I got a Fostex X-15 last summer from one of my father's friends for $100 
bucks.  I write songs and record them with a friend of mine who plays drums 
o
this is one of the best investments I every made.  Mine is pretty old (5-10 
years) but it is still great.  It doesn't have any XRLs either but I would 
never use them anyway.  It has two 1/4 inch inputs and can record 2 tracks at 
a time.  When I record I use a $60 DOD 4-input mixer for the 3 mics I use 
around the drums.  I would say that this is one of the best recorders in it's 
price range.  You can get one through the Daddy's Junky Music catolog for 130 
bucks.  The new Tascams are great but from what you'll be using it for I 
hink
you can get by with spending a little less.
--- Renegade v5-11 tDC
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