Re: [slim] Preamp advice
Thanks Tex You have alerted me to another issue with the ART that I hadn't spotted. Its an ADC only and not a combined ADC/DAC which the Behringer DJ Mixer is. The ART also requires purchase of a separate power adapter and although it has good write ups I wonder whether it is sufficiently heavy - I suspect it might be easily possible to accidentally pull it out of position with a pair of headphones. I have looked at both the Project & Rega preamps already and they both fall short as they are also ADCs only and don't have a headphone out. The Behringer UFO-202 mentioned earlier is 2 way ADC/DAC and has both line & headphone out and I suspect would do the job but it is again going to be easily pulled around. The Behringer VMX100USB is the closest to what I am looking for so far but the mixing element is never going to be required and it isn't really Living Room aesthetically I already have a VMX200USB in my office but its aesthetics aren't an issue there and its functionality is exactly what I need for that environment. There is a hole in the market here. PI3 PCP/LMS STORAGE QNAP TS419P (NFS) *Living Room* - Joggler & SB3 -> Onkyo TS606 -> Celestion F20s *Office* - Pi3+Sreen -> Sony TAFE320 -> Celestion F10s / Pi2+DAC & SB3 -> Onkyo CRN755 -> Wharfedale Modus Cubes *Dining Room* -> SB Boom *Kitchen* -> UE Radio (upgraded to SB Radio) *Bedroom (Bedside)* - Pi2+DAC ->ToppingTP21 ->AKG Headphones *Bedroom (TV)* - SB Touch ->Sherwood AVR ->Mordaunt Short M10s Everything controlled by iPeng d6jg's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=44051 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=108314 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Preamp advice
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rega-Fono-Mini-A2D-Pre-Amplifier-black/dp/B0072RZ95U/ref=pd_sbs_23_2?_encoding=UTF8=1=X9XC0SWC4A6P2KYVYDZ1 (1) Pi 3 w/ HifiBerry Digi + Pro & piCorePlayer 3.22 LMS 7.9.1, (1) Touch, (1) Transporter, Samba w/ 2 TB USB Drive for files Tex's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=30118 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=108314 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Preamp advice
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Project-Phono-PreAmp-Variable-Output/dp/B002D83B30/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments=UTF8=1511958571=8-1=PRO-JECT+Phono+Box+II+USB but it's still twice the price. (1) Pi 3 w/ HifiBerry Digi + Pro & piCorePlayer 3.22 LMS 7.9.1, (1) Touch, (1) Transporter, Samba w/ 2 TB USB Drive for files Tex's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=30118 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=108314 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Preamp advice
For it's price range I don't think you will do any worse. I have always used a sound card. https://www.amazon.com/ART-USB-Phono-Plus-PS/dp/B000BBGCCI/ref=sr_1_21?ie=UTF8=1511957436=8-21=phono+preamp For this device, the direction of signal flow is from the low signal level analogue domain (vinyl/LP/phono) to the digital domain (USB/Optical). Thus, this ART unit is not a Digital-to-Analog(ue) Converter (the "DAC" sort of unit which you specify) but its "opposite" an "ADC" (Analogue-to-Digital Converter). This unit is also a phono preamplifier which boosts the low voltage signal from the moving magnet or moving coil phonograph pickup to higher "line level" in order to drive a subsequent (in the signal path) separate amplifier--or to supplement a hi-fi receiver or preamp lacking (as is often the case) a phono input. In other words, this ART is primarily a phono preamplifier--something to supply gain (amplification) to drive headphones or the just mentioned follow-on analog(ue) audio switching, processing, or amplifying units. You might think of this ART USB Phono Plus as a tidy little combination of two functions: (1) Phono Preamp/Headphone Monitoring Amplifier and (2) ADC (Analog to Digital USB or Optical). By the way, this unit is at least the equal of anything else in its price range