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ADC?

Printed From: Graham Slee Hifi System Components
Category: Digital Audio
Forum Name: CD, DVD Audio, DACs, ADCs and Digitizing
Forum Description: The existing (and obsolete?) digital formats
URL: https://www.hifisystemcomponents.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2412
Printed Date: 27 Mar 2026 at 2:30am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: ADC?
Posted By: bakastra
Subject: ADC?
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2014 at 1:21am
There is "gspaudio.co.uk >> Products >> DACs & ADCs" but no A/D converters yet and I was curious if there are any coming... Let me share some of my research on A/D converters. I ended up looking at the following models:

1. Mytek stereo96 $800 (up to 96KHz; 16-24bit)
2. Mytek stereo192 $1200 (up to 192KHz; 24bit only)
3. Benchmark ADC1 USB $1800 (USB up to 96KHz; digital output up to 192)
4. P.S. Audio NuWave Phono Converter $1900 (+phonostage; up to 384KHz :)

The first two (by Mytek) have S/PDIF and Toslink output only, and it turned out very difficult to send the digital output to a computer! Most, if not all, recent motherboard do not have digital inputs; external soundcards with digital inputs such as Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi HD USB are severely brain-dead windows-only (not even mac!) [well, some part of it works on linux, but not the digital input]; even current mac powerbooks dropped their support for Toslink input (mac mini models still seem to sport a digital input, though). Known ways out:
A. Someone suggested a great option to use a digital recorder (TASCAM DR-100) to record onto a CF card. $200.
B. The USB Phono Plus from ART allegedly sends TOSLINK >> USB without proprietary drivers, but according to its manual this is limited to 16/48KHz.
C. The BEST option must be to use the UX1 Sabre USB DAC S/PDIF to USB 2.0 converter from http://hifimediy.com/UX1-dac - HiFimeDIY .
This seems to be the only piece of the kind; it DOES work without any proprietary drivers (I tried it under Linux), sending up to 24/96KHz from Toslink to USB.
The good thing about Mytek is that it is 110/220V mains switchable.

Benchmark ADC1 and NuWave Phono converters both have USB output, usable without drivers; there is some interesting information about these two models at http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/HFN/ADC/HighQualityADCs.html - www.audiomisc.co.uk/HFN/ADC/HighQualityADCs.html
There, NuWave's A/D converter loses in comparison to Benchmark, and also its phono stage has been harshly criticized at http://www.analogplanet.com/content/five-phono-preamplifiers-compared-you-be-judge - analogplanet.com
so probably NuWave Phono is not worth the premium (well yes I simply do not like its looks:).

Returning to the subject, are A/D converters going to make it to the product list? Besides the quality, the features which I would enjoy are
1. USB output without need for extra drivers;
2. up to 24/192KHz;
3. 110/220 mains...

UPDATE: When I finished writing what would be my first post, I made another search... and found Graham Slee's remark, I think I once promised myself that I would only do three digital products: two are done and the ADC was number three, but by the time I find time to do it, it will be completely out of date.
So I got my answer... but I will post anyways in case someone is on a market for an ADC, and also hopefully I'd learn more about A/D conversion :)



Replies:
Posted By: Rousillon
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2014 at 4:37am
Furutech makes a GT 40 for both ADC and DAC purposes. Priced about $500 CDN.


Posted By: BAK
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2014 at 4:46am
Originally posted by bakastra bakastra wrote:


UPDATE: When I finished writing what would be my first post, I made another search... and found Graham Slee's remark, I think I once promised myself that I would only do three digital products: two are done and the ADC was number three, but by the time I find time to do it, it will be completely out of date.
So I got my answer... but I will post anyways in case someone is on a market for an ADC, and hopefully to learn about better ADC models :)

We have a rule about seeming to promote other product brands.
It is OK to mention other equipment that we use or have used.

This forum is provided by Graham Slee himself to help all members of the forum in their quest for the ultimate audio listening experience.
We all can share our experiences freely here.

I am not criticizing, only hoping to give you a "heads up" as your last sentence is on the border of...

Here to help,
Bruce


-------------
Bruce
AT-14SA, Pickering XV-15, Hana EL, Technics SL-1600MK2, Lautus, Majestic DAC, Technics SH-8055 spectrum analyzer, Eminence Beta8A custom cabs; Proprius & Reflex M or C, Enjoy Life your way!


