ADC vs analog preamp

[jazzvinyl2020]

I have a fairly good analog front end consisting of a Nottingham Dais turntable, DIY XONO Pass phono preamp. I also use Hypex Ncore monoblocks. Currently my preamp is a Pass B1 buffer (also DIY). On the digital side, I’m using a Gustard X20 DAC which goes straight into the Hypex when I am listening to digital.

Here’s the idea: I’d like to simplify the setup by using the Gustard mainly (remote volume control etc) but I’d need an ADC that doesn’t degrade my vinyl experience. Are there any ADCs in the $500 range that would be good enough for this job?

 

[Soniclife]

I have a fairly good analog front end consisting of a Nottingham Dais turntable, DIY XONO Pass phono preamp. I also use Hypex Ncore monoblocks. Currently my preamp is a Pass B1 buffer (also DIY). On the digital side, I’m using a Gustard X20 DAC which goes straight into the Hypex when I am listening to digital.

Here’s the idea: I’d like to simplify the setup by using the Gustard mainly (remote volume control etc) but I’d need an ADC that doesn’t degrade my vinyl experience. Are there any ADCs in the $500 range that would be good enough for this job?

You need unbalanced in, digital out?
I'm sure most cheap converters will be fine, vinyl is not a challenge, would be good to see some recommendations that come with measurements to confirm.

 

[jazzvinyl2020]

Yes, basically unbalanced in would do. Anything is fine as long as I don’t hear any audible degradation

 

[raif71]

If you find a good adc solution...do keep us updated...if it was me, I'd just connect direct the turntable to an amp or like what you have. Don't really trust that adc conversion will improve the sound

 

[jazzvinyl2020]

Yep agreed, a bit counter-intuitive to convert a good analog signal back and forth. But aside from convenience aspects this experiment should validate that digital is perfectly transparent. I have no experience with ADCs but this makes me curious how workable ADCs are in fairly high-end analog setups

 

[Vincent Kars]

You might have a look at pre-amps with both analog and digital inputs.
But their number is rather limited
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/dac-preamp-with-analog-inputs.5924/

 

[Soniclife]

http://parksaudiollc.com/

It's been reviewed here, will work as both ADC, or a phono stage with digital out.

 

[kaka89]

http://parksaudiollc.com/

It's been reviewed here, will work as both ADC, or a phono stage with digital out.

It has no digital out.

 

[Soniclife]

It has no digital out.

It does, scroll down further.

 

[Rja4000]

RME ADI-2 fs
They run for around 700€ (with ADC and DAC).
But you may want to go for the Pro version instead and sale the Gustard.

 

[Rja4000]

If you're feeling in a DIY mood, you may also want to take a look at TI's PCM4222 Evaluation board
This was a suggestion from @March Audio.

You'll need a power supply and a proper box too, though.
I didn't use a box, but I did use a Linear Audio Silent Switcher (before it was used in the Autoranger II) with some success.

 

[sergeauckland]

I've converted my analogue signals to digital then back again for over 20 years. Firstly it was because my Meridian DSP5000 'speakers only had digital inputs, then later with my current set-up, I digitise the analogue output of my streamer and CD player as well as turntables in the DSP-based equaliser and crossover.

I've proved to my own satisfaction over and again that the ADC-DAC process is completely transparent, so not bothered about the conversions going on.

S

 

[LTig]

I have a fairly good analog front end consisting of a Nottingham Dais turntable, DIY XONO Pass phono preamp. I also use Hypex Ncore monoblocks. Currently my preamp is a Pass B1 buffer (also DIY). On the digital side, I’m using a Gustard X20 DAC which goes straight into the Hypex when I am listening to digital.

Here’s the idea: I’d like to simplify the setup by using the Gustard mainly (remote volume control etc) but I’d need an ADC that doesn’t degrade my vinyl experience. Are there any ADCs in the $500 range that would be good enough for this job?

This one is so cheap it might be worth a try: Swissonic Converter AD 24/192 (EDIT: there is no switch to set samplerate and bit depth so it may always works in 24/192 only!)

I measured its companion (Swissonic Converter DA 24/192) here at ASR. If the ADC has similar specs it should be good enough for vinyl. If you don't like it you could send it to @amirm or to me.

 

[Blumlein 88]

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...rite-scarlett-8i6-3rd-gen-usb-audio-interface

Something like this would do what you need. Focusrite 8i6 for $269. It has one digital RCA SPDIF output. It has TRS balanced line inputs. You can send your phono preamp to that via RCA to TRS cables. That will work fine.

This of course does more than you need, and you'll need to connect it to a computer for initial setup. However, once you set everything for your purpose you can unplug the computer and it will function as a stand alone device. It has its own power supply. At least the earlier version would, might be worth confirming this 3rd generation will do so, but usually these work like that. You could have it output 24/96 or 24/192 signals to your DAC.

 

[bYOndo]

This one is so cheap it might be worth a try: Swissonic Converter AD 24/192 (EDIT: there is no switch to set samplerate and bit depth so it may always works in 24/192 only!)

I measured its companion (Swissonic Converter DA 24/192) here at ASR. If the ADC has similar specs it should be good enough for vinyl. If you don't like it you could send it to @amirm or to me.

I'm very intrigued by this ADC too. Next order to Thomann.de and it will be in my cart

edit: I've read specs sheet with more attention: "max input: 1,1 V" could be a severe limitation, without some adhoc attenuator.

Massimo

 

[LTig]

I'm very intrigued by this ADC too. Next order to Thomann.de and it will be in my cart

edit: I've read specs sheet with more attention: "max input: 1,1 V" could be a severe limitation, without some adhoc attenuator.

Massimo

Yep, you may need a passive attenuator if the source delivers more voltage.

 

[jazzvinyl2020]

Just an update, guys. I bought the RME ADI 2 Pro FS Black Edition (newest version with AKM4493 chipset) and of course built-in ADC. It’s mind-blowing great! I’d say maybe even better than my Gustard X20. As for ADC performance, I cannot hear a difference between the Nottingham / phono preamp to passive volume control vs the ADC. It’s really funny to even hear pops and crackles of vinyl through the ADC imagining that some conversion happens in between. I’ve also done vinyl rips of my rarer discs. Love the versatility of the RME and the preamp function. Guess if the tech in my RME ever gets outdated, I will still use its ADC. Crazy, never would have thought that I will convert my analog sources that way.