Digital Drive: REVIEW: Marantz PMD-350 CD Player/Recorder by LowPhreak

Model:	PMD-350
Category:	CD Player/Recorder
Suggested Retail Price:	$749.
Description:	Professional Combination Stereo Cassette Deck/CD Player
Manufacturer URL:	Marantz
Manufacturer URL:	Marantz

Review by LowPhreak ( A ) on December 23, 2003 at 09:04:15
IP Address: 65.110.134.154

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for the PMD-350

This has been a very reliable and good sounding unit for my purposes. I bought it for the mic inputs as a recording/playback deck for band practice, (I'm a drummer). I use an Audio Techica AT822 stereo mic and it works great with the PMD-350. (Hint: if you record live from the mic inputs, use metal tapes if possible - the sound is much more dynamic and clean with wider frequency response.)

The combined tape+CD outputs are handy, because it saves an input on your pre-amp, and keeps you from having to switch between the two sources at the pre-amp. Also the CD pitch control is nice when you want to change the speed or pitch when learning a song.

Sound quality overall is good, though I wouldn't say it equals my Rotel RCD-865BX CD player or Sony TC-K679ES cassette in audiophile terms. The Rotel is more weighty in the bass with more extention, and is not as grainy in the mids/highs. The Sony ES deck just sounds more accurate and more like the source you recorded from than the Marantz, but the Sony is a 3-head/3-motor unit with bias calibration, so I would expect it to sound better.

The rest of the features all worked well, so I can't complain there. Overall, a very flexible and dependable unit with good (not great) sonics.

*3.5 Overall Rating (right between 'average" to "very good" product.

*3.85 Value Rating, (pretty "fair", but not "great" deal).

Product Weakness: ~ Not the last word in SQ, but very acceptable.
Product Strengths: ~ Mic inputs.
~ Combo unit saves space/inputs
~ Has option for XLR inputs and remote control, but I never got around to getting them.
~ Pitch control.
~ Reliable.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Marantz 2250B
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	~
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	~
Speakers:	JBL 4412 Studio Monitor
Cables/Interconnects:	XLO 1200B spkr
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Most everything but rap & country
Time Period/Length of Audition:	more than 1 year
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner