Analog to Digital convertor recommendations

Audio Systems
1

Hi All

I have a Linn Sondek turntable connected to a Linn Phono amp. I want to connect the Linn Phono amp to my Bartok Apex edition and wanted recommendations for a worthy ADC.

Thanks

2

I run my Michell turntable with a Dynavector high output MC into a Graham Slee phono stage then on to a RME Babyface Pro FS A to D converter and into the Bartok via optical SPDIF. Does it create the perfect analogue experience? No, but it does sound very very good.

There are a couple of gotcha’s with doing this that the RME helps with

  1. You can adjust the input gain by about 6dB to prevent clipping the analog stage (I use a test record on the +14dB setting and raise it to just below clipping - there are limits here which are tied to your phono amp gain and cartridge output)
  2. The digital output gain can be adjusted to match the max input to prevent digital clipping.

The RME is a Pro audio tool and it is a bit of a pain to get it setup, but it all can be done standalone without having to connect to a computer. Once done, it is set and forget. One can also run the RME off a battery pack.

I’d love a dCS AD converter but that is not in the cards for me!

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3

I ran several turntables ( Rega rp10 , technics 1500c , technics SL7) through a project optical box e into a dCS DAC and it had no right to sound as good as it did . The project unit is tiny and costs about ÂŁ100.

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4

Prism Sound Dream AD-2

5

Hi

How much do you want for the Prismsound ADC and where are you located

6

Plz check PM

7

Benchmark Media has an excellent one.

8

The concept sounds great. However I looked at Benchmark’s webpages and they do lots of things that I had no idea about, like connecting cables, alternative faceplates etc. But of ADCs I saw none.

Have you a link?

9

Pete,
Here’s an example:

Now all their ADCs seem to be discontinued/sold-out currently…
Hope this can help,
Erwan

10

Thanks. However it does indeed look like all three models have been discontinued.

A shame for those that want to integrate their LP spinner with their dCS DAC. Myself I am very old school and do not want to digitise LPs but will stick with the ( unpredictable) fun of “live” MC/transformer/tubes replay. Ultrasonic clean records first of course :wink:.

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11

How about this one, very cheap, but very good. It gets good reviews and measurements performed on it measure very well.

I have just bought one to try on my system, the reason was just to see really, as i am going to try both my reel 2 reel and turntable through it. It has a phono stage built into if as well and will also try it against my phono stage, both going through this into the dac.

Not sure what to expect, but at ÂŁ300 not much to lose really.

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12

Tried it last night on my reel to reel, first off it worked. Tried to find the instructions on line for it and can’t say that the ones i found on their site were very good, as not sure if I have it right at the moment or not.

But setting the gain to middle it was definitely quieter by some margin, I also felt it lost some of the dynamics, but not much, but i did prefer the reel 2 reel going directly to the vitus.

Haven’t tried it with my turntable as yet as this give 2 options, using my phono stage or the one built in.

But early days, plus not sure right now if I have it set right but, at the moment I wouldn’t be using this instead of what I have, could be great for people that just have a dac going to amps and want to add say a turntable, as I feel this is what it’s main purpose is. But will keep on trying it and see how it goes.

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