All user reviews for the Marantz Professional PMD661

Firmware A2.03.

Regular use for making ambient sounds and radio interview.
(I frequently use the Nagras Ares and SD)
The sound reproduction is very correct, microphones preamps good.
integrated microphones troubleshoot for stereo miking relief live but war more ... quality electret microphone and them being uninteresting.
(For my part, I used a LEM DO 21B for ITW and audio-technica AT 8022 and 4025 BP for stereo rendering environments which is excellent).
Autonomy with battery "Sanyo Eneloop" 1900 maH used is comfortable, it helps to leave the field with confidence. (4-5H average)

The controls are nice, well-placed buttons, metal construction inspires confidence. (A protective cover but will be free screenings, scratches and dirt).
Apart from the stereo line inputs and 2 remote on 3.5mm mini jack, the connection is flawless.
The SPDIF input and audio output to CINCH gold are useful - Robust Canon microphone inputs provide phantom power 48V.
The comprehensive menu settings is clear, the more access "presets" is particularly useful and saves time during filming.

Ergonomics side a real delight to use rotary control adjusts the recording level (although preferable to increment keys) - the 6.35 jack and headset volume are available.
The headphones, however, can run out of power especially when you have to isolate sound in a noisy environment. (A closed high performance headphone is highly recommended.)
Visualization of recording LED bargraph levels - and or - OLED screen is bright in the dark but still desperately unreadable outdoors in the sun, it's a shame. (Long live the LCD Nagra Ares!)

Finally, I would do this choice probably for the purchase of a digital audio recorder in this price range.
In general the 661 PMD keeps its promises and makes many services.
Medium size, it fits easily into the tote, handling is easy.
For my part I 'appreciate this recorder to its versatility, robustness, reliable sound is made transparent.
Depending on the needs of the project, size of sound recordings provide a good range of options ranging from MP3 encoding 64kb / s linear 24-bit 96Khz.
As far as use walkman luxury, it is incomprehensible that some imported MP3 sounds are playable on the 661 PMD ...
It remains a great mystery to me while for once not very Marantz!

Jeff.

-I just tried this device and decide to purchase it.
-What I like most: the quality of the preamp, much better than on previous models Marantz (PMD 670). It is quite possible to use a microphone phantom power (there are two XLR 48V), Neumann U87 and a decision to make its voice (even with a weak signal, which is my practice) , very good. The breath is very low. Sound, considering the price of the unit, quality quite amazing, especially with a dynamic mic reporting, type Sennheiser.
In addition, ergonomics, ease of use are also much better than the PMD 670;
- I had previously tested in addition to the PMD-670 - the new Nagra LB: very good preamp, excellent sound, but a variety of functions related to the broadcast (pasteboard, connectivity to e-ISDN) that increase the beast if n 'not in the utility.
I also experienced the Sound Devices 702: beautiful device, good sound, excellent ergonomics and visibility levels.
However, both devices are priced well above the PMD 661 (+ or - about 2000 euros against 550), and although the Nagra has a "dive" in the bass sound impressive, the difference in sound quality, with The Sound Devices in particular, is not obvious.
If it is not mentioned in the menu, the PMD 661 has a good automatic limit, combined with the XLR outputs.
I will complete this opinion based on my experiences later.

I use it for 1 year. I chose this model because it has a coaxial input (I take the mix that comes out of my console digital coax, a 01V96), having had the M-Audio MicroTrack II (the latter buggi constantly in digital recording, while I had no worries vieu MD on this one).

A lot of possible settings, good buttons respond well, a menu navigation not too bad (it's at least not a gas plant as the Sony high-end) and walk perfectly coaxial. I have no opinion on the microphones I do not use. Note that the MP3 encoding is good (although it must clearly mention the M-Audio !!!).

A note in the negative: It is big enough and he does not play MP3 that would matter to him on his memory card (ie lacking a bit. Anyway!).

But for those who want a robust recording and especially with a digital input, the selection is thin, and if you exclude the M-Audio does not work in digital, it is cheapest.

I note at 7 / 10 because the choice is very thin now available with digital input, I am the "best", but few better.