Posted By: bakastra
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2014 at 5:49am
I apologize, this post had no intention to promote anything, it was only an attempt to sketch what looks to me as a rather gloomy situation on the market of A/D converters. I would love to see a no-thrills high-quality 24/96 converter with USB output and as a by-product to hear what people here have to say on encoding analog signal...

Bruce, I give in: if Graham Slee does not have an A/D converter in the plans, I am inviting a discussion of someone else's products... Full stop.


Posted By: tg [RIP]
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2014 at 8:52am

@bakastra,

like you I have spent some time in trying to find a decent ADC for vinyl digitisation.

I have also looked at some of the units you mention.

I did like the look and reputation of the Mytek but it seemed to require addition of their DAC to be able to provide either USB or Firewire connection/transfer to a computer.  Not a cheap option.

I have tended to like firewire connected devices, they often will run on Windows, Mac & Linux and have appropriate drivers for so doing.

As a resolution and hardware upgrade from my previous 24/96 soundcards, I settled on an M-audio Profire 610.  Not overly expensive and from my experience so far, quite an acceptable level of performance.

I run my Revelation phono stage into this and connect one pair of line outs to my preamp.

The S/PDIF connects to my DAC.

This allows me to preview the recorded signal through my main system whilst recording should I so choose.  Either from the line-out as a signal pass through, or via the DAC to immediately guage the conversion effects.

This device works under Windows, Mac OSX and will, I think, work with Ubuntu Studio 12 LTS.

There is no comparable GSP product at this stage so I do not feel this discussion out of order.

Naturally our host may wish to differ.



-------------
Tony G


Posted By: bakastra
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2014 at 9:55am
@Roussilon, @tg, thank you very much!

Indeed, both devices seem to be usable, and usable with linux, but no matter how much I enjoy excellent inexpensive stuff I find it hard to believe that these things would be anywhere close to Revelation phono stage (and that's what I am going to use as well :)

As to firewire, just like Toslink and S/PDIF, it seems harder to find on newer breeds of computers; compatibility-wise, digital recording via USB seems the way to go (at least for the home recording).
I wonder if HDMI input might be used for this purpose..

In any case, I think that the ADC market seriously lacks a decent $1k device.


Posted By: Ash
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2014 at 10:03am
I would also like to see GSP release an ADC, for faithful recording/preservation of analogue audio.

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We do not see things as they are. We see things as we are.


Posted By: PLEAVES
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2014 at 2:17pm
This is my first post. I bought Ash’s Bitzie back in the summer. I am still gobsmacked by the sound that magical little silver box makes. It has made by Audiolab 8200cd redundant via USB. It has to be the pound for pound champion of musical enjoyment. The sound & tone of a guitar into a pair of Grado SR325i cans still makes my jaw drop now!

Am i right in thinking that options B & C of Bakastra’s post  would enable the Bitzie to receive to a toslink digital source?

Eg sky box optical out>  hifimdiy ux1 sabre usbdac+spdif/usb converter > laptop/computer > bitzie

 

Would this work????

Cheers

Paul



Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2014 at 2:36pm
To all, sorry guys, we're only able to go to 48k on USB out, and as that wouldn't be acceptable here, it would be best not to bother? Ying YangQuestion

Mind you, people seem to love the Bitzie which only goes to 48k. Thumbs Up

Should feedback be positive, then we'd have a go. If not, then discuss what you like (but this place is not a showcase for other manufacturers Wink).

Graham




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That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps


Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2014 at 5:32pm
A GSP ADC would be a niche product in a niche market, and as such would have difficulty in making enough sales to warrant its development - possibly . . .

I would love to have Graham breathe his magic on an ADC having lived with a Majestic since its launch.  It's the analogue stage and digital implementation that makes a great digital product, not the numbers on the spec sheet. 

I used to rip to vinyl at 96/24 for the "best" results - until I actually learned what was happening, and did some comparative rips. 24 bit for vinyl is totally wasted. The extra dynamic range disappears into the noise floor of the groove (just like any residue hiss from a MC phono stage). And high sampling rates - for my ears - confer no benefits over 44.1 or 48. It's the emperor's new clothes syndrome.

But with the spec obsessed masses buying kit "by the numbers" rather than by the sound quality, I can see why Graham is reluctant to commit to an ADC "limited" to 48kHz on USB out. 



