Technics SL1200GR2 with VM740ML cart.... which ADC and phono stage?

[Allsop]

Hi

I am struggling to identify a good Phono stage and ADC to record my vinyl into my Laptop.

For background I record dance vinyls, many of which are not available digitally. Some are just test pressings, acetates and so on that never got signed to a label even.



I had purchased the Rega Fono Mini II however the USB is limited to 16bit 48kHz.

I did prefer to have the phonostage be capable of 24/32bit 96kHz but I find it difficult to get a phonostage that can connect to a seperate ADC.

Does anyone have any recommendations? Ideally I would love a phono statge with USB that can output 32bit 96khz and adjustable level knob for recording.

 

[Timmy]

Not exactly on topic, but my conclusion about all this is like »interesting but it doesn’t pay ...«.

Fact is that I’m hardly ever listening to those ripped-from-vinyl tunes once they were created. Instead, I am rather listening to any professionally made versions via stream (Tidal etc) or I put that fine old record on the platter once again and make it rotate

 

[Allsop]

Not exactly on topic, but my conclusion about all this is like »interesting but it doesn’t pay ...«.

Fact is that I’m hardly ever listening to those ripped-from-vinyl tunes once they were created. Instead, I am rather listening to any professionally made versions via stream (Tidal etc) or I put that fine old record on the platter once again and make it rotate

Sorry I should have said (edited the OP now).

I record dance vinyls, many of which are not available digitally. Some are just test pressings, acetates and so on that never got signed to a label even. So recording them into the laptop as WAV is the only way.

 

[somebodyelse]

32 bit is only about signal transfer. None of the ADCs will reach, let alone exceed, 24 bit performance. Even 16 bit will exceed the dynamic range of vinyl by a good margin, so I wouldn't worry too much.

We haven't seen many measurements of phono stages with digital outputs. Do you need one with USB built in, or would you consider separate phono stage and USB audio interface?

 

[Allsop]

Hi

I am struggling to identify a good Phono stage and ADC to record my vinyl into my Laptop.

For background I record dance vinyls, many of which are not available digitally. Some are just test pressings, acetates and so on that never got signed to a label even.



I had purchased the Rega Fono Mini II however the USB is limited to 16bit 48kHz. I also have the Behringer UCA 222 but I read something about the inputs being mono and that has also put me off it (it also was limited to 48kHz).


Does anyone have any recommendations? Ideally I would love a phono statge with USB that can output 32bit 96khz and adjustable level knob for recording.

 

[Allsop]

32 bit is only about signal transfer. None of the ADCs will reach, let alone exceed, 24 bit performance. Even 16 bit will exceed the dynamic range of vinyl by a good margin, so I wouldn't worry too much.

We haven't seen many measurements of phono stages with digital outputs. Do you need one with USB built in, or would you consider separate phono stage and USB audio interface?

I am happy with either option.

I have the Behringer UCA222 but that is limited to 48KhZ. What put me off that unit was I read on their own website the inputs were mono!?! Plus you cannot adjust the levels of the input on the device.

I then bought the Rega Fono Mini II but also limited to 16bit 48KHZ.

I have no issue leaving WAVs at 48kHz, but I want that to be a post processing choice. I want the initial rip to be as hi quality as possible with the highest bitrate possible.

 

[Allsop]

And another one that looks great but 48Khz 16bit

| ART Pro Audio

View all ART Pro Audio's

artproaudio.com

Am I chasing the impossible dream of having 96khz and USB output?

 

[Salt]

Parks Waxwing (thread available on ASR).

 

[Allsop]

Perhaps I should just get over it and use the Rega Fono

Parks Waxwing (thread available on ASR).

It does look fantastic with all the options.

I cant see how it connects to a laptop and cannot see if it will output 96khz 32 bit?

The other thing that puts me off is my records are dance music, and most of these declick programs recognise the kick drum as a click, I prefer to apply my own settings in Izotope RX post recording. Cant see if this tries to declick as your recording but that would be an absolute no no for me.

I owned a Sweetvinyl Sugracube and that was a total waste of time for dance music.

 

[somebodyelse]

Parks Waxwing (thread available on ASR).

Note that it doesn't have a USB connection, so an adapter would be needed. From https://www.parksaudiollc.com/waxwing.html:

"I'm quite keen on recording LPs to my computer. Can the Waxwing do that?"

