Everyone's got a DAC. But who has got an ADC?!

neekomax · « **on:** 9 Jan 2018, 12:43 am »

Looking to see if anyone out there has any experience with adding an ADC to their system. My girlfriend has a bunch of vinyl records and I want to get her a turntable so we can listen to them. Here's the twist: Meanwhile, I'm also considering a front end processor that lacks analog input, but has coax, optical and HDMI inputs.

So I'm thinking, ok no worries, just add an analog to digital convertor after the phono stage! Anyone ever try this? Any recommendations or opinions?

TIA!

HAL · « **Reply #1 on:** 9 Jan 2018, 12:46 am »

What is your price range? That might help with the answers.

neekomax · « **Reply #2 on:** 9 Jan 2018, 12:54 am »

Quote from: HAL on 9 Jan 2018, 12:46 am

What is your price range? That might help with the answers.

I have no idea what a decent ADC costs. But let's say under $150.

WGH · « **Reply #3 on:** 9 Jan 2018, 12:56 am »

Like a USB turntable?

neekomax · « **Reply #4 on:** 9 Jan 2018, 01:00 am »

Hmmm, yeah I guess. But I was thinking if it doesn't have USB, I need an ADC. And if it does have USB, I need a USB to S/PDIF convertor.

WGH · « **Reply #5 on:** 9 Jan 2018, 01:07 am »

Pro-Ject makes a optical out digital turntable and it comes in colors to match your couch.

Pro-Ject Essential II DIGITAL
http://www.project-audio.com/main.php?prod=essential2digital&lang=en

aldcoll · « **Reply #6 on:** 9 Jan 2018, 01:09 am »

Part of the equation is how good is the vinyl and what do you want to spend on that part of the equation.

And is it HER MONEY

Alan

neekomax · « **Reply #7 on:** 9 Jan 2018, 01:10 am »

Quote from: WGH on 9 Jan 2018, 01:07 am

Pro-Ject makes a optical out digital turntable and it comes in colors to match your couch.

Pro-Ject Essential II DIGITAL
http://www.project-audio.com/main.php?prod=essential2digital&lang=en

Pretty cool: Looks like it outputs in 24/96.

HAL · « **Reply #8 on:** 9 Jan 2018, 01:10 am »

Here is a possibility.

http://m-audio.com/m-tracks/2x2

rif · « **Reply #9 on:** 9 Jan 2018, 01:22 am »

I have one but have never used it, art di/o (digital input/output). Don't think it's appropriate, the ADC circuit uses a tube on purpose to add warmth. There's even a knob to control it. Oddly enough the tube isn't in the DAC circuit.

TomS · « **Reply #10 on:** 9 Jan 2018, 01:27 am »

Phono stage plus A/D converter all in one

http://www.psaudio.com/products/nuwave-phono-converter/

neekomax · « **Reply #11 on:** 9 Jan 2018, 01:38 am »

Quote from: aldcoll on 9 Jan 2018, 01:09 am

Part of the equation is how good is the vinyl and what do you want to spend on that part of the equation.

And is it HER MONEY

Alan

Actually, it will be a gift (the turntable and whatever else we need to make work) from me, so it's my money. But she's amazing, is supportive of my music/audio obsessions, and deserves it. Plus, it will be cool for us to share the system instead of it just being my thing. Happy (someday) wife, happy life.

neekomax · « **Reply #12 on:** 9 Jan 2018, 01:40 am »

Quote from: HAL on 9 Jan 2018, 01:10 am

Here is a possibility.

http://m-audio.com/m-tracks/2x2

Yeah, I actually have more than one audio interface laying around from my studio work, but I just want something simple and made for analog to S/PDIF. USB is an ok backup plan in a pinch.

neekomax · « **Reply #13 on:** 9 Jan 2018, 01:41 am »

Quote from: TomS on 9 Jan 2018, 01:27 am

Phono stage plus A/D converter all in one

http://www.psaudio.com/products/nuwave-phono-converter/

Thanks. $999.00 is a little rich for my blood however.