-------------
Bob

Majestic DAC/pre-amp
Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V
Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50
2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links


Posted By: bakastra
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2014 at 6:48pm
Originally posted by Graham Slee Graham Slee wrote:

To all, sorry guys, we're only able to go to 48k on USB out, and as that wouldn't be acceptable here, it would be best not to bother?.



Graham, thank you very much, this explains everything. If down to 48k, then yes, it would be, as @morris_minor put it, a niche product in a niche market.

Extra bits coming off vinyl seem useless indeed. As to higher sampling rates, though, the point is that with a cheaper equipment (such as sub-$300 [asynchronous] DACs, sub-$100 headphones), the difference between 44.1k/48k and 96k is clearly audible.

Yes I could believe @morris_minor that with a better DAC this difference fades away. (I am yet to check this myself: I hope Majestic makes it to the US lending program before all 200 units have been sold!!) On the other hand, most people would not have better DACs, so there would still be the demand for 24/96 vinyl rips. And of course nobody wants to see the favourite brand associated with some limitations, and then GSP is completely right to be into what he does best: the analogue components.

Graham, I believe this also shows that you found some analogue-to-digital conversion method which completely satisfies your needs; could you please PM me what it is?


Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2014 at 7:39pm
I don't really need to be secretive about it. Any decent 48k USB codec chip that has data IO - because all the A-D would be handled by something better, and by that I possibly mean an 8804 transceiver and a decent A-D chip from Cirrus/Wolfson. However, the analogue audio quality going into it is another matter. You can digitize old rope and get... old rope. What goes in comes out, and if what goes in is not right, it doesn't matter if it's 48k or 384k.

All the above is academic because if I can't sell 400 every 12 months, I won't even plug my soldering iron in. If that sounds a bit big-headed of me, then I'm sorry. I've had enough of trying to offer good sound to a 'deaf' digital audience.


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That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps


Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2014 at 7:47pm
400 a year is about 34 a month! With only three of you building units would you even have time for an ADC?

How about giving your new "Super" phono amp a USB out? (He says, only half seriously . . . Embarrassed )


-------------
Bob

Majestic DAC/pre-amp
Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V
Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50
2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links


Posted By: Ash
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2014 at 7:53pm
I am glad that Paul is enjoying his Bitzie. Just need someone to buy the spare one I have left. A truly fantastic audio product. Anyone who disagrees must not love music at all. It really stands as a middle-finger to the know-it-alls who judge products only by specifications when they clearly don't understand what they're talking about.

Paul, the SR325i isn't anything particularly amazing IMO; there are cheaper headphones that thrash it. Also, about your Bitzie connectivity enquiry, the USB is needed for power as well as signal so this is the only input. The S/PDIF coaxial and optical on the rear panel are only outputs, to send digital data to a receiving device. I must admit that I would have liked to see a Bitzie with scaled down Majestic connectivity; oh well, I'll have to buy a Majestic instead.


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We do not see things as they are. We see things as we are.


Posted By: bakastra
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2014 at 8:41pm
Originally posted by Graham Slee Graham Slee wrote:

I don't really need to be secretive about it. Any decent 48k USB codec chip that has data IO - because all the A-D would be handled by something better, and by that I possibly mean an 8804 transceiver and a decent A-D chip from Cirrus/Wolfson.


Graham, I meant, what do you physically use for A/D conversion when you need it? I am sure that you settled at some way, which must be precious to know (given the skills and resources you use to select components). I mentioned PM because I thought it would be a "competing product". Or you actually run the prototype that you sketched?

@morris_minor -- not even "half seriously"; phonostage with USB output sounds so much like $3.99 Walmart swiss army knife..

Originally posted by Graham Slee Graham Slee wrote:


All the above is academic because if I can't sell 400 every 12 months, I won't even plug my soldering iron in. If that sounds a bit big-headed of me, then I'm sorry. I've had enough of trying to offer good sound to a 'deaf' digital audience.


I have to confess that I am truly amazed that someone can make a living designing top quality products and offering them at affordable prices...

On the bottom side, I am afraid I am exactly from that 'deaf' digital audience


Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2014 at 9:39pm
Originally posted by bakastra bakastra wrote:

Graham, I meant, what do you physically use for A/D conversion when you need it?


To be perfectly honest, I don't A-D, but if I did, I would have built my own.

Originally posted by bakastra bakastra wrote:

I have to confess that I am truly amazed that someone can make a living designing top quality products and offering them at affordable prices...


In 2002 I counted the number of visitors to a specialist UK 'high-end' hi-fi show: 63.

