phono to digital?.

[almikel]

I have two unused turntables and a stack of old vinyl but no way to play vinyl in my current digital setup.

I'm running a DEQX HDP3 pre-amp which doesn't have a great ADC, but it does have a spare digital input.

 

Are there good but reasonably priced phono's out there with a SPDIF or AES digital output?

 

cheers

Mike

 

Edited January 8, 2020 by almikel

[andyr]

9 hours ago, almikel said:

I have two unused turntables and a stack of old vinyl but no way to play vinyl in my current digital setup.

I'm running a DEQX HDP3 pre-amp which doesn't have a great ADC, but it does have a spare digital input.

 

Are there good but reasonably priced phono's out there with a SPDIF or AES digital output?

 

cheers

Mike

 

Mike,

 

I now use an A2D converter after my phono stage, so I can feed the digital signal directly into the digital input of my miniDSP.

 

The ADC is this one ... https://www.beis.de/Elektronik/ADDA24QS/AD24QS.html

 

Have not come across a phono stage/A2D converter all-in-one.

 

Andy

 

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

I’m using a PS Audio Nuwave Phono Converter.

 

A great phono stage alone, but with an (up to) 24/192 ADC and coax digital out.

 

I run that into a NAD c658, so I assume I’m probably doing the same thing as you (and @andyr) to get room correction.

 

I put up a WTB and got an offer a week later and paid $1000 (fully boxed, looked brand new).

 

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

Edited December 13, 2019 by furtherpale

[H.E. Pennypacker]

I forgot to add, I was considering one of the Puffins (24/96 ADC, optional coax out) which is $US 549.

 

If anyone in Canberra has one I’d love to have you over for a comparison.

 

http://parksaudiollc.com

[andyr]

14 minutes ago, furtherpale said:

I forgot to add, I was considering one of the Puffins (24/96 ADC, optional coax out) which is $US 549.

 

If anyone in Canberra has one I’d love to have you over for a comparison.

 

http://parksaudiollc.com

 

My understanding was that the Puffin - though it does its RIAA in the digital domain ... a great concept - only offers RCA analogue out?

 

Andy

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

3 minutes ago, andyr said:

 

My understanding was that the Puffin - though it does its RIAA in the digital domain ... a great concept - only offers RCA analogue out?

 

Andy

 

They recently updated to offer a coax out (scroll down in the link - $US 449 no coax, $549 with coax), but it’s a very recent update (mid November maybe?), though I think they had a DIY prior to that.

 

If the Nuwave hadn’t have popped up, I probably would have grabbed a puffin.

 

 

Edited December 13, 2019 by furtherpale

[andyr]

30 minutes ago, furtherpale said:

 

They recently updated to offer a coax out (scroll down in the link - $US 449 no coax, $549 with coax), but it’s a very recent update (mid November maybe?), though I think they had a DIY prior to that.

 

 

Aah, thanks for the update.  I had read it might be coming - I just didn't realise it was here already! 

 

Andy

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

Just now, andyr said:

 

Aah, thanks for the update.  I had read it might be coming - I just didn't realise it was here already! 

 

Andy

 

I’ve only had the Nuwave for 2 weeks, so I’m fresh of 2 months of hardcore research.

[metal beat]

The DEQX HDP3 has Two analog inputs: Unbalanced (2 x RCA) and Balanced (2 x XLR)

 

Just use one or both inputs with a phono stage and spin your vinyl.      I do this whenever I occasionally run my HDP4 as a preamp.

 

cheers

Edited December 14, 2019 by metal beat

[almikel]

23 hours ago, metal beat said:

The DEQX HDP3 has Two analog inputs

the HDP3 ADCs are not highly regarded - they were upgraded in the HDP4/5.

 

When I first got my HDP3 there was an improvement changing from analog input to digital coax input from my CDP, which was a Marantz 67SE, so respectable DACs.

I've not run analog inputs on the DEQX since.

 

I'm sure the ADCs in the HDP3 aren't terrible, but if sourcing a phono I figured I'd look at what was out there that has a SPDIF coax or XLR digital output.

I have an old NAD pre that has an MM phono input - I could run that into the DEQX analog input, just to get some vinyl running...

On 14/12/2019 at 9:54 AM, furtherpale said:

They recently updated to offer a coax out (scroll down in the link - $US 449 no coax, $549 with coax), but it’s a very recent update (mid November maybe?),

@andyr, @furtherpale, thanks for the suggestions - maybe a longer term upgrade path - the budget won't stretch that far at the moment...

 

My current setup has my laptop on the top shelf of my equipment stand (and the laptop is my music source and runs the DEQX), leaving no room for a turntable - so a DIY shelf mounted solidly to studs on the front wall for the turntable to sit on sounds like a good Xmas project.

 

cheers

Mike

[almikel]

On 14/12/2019 at 9:54 AM, furtherpale said:

They recently updated to offer a coax out (scroll down in the link - $US 449 no coax, $549 with coax), but it’s a very recent update (mid November maybe?), though I think they had a DIY prior to that.

maybe they haven't updated their website other than a link to buy a coax SPDIF version

The link to the SPDIF output on their site is still the DIY option

 

mike

[metal beat]

4 hours ago, almikel said:

the HDP3 ADCs are not highly regarded - they were upgraded in the HDP4/5.

 

When I first got my HDP3 there was an improvement changing from analog input to digital coax input from my CDP, which was a Marantz 67SE, so respectable DACs.

I've not run analog inputs on the DEQX since.

 

I'm sure the ADCs in the HDP3 aren't terrible, but if sourcing a phono I figured I'd look at what was out there that has a SPDIF coax or XLR digital output.