with respect to preserving the audio signal quality. It is capable of passing the usable dynamic range of which LPs are capable without the compression mentioned by another person answering your question... and without adding distortion you are likely to be able to hear considering the masking effects of the much larger combined distortions which are inherent to the recording and playback medium that is vinyl (e.g., the "LP" phonograph record). (There are many who disagree with this last point, however.) Finally, the quality or fidelity of the music or other sound which you play "off" your computer's hard drive can be no better than the quality of the original signal encoded in digital format to your hard drive. If you have high bit-rate, high definition source material (CD quality or better) on your hard drive, the sound processor chip on your laptop's motherboard is almost certainly going to degrade that signal by contaminating it with noise and compromising its dynamic range (or degrade other aspects of the signal as well). If high quality sound output from high quality source material is your goal, then you'd do better to use a high quality "soundcard" (installed in desktop computer OR use an "outboard" soundcard (i.e., a so-called "audio interface"). ASUS makes a fine soundcard for the consumer market (http://www.amazon.com/PCI-Express-XONAR-ESSENCE-STX-90-YAA0C0-0UAN00Z/dp/B001OV789U/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics=UTF8=1422964422=1-2=asus+sound+card+xonar) but be sure to read the review comments to get the installation right from the get-go on Windows machines. If you are an audiophile, you can find computer soundcards costing almost 10 times what the ASUS does... but not sounding appreciably better. As far as the external audio interfaces go, there are many excellent, quite affordable (from $100-$500... or more, of course) devices aimed at musicians and recordists for use in their semi-pro (or pro) home studios. These days, in a given price range, the digital signal processing chips used in these devices are either the same or very close cousins of one another (sourcing from just a few chip makers). You can see that in how close the specs are between brands and models in a given range. Thus, the differences in price often have more to do with features and flexibility (e.g., numbers and types of inputs and outputs), build quality and best engineering practices, and, of course, "brand reputation"--than the fundamental parameters (1) Pi 3 w/ HifiBerry Digi + Pro & piCorePlayer 3.22 LMS 7.9.1, (1) Touch, (1) Transporter, Samba w/ 2 TB USB Drive for files Tex's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=30118 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=108314 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Preamp advice
Tex wrote: > I use a Creative Sound card X7 fed with a NAD phono preamp. > > https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Delectronics=Sound+Blaster+X7 > > https://www.amazon.com/NAD-PP-2e-Phono-Preamplifier/dp/B00IFMM7TC/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics=UTF8=1511909442=1-1=NAD+pre > > Which is more expensive than what you are looking at. > > But I also use iZotope RX6 to eliminate pops & hiss. Then I use Ozone 5 > it's up to 8 now to remaster my rips. I find it improves the sound. > > https://www.izotope.com/en/products/repair-and-edit/rx.html > > https://www.izotope.com/en/products/master-and-deliver/ozone.html Thanks but as you say that is definitely more expensive that what I am looking for. It terms of functionality I am looking for something like these but more hi-fi ish https://www.amazon.co.uk/Behringer-VMX100USB-Channel-Pro-Mixer/dp/B003E1OVTI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8=1511952167=8-1=behringer+vmx100usb https://www.amazon.co.uk/ART-USB-Phono-Plus-Pre-Amplifier/dp/B000BBGCCI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8=1511952192=8-1=art+phono+preamp In both cases these will do exactly what I want but ideally I'd like something more ergonomic