Three weeks ago, out of curiosity, I counted the number of 'die-hard' UK customers we have - those that have the spending power to fulfill their wants and aspirations: 63.

With a total of 11 people dependant on what we do here (Dad's jobs), we have to try and embrace a wider audience than 63.

And also, I believe we can still make products in the West that can compete, so long as they're within reach.

Originally posted by bakastra bakastra wrote:

On the bottom side, I am afraid I am exactly from that 'deaf' digital audience


It doesn't have to be like that.


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That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps


Posted By: Ash
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2014 at 9:44pm
Graham is right. I hope this place inspires you to pursue your own intellectual independence/liberation. It certainly inspired me to pursue mine. Smile


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We do not see things as they are. We see things as we are.


Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2014 at 9:57pm
Originally posted by morris_minor morris_minor wrote:

400 a year is about 34 a month!


We try to hit a target of an average 75 units a week including individual 100% product testing. In the early days I did 40 a week, but now I'm the 'office lad' (and glad of it...)


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That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps


Posted By: discrete badger
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2014 at 10:19pm
Originally posted by Graham Slee Graham Slee wrote:


Three weeks ago, out of curiosity, I counted the number of 'die-hard' UK customers we have - those that have the spending power to fulfill their wants and aspirations: 63.

When you've sold to those 63 people a really excellent headphone amplifier, phono stage, DAC and power amplifier, that is so well made it will give 20 years of service without reliability problems and without upgrade-itis, what do you do?

Certain "brands" (hi-fi and otherwise, I'm thinking mobile phone in particular) solve this problem with a new whizz-bang better-than-last-year's update every year.

But that isn't the GSP style.


Posted By: bakastra
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2014 at 12:10am
Originally posted by Graham Slee Graham Slee wrote:


In 2002 I counted the number of visitors to a specialist UK 'high-end' hi-fi show: 63.

Three weeks ago, out of curiosity, I counted the number of 'die-hard' UK customers we have - those that have the spending power to fulfill their wants and aspirations: 63.


Avoiding the 6 bit buffer overflow. Makes perfect sense.


Posted By: Rousillon
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2014 at 12:44am
This discussion shows just how remarkable Graham's company is. Who else brings us into the design process with all its warts, dead-ends, and frustrations, takes us into consideration, and in the end brings clarity to the music, even when its on 78's or hidden in an old RIAA curve.


Posted By: ICL1P
Date Posted: 31 Dec 2014 at 10:04am
There could be a growing market for a one box phono preamp with ADC.
More and more mainstream integrated amplifiers are DAC inclusive and only have digital inputs. Quite a number of owners of these are being drawn to vinyl, as its popularity increases, but they can't easily add a TT to their systems.

Communicator + ADC could be just the job.

-------------
Ifor
=====
Reflex M & ACCESSION M, CuSat50, Majestic DAC, a Proprius pair.


Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 31 Dec 2014 at 10:30am
Originally posted by ICL1P ICL1P wrote:

There could be a growing market for a one box phono preamp with ADC.
More and more mainstream integrated amplifiers are DAC inclusive and only have digital inputs. Quite a number of owners of these are being drawn to vinyl, as its popularity increases, but they can't easily add a TT to their systems.

Communicator + ADC could be just the job.

I'd second this if the box had a line in as well, to by-pass the built in phono amp. This way the undoubtedly excellent ADC section could be used with a Reflex/Elevator etc for even better results. A variable output would also be really useful.


-------------
Bob

Majestic DAC/pre-amp
Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V
Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50
2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links


Posted By: bakastra
Date Posted: 31 Dec 2014 at 10:41am
Originally posted by ICL1P ICL1P wrote:

There could be a growing market for a one box phono preamp with ADC.
More and more mainstream integrated amplifiers are DAC inclusive and only have digital inputs. Quite a number of owners of these are being drawn to vinyl, as its popularity increases, but they can't easily add a TT to their systems.

Communicator + ADC could be just the job.


TT >> phonocorrector with an ADC >> integrated amplifier with digital-only inputs.


I take this marvelous joke as my first New Year present, thank you!




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Andrew


Posted By: BAK
Date Posted: 31 Dec 2014 at 6:45pm
Originally posted by morris_minor morris_minor wrote:

Originally posted by ICL1P ICL1P wrote:

There could be a growing market for a one box phono preamp with ADC.
More and more mainstream integrated amplifiers are DAC inclusive and only have digital inputs. Quite a number of owners of these are being drawn to vinyl, as its popularity increases, but they can't easily add a TT to their systems.

