[Vedder323]

Hey guys,

Anyone have suggestions on an audio interface that includes line in without gain? I am looking to record samples for my review site and wanted to come up with a solution people would be happy with. Any ideas? I have been looking around and having a hard time tracking much of anything down... 

Thanks,

Ron

[neobop]

Interface for what, recording on your PC?  You need the gain of your phono stage and RIAA EQ to record from a record.  For AD options and ripping software you should go to Discless Circle.
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?board=133.0 

If you get a stand alone digital recorder it might have two separate lines in.  Check for that feature first.  I think it's better to avoid extra boxes and connections.
neo

[Vedder323]

Interface for what, recording on your PC?  You need the gain of your phono stage and RIAA EQ to record from a record.  For AD options and ripping software you should go to Discless Circle.
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?board=133.0 

If you get a stand alone digital recorder it might have two separate lines in.  Check for that feature first.  I think it's better to avoid extra boxes and connections.
neo

Thanks Neo,

I could have been more clear.

I own the Parasound JC3. I want to record high resolution samples of music to my Imac. The Imac does have a line input but I found its a bit too noisy for my liking. I was looking for a higher quality solution.

[JohnR]

Like this?

http://mhsecure.com/metric_halo/products/hardware/uln-2.html

I'm not sure how up-to-date this list is but it might give you some pointers:

http://www.channld.com/support-soundcards.html

[Wayner]

You need to get into your computer via the USB connection. Benchmark makes an A to D converter just for this very thing, but it isn't cheap, at $1,795: http://www.musicdirect.com/p-1737-benchmark-adc1-usb-ad-converter.aspx

There are other MFGRs that make A to D converters that may be cheaper.

[Vedder323]

This leads me in the right direction! Thanks!

[Russtafarian]

Here are two high quality and reasonably priced options for recording vinyl. 

This $200 portable Tascam unit records wav files to SDHC cards at up to 24/96.  http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/DR40/  It has balanced line inputs to match the balanced outputs of your phono stage.  It's small enough to set next to your turntable for easy access/control.  Once you record all the vinyl cuts or sides, plug the recorder into a PC or Mac via USB to access and edit the wav files.  You will get excellent results.

Another more sophisticated and higher quality option is the new $350 Centrance Mixerface.  http://centrance.com/products/mixerface/  This is an audio interface, not a stand-alone recorder so it needs to be connected to a computer, ipad or iphone to work.  It has a better A to D circuit, will record up to 24/192, and offers more flexibility.  Pair it with an Ipod Touch or Iphone and you have one of the highest quality portable stereo recorders on the market.

I've been using a previous gen Tascam recorder for vinyl ripping and get excellent results.  I have the Centrance unit on order and expect it to be even better.

Russ

[Vedder323]

Here are two high quality and reasonably priced options for recording vinyl. 

This $200 portable Tascam unit records wav files to SDHC cards at up to 24/96.  http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/DR40/  It has balanced line inputs to match the balanced outputs of your phono stage.  It's small enough to set next to your turntable for easy access/control.  Once you record all the vinyl cuts or sides, plug the recorder into a PC or Mac via USB to access and edit the wav files.  You will get excellent results.

Another more sophisticated and higher quality option is the new $350 Centrance Mixerface.  http://centrance.com/products/mixerface/  This is an audio interface, not a stand-alone recorder so it needs to be connected to a computer, ipad or iphone to work.  It has a better A to D circuit, will record up to 24/192, and offers more flexibility.  Pair it with an Ipod Touch or Iphone and you have one of the highest quality portable stereo recorders on the market.

I've been using a previous gen Tascam recorder for vinyl ripping and get excellent results.  I have the Centrance unit on order and expect it to be even better.

Russ

TY Russ! Keep me posted please!

[jtwrace]

Here are two high quality and reasonably priced options for recording vinyl. 

