Korg as h/d player vs other DSD / PCM DAC?

zydeco

Well-Known Member
Oct 16, 2010
59
0
311
WA, Australia
Is anyone here using a Korg MR2000S as a hard-disk player / DAC device? It's not the intended purpose but it seems as if the Korg might present an interesting alternative to the emerging generation of USB-DAC with PCM/DSD such as Playback Designs.

Zydeco
 

Bruce B

WBF Founding Member, Pro Audio Production Member
Apr 25, 2010
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Snohomish, WA
www.pugetsoundstudios.com
I use mine almost everyday. It's the best sounding 2-track digital recorder I've heard for less than $10k. I have the Playback Designs MPS-5, DAD AX24, Tascam DV-RA1000 and EMM Labs DAC8IV. The PD and DAD are slightly better in refinement and definition, but it's all about how far do you want to go.
 

zydeco

Well-Known Member
Oct 16, 2010
59
0
311
WA, Australia
Bruce

Thanks for the feedback. How does the unit to perform on playback of RBCD or hi-resolution PCM material? I was blown away by the playback (from harddisk) of a DSD recording but didn't get the opportunity to listen to RBCD or 24/96.

Zydeco
 

Bruce B

WBF Founding Member, Pro Audio Production Member
Apr 25, 2010
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Snohomish, WA
www.pugetsoundstudios.com
It's awesome on hi-rez playback. I really haven't heard it on anything less than 24/88.2 so I can't comment. I know several highend dealers display the unit at shows as well as Todd at M.A. Recordings. Like I said, you can't beat it for what it does. I'd say it's equal to the Berkeley and Weiss DAC's on hi-rez PCM recordings.
 

Ki Choi

Member Sponsor
May 13, 2010
764
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1,590
Seattle WA area
Thanks to Bruce's recommendation to get a MR-2000s many months ago, I have been smiling ear to ear daily - whenever I hit the play button on my MR-2000S. It's been one of the best audio investments (kind of an oximoran statement to relate audio to investment...but...) Athough I have not tried the Berkeley or Weiss DACs in my setup, I just can't imagine the source material being presented any better sonically than the Korg.

As I understand from other friend who is considering a Korg as well, there's a place in CA that will do the mod for ~$250. May be worth the try.
 

Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
I use mine almost everyday. It's the best sounding 2-track digital recorder I've heard for less than $10k. I have the Playback Designs MPS-5, DAD AX24, Tascam DV-RA1000 and EMM Labs DAC8IV. The PD and DAD are slightly better in refinement and definition, but it's all about how far do you want to go.


I thought MSRP of the unit is less than $2K
 

microstrip

VIP/Donor
May 30, 2010
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Portugal
Could a Korg MR2000S be used to backup an analog tape at 2xDSD and play it back in 2xDSD mode?
 

mep

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
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The Korg has to be used with an external disc drive to load files right?
 

Bruce B

WBF Founding Member, Pro Audio Production Member
Apr 25, 2010
7,006
512
1,740
Snohomish, WA
www.pugetsoundstudios.com
Could a Korg MR2000S be used to backup an analog tape at 2xDSD and play it back in 2xDSD mode?

That's the way I digitally archive tape.

The Korg has to be used with an external disc drive to load files right?

The unit has an internal 80GB drive. If you want more storage, you can replace the drive with a 320GB instead... or... transfer the files from your computer. Your computer sees the Korg as an external drive
 

ted_b

Well-Known Member
Feb 4, 2011
113
7
405
It's awesome on hi-rez playback. I really haven't heard it on anything less than 24/88.2 so I can't comment. I know several highend dealers display the unit at shows as well as Todd at M.A. Recordings. Like I said, you can't beat it for what it does. I'd say it's equal to the Berkeley and Weiss DAC's on hi-rez PCM recordings.

Todd's is significantly modified. He didn't like the sound of the stock one (playback, that is) but had a Dutchman named Marcel Croese mod his, and he loves it.
 

ted_b

Well-Known Member
Feb 4, 2011
113
7
405
Ki, Thanks. I just emailed Chris to ask him about the potential for modifying the outputs, as his site mostly targets input mods (of course).

Thx
Ted
 

Ki Choi

Member Sponsor
May 13, 2010
764
29
1,590
Seattle WA area
Ki, Thanks. I just emailed Chris to ask him about the potential for modifying the outputs, as his site mostly targets input mods (of course).

Thx
Ted

Ted: Yes, the website info has no mention of the output modification but we will know more when you hear from Chris. My friend was "assuming" the mod included output as well but we all know the troubles we can get into by assuming anything. ;-)

BTW, he has a stock Korg also and will be comparing to the Busman Audio modded Korg for his test.

As a music listener (than as a recording professional), output performance enhancement would be much more interesting to me.
 

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