Communicator + ADC could be just the job.

I'd second this if the box had a line in as well, to by-pass the built in phono amp. This way the undoubtedly excellent ADC section could be used with a Reflex/Elevator etc for even better results. A variable output would also be really useful.

I agree with Bob... totally useful with both phono level and line level inputs. Volume control for the digital output would make the system able to match all digital inputs connecting.
I remember Graham's explanation of the 16 or 24 bit level being actually the depth of dynamic range; and that the top of that range remains unchanged with a higher bit level... only the noise floor is pushed lower.
 The top of the dynamic range being unchanged means to record digital audio and have enough headroom at the top, you have to adjust the record level to have peaks less than -3dB and average loud levels less than -6dB to keep from clipping the largest peaks.
 This is what we had to do in analogue recording to tape, same principle... only the VU meters were calibrated for "0" VU and had a +3dB and a +6dB mark in the red zone. +6dB was at the clipping level or top of the available headroom.

To me this is no joke, this is a real problem when recording to any medium.Stern Smile

Bruce


-------------
Bruce
AT-14SA, Pickering XV-15, Hana EL, Technics SL-1600MK2, Lautus, Majestic DAC, Technics SH-8055 spectrum analyzer, Eminence Beta8A custom cabs; Proprius & Reflex M or C, Enjoy Life your way!


Posted By: ICL1P
Date Posted: 31 Dec 2014 at 7:40pm
I'm glad others are on board, because I think this is product for which a growing market exists. I think it important that it isn't too expensive, which is why I suggested the inclusion of a Communicator rather than something more exotic, because the largest market will be digital people wanting to give vinyl a go. Bob's suggestions are, as always, spot on.

-------------
Ifor
=====
Reflex M & ACCESSION M, CuSat50, Majestic DAC, a Proprius pair.


Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 31 Dec 2014 at 8:17pm
Would this mean that S/PDIF will be the prominent output? And that I don't have to worry that I can't do any better than 24/48 USB???

On S/PDIF I could get to 24/96.

Answers please.


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That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps


Posted By: ICL1P
Date Posted: 31 Dec 2014 at 11:05pm
I'll sort of bow out now because I don't think (could be wrong) that I'd be in the market, but I imagine there would be two sets of buyers: 1) those who want to rip vinyl (USB) and 2) those who want to input an amp with digital inputs (SPDIF).

The potential third set of buyers (potentially including me) would be those who would want to stream from vinyl to a multi room system. I don't know how this could be done, but there is a £325 TT on the market that can link with Sonos to do just this. I would look for a way to stream to my Pi(s).

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Ifor
=====
Reflex M & ACCESSION M, CuSat50, Majestic DAC, a Proprius pair.


Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 01 Jan 2015 at 1:16am
Originally posted by Graham Slee Graham Slee wrote:

Would this mean that S/PDIF will be the prominent output? And that I don't have to worry that I can't do any better than 24/48 USB???

On S/PDIF I could get to 24/96.

Answers please.
Well, I'd use USB personally, but having the option of SPDIF would be good. You don't need more than 24/48 for digitising vinyl IMO, but there are those fixated on higher numbers who can't trust their ears ...

-------------
Bob

Majestic DAC/pre-amp
Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V
Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50
2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links


Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 01 Jan 2015 at 7:20am
Originally posted by morris_minor morris_minor wrote:

Originally posted by Graham Slee Graham Slee wrote:

Would this mean that S/PDIF will be the prominent output? And that I don't have to worry that I can't do any better than 24/48 USB???

On S/PDIF I could get to 24/96.

Answers please.
Well, I'd use USB personally, but having the option of SPDIF would be good. You don't need more than 24/48 for digitising vinyl IMO, but there are those fixated on higher numbers who can't trust their ears ...


Hi Bob, I was going on what Ifor said "More and more mainstream integrated amplifiers are DAC inclusive and only have digital inputs".

I'm guessing those inputs are coax or optical? If so Wolfson (Cirrus Logic) used to have a high quality codec chip (of which I have samples somewhere), usable in A-D mode, which will output I2S to the WM8804 "super-clean" transceiver in transmit mode on its data-out pin. This would drive (with a buffer) our fast transformer and provide coax-out, as well as driving an optical transmitter.

The data-out can also drive a USB codec chip, and the one I'm thinking of is either 24 or 16 bit/48kHz.

