2. analog
  3. 138595-96357

Difference in sound using different carts when digitizing vinyl record?

Hello A'goners .......

I hope I am posting it in the right forum!

Here is my question - this is a hypothetical situation - if I digitize my vinyl record  while the record is played using any cart (cart #1) and then again play and digitize the same record using a different cart (cart #2), am I going to hear any sound difference typically attributed to two different carts? Everything else remain same in both cases i.e. the turntable, phono stage, DAC, preamp, amp, speakers, and all cables. The software to digitize is the same with identical setting. 

Did anyone of you do this or similar experiment? I am curious to know.

I bought a Sweetvinyl Sugarcube SC-1. I am wondering because of the conversion to A to D and then again D to A, it there a possibility that the sound differences from different carts are not so significant anymore?  Right now I do not have two carts, so can not do the experiment myself and report the results here. That is why I am asking the question and hoping to get some reasonable answers.  Please pardon my lack of technical knowledge.  

I would appreciate if we stay focused on the topic while discussing this. I do not want a debate of why I or anyone wants to convert analog to digital or one format is better sounding than the other.

Thanks and have a good day :)
 


confuse_upgraditis

Showing 5 responses by orpheus10

orpheus10
8,668 posts
 

Sleepwalker

"The staircase effect"?


Since I don't understand, I went to my "Modern Dictionary of Electronics" where I discovered a "Staircase Generator" produces an output wave form that has the appearance of a staircase.

"Staircase signal" a wave form consisting of discrete steps resembling a staircase.

I don't see how either one of those is applicable; could you clarify this "Staircase effect".


In reality, I have a computer expert with a degree in computer science who I consult. When I ask him for an explanation, he gives me that look that says; "You wouldn't understand it even after I explained it; what is it you want to accomplish?"

Once the signal enters the computer domain, it has no left and right channel, did you know that?
orpheus10
8,668 posts
 

I have no idea where people on the "analog" forum were when so much conversation in regard to computer analog interface was going on in the PC forum.

Now that so many "analogers" are in the stone age in regard to computer analog interface, they complain of bad results; no wonder.
orpheus10
8,668 posts
 
There is absolutely no difference between playing a record, and hearing it played back from my hard drive to outboard DAC to Preamp to amp to speakers.

That's because cards in my PC have been upgraded.  That is the only way I listen; records are only handled when I record them to reel or hard drive.
orpheus10
8,668 posts
 

Confused, if you're going to use your rig like I use mine, which is to down load to hard drive, and play back utilizing your PC, I recommend that you ask questions on the PC forum.

There are some cards in your PC that need to be upgraded, and an outboard DAC will make a tremendous improvement. PC upgrades are not as expensive as analog upgrades for equivalent improvement.
orpheus10
8,668 posts
 
In one word, "Absolutely". I down load my vinyl collection to hard drive, and after substantially upgrading the analog, it’s necessary to do it all over again if I want to hear the improvements.

My turntable is in the basement on a concrete floor where all recording is done; be it reel to reel or down loading to hard drive; playback is reel, or PC.  


More to discover