for the Living Room rather than a DJ Mixer or the ART box - the latter would need power supply as I don't intend to leave the USB permanently connected to a laptop. PI3 PCP/LMS STORAGE QNAP TS419P (NFS) *Living Room* - Joggler & SB3 -> Onkyo TS606 -> Celestion F20s *Office* - Pi3+Sreen -> Sony TAFE320 -> Celestion F10s / Pi2+DAC & SB3 -> Onkyo CRN755 -> Wharfedale Modus Cubes *Dining Room* -> SB Boom *Kitchen* -> UE Radio (upgraded to SB Radio) *Bedroom (Bedside)* - Pi2+DAC ->ToppingTP21 ->AKG Headphones *Bedroom (TV)* - SB Touch ->Sherwood AVR ->Mordaunt Short M10s Everything controlled by iPeng d6jg's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=44051 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=108314 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Preamp advice
I use a Creative Sound card X7 feed with a NAD phono preamp. https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Delectronics=Sound+Blaster+X7 https://www.amazon.com/NAD-PP-2e-Phono-Preamplifier/dp/B00IFMM7TC/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics=UTF8=1511909442=1-1=NAD+pre Which is more expensive than what you are looking at. But I also use iZotope RX6 to eliminate pops & hiss. Then I use Ozone 5 it's up to 8 now to remaster my rips. I find it improves the sound. https://www.izotope.com/en/products/repair-and-edit/rx.html https://www.izotope.com/en/products/master-and-deliver/ozone.html (1) Pi 3 w/ HifiBerry Digi + Pro & piCorePlayer 3.22 LMS 7.9.1, (1) Touch, (1) Transporter, Samba w/ 2 TB USB Drive for files Tex's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=30118 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=108314 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Preamp advice
Grumpy Bob wrote: > Looks from the 'manual' > (http://media.music-group.com/media/PLM/data/docs/P0A12/UFO202_P0A12_M_EN.pdf) > that the line outs are active at the same time as the USB out, though > I've not tried it. The headphone output definitely works while the USB > is connected to my laptop. > > I've never used it as a phono stage, as I always use the Naim phono > stage that's inserted in the Nait 3. But it makes good enough vinyl rips > for me. > > Robert Cheers Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk PI3 PCP/LMS STORAGE QNAP TS419P (NFS) *Living Room* - Joggler & SB3 -> Onkyo TS606 -> Celestion F20s *Office* - Pi3+Sreen -> Sony TAFE320 -> Celestion F10s / Pi2+DAC & SB3 -> Onkyo CRN755 -> Wharfedale Modus Cubes *Dining Room* -> SB Boom *Kitchen* -> UE Radio (upgraded to SB Radio) *Bedroom (Bedside)* - Pi2+DAC ->ToppingTP21 ->AKG Headphones *Bedroom (TV)* - SB Touch ->Sherwood AVR ->Mordaunt Short M10s Everything controlled by iPeng d6jg's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=44051 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=108314 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Preamp advice
d6jg wrote: > Robert. > > I have a UCA-202 - the one without the pre-amp hooked in to a Tape > loop. > Does the UFO-202 work in line i.e. are the Line outs from it live at the > same time as the USB out ? > > TT -> UFO-202 -> AMP > Simultaneous with > TT -> UFO-202 -> USB > > What is it like as a Pre-amp ? Looks from the 'manual' (http://media.music-group.com/media/PLM/data/docs/P0A12/UFO202_P0A12_M_EN.pdf) that the line outs are active at the same time as the USB out, though I've not tried it. The headphone output definitely works while the USB is connected to my laptop. I've never used it as a phono stage, as I always use the Naim phono stage that's inserted in the Nait 3. But it makes good enough vinyl rips for me. Robert *Home: *Raspberry Pi 3/piCoreplayer/LMS7.9 with files on QNAP TS-239 Touch > DacMagic 100 > Naim Audio Nait 3 > Mission 752 (plus Rega Planar 3 and Naim CD3) PiCorePlayer(Pi2) with touchscreen and IQAudIO DAC+>Sennheisers 2 x Squeezebox Radios, 1 X Squeezebox 3 (retired) *Office:* LMS7.9 running on WiFi MyPassport drive > piCorePlayer(PiB)/HiFiBerryDAC > Amptastic Amplifier SqueezePad, iPeng as controllers last.fm/user/GrumpyBob Grumpy Bob's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=41857 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=108314 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Preamp advice
