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Help on LP to CD Transfer Firms

I'm getting ready to transfer some of my more obscure lps to cd, and I was wondering if anyone knew of a transfer firm that uses high end components.
I have a Roxsan turnatble so I know how important a good front end is to get the most out of the grooves. Plus good quality converters, etc.
I cherish my music and if I'm going to trust my lps to someone I want to be certain that the transfer/noise reduction is going to be of superior quality.
Most companies I've seen on the web charge about $20 to $25 for a cd transfer and I'd be willing to pay twice that if I could be confident that the cd transfe� is true to the music on my lp.
Which is a long-winded way of saying "does anyone know of a really good transfer company?"
Much appreciated.
---Steve
smaietta
8 responses Add your response
ramstl
342 posts
 
You index them manually as the track is over. By buying a professional unit you can you computer grade media. Right now Office Max sells H.P.'s in a spindle of 50 for $14.00 or 10 in a case for $4.00.
abstract7
541 posts
 
I have a question on using stand alone units. I've only done this with a computer. How do you segregate the tracks on each side of the album when burning a CD on a stand alone recorder? Also, I've heard you have to use the more expensive "music" CD-Rs--is that true of all players, some, or is that only applicable for the first generation units, (or is it completely false altogether)?
ramstl
342 posts
 
No I haven't.

But let me clarrify, "You don't need a computer." The units I have recommended are stand alone units. As a matter of fact you can often get a used stand alone unit for $275.

But if you're really against doing it yourself, drop me an e-mail we can work something out.

I use a Well Tempered Record Player-Glider-Classe' 5MKII with a 6 Phono section-Sony SBM- Marantz CDR630.
smaietta OP
1 posts
 
That's really terrific advice. In fact, a number of people have told me to do my own transfers. Problem is, I don't own a computer (I use this one at work). If I were to buy my own computer plus cd burners, etc., it would cost me several thousand dollars. If I can pay a transfer firm $50 per cd, I could use the money to transfer around 50 or 60 cds. Plus I really don't need a computer at home.
So maybe I should ask, "has anybody used an lp to cd transfer company thay are satisfied with?"
Thanks again for the response.
ramstl
342 posts
 
Ditto, you can buy a Sony CDR with SBM for $450-700 depending on the model, CDRW 33 or 66. Either of these units, coupled with you front end will do a great job of transfering.
avideo
222 posts
 
I agree with SDCampbell and above. I own a video editing
and duplication firm in Portland,OR. And from what I've
seem of most outfits that do LP-to-CD transfers; most are
low ball operations that are using aging mid-fi gear and
maybe an inexpensive noise reduction system of some type.
Most of these people are either too cheap or have no
interest in using decent quality gear. I just recently
bought a Marantz CDR500 - which is a pro grade CD recorder
for under $600.00. It burns great sounding disks and has
digital, RCA, and XLR inputs - and can be setup to ignore
SCMS!
If you have the budget, you might also want to consider
going to a higher end commercial music studio for your
transfer. Good luck!
sdcampbell
2,136 posts
 
I agree with Abstract7 -- do it yourself. There are a number of decent audio CD recorders on the market now that can be purchased at discount for under $400. I recently bought a Sony RCD-W1 audio CD recorder specifically to transfer much of my LP collection to CD, and I've been very pleased with the results. If you already have a good front analog front end, make your own CD copies of your LP's. If you choose to do that, I recommend that you make transfers to CD at 1-to-1 speed, and NOT at higher rates (2x or 4x).
abstract7
541 posts
 
I'm wondering why you don't do it yourself? It's really not very difficult and if you have a good A/D converter (not the one in your computer) it may be better than what you can get by sending your LPs out--because of the front end. I addition you can even get rid of any pops or ticks. I've used Sonic Foundry to convert LPs to CDs. I actually used the sound card in the computer, because I really wasn't concerned about the quality for what I was doing at the time, but if I were doing it for archival purposes I would have used the A/D converter on my EAD and captured the digital directly on the computer. Then get rid of any very load pops or ticks with Sonic Foundry and burn to CD rom.
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