Comments on Profile Post by Changeling

There are (or were when I last looked; it's been quite a while) some very decent soundcards from the likes of RME. There is probably no need to go for an ADI-2 Pro. But it might be a good idea.

My view is that you should have a playback system that you enjoy listening to. You then capture that sound with an ADC.

Integrated DAC/ADC is a good idea. You are going to be doing a lot of recording/playing/comparing.

You already have ADI-2 (and a Lynx) so option 1 would be your best bet. Find a cheap but decent used TT (prob. Japanese direct-drive), TC-750 or Mani for the pre, and as much $ as you can into a decent cartridge, or new/upgrade stylus if the TT already has one.

@Thad E Ginathom sorry forgot to mention I already have the adi-2.

@Biodegraded makes sense, thanks!

No problem. As @Biodegraded says, you are all set to go.

Except you don't have the turntable and the phono pre? Then the cart is a bit in front of the horse... but I expect you will get it sorted and in order and eventually get on with the labour of love of digitising.

I wouldn't waste time ripping vinyl to digital unless you have a solid TT, phono, and, cartridge. Some of my early rips with my starter setup are utter garbage. Humm, hiss, radio interference, serious lack of detail are some of the issues with a poorly integrated ripping rig.

Ok - so need to find a decent TT and phono pre then.

Also, what era are planning on ripping. Most modern music recorded in the digital domain, again would be a waste of time ripping. Just get a color box, tube amp, preamp, or a new set of transducers.

A decent TT, phono pre, and cart don't necessarily mean BIG $$$.

sigh. All good points. I think I’ll give this some more thought.

There is reason for it. There are direct to disc and other rare albums or songs or versions that were never digitized. I helped a jazz artist (Ken Vandermark) archive about 24 records that were vinyl only releases. Although for the majority out there is a digital version and the vinyl is just a different master and all the phono stuff just adds color.

@rtaylor76 Correct. That’s my rationale. I’ve got enough of them that it makes sense.

And yes an ADI-2 has great ADC's and a decent line amp. A decent table and a decent pre is all you would need.

Even for audiophiles, if everything had to be perfect, they'd never listen to any music.

I did some good (to me) rips with my modest Dual deck, and various combinations of phono-pre and ADC. They compared well to listening to the LP direct, and they compared well to clean, well-mastered CDs.

... And they were better than the CD in cases where the mastering had taken the life out of the music. Faults, clicks and all.

I'd say that the major thing is not the hardware, but the amount of time and dedication you put in. But that is self-limiting, according to skills and patience: you stop when it's as good as you can get.

But the work done by the real masters and archivists is... scary!

Ok, so decent pre and TT it is then. I’ll go for the Mani I think, but on the TT side I’m not sure. Any advice is much appreciated.

Tons of good advice in the vinyl forum.