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Hello. I would really appreciate some advice. I am planning to buy a new turntable. I had in mind the Audio-Technica turntable with USB output (this one, I think: http://www.decks.co.uk/products/decks/audio_technica/ATLP120USB); however, I was then advised that the new Pro-Ject turntable is better quality (this one, or similar: http://www.whathifi.com/review/debut-se3). However, the Pro-Ject turntable does not have a USB output. My question is whether I would be able to use the following item to connect the turntable (via an amplifier) to the computer so as to record vinyl to the computer using Audacity or similar software: http://www.amazon.co.uk/AMERICAN-AUDIO-INTERFACE-TURNTABLE-PRE-AMP/dp/B001CTBN4A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344159537&sr=8-1. My other question is whether the quality would be comparable to transferring to the computer via a USB output. The other alternative would be to buy the Project DAC Box X USB Digital to Analogue Converter, however, this would be much more expensive. Any ideas? Thank you in advance. Wishes. Richard.
Re: Vinyl to computer without using USB.
Hi, What a can of worms. The turntable will do the job, as will the P-J and external DACs. It all boils down to the question of the quality level of the end recording you want. There are a number of folks on this forum that can clue you in to the details of the analog to digital conversion better than I and hopefully they will chime in to assist. The analog part is more my area. I would personally get the best turntable and cartridge I could afford and feed it to a quality phono preamp and then try to work on the conversion to digital. There is one other possible way that I would consider.... a few months ago there was a post about a programmable device that would take analog signals and using the PC not only convert them to digital, but could apply the RIAA equalization needed. Regardless, the weak link in the process is the TT and cartridge. You may also consider the quality of the vinyl you are converting. If it is pristine, that is one thing, if it is in bad shape that is a different thing. PC software is available to "clean up" the audio. It tends to work, but will not turn junk into great music. It can't make something better - only less bad. As an owner of 4 turntables including a Pro-ject Debut III, of the two choices I would pick the P-J. The cartridge (OM10) is fairly good and if you wanted to upgrade it, that is easy. All the OM series differ only by the stylus assemblies. You can jump to an OM20, 30 or 40 just by plugging it into the body. BTW I use an OM30 in one TT and it is fine. I know this didn't answer all your concerns, and I hope someone will jump in on the digital conversion end.
Hi, Bruce, Thank you very much for your advice. I think I will go for the Pro-Ject turntable. I have a few options in mind for the converter. These are the following: http://www.thomann.de/gb/american_audio_genie_pro.htm http://www.thomann.de/gb/esi_phonorama.htm http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-UFO202-U-phono-Audio-Interface/dp/B002GHBYZ0 http://www.amazon.com/Roland-UA-11-Duo-Capture-Audio-Interface/dp/B004KCNJPW I don't mind spending up to £100 if it means a big difference in quality. I would be very grateful for any recommendations on this. Thank you in advance. Wishes. Rich.
Hi, I have 4 converters (ADCs) including a Behringer UCA222 a M Audio ML03-00233, A Creative X-FI Surrround 5.1 and a vintage Creative SB0490 AKA Sound Blaster USB from about 5 years ago. All do the job fairly well but only the old SB is suitable for use with my Toshiba laptop. All work with the desktop though. The issue is noise getting into the audio via the power from the USB connection. Apparently none of the other units has very good power filtering on board and a whine at about 2-4KHZ at about -65 to -75db gets through. The older SB seems to either be immune to the power issue or has better filtering as I can get at least 10 more db S/N. The easiest to use is the Behringer and M Audio. The new Creative 5.1 is the least convenient. My suggestion is to ask around and see if someone is using your PC,operating system and other hardware and find out what they are using. I use the native (new version) of Creative's software to capture the sound and Audiocity to clean it up. There are several free programs to do either job, these just work for me. You might check with the vinylengine.com forum as I recall several threads on how to go about capturing vinyl to digital. Looking at the links you provided, my inclination would be for the audio genie as it is externally powered based on the problems I had with USB powered ones. The ESI might be a better unit though. Unfortunately there are many out there and the specs don't always tell you anything useful.