I have been happily using the Zoom H4N and have recorded lots of wonderful nature sounds, and now I am looking to bump up the quality of my nature field-recordings by buying a field recorder with QUIET preamps .

BUT, unfortunately I don't have the money for one of those kick-butt Sound Devices machines. .

Hi guys,
I need to record piano recitals with 3 or 4 Audio Techinca mics. I use MOTU 896HD with Macbook Pro and Logic Pro, but it isn't really a "portable" solution. So I wonder if Tascam DR680 or ROLAND R44 could be a good solution. In your opinion MOTU's preamps (and generally the recording quality) are better then DR680 and R44, or not? Quality is similar or not?