I have an old NAD pre that has an MM phono input - I could run that into the DEQX analog input, just to get some vinyl running...

@andyr, @furtherpale, thanks for the suggestions - maybe a longer term upgrade path - the budget won't stretch that far at the moment...

 

My current setup has my laptop on the top shelf of my equipment stand (and the laptop is my music source and runs the DEQX), leaving no room for a turntable - so a DIY shelf mounted solidly to studs on the front wall for the turntable to sit on sounds like a good Xmas project.

 

cheers

Mike

 

Analog is analog,  so use the analog inputs, although it goes thru a ADC, but so does the entire system. 

 

   It is good enough for the rest of the system,  so it's more than could enough to run a phono stage ftom over of the inputs. 

[almikel]

1 hour ago, metal beat said:

Analog is analog,  so use the analog inputs, although it goes thru a ADC, but so does the entire system. 

 

   It is good enough for the rest of the system,  so it's more than could enough to run a phono stage ftom over of the inputs. 

I don't run anything through the analog inputs on my DEQX - I run my PC as my music source through a digital input to the DEQX - the entire system doesn't go through an ADC

 

cheers

Mike

[Colin Rutter]

Digital is evil

Anologue exists in the real world

[H.E. Pennypacker]

On 15/12/2019 at 3:10 PM, almikel said:

maybe they haven't updated their website other than a link to buy a coax SPDIF version

The link to the SPDIF output on their site is still the DIY option

 

mike

Shoot them an email if it takes your fancy... I read somewhere on their (terrible) website it was a fully complete option now... but it is very, very recent.

[SMX5000]

If your music laptop is a Mac you could Pure Vinyl software from Channel D in conjunction with a digital audio interface with Mic pre-amps.  The signal from your cart. is amplified and digitised by the digital audio interface and the software applies RIAA correction in the digital domain (as well as other editing if you feel inclined).  You can record each record as you play it and add it to your digital library. 

 

I've used this with good results using a Tascam UH-7000.  

 

Another option to consider, although not inexpensive, could be the Sugarcube range of digital phonostages, some of which look to have digital output.  I've not used one but they appear to be well received.  

[Mungbean66]

If you want to save a little on the PS Audio pre you can get the Parks Audio Puffin: http://parksaudiollc.com/
 

I have this phono stage and it’s incredible. I did a lot of research and initially wanted to get the PS Audio or another equally expensive pre but couldn’t fit this in with the turntable. 
The only caveat is that the digital out is only 24bit 48Khz Coax. All ADC processing before this is done at 96Khz. The best part of this phono pre is that everything is done in the DSP so it will be high gain with ease and it includes volume control, RIAA curves, gain control, balance, mono and ’flavour‘ options in the menu system. There is other stuff I’ve likely missed as well.  
Lastly, it can be used for Reel to Reel and CD also as the gain settings do go quite low. 
 

It is a digital based phono pre but it will reveal differences in tables, cartridges and recordings. Honestly after hearing how good this is, I am happy to suggest people buy DSP based Hifi gear.  

 

[sir sanders zingmore]

19 minutes ago, Mungbean66 said:

If you want to save a little on the PS Audio pre you can get the Parks Audio Puffin: http://parksaudiollc.com/
 

I have this phono stage and it’s incredible. I did a lot of research and initially wanted to get the PS Audio or another equally expensive pre but couldn’t fit this in with the turntable. 
The only caveat is that the digital out is only 24bit 48Khz Coax. All ADC processing before this is done at 96Khz. The best part of this phono pre is that everything is done in the DSP so it will be high gain with ease and it includes volume control, RIAA curves, gain control, balance, mono and ’flavour‘ options in the menu system. There is other stuff I’ve likely missed as well.  
Lastly, it can be used for Reel to Reel and CD also as the gain settings do go quite low. 
 

It is a digital based phono pre but it will reveal differences in tables, cartridges and recordings. Honestly after hearing how good this is, I am happy to suggest people buy DSP based Hifi gear.  

 

Does the Puffin do digital out?

EDIT. Ignore. I see that it does 

Edited December 29, 2019 by sir sanders zingmore

[H.E. Pennypacker]

23 minutes ago, Mungbean66 said:

If you want to save a little on the PS Audio pre you can get the Parks Audio Puffin: http://parksaudiollc.com/
 

I have this phono stage and it’s incredible. I did a lot of research and initially wanted to get the PS Audio or another equally expensive pre but couldn’t fit this in with the turntable. 
The only caveat is that the digital out is only 24bit 48Khz Coax. All ADC processing before this is done at 96Khz. The best part of this phono pre is that everything is done in the DSP so it will be high gain with ease and it includes volume control, RIAA curves, gain control, balance, mono and ’flavour‘ options in the menu system. There is other stuff I’ve likely missed as well.  
Lastly, it can be used for Reel to Reel and CD also as the gain settings do go quite low. 
 

It is a digital based phono pre but it will reveal differences in tables, cartridges and recordings. Honestly after hearing how good this is, I am happy to suggest people buy DSP based Hifi gear.  

 

Let me know if you’re interested in a comparison with the PS Audio.

[Mungbean66]

4 hours ago, furtherpale said:

Let me know if you’re interested in a comparison with the PS Audio.

Yeah definitely. Maybe early in the new year if your free.  

[H.E. Pennypacker]

35 minutes ago, Mungbean66 said:

Yeah definitely. Maybe early in the new year if your free.  

I’ll be back at work on the second, but plenty of time on weekends... give me a yell when you’re free.

[shawnwes]

Keep us posted gents. Interesting topic.