I am thinking about getting a DAT recorder, and as there seem to be few (if
any?) consumer models still available for new purchase, I have been checking
out Ebay - there usually seems to be a few available (professional &
consumer - Tascam, Panasonic, Sony (DTC690, DTC750 etc.)); as the consumer
ones are old models, I don't have any information on feature etc. - Does
anyone know of any good websites which may contain such information, or have
any recommendations of particular models (remote controlled, LP, for home
use)?

Also some good sites about DAT in general?

TIA

From personal experience I would avoid the Aiwa domestic DAT machine (dumped
by Richer Sounds some years ago).
Tascams are robust, have an excellent UK service agent, and are generally
built like brick sh*t-houses.
Available from Canford, Raper & Wayman & etc at decent prices.
Bear in mind they are complex mechanical devices, like a VHS, & I would
avoid buying secondhand.
Jolly useful kit though.
JB

From personal experience I would avoid the Aiwa domestic DAT machine (dumped
by Richer Sounds some years ago).
Tascams are robust, have an excellent UK service agent, and are generally
built like brick sh*t-houses.
Available from Canford, Raper & Wayman & etc at decent prices.
Bear in mind they are complex mechanical devices, like a VHS, & I would
avoid buying secondhand.
Jolly useful kit though.
JB

On Sun, 28 Sep 2003 10:35:42 +0100, "struan"
wrote:

I am thinking about getting a DAT recorder, and as there seem to be few (if
any?) consumer models still available for new purchase, I have been checking
out Ebay - there usually seems to be a few available (professional &
consumer - Tascam, Panasonic, Sony (DTC690, DTC750 etc.)); as the consumer
ones are old models, I don't have any information on feature etc. - Does
anyone know of any good websites which may contain such information, or have
any recommendations of particular models (remote controlled, LP, for home
use)?

Also some good sites about DAT in general?

I have two DAT recorders, a Sony DTC690 and a Casio DA-R100. Both have
stopped working properly with different faults. A replacement machine
of a reasonable standard will cost the best part of a thousand pounds,
which I cannot justify.

As noted in another post, a secondhand machine is probably not a good
idea unless you know its provenance.

Tascam do a range of DAT machines intended for recording studios, etc.
(See, for example, http://www.studiospares.com/) and Sony still do one
consumer product, the DTCZE700. (See
http://products.sony.co.uk/productde...sp?id=7_59_346) The Sony
offering can be obtained for about 480 pounds and is much cheaper than
the Tascam machines. (Their DA40 is around 740 pounds.) However, my
experience suggests that it will probably not be as robust or
reliable.

Whilst I have found DAT to be very useful, with very good audio
performance and long playing times, my current view is that it does
not have a future - rather like VHS video which uses a very similar
helical scan technology. Despite having a reasonable number of tapes,
I will not be purchasing a new machine.


--
Chris Isbell
Southampton
UK

On Sun, 28 Sep 2003 10:35:42 +0100, "struan"
wrote:

I am thinking about getting a DAT recorder, and as there seem to be few (if
any?) consumer models still available for new purchase, I have been checking
out Ebay - there usually seems to be a few available (professional &
consumer - Tascam, Panasonic, Sony (DTC690, DTC750 etc.)); as the consumer
ones are old models, I don't have any information on feature etc. - Does
anyone know of any good websites which may contain such information, or have
any recommendations of particular models (remote controlled, LP, for home
use)?

Also some good sites about DAT in general?

I have two DAT recorders, a Sony DTC690 and a Casio DA-R100. Both have
stopped working properly with different faults. A replacement machine
of a reasonable standard will cost the best part of a thousand pounds,
which I cannot justify.

As noted in another post, a secondhand machine is probably not a good
idea unless you know its provenance.

Tascam do a range of DAT machines intended for recording studios, etc.
(See, for example, http://www.studiospares.com/) and Sony still do one
consumer product, the DTCZE700. (See
http://products.sony.co.uk/productde...sp?id=7_59_346) The Sony
offering can be obtained for about 480 pounds and is much cheaper than
the Tascam machines. (Their DA40 is around 740 pounds.) However, my
experience suggests that it will probably not be as robust or
reliable.

Whilst I have found DAT to be very useful, with very good audio
performance and long playing times, my current view is that it does
not have a future - rather like VHS video which uses a very similar
helical scan technology. Despite having a reasonable number of tapes,
I will not be purchasing a new machine.


--
Chris Isbell
Southampton
UK

I bought a Sony DTC-690 on Ebay a few months ago and I'm very pleased with
it. It's a full-size model and has a very good build quality. Bought it from
a guy in London for £120.

Check these websites:

http://perso.club-internet.fr/farzeno/edat.htm

http://www.solorb.com/dat-heads/

http://perso.club-internet.fr/farzeno/sonydek.htm


"struan" wrote in message
...
I am thinking about getting a DAT recorder, and as there seem to be few
(if
any?) consumer models still available for new purchase, I have been
checking
out Ebay - there usually seems to be a few available (professional &
consumer - Tascam, Panasonic, Sony (DTC690, DTC750 etc.)); as the consumer
ones are old models, I don't have any information on feature etc. - Does
anyone know of any good websites which may contain such information, or
have
any recommendations of particular models (remote controlled, LP, for home
use)?

Also some good sites about DAT in general?

TIA

I bought a Tascam rack model second hand and it has been totally reliable. I'd
second Tascam. you shouldn't have to pay much s/h its a dying technology.

=== Andy Evans ===
Visit our Website:- http://www.artsandmedia.com
Audio, music and health pages and interesting links.

In article , Andy Evans
writes
I bought a Tascam rack model second hand and it has been totally reliable. I'd
second Tascam. you shouldn't have to pay much s/h its a dying technology.

=== Andy Evans ===
Visit our Website:- http://www.artsandmedia.com
Audio, music and health pages and interesting links.

If you don' mind me asking what do you plan to use it for?..
--
Tony Sayer

If Tony's asking me, I used it for recording LPs. I now need to transfer DATs
to CD. Any ideas?

=== Andy Evans ===
Visit our Website:- http://www.artsandmedia.com
Audio, music and health pages and interesting links.

In article ,
Andy Evans wrote:
If Tony's asking me, I used it for recording LPs. I now need to transfer
DATs to CD. Any ideas?

Most would use their computer. But record off LP direct into it rather
than using DAT as an intermediate.

--
*Eat well, stay fit, die anyway

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn