MINIDSP Adept ADC & Phono Preamp Review

[matteo.tonini]

Did I understand you guys correctly?

Yes. The USB port on the device is an output: sends audio FROM the Adept TO the pc.
What you want is the opposite as far as I can tell: you want the PC to be the source, and output to an external device.
The Adept won't do it

 

[Bland_username42069]

So USB audio here is an output to the PC or possibly other takers - but it is not a playback device available to the PC.

Did I understand you guys correctly?

Exactly.

You would use the Adept to feed either
A DAC preamp
An integrated amp with built in DAC
Active speakers with a DAC and volume control built into speakers
Or record the output of your turntable / line level analog source to your PC.

 

[m8o]

Wow... MiniDSP does it again.

 

[Sirius]

I have now read the entire thread about this interesting box, the miniDSP adept. I now have two questions:
1) Is the new firmware with five different gain settings up zo +12 db out already?
2) what kind of headroom, does one typically need from the loudest parts of a record, to allow for some crackle on a record, that is fairly clean?
I presently habe two options for my AT33/PTGII:
A) hook it up to my PSAudio Nuwave Phono Converter, where I have plenty of adjustability, and it also serves as an ADC, and then use its line out and go to an unbalanced Line in of my Linn G-ADSM/3. The disadvantage here is that the PSAudio NPC introduces some humm, if set to the necessary gain level (around 72 db usually). The digitizing with Vinylstudio on my Macbook works very well and is easy to perform.
B) hook the AT33/PTGII directly to the MC in of the Linn, and listen. The sound is very good, low noise and no hum. In case I want to digitize, I use a Line out of the Linn and adjust the volume on the Linn, and use the Line in of the PSAudio NPC. The disadvantage here is that I have to switch off my speakers (they would be way too loud), and monitor on the MAC speakers.

I am considering replacing the PSAudio which is plenty adjustable, but not very good at noise, by the miniDSP Adept.
The cartridges I use are: AT33/PTGII (my best cartidge and only MC), Elac ESG796H Sp (a vintage excellent MM), Elac EMM290HB30 (very good low output MM), Ortofon Vinyl Master silver (regular MM).