2. pc-audio
  3. 1076025177

Turntable To PC Audio Connection To Make CD's

Desire to convert my LP's to CD. Have a HP computer with all the bells and whistles. Would like to record the LP's to the computer then make CD's.

What Have I done so far: (1)connected Turntable (which has built-in preamp) to Tape-In on Receiver as recommended by manufacturer because Receiver does not have Phono input). (2) connected Tape-out to Line-in of Computer (custom made 75 Ohm coaxial). (3) Same type of cable used to connect Computer Line-out to Receiver tape-in.

Problems? (1) Sound from Receiver is very low when playing turntable. Can be corrected by turning up the volume dial. (2) Sound from Turntable to Computer via the Receiver is almost inaudible even with all the computer volume controls set at 95 percent.

Solutions Tried To Date: To test the cable,Tape-output jack and Line-in, I switched the Receiver to FM radio. Sound volume was OK. Directly connecting the turntable to the computer resulted in audible sound but major distortions.

Any suggestions on how to get clear and audible sound from the turntable to the computer?

mymortgageloan2cf6d
asdf7e16
60 posts
 
If you plug it into a phono-input, it will be equalized a second time to the RIAA specifications and is guaranteed to be horribly distorted, which is definitely not what you want. Assuming your turntable's built-in preamp is properly designed, what you are doing should work.
rwwear
2,871 posts
 
For the best sound, you should hook the turntable directly to the computer if it has a built in phono stage. If you do not have enough gain you can check to see how much output your cartridge has and if it is low, change to a higher output model. What brand of turntable is it? It is unusual for a turntable to have it's own phono preamp built in. Stanton makes one that does but, it doesn't have much gain and needs to be used with high output cartridges.
basfrommobay
6 posts
 
Rwwear:

The turntable is an Audio Technica AT-PL 120. The built-in PreAmp has output specs of 38dB Gain and 200mV. The preamp can be turned off. Would an independent pre-amp or pre-amp/mixer be a better idea if the gain is higner? Most of what I have seen are professional grades and expensive.

The Receiver (Harman Kardon 7200) does not have a phono input.
richingoth
326 posts
 
Those 75 ohm coaxial cables from and to the receiver will have to be replace by audio cables. Also I noted in your question that the TT is connected to the Receiver's Tape-In also you have the Computer Line Out ALSO connected to the Receiver's Tape-In, unless you have 2 tape monitor circuits this will not work. Connect the TT to some other Line input such as AUX. Set the source to that input and turn on the tape monitor to hear what is be recorded from the computer.
Hope this helps

Regards,
Rich
rwwear
2,871 posts
 
Does it have enough volume when played through the receiver? 38db is not a lot of gain but you also get more gain from the receiver's preamp when the turntable is used with it. You won't get the advantage of the 7200's gain when using the tape outs. The best sound would be achieved by hooking the turntable directly to the computer. But you may not have enough output from the turntable's phono stage for that unless you get a higher output cartridge.

If you do not want to spend more money, you can use the preamp outs on your receiver if it has them. Then you would have more gain and any EQ that the receiver has. The disadvantage to this setup is that you don't get as pure a signal and there are more than one volume control in line.
If you happen to turn the volume up or down, it will change the level on your recording.

Another thing that you might want to check is if there is an input level setting on your computer for recording from outside devices. I think there is, look in the control panel.
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