Grumpy Bob wrote: > I can't offer advice - I'm still using my 20-something year-old Planar 3 > with a Nait 3 with a phono card installed at purchase! For digitising > vinyl I'm using a Behringer UFO-202 ADC which has line out and a > headphone jack (and of course a USB out) - cheap from Amazon. > > You could ask over at vinylengine.com as well. > > Robert Robert. I have a UCA-202 - the one without the pre-amp hooked in to a Tape loop. Does the UFO-202 work in line i.e. are the Line outs from it live at the same time as the USB out ? TT -> UFO-202 -> AMP Simultaneous with TT -> UFO-202 -> USB What is it like as a Pre-amp ? PI3 PCP/LMS STORAGE QNAP TS419P (NFS) *Living Room* - Joggler & SB3 -> Onkyo TS606 -> Celestion F20s *Office* - Pi3+Sreen -> Sony TAFE320 -> Celestion F10s / Pi2+DAC & SB3 -> Onkyo CRN755 -> Wharfedale Modus Cubes *Dining Room* -> SB Boom *Kitchen* -> UE Radio (upgraded to SB Radio) *Bedroom (Bedside)* - Pi2+DAC ->ToppingTP21 ->AKG Headphones *Bedroom (TV)* - SB Touch ->Sherwood AVR ->Mordaunt Short M10s Everything controlled by iPeng d6jg's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=44051 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=108314 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Preamp advice
I can't offer advice - I'm still using my 20-something year-old Planar 3 with a Nait 3 with a phono card installed at purchase! For digitising vinyl I'm using a Behringer UFO-202 ADC which has line out and a headphone jack. You could ask over at vinylengine.com as well. Robert *Home: *Raspberry Pi 3/piCoreplayer/LMS7.9 with files on QNAP TS-239 Touch > DacMagic 100 > Naim Audio Nait 3 > Mission 752 (plus Rega Planar 3 and Naim CD3) PiCorePlayer(Pi2) with touchscreen and IQAudIO DAC+>Sennheisers 2 x Squeezebox Radios, 1 X Squeezebox 3 (retired) *Office:* LMS7.9 running on WiFi MyPassport drive > piCorePlayer(PiB)/HiFiBerryDAC > Amptastic Amplifier SqueezePad, iPeng as controllers last.fm/user/GrumpyBob Grumpy Bob's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=41857 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=108314 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/discuss
[slim] Preamp advice
New turntable for my Living Room arrives tomorrow. Controversially I have shunned a Rega or Project and gone for an Onkyo CP 1050. ItÂ’s a direct drive TT with retro styling and crucially for me has an S shaped tone arm with detachable headshell. I like playing around with different cartridges. I am going to change some of the ancillary kit in due course. The current TT is connected to a full integrated amp which has no speakers attached, there is a tape out that feeds my main AVR. Thinking of removing this and replacing with a preamp. Does anyone know of a sensibly priced preamp that includes line out, USB out and a headphone output? I can find the first two in the shape of a Rega mm phono a2d but nothing seems to include a headphone out. I have also found an ART USB Phono Plus PS Phono/Line Pre-Amplifier with USB that may do the job. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B000BBGCCI/ref=cm_cr_srp_mb_bdcrb_top?ie=UTF8 I need the USB to digitise my vinyl to FLAC and the headphone out so that I can listen while SWMBO watches TV. PI3 PCP/LMS STORAGE QNAP TS419P (NFS) *Living Room* - Joggler & SB3 -> Onkyo TS606 -> Celestion F20s *Office* - Pi3+Sreen -> Sony TAFE320 -> Celestion F10s / Pi2+DAC & SB3 -> Onkyo CRN755 -> Wharfedale Modus Cubes *Dining Room* -> SB Boom *Kitchen* -> UE Radio (upgraded to SB Radio) *Bedroom (Bedside)* - Pi2+DAC ->ToppingTP21 ->AKG Headphones *Bedroom (TV)* - SB Touch ->Sherwood AVR ->Mordaunt Short M10s Everything controlled by iPeng d6jg's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=44051 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=108314 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/discuss
