sony pcm 7010-7050

I have a pair of Sony PCM-7010F DAT Recorders connected to a Sony RM-D7200 Dual Remote Controller. These units have been  primarily used for archiving radio commercials  produced by my creative company. The unit's have memory start, time-code generator, AES-EBU, IEC 958, Word Clock, and S/PDIF digital in/outs, as well as balanced analog in/outs.. These recorders sound, in my opinion, as good as it gets. They're built like a tank, and Sony still services them. Flat rate is about $895.00 for full service/repair. The unit's are obsolete; yet, I love 'em. With the RM-D7200, simple automatic editing is possible with accuracy to within 3 frames. With these unit's outfitted with all options, they cost me about $7200.00 each in 1995. The remote was another $2750.00. The PCM-7010 is, I've been told, the best sounding of the 7000 series, perhaps, something to do with its DAC, I have never compared to other recorders in the series. I can tell you these  units are way beyond typical consumer audio equipment build quality. I've had other DAT recorders, including Sony 57es and 87es decks, which sound good, but, don't have any sort of playback/recording/editing capability such as the 7000 series. I think you will come to appreciate your PCM-7010 as the jewel in your audiophile system, for both playback and recording. As long as Sony is servicing these units you will  enjoy yours, I'm sure. 

I hope you have an operator's manual for your PCM-7010.  There is an extensive list of recording/playback parameters  you can access from the menu which can make  the PCM-7010 more useful than alternative devices. In 1995, or thereabouts, this recording concept replaced professional 1/4 inch reel to reel analog recorders in many post production studios across the globe. The Panasonic 3800 was also popular but less capable. Today, a laptop computer with iTunes and Audacity can do almost everything you can do with the PCM-7010; but, 15 years ago it was state-of-the-art, coming to the aid of production engineers and artists long before  CD recorders and wide spread computer based recording became common. For mastering and archiving I still like DAT; and, I use the PCM-7010's regularly for those purposes and more, like transcribing my LP collection to DAT, and then to CD and iTunes.

I record at 44.1.  LP to DAT, I set the PCM-7010 to create start ID's between LP tracks. This is done by  setting  the threshold level at which  start ID's will be written . That's just one of about a gazillion things  you can adjust to your liking with the PCM-7010. Now, I'm a little unclear, do you have a PCM-7010, as well as a 7040?

BTW,  just curious, but what inspired you to get a PCM-7010? I think it's superb in it's category of digital recorders; and my pair, with digital edit controller is certainly the center piece of my A/V system; but, I've got to tell  ya, unless you've got a lot of DAT material which you have not yet achieved onto CD, the unit is somewhat obsolete. Nevertheless, for mastering and playback of original material I've not heard better; and, LP's transcribed to DAT are indistinguishable from  LP. It's great to have the LP sound and convenience of digital.

Well,,,. I think it can be used as a DAC; but, its applications are limited.

BTW, I have an extra Sony RM-D7100 remote. This is a wired remote for the Sony 7000 series. It makes recording much easier. If you are interested make me an offer. As I recall, new, I paid about $700.00 for it. Some, recently on E-Bay have been selling for about $395.00 in used condition. Mine is mint.