Audiophile digital recording update
I am now quite happy using the following system for recording (analog to digital). I use a (thinkpad) laptop as controller and archiver, together with a Creative Audiogy Nx separate box, whith a 96/24-capable DAC. In order to get adequate listening, I plug a set of Sony SRS-Z500 - very good sound for a minature speaker - into the laptop. Next, I turn my amp into wait mode, and plug my preamp out to the Creative box (note, a cheap Monster cable from RCA to minijack made a noticeable difference from the stock cable, at this point). Now I can record from analog to digital 24/96.
The results have been very good, although PCM 24/192 might be even better, and DSD the best. Comments on the web seem to favour the word length (most important factor, which is in line with my own DAT superbit mapping recording of ca 150 tapes), yet the frequency also, and the simplicity (in favour of DSD).
I have bought a small Cowon D2 player in order to test the results. With a Sure E2 headphone it works great for e g running, after i changed to the yellow foam pads for the headphone (the gray rubber pads, perhaps the most accurate in stand-still conditions, can't be used, too much body noise).
Like all (ca) mp3 players the Cowon can't play hi-rez, yet it does play cd-resolution very well (by way of flac files - like bigger boxes, it is well tuned to cd resolution). My hi-rez files downsampled from LPs using top equipment like a new Titan i pickup to cd-rez sound good. However, it is quite a lot of work, and perhaps, I'll wait before I do too much archiving, for a more evolved general hi-rez deployment.
One question is, are hi-rez DACs very heavy, expensive, or what? Why are they not in-built in more small portable players?
I am now quite happy using the following system for recording (analog to digital). I use a (thinkpad) laptop as controller and archiver, together with a Creative Audiogy Nx separate box, whith a 96/24-capable DAC. In order to get adequate listening, I plug a set of Sony SRS-Z500 - very good sound for a minature speaker - into the laptop. Next, I turn my amp into wait mode, and plug my preamp out to the Creative box (note, a cheap Monster cable from RCA to minijack made a noticeable difference from the stock cable, at this point). Now I can record from analog to digital 24/96.
The results have been very good, although PCM 24/192 might be even better, and DSD the best. Comments on the web seem to favour the word length (most important factor, which is in line with my own DAT superbit mapping recording of ca 150 tapes), yet the frequency also, and the simplicity (in favour of DSD).
I have bought a small Cowon D2 player in order to test the results. With a Sure E2 headphone it works great for e g running, after i changed to the yellow foam pads for the headphone (the gray rubber pads, perhaps the most accurate in stand-still conditions, can't be used, too much body noise).
Like all (ca) mp3 players the Cowon can't play hi-rez, yet it does play cd-resolution very well (by way of flac files - like bigger boxes, it is well tuned to cd resolution). My hi-rez files downsampled from LPs using top equipment like a new Titan i pickup to cd-rez sound good. However, it is quite a lot of work, and perhaps, I'll wait before I do too much archiving, for a more evolved general hi-rez deployment.
One question is, are hi-rez DACs very heavy, expensive, or what? Why are they not in-built in more small portable players?