All,
 
I've got to get a portable stereo recorder for a modern classical music group - they do vox and solo acoustic instruments (yesterday they had piano, violin, cello and clarinet at different times playing together).  I've got the mics, but I need a decent recorder w/ phantom power, xlr so I don't have to drag preamps etc. Any suggestions?
 
I'm looking at 2 tascams - the DR 40 and the DR 60 D (not a hand held).  I love a DSD but out of the price range for this project.  Anybody used one of the above?  Anybody have a suggestion of one they've used?
 
Thanks.
 
@

I own and use a Tascam DR680 for light duty remote recording.
 
It's relaxing, and the price on them has plummeted to a no-brainer level:
 
http://www.bhphotovideo.c...p;is=REG&A=details

Mike,
 
I was waiting for you to chime in - it seems your field (ha, pun intended).  I looked at that one, too, but don't need a lot of ins/outs.  And the new Korg m2 DSD but they've dumbed that down w/ 1/8" connections so I can't use it for a mix down deck (which is a secondary purpose).  I'm waiting to see how many shows they want recorded before I give them my price.  Ameliorate some of the costs.
 
I'm looking hard at the D60, which looks perfect for my needs.  I've got a couple of video guys that might want to use it, too.  Heard any big negatives about that one?  I've always found Tascam to be good - all the way back to the 38 reel-to-reel I've still got.
 
thanks,
 
@

I didn't know about the D60 until I saw you mention it.
 
I've been using the Dr680 on low budget DSLR video stuff and I really like having the 6 inputs with 4 XLRs even though I usually only use 2 or 3.
 
I like the DR40 but rather have something with a bigger power supply for phantom power stuff or something smaller for a pocket recorder. In fact I have a DR05 for a pocket recorder.
 
I think Tascam has the bases covered and you can just choose a form factor that suits your use.
 
 

I have a dr-680 as well.  It is great on days I am double booked, doing sound design, or just don't want to haul 70 extra pounds of misc equipment.  The sound is very clean and transparent, pres are quiet, headphone amp is noisy, but much better than the handheld DR 100 is have tucked away somewhere.  I think the menu controls are a P.I.T.A. but it has a digital input which is great when you want to travel light but want to input a high end amp/converter combo.  You won't find a better multi-channel recorder for anywhere near that price.  
 
The only problem is Tascam build quality is rather plastic-y.  I dropped my DR-100 once and a few things shattered (still worked though), I don't thing the 680 would fare much better.