Phono: ADC-->DAC?

[dmilller]

The Vinyl Wars thread got me curious. Is it common to put digital in the phono pathway to EQ, or are most vinyl users purists and stay analog?

 

[LTig]

I think the majority ofvinyl users still do RIAA EQ in analog since digital solutions are quite rare (Parks Audio Puffin coming to mind). However anyone using room EQ or digital tone controls must use AD/DA. And there is nothing wrong with doing so.

 

[dmilller]

I've been eyeing the analog in on the miniDSP SHD. That connection would allow me to go balanced from a preamp by the turntable 20 feet away.

I'm sure the RCA connection out from the turntable needs to be short. But I lost that knowledge several decades ago.

 

[Godataloss]

I've been eyeing the analog in on the miniDSP SHD. That connection would allow me to go balanced from a preamp by the turntable 20 feet away.

I'm sure the RCA connection out from the turntable needs to be short. But I lost that knowledge several decades ago.

I'm using the minidsp SHD with a turntable. I've used the balanced out and single ended input with a turntable with great results. The ad/da conversion is inaudible to me. The improvements to be had with PEQ are dramatically audible. It's totally dispelled any mystique of maintaining an analog chain.

 

[LTig]

I'm sure the RCA connection out from the turntable needs to be short. But I lost that knowledge several decades ago.

This is correct. With MC systems longer cables might pickup hum, with MM systems the cable capacitance gets too high which changes frequency response away from flat.

 

[Timcognito]

great question. great answers. great thread.

 

[dmilller]

I'm using the minidsp SHD with a turntable. I've used the balanced out and single ended input with a turntable with great results. The ad/da conversion is inaudible to me. The improvements to be had with PEQ are dramatically audible. It's totally dispelled any mystique of maintaining an analog chain.

I'm assuming the SHD can't take phono level input. Is that correct? Do you develop a PEQ for vinyl?

 

[fpitas]

I doubt the SHD input is that sensitive. You need one of the phono preamps like Amir has tested, with RIAA and a bunch of gain to get to line level.

 

[Count Arthur]

Also, consider that since the 90s most music has been recorded, mixed and mastered digitally, prior to being converted back to analogue to create a vinyl copy.

So, with the exception of early recordings and some speciallity all analogue studios, most recordings on vinyl have already been digitised at some point and you are in effect using your analogue turntable to listen to someone elses DAC.

 

[fpitas]

Also, consider that since the 90s most music has been recorded, mixed and mastered digitally, prior to being converted back to analogue to create a vinyl copy.

So, with the exception of early recordings and some speciallity all analogue studios, most recordings on vinyl have already been digitised at some point and you are in effect using your analogue turntable to listen to someone elses DAC.

Sure, but the warm vinyl smooths over all those digital steps

 

[thegeton]

The Vinyl Wars thread got me curious. Is it common to put digital in the phono pathway to EQ, or are most vinyl users purists and stay analog?

There is also the ADI-2/4 Pro SE, reviewed here.

 

[LTig]

I doubt the SHD input is that sensitive. You need one of the phono preamps like Amir has tested, with RIAA and a bunch of gain to get to line level.

A linear preamplifier with again of 20 dB for MM and about 40 dB for low output MC would suffice to digitize the signal and then apply digital RIAA correction. A cheap mixing console might do this; high Z input for MM, microphone input for MM.

 

[Salt]

@thegeton gives the answer at post #11.
For low output MC use a transformer may be helpful.

 

[Timcognito]

Is there a phono preamp that outputs in WiFi? With all the WiFi enabled speakers there should be one.

 

[Vuki]

Digital riaa thread

 

[Wicky]

There is also the ADI-2/4 Pro SE, reviewed here.

A nice clip explaining the ADI-2/4 Pro RIAA implementation here. If I were back in the vinyl world this would be on my shopping list!

 

[Salt]

Is there a phono preamp that outputs in WiFi? With all the WiFi enabled speakers there should be one.

If there would be something like this it should have streaming competence to control the speakers?
If not a phono preamp with ADC and USB output could broadcast via WLAN USB Dongle, maybe.

 

[Timcognito]

If there would be something like this it should have streaming competence to control the speakers?
If not a phono preamp with ADC and USB output could broadcast via WLAN USB Dongle, maybe.

I think a phono amp and WiiM streamer works?

 

[Salt]

Maybe @VintageFlanker can confirm this.

 

[dmilller]

Is there a phono preamp that outputs in WiFi? With all the WiFi enabled speakers there should be one.

Look at Yamaha. I believe they have a turntable that does airplay 2 and perhaps other formats.