform even speed ·TAPE SYSTEM 2 Track, 1 Channel Monaural Cassette ·FREQUENCY RESPONSE 90 - 90,000Hz ·MICROPHONE Built-In Electret Condenser ·INPUTS Microphone: Mini Jack x 2Line Mini Jack; external ·OUTPUTS Earphone ·SPEAKER 3 5/8" dynamic ·POWER REQUIREMENTS “C” x 4 Batteries (6V) (supplied)AC 120V, 60Hz with AC Adaptor (optional)DC 12V with Battery Cord (optional)Rechargeable Battery Pack (optional) ·BATTERY LIFE 20 hrs Recording with Alkaline Batteries ·COLOR Black ·Carrying Case ·Shoulder Belt ·Earphone ·RK-69A Connecting Cord ·4 “C” Batteries ---
**Author:** ![mack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2002, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/audiophiles-wheres-a-good-portable-tape-recorder/98472/3 "2002-03-15T19:33:22Z")
Is there any particular reason why you want to use cassette tape instead of minidisc? ---
**Author:** ![DougC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@DougC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DougC)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2002, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/audiophiles-wheres-a-good-portable-tape-recorder/98472/4 "2002-03-15T22:26:16Z")
> [@](#): > > Is there any particular reason why you want to use cassette tape instead of minidisc? - mack - - - I want to record audio and then apply digital effects to it, and am wondering what kind of results I would get off a minidisc. Also, analog = no clipping. - DougC ---
**Author:** ![mack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2002, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/audiophiles-wheres-a-good-portable-tape-recorder/98472/5 "2002-03-19T16:30:24Z")
Do you mean digital effects in the digital domain (i.e. edit with your computer) or digital effects in the analog domain (i.e. running your signal through an array of digital reverbs, delays, etc.)? Anyway, you _do_ have to be more vigilant monitoring your levels with minidisc, but the sound quality and indexing more than makes up for it. If you’re really dying for portable cassette though, Marantz has a line of high quality portable recorders which tops out at around $500 for a stereo one. ---
**Author:** ![DougC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@DougC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DougC)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2002, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/audiophiles-wheres-a-good-portable-tape-recorder/98472/6 "2002-03-19T18:43:56Z")
- - - Thanks. I did find the Marantz recorders, but that was about the only brand available new, and many of the models available had integrated 4-track mixers I didn’t need (stereo only). Just about everyone who had tried both said minidisc would cost less and sound much better anyway. - And somebody _does_ now make a portable audio CD-recorder, but it has fancy editing features on-board (as opposed to just being a simple stereo recorder) and it’s priced at $1000… - DougC