• The Waxwing's USB power port is for 5VDC power only and doesn't support USB Audio.
• You'll want to use a USB-to-optical interface device - like the Hifime UR 23 - which handles OS driver support and also DC isolates the Waxwing from a noisy computer (i.e. its leakage currents).
• How to record using the Waxwing and UR23: LINK

 

[MaxwellsEq]

I had a Rega Fono II, but it was quite poor, it was very difficult/impossible to eliminate noise. These days I use a separate phono preamplifier (Alva Duo) and ADC (ADI 2 PRO FS R B).

The Waxwing may be exactly what you are looking for.

It makes sense to do the initial capture at 24/96 and then process down to 16/48 since this is better than LP playback is capable of.

 

[oceansize]

I had a Rega Fono II, but it was quite poor, it was very difficult/impossible to eliminate noise. These days I use a separate phono preamplifier (Alva Duo) and ADC (ADI 2 PRO FS R B).

The Waxwing may be exactly what you are looking for.

It makes sense to do the initial capture at 24/96 and then process down to 16/48 since this is better than LP playback is capable of.

The Waxwing doesn't have USB output - an adaptor would be required.

 

[Allsop]

I had a Rega Fono II, but it was quite poor, it was very difficult/impossible to eliminate noise. These days I use a separate phono preamplifier (Alva Duo) and ADC (ADI 2 PRO FS R B).

The Waxwing may be exactly what you are looking for.

It makes sense to do the initial capture at 24/96 and then process down to 16/48 since this is better than LP playback is capable of.

Yes exactly my thoughts, I prefer to get it in there as high as possible, edit in Iztope RX myself and then save to 16/48 when im happy.

Ive looked at the waxwing, I cannot see it does 32/96 and I cannot see how to get it to my Laptop. Otherwise I like the other features and tweaks you can make.

 

[oceansize]

Hifime UR23 SPDIF Optical to USB converter (UAC1 44-96kHz/16-24bit) should work between the Waxwing and your laptop.

 

[somebodyelse]

I have the Behringer UCA222 but that is limited to 48KhZ. What put me off that unit was I read on their own website the inputs were mono!?! Plus you cannot adjust the levels of the input on the device.

The inputs are stereo unless they've changed something. Depending on how old yours is the performance may leave something to be desired - at some point they changed from a TI codec to a cheaper generic compatible one with lower performance - this is why it measured so much better when nwavguy tested it than when tested here. The 202 and 222 appear to be the same hardware with a different driver and different paint on the case. Thomann's Fun Generation UA-202 uses the same TI codec but includes a switchable phono input - not measured so far though.

Not seeing how it connects to a laptop and cannot see if it will output 96khz 32 bit?

As previously stated, 32 bit isn't real in an audio ADC.

Since you've already got the Rega I suggest giving it a go. If you start recording before dropping the needle you'll see how much noise comes from the vinyl playback. That should show you that 16 bit isn't the limitation you think it is. If you still want 24 bit then check out the audio interface reviews and pick something that matches your budget and performance needs. I think they all work with Mac and Windows - if you have linux then check driver compatibility before buying.

I should have asked earlier what turntable and cartridge you have so we can avoid suggestions that are overkill. Also how far down the rabbit hole do you want to go?
(edit: right there in the title )

 

[restorer-john]

It does look fantastic with all the options.

I would be looking at a phono stage with a much higher overload, particularly if you are digitizing hot 12" 45rpm or dance tracks.

 

[somebodyelse]

The other thing that puts me off is my records are dance music, and most of these declick programs recognise the kick drum as a click, I prefer to apply my own settings in Izotope RX post recording. Cant see if this tries to declick as your recording but that would be an absolute no no for me.

Like most of the features, it's optional. Turn off 'Magic' if you don't want it.

 

[somebodyelse]

I would be looking at a phono stage with a much higher overload, particularly if you are digitizing hot 12" 45rpm or dance tracks.

Just turn the gain down to avoid clipping.

 

[BDWoody]

Two threads merged... One is enough.

 

[Allsop]

The inputs are stereo unless they've changed something.

I read from here - https://www.behringer.com/product.html?modelCode=0805-AAC

My unit is red. The sticker at the front says UCA222, the back says UCA202.