To go higher on USB within a phono stage, could result in serious problems due to the higher speed of clocks required, and in-fact, having digital clocks of any sort in a phono stage seems a tad risky on high frequency sound quality.

Most reasonable people will recognise that 16 bit is quite sufficient for the dynamic range of vinyl which only requires 12 bits (72dB), but as analogue signals exist below the "noise floor" (are mixed in), then the extra lower 4 bits may do something...

48kHz lets it go to 24kHz, and I suppose it would be better if it were extended to capture a little above 25kHz where most master-tapes start to roll-off (12dB/octave slope), but using a 96kHz sampling frequency, most of that would be spent reproducing cleaner click transients.Wink

Can we have a discussion on the pros and cons of having a one box MM/MC/line-in line-out/coax-out/optical-out/USB-out phono stage, versus having a separate ADC to allow people to use their existing phono stage?

And, if it were a separate ADC, how then would its 16/48 USB-out be greeted?



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That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps


Posted By: Suggs
Date Posted: 01 Jan 2015 at 1:47pm
Being the old fashioned sort, I would prefer to keep my phono stage as a purely analogue device with RCA or XLR outputs with a completely separate ADC for those who want such a thing. As to the 16/48 USB out, the usual guaranteed Graham Slee quality of sound should put paid to any doubts for the number chasers among us.

I'm personally not a fan of "one box does all" designs


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Derek


Posted By: ICL1P
Date Posted: 01 Jan 2015 at 6:01pm
Originally posted by Suggs Suggs wrote:

I'm personally not a fan of "one box does all" designs

My suggestion of a one box design was really intended for a particular and growing market. It wouldn't be for most who are already here and I think it would need to be built to a (lowish) price. A standalone ADC is a different product.

Below is a post from another forum which sort of triggered the thought. And then there is http://www.flexson.com/stores/single_product_view.do?pubID=8595&itemID=903497 - this , which I think is probably a fairly poor way of tackling the perceived problem.

Turntable in digital system

My system is now all digital. I stream from a NAS to my Cyrus Stream XPDQX. I'd like to add a turntable but my Cyrus is digital inputs only.   Any suggestions what I can do, without having to use a analogue to digital converter ?

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Ifor
=====
Reflex M & ACCESSION M, CuSat50, Majestic DAC, a Proprius pair.


Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 01 Jan 2015 at 8:55pm
@Derek, @Ifor, both valid points.

I can see what Ifor means. A reasonably priced MM sensitivity phono stage with coax, optical and USB out, would be an attractive proposition for where the amp was digital only input. And I assume here those amps are coax or optical in? Could you present some examples?

Obviously, it would not do for a high quality MC stage where "pick-up" is going to be problematic, and a separate ADC would be needed.


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That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps


Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 01 Jan 2015 at 8:56pm
A one box MM/MC/ADC sounds like a nice idea but how viable would it be? Would an MC stage be affected by the ADC?

I think a lower cost entry level MM/ADC would have greater uptake, especially if it had a line in by-pass of the built in phono amp....

-------------
Bob

Majestic DAC/pre-amp
Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V
Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50
2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links


Posted By: JamesD
Date Posted: 01 Jan 2015 at 9:26pm
Just my take on this, but is someone who has a system that is purely digital (with a digital input amp) going to want a really high quality phono stage within an ADC? I'd guess that if that someone got into vinyl in a big way and really wanted the best that vinyl could offer they'd realise that sticking an ADC and then a (non-GSP) DAC in the chain wasn't the best way of going about things anyway?

Personally I think there are two types of potential customers:

Those looking to digitise their vinyl, who'd perhaps want an 'ADC' to just be an ADC (with no phono stage) so they could use their own existing phono stage (or at least have the choice of which to use)

or

Those looking to add vinyl to their digital-only system who'd perhaps be happy with a reasonably priced phono+ADC that was of moderate quality.

I could be wrong though, I have been before :-)


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Aren't ears brilliant


Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2015 at 12:46am
I think you're spot on James! But it's probably not viable for Graham to produce two ADC models - one with, one without a phono amp. Producing a great ADC and putting a Communicator-like phono amp in it (the development cost of which has already been recouped - hopefully!) would meet both needs if the unit has a switchable line in. Apart from a better phono amp it could be used for tape or FM radio into a digital system if there are coax and optical outs as well as USB into a computer.


