I have been wrestling with the Juicedlink and Beachtek options for sound with a 7D to bypass agc.

However thinking longer term the extra $$ for the SD MixPre might be a wiser option, given the higher quality, although of course I would still have the agc to deal with.

If Magic Lantern appears for the 7D I can avoid the agc, but until then I am happy to do double sound and go mic > mixpre > Edirol. (I have access to a free Edirol RO9.)

Question is - as I am a complete ignoramus regarding sound but learning quickly - is the Edirol a quality enough device to use as a 'bit bucket' with the mixpre, or would it defeat the quality advantage of the mixpre in some way I am unaware of?

I have seen a few reviews of nature recordists using MixPre > RO9 and they seem pretty pleased with it.

The Edirol does 24-bit/48kHz recordin so I presume thats ok.

Do you own the R-09?

It should be OK. But if you don't already own it, I suggest the Sony PCM-10. Sony makes such quality recorders (I have the D-50 and love it with my MixPre) and it's only around 200.00. But is you already have the R-0, just try it out when you get your MixPre-D.

Thanks Chad. I was looking to get a PCM-M10, but then got the chance of a free Edirol, so decided that the cash saved from the M10, combined with the cost of a juicedlink would be putting me nearly into the mixpre territory. Might be worth it for the mixpre's stellar performance and long-term use potential.

Well hey, if the recorder is free go for that. You can always upgrade later. Keep in mind that the MixPre only has Line level out, however the new MixPre-D (an amazing new product from SD) has both mic & line level out. So you need to check if the R-09 takes line level input if you are going for the original MixPre. You could however get a pad cable to step down from line level to mic level. If you're buying new though, just get the "D" model MixPre and be done with it. It looks to be really sweet, and those limiters make you virtually unclipable as long as you have calibrated your recording device.

Thank you Chad - good advice.