Scott F. · « **Reply #14 on:** 9 Jan 2018, 01:48 am »

The MAudio looks interesting. I've been using the ZOOM H2n portable for all my digitizing. Back when I bought it, it came with some great editing software. Not sure if the new version does.

The ZOOM does 24/96. Basically, I just go from my pre-amp outputs to the 1/8" input on the Zoom. I do a quick level check at the loudest part of the recording and set it to -3dBFS and then let her rip. After, I pop out the SD card, copy it to my hard drive then slice it up into individual tracks in the software. I'll de-click to eliminate surface noise and occasionally do some judicious EQing.

It's worked flawlessly for me.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005CQ2ZY6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

neekomax · « **Reply #15 on:** 9 Jan 2018, 01:51 am »

Quote from: Scott F. on 9 Jan 2018, 01:48 am

The MAudio looks interesting. I've been using the ZOOM H2n portable for all my digitizing. Back when I bought it, it came with some great editing software. Not sure if the new version does.

The ZOOM does 24/96. Basically, I just go from my pre-amp outputs to the 1/8" input on the Zoom. I do a quick level check at the loudest part of the recording and set it to -3dBFS and then let her rip. After, I pop out the SD card, copy it to my hard drive then slice it up into individual tracks in the software. I'll de-click to eliminate surface noise and occasionally do some judicious EQing.

It's worked flawlessly for me.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005CQ2ZY6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have the Zoom H42. It's fantastic. But I'm not trying digitize and save files, I want something that converts in real time to allow for playback on a turntable through a digital-only pre/pro.

artur9 · « **Reply #16 on:** 9 Jan 2018, 02:45 am »

I have a THORENS MM 008 ADC MM/MC Phono Preamp w/USB out for Digital Recording and it works fine. It's about 350.

neekomax · « **Reply #17 on:** 9 Jan 2018, 03:16 am »

Quote from: rif on 9 Jan 2018, 01:22 am

I have one but have never used it, art di/o (digital input/output). Don't think it's appropriate, the ADC circuit uses a tube on purpose to add warmth. There's even a knob to control it. Oddly enough the tube isn't in the DAC circuit.

Hmm, looks pretty relevant, actually. We could use this with a basic non-USB table and come out a little more flexible in the long run for the money.

Wanna sell yours? It'd be for a good cause.

left channel · « **Reply #18 on:** 9 Jan 2018, 06:25 am »

The Schiit Audio Jil, $199, rips in 24/48, 24/96 or 24/192.
http://www.schiit.com/products/jil
(That's Jil as in "Jill". As in "Jack". The Ripper. Riiight.)

Vinyl Studio, $29.95, runs on Windows or Mac.
http://www.alpinesoft.co.uk/

I bought these, but still need to borrow a turntable.

robink · « **Reply #19 on:** 12 Feb 2018, 10:20 pm »

I am also interested in ADC for vinyl conversion. I want to create archive quality recordings for rare vinyls and music that never made it to digital and probably never will. I already have a good turntable, cart and phono preamp, but it is hard to find ADC that were built for line level inputs without mic pre-amps.

I been trying to compile a list of products designed to do the job. If anyone has any products in mind, that were not designed for mics, can you help add to the list?

AD24QS http://www.beis.de/Elektronik/ADDA24QS/ADDA24QS.html
Schiit http://www.schiit.com/products/jil
Korg USB DAC/ADC http://www.korg.com/us/products/audio/ds_dac_10r/
Benchmark ADC1 https://benchmarkmedia.com/collections/analog-to-digital-audio-converter/products/benchmark-adc1-usb-audio-converter
PS Audio NuWave Phono Converter: http://www.psaudio.com/nuwave-phono-converter/
Evo PhonoDAC Two http://lnx.m2tech.biz/products/evo-two/evo-phonodac-two/