This $200 portable Tascam unit records wav files to SDHC cards at up to 24/96.  http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/DR40/  It has balanced line inputs to match the balanced outputs of your phono stage.  It's small enough to set next to your turntable for easy access/control.  Once you record all the vinyl cuts or sides, plug the recorder into a PC or Mac via USB to access and edit the wav files.  You will get excellent results.

I've been using a previous gen Tascam recorder for vinyl ripping and get excellent results.  I have the Centrance unit on order and expect it to be even better.

Russ

Would it be too much to ask for you to post some samples between the two units?  That would be very cool.   

Another more sophisticated and higher quality option is the new $350 Centrance Mixerface.  http://centrance.com/products/mixerface/  This is an audio interface, not a stand-alone recorder so it needs to be connected to a computer, ipad or iphone to work.  It has a better A to D circuit, will record up to 24/192, and offers more flexibility.  Pair it with an Ipod Touch or Iphone and you have one of the highest quality portable stereo recorders on the market.

Gosh this thing is very tempting.

[Vedder323]

Actually Russ,

With the Tascam, it looks to me like those mic inputs use gain? Im assuming the same on this other unit? Id think that would cause all kinds of problems? No?

[jtwrace]

Gosh this thing is very tempting.

Didn't last long.  I have one on pre order now too.   


I'm thinking about using TwistedWave. 

[Vedder323]

Didn't last long.  I have one on pre order now too.   


I'm thinking about using TwistedWave.

Ha! Will you be using for Vinyl as well? Whats the application?

[gab]

This might be useful if you can handle some DIY. Over on the gearslutz forum, this is the recommendation: http://www.gearslutz.com/board/search.php (search on PCM4222EVM)

It looks like Mouser has 3 of them in stock:

http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Texas-Instruments/PCM4222EVM/?qs=x9Fa6eo0USkoieE6GGZWGA%3d%3d

Its a TI evaluation board. Add a linear +-15VDC and +5VDC power supply and you're in business. Here is link to pdf data sheet:

http://www.ti.com/lit/ug/sbau124/sbau124.pdf

gab

[jtwrace]

Ha! Will you be using for Vinyl as well? Whats the application?

Little bit of this and little bit of that.   

[Russtafarian]

With the Tascam, it looks to me like those mic inputs use gain? Im assuming the same on this other unit? Id think that would cause all kinds of problems? No?

Any A to D converter will have some sort of variable gain stage.  That's the only way to set input levels for optimum A to D conversion.  Since your source is a Parasound phonostage, you'll use the line level input setting. Gain will be minimal but necessary to set proper recording levels.

Russ

[Russtafarian]

Didn't last long.  I have one on pre order now too.   


I'm thinking about using TwistedWave.

Ha! Made you spend money.  I win.

Russ

[jtwrace]

Ha! Made you spend money.  I win.

Russ

   I wouldn't take too much credit though.  I'm pretty good at it.      I'm totally looking forward to it though.   


Hey, Ron, if you wanted, I'd lend you my unit when it comes to test out. 

[Vedder323]

   I wouldn't take too much credit though.  I'm pretty good at it.      I'm totally looking forward to it though.   


Hey, Ron, if you wanted, I'd lend you my unit when it comes to test out.

RAD!

[jtwrace]

RAD!

I'll let you know when I get it.  Sounds like May/June maybe. 

[Russtafarian]

This might be useful if you can handle some DIY. Over on the gearslutz forum, this is the recommendation: http://www.gearslutz.com/board/search.php (search on PCM4222EVM)

It looks like Mouser has 3 of them in stock:

http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Texas-Instruments/PCM4222EVM/?qs=x9Fa6eo0USkoieE6GGZWGA%3d%3d

Its a TI evaluation board. Add a linear +-15VDC and +5VDC power supply and you're in business. Here is link to pdf data sheet:

http://www.ti.com/lit/ug/sbau124/sbau124.pdf

gab

Assuming someone can get this powered up and installed in a chassis, how would it interface with a computer for recording?

Russ