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Which PreAmp

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abjacobs View Drop Down
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    Posted: 16 Jun 2011 at 2:23pm
Hi Guys,
 
I'm looking to digitise a lot of vinyl and I want to know which preamp I should consider getting.
 
The source is a technics SL1210 turntable. I would imaging a dedicated pre-amp is going to give me the cleanest signal rather than a Pioneer DJ mixer.
 
The vinyl is not pristine as it's my old DJ collection and I will be using digital tools to remove hiss and clicks. Therefore would I get any benefit using a dedicated pre-amp for this job, if so, which model?
 
The A-D convertors I have are good but there are so many other weak links in the chain before converting....I look forward to your input
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tg [RIP] View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tg [RIP] Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Jun 2011 at 8:09pm

Hi and welcome,

from my experience, the best thing you can do is give your records a good wash/clean before starting.

After that, the best phono stage you can afford, though I doubt you would be disappointed with even the DIY kit Genera.

I found it best to record @ 24/96 and run "click repair" http://www.clickrepair.net/ on the recorded file before downsampling to 16/44 for Redbook standard CD.

I ran my Reflex direct into an M-audio firewire Audiophile 24/96 interface.

I doubt recabling your arm will give much benefit in this exercise, but changing the Concorde DJ cartridge for a standard headshell and a more normal "hi-fi" cartridge might be worthwhile.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote abjacobs Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Jun 2011 at 9:59am
Hiya, thanks for the reply. I've a CEDAR cambridge restoration suite so that's not an issue. I'm not looking at which record cleaner to get.....

Am I going to notice any difference in a higher priced unit if ultimately most of the recordings started off on DAT masters which will mean crappy built in A-D's and being a 44.1 16bit master?

For listening to properly recorded, mastered, pressed music I understand the most expensive preamp would be ideal. When dealing with compromised original recordings how far up the ladder should I go so I'm throwing money for no real audio quality increase?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Fatmangolf Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Jun 2011 at 8:26pm
My 10 steps
1) Wash and clean your records and use an anti-static gun before putting them on the platter
2) Confirm the turntable and cartridge are correctly set up (levelled, overhang, offset, VTF and VTA right) and check the bias is right for your record (stereo is centred and check for distortion or tracking problems at end and beginning of the side)
3) Use the dustcover that comes with the turntable and keep the speaker volume down to avoid colouration of the sound by physical vibration
4) Use good cables and pre-amp
5) Play a few tracks or a whole side before you start to record. And accept that your digital copy will only sound as good or as bad as the vinyl original.
6) Record at 24 bit 48 kHz or better
7) If possible set the analogue levels to get peaks of -3 to -6 dB
8) Save the file uncompressed then run a  good scratch and crackle fixing plug-in. Listen tio any problem sections.
9) Save the "fixed" album or tracks in FLAC/wave or another high quality format
10) Important: enjoy the convenience of the digital tracks but keep playing the original vinyl!
 
Best wishes
Jon

Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tg [RIP] Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Jun 2011 at 5:22am

Quote I'm not looking at which record cleaner to get.....

I do not recall recommending one - if you already use some physical media cleaning regime, then my suggestion was obviously superfluous.
OTOH, if you do not, then the results might be pleasantly surprising.

The quality of the original source and mastering may be relevant to the quality it is possible to recover, but has little to do with the mechanics of obtaining the best possible result of retrieving the present analogue signal from the media.  All quality loss is additive.

Quote Am I going to notice any difference in a higher priced unit .....

That is not a question I can answer for you, nor could anyone else FTM.

There are/will be differences, whether you will notice them, or consider them to be worth the cost, is a judgement for yourself alone, after taking into consideration your ultimate objective in this exercise.

What I will say, is that even the basic DIY Genera will give a better result than many "add in" phono stages in integrated amps and by extension I would it expect it to better many fitted to mixers.  I also have an older but high quality preamp with very good phono section that I purchased secondhand from a professional recording studio, where it had been in use for a number of years - IMO the Genera lost nothing in comparison, other than overall flexibility (the other stage is MC capable).  The Genera is most certainly better than comparably priced "entry level" phono stages from many other manufacturers.

If DIY is not in your plans, then the Gram Amp communicator might well prove a good choice, specialised for "hot pressings" and high output cartridges, this unit, was, I believe designed with DJs in mind.

Depending on your location, you might be able to audition a unit for yourself.


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