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Bob

Majestic DAC/pre-amp
Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V
Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50
2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links


Posted By: ICL1P
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2015 at 12:52am
Originally posted by JamesD JamesD wrote:

I could be wrong though, I have been before :-)

I know what you mean; I was once!
I think you, Bob and I are all saying the same thing.

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Ifor
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Reflex M & ACCESSION M, CuSat50, Majestic DAC, a Proprius pair.


Posted By: ICL1P
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2015 at 1:01am
Originally posted by Graham Slee Graham Slee wrote:

And I assume here those amps are coax or optical in? Could you present some examples?

An example http://nadelectronics.com/products/digital-music/D-3020-Hybrid-Digital-Amplifier# - NAD

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Ifor
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Reflex M & ACCESSION M, CuSat50, Majestic DAC, a Proprius pair.


Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2015 at 7:52am
So it doesn't need a USB audio feed from the "phono stage" - just coax and optical.

The USB input is from a computer device.


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That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps


Posted By: ICL1P
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2015 at 9:11am
Originally posted by Graham Slee Graham Slee wrote:

So it doesn't need a USB audio feed from the "phono stage" - just coax and optical.

The USB input is from a computer device.

I think it needs a USB out from the ADC for ripping vinyl to hard disc.

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Ifor
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Reflex M & ACCESSION M, CuSat50, Majestic DAC, a Proprius pair.


Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2015 at 9:46am
Originally posted by ICL1P ICL1P wrote:

Originally posted by Graham Slee Graham Slee wrote:

So it doesn't need a USB audio feed from the "phono stage" - just coax and optical.

The USB input is from a computer device.

I think it needs a USB out from the ADC for ripping vinyl to hard disc.


Agreed, but I can only offer 16 bit 48kHz on that front.


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That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps


Posted By: JamesD
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2015 at 9:55am
Is it possible that there's potential customers wishing to rip from reel to reel tape?

Or customers who want something simple but high quality that will create MP3 or FLAC files etc. directly onto a USB stick/USB hard drive from whatever analogue is fed in? I'm probably straying too far into the computer side of things here and perhaps the wrong market.


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Aren't ears brilliant


Posted By: Drewan77
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2015 at 12:30pm
Graham Slee quality with features something like http://www.proaudiocentre.com/shop/audio-equipment/recording/products/american-audio---audio-genie-pro-analogue-to-digital-converter.html?utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google+Shopping+Results&utm_medium=Product+Feed&gclid=CODg0MSh9cICFeLItAodHSAAcg - this ?



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Older than I once was, younger than I'll be
.............................
Andrew


Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2015 at 2:29pm
By gum! The Americans must be earning the same as the Chinese! We used to have workhouses in the UK until slavery was abolished. Perhaps we should send food parcels to the poor in the workhouses of the USA? £33 less VAT, profit margin, shipping, materials... those poor Americans! Obama should be ashamed!!!

Or is it made in China?


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That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps


Posted By: BackinBlack
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2015 at 4:07pm
Originally posted by Graham Slee Graham Slee wrote:


Or is it made in China?


I'd hazard a guess that the answer is in the affirmative!


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Just listen, if it sounds good to you, enjoy it.


Posted By: BackinBlack
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2015 at 4:50pm
My take on the preferred configuration would be for a straightforward ADC with SPDIF and USB outputs. With regards to the sample rate/bit depth, I too would be happy with 16/48, however, I feel that it is an unfortunate fact that this woudl not appeal to many of those outside the GSP circle due to the hype and brainwashing that promotes the higher sample rates and bit depth - the numbers game as we know it.
The purpose of Grahams' efforts has not to satisfy just the desires of his loyal customers but also draw in new customers and turn a profit.
With so many products on the market a USP is essential to generate interest, even to get people to participate in the loan scheme needs something to draw them in.
Not sure where we go from here. A "high profile" review and advertising campaign would help, but at a significant cost and also going against the sort of principles those here hold true to.
To me the GSP USP is the customer involvement as demonstrated by this forum and the customer service.
As we have seen in another thread, claims for a product have to be considered carefully. The "GSP Sound" could be (has been?) defined and with accolades from users such "Hearing is believing"; this might also be developed as a USP to promote a new ADC.
Back to the question, I do think that to achieve sales into the wider market greater sample rates and bit depth will be essential.
Bit of a ramble, but I hope you'll understand my thoughts.


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Just listen, if it sounds good to you, enjoy it.



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