Vynyl to CD and MP3(?)
Discussion
This problem troubled me for quite a while, until recently.
I have a Linn Basik turntable running through a Naim Amp and Royd Albion speakers, as such I wanted to maintain a standard of sound quality. With most of my vinyl in the loft, there is an argument that anything is better than nothing, however I could not bear to listen to poor recordings which would distract from my listening pleasure.
Three main problems were: why buy a USB deck when the deck quality was far inferior to what I already have;
laptop sound cards are useless when recording analogue to hard drives; MP3 quality is poor and would not warrant replacing the vinyl.
The solution: NAD PP3 DAB phono stage and Vinyl Studio software.
This allows you to connect your turntable directly to your laptop via the USB. Since it is a phono-stage and DAB it by-passes the sound card and allows you to digitise your music and directly record to your hard drive.
Vinyl Studio works well at removing imperfections in the recordings (clicks etc.) but the real advantage is being able to record WAV files. These are much larger than MP3 but the sound quality is infinitely superior. (Record a single as WAV and MP3 then playback through your hifi - the difference is shocking).
I have begun archiving my vinyl to WAV which I can play back from my laptop through the Naim Amp, this gives very satisfactory results, while also converting the files to MP3 for use with MP3 player and SD card in the car.
Very pleased with the package.
The NAD PP3 was £70 from Hificonfidential, this does come with a lite version of the VinylStudio software however I would recommend upgrading to the full version for £22 from AlpineSoft.
You can find cheaper solutions although these are likely to result in inferior results, you can find more expensive solutions which will also result in inferior results, from my research you need to spend £1000's to obtain a true hifi solution to this problem which for the majority of users is not cost effective.
Hope this helps.
Reagrds, Neil
I have a Linn Basik turntable running through a Naim Amp and Royd Albion speakers, as such I wanted to maintain a standard of sound quality. With most of my vinyl in the loft, there is an argument that anything is better than nothing, however I could not bear to listen to poor recordings which would distract from my listening pleasure.
Three main problems were: why buy a USB deck when the deck quality was far inferior to what I already have;
laptop sound cards are useless when recording analogue to hard drives; MP3 quality is poor and would not warrant replacing the vinyl.
The solution: NAD PP3 DAB phono stage and Vinyl Studio software.
This allows you to connect your turntable directly to your laptop via the USB. Since it is a phono-stage and DAB it by-passes the sound card and allows you to digitise your music and directly record to your hard drive.
Vinyl Studio works well at removing imperfections in the recordings (clicks etc.) but the real advantage is being able to record WAV files. These are much larger than MP3 but the sound quality is infinitely superior. (Record a single as WAV and MP3 then playback through your hifi - the difference is shocking).
I have begun archiving my vinyl to WAV which I can play back from my laptop through the Naim Amp, this gives very satisfactory results, while also converting the files to MP3 for use with MP3 player and SD card in the car.
Very pleased with the package.
The NAD PP3 was £70 from Hificonfidential, this does come with a lite version of the VinylStudio software however I would recommend upgrading to the full version for £22 from AlpineSoft.
You can find cheaper solutions although these are likely to result in inferior results, you can find more expensive solutions which will also result in inferior results, from my research you need to spend £1000's to obtain a true hifi solution to this problem which for the majority of users is not cost effective.
Hope this helps.
Reagrds, Neil
Neil, thanks thats a very comprehensive bit of info to consider. The wire only connector was advertised in the saturday paper at £30 with Audacity programme which I understood was a decent programme. whilst a music lover, I know my ears aren't as good as they were from too many loud gigs and also open cars like Caterhams. If I had my time over I would have used earplugs when I wasn't using sidescreens!
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