Solutions for converting vinyl to 256 DSD?


Wondering if anyone has gone the route of converting vinyl to 256 DSD and if so what A-D converter and software they used? I'd like to do this with my Direct to Disc, old RCA and Mercury recordings as a backup solution.

davide256

Given the long lifespan of a well-cared for LP and my collection of thousands of them, I long ago rejected the idea of digitizing them for backup purposes. But I do have some favorite albums where the best version by far is the LP, or where there's no CD or streamed file available. So for me there's been a value in selectively digitizing LPs.

I can get very, very close to an LP's original sound. Having done this for decades, the files can now reveal the improvements my system has made over time. For example, it's not difficult to hear the differences when the file (we used to call it a dub) was made using my old preamp (ARC SP-11) or my current Ref 5SE/Ref Phono 2SE. Or the improvements made after I got a Klaudio record cleaner. Or a different phono cartridge.

I'm sure my method will draw snickers from some, but I use what is now an ancient Alesis Masterlink ML-9600. It can make 24/96 files (dubs) that are spookily transparent.

The process is tedious. I don't do it often. But the results are exquisite. The sound of vinyl can be preserved digitally.

 

@cleeds - +1 for the Alesis Masterlink. Even though it's old, its converters were top quality at the time as still very good today. I have three of them up in the studio - though I should probably just keep two - with one as a backup. As you know, but for others information, they are built like tanks. The one drawback of them is the fact that the OS is propretary and that higher capacity hdds can't be formatted. But they can be picked up for next to nothing and are one of the all time audio bargains.

I think Vinyl Studio Pro has already been mentioned, but here is a link to their page where they also discuss this and also mention some ADCs that will do native DSD.  I know the Ayre was previously mentioned but not sure the PS Audio unit was and they can be found used.
https://www.alpinesoft.co.uk/VinylStudio/dsd.aspx

I think recording to PCM is a better option as I suspect the boxes that say they record DSD  actually start with PCM and convert.. maybe I'm wrong

You can use software to convert PCM to DSD or do it on the fly with HQPlayer

Pure Vinyl is (was?) a great program but they haven't updated in quite a while and you need an older MAC to use it  https://www.channld.com/purevinyl/

As previously mentioned, it will require quite a commitment as you have to do it in real time i.e. you have to play the record, tend to starting stopping each side, deal with the files , wear out your stylus etc. 

 

good luck