The Focusrite stuff is the low end bargain product. They are good if you want to spend less than $250, but do not match the upper end.
Many people have had excellent results using the RME ADI-2 Pro FS. This is normally $2k, but there's a used one on ebay right now for $1299. I would jump on that if you are really serious. It also provides ability to record into DSD files (which is the preferred method for recording analog/vinyl if you don't have to do mixing/processing).
A good linear power supply may improve the sound quality captured even more. The ADI can accept a DC power anywhere from 9V to 15V (I would probably use 12V). There is a used Keces P3 on usaudiomart for $320 that would do this job. You can try a Teradak on ebay for less than $200 as well (this will still likely be better than the stock switching power supply). A Teddy Pardo will be at least $400 (but they are very excellent as well).
|
The VinylStudio Pro software for only $49 USD will support recording of DSD from the RME ADI-2 Pro interface: https://www.alpinesoft.co.uk/hope this helps. |
Oh, one more thing. These "pro" interfaces use combo XLR/TRS inputs. It will accept a standard XLR cable. If you use RCA cables, you can get a nice RCA-to-TRS unbalanced cable such as this: https://www.proaudiola.com/product-p/1-m2549-rca-ts-1.htmAll these pro interfaces accept either balanced or unbalanced cables without any problem. |
The best PCM is the Puffin <$600. LPs rarely have any detectable content above 24-96. |
fuzztone1,975 posts04-20-2021 9:40amThe best PCM is the Puffin <$600. LPs rarely have any detectable content above 24-96.
Are you mistakenly comparing sample rates to frequency range? Vinyl records have been proven to have information well above 20khz unlike CD's |
I was going to jump in. The Muffin is really just a phono preamp that does click-reduction using DSP (which means it converts analog to digital to do the click-removal and then converts back to analog). You can get a Muffin with S/PDIF output, but then you still need a digital audio interface that accepts an S/PDIF input for recording (and these S/PDIF interfaces are not all made equally).
|
e91811I'd like to buy an analog
to digital converter for ripping old analog media I own.
Recommendations? It would be helpful to know what kind of "analog media" you want to convert. LP? R-to-R? Cassette? And what kind of equipment are you using now?
|
First of all the Puffin does a lot more than you can apparently fathom. It has always had a line input setting with no EQ. Add SPDIF out for a few $$ and you have ADC, DAC or both. Any analog in, digital out. Vinyl records have been proven to have information well above 20khz unlike CD’s
Isn’t that special. Not news to me as you seem to think. I’d be amazed to see any proof that you can perceive that there info. LPs are NOT proven have any " useful info" above 48kHz. For bare ones digitalization my JVC CD recorder does a fine job for Redbook. Write to RW and rip to files. Did many original cassettes when I had a cassette deck in the HiFi. Now it goes direct to the PC. |
|
Another option is a standalone digital recorder that records to a memory card or USB stick. This method eliminates a lot of computer interfacing issues that audio interfaces can have.
|
nighthawk: Could you suggest a few? I've never seen such a thing |
The Tascam DA-3000 is a example of a digital recorder that nighthawk is talking about. It's roughly $899, which is cheaper than the RME. However, most people that have compared them really like the RME ADI-2 Pro better for sound quality. With the RME, you only need the $49 VinylStudio Pro software to do everything (and a USB port on the computer). With the Tascam digital recorder you still need a memory card that is large enough to record the length of music you need and also a memory card reader for your computer (which also connects via USB). I suppose it all depends on your budget threshold. I would go for the RME.
That used RME on ebay is gone, but there are several "non pro" versions available, some under $1k. The "RME ADI-2" which doesn't have that special small LCD screen on the front (it's a step down, but still good.
Additionally, I really don't think you will have the "computer interfacing" issues that nighthawk is talking about.
Another benefit of the RME is that many have rated this as a quite excellent DAC as well, so you will have a really nice DAC to playback anything on your computer to computer speakers or studio monitors of your choice.
As far as fuzztone's promoting the Muffin device. It is a DSP based phono preamp which makes it very easy to do adjustments and special eq for turntables. You can get it with S/PDIF output, but then you still need a pro audio interface that has a S/PDIF input so that you can record that music.
|
I have the Tascam DA-3000 and really like it. Works pretty much like an old school tape deck. Still need to use a computer to add cover art to the files, if you wish. My 24/192 files from vinyl are fantastic. I enjoy them much more than the files available through Qobuz and Tidal. |
In addition to the DA-3000 have a look at the more portable units from Tascam, Zoom, Sound Devices, etc. The interfacing issues I mentioned are mostly drivers not playing nice with Windows 10. If you use a USB stick to transfer files that problem is eliminated.
|
The Tascam DA-3000 looks very interesting, however does it have a streaming mode so I don't necessarily need to record something to a file before playback? |
Yes, it appears that the Tascam DA-3000 does have what you would call a "streaming mode". You can enable a mode called "ADDA DIRECT" which basically takes any analog audio coming in on one of the inputs and converts and then output that on the analog and S/PDIF digital outputs (it basically becomes a live AD/DA converter). However, you will still need a digital audio interface to connect it to a computer for recording (such as Focusrite, MOTU, RME, etc.). This sounds like it defeats your entire purpose of getting the Tascam in the first place.
The USB inputs on the front of the Tascam do not connect to a computer. They are meant for a keyboard and a USB drive to record music onto.
Sounds like a convenient way to record analog sources, but you still need a USB drive or a Compact Flash memory card to copy those files to computer and rename them. It does look like this Tascam will do DSD recordings if you so desire.
|
Curious - what do you mean by “streaming mode”?
The DA-3000 can be used as a D to A converter to play back your digital files (or from digital inputs) But it is not as convenient as a streamer which is intended to play files and streaming services.
I recommend downloading the owners manual to see the details while considering a purchase.
I did try the portable Tascam DR-100MKIII, and portable Sony PCMD100 before settling on the DA-3000. 24/192 capability was a must have for me. I liked the files produced by the DA-3000 better than those portable devices, and also prefer the convenience of having the device always hooked up in my stack ready to go when I decide to make a recording. |
I am assuming "streaming mode" means the ability for the Tascam to record music directly into a computer and save it as a file as it's being recorded (without having to record onto a USB drive or memory card first and then copying that file into the computer).
But we should let e91811 confirm this for us.
|
