I'm hoping some kind person will help me decide whether it is better to feed the output from my record deck which has a phono preamp via my amplifier to the computer or whether it is better to cut out the amplifier stage. I didn't realize the latter was an option at first, but it seems to work fine.
I'm using Audacity to do the conversion and am surprised at how different the wave forms look from the two methods although they both sound the same to my undiscerning ear when played back. What is also puzzling me is that the left and right output channels seem to be swapped between the two methods, and having double-checked the cabling can only conclude that the amplifier is swapping them - but why?
If you haven't already guessed, I should point out that I am not an audio buff and just want to be able to listen to music via the convenience of my iPod.
I'm using Audacity to do the conversion and am surprised at how different the wave forms look from the two methods although they both sound the same to my undiscerning ear when played back. What is also puzzling me is that the left and right output channels seem to be swapped between the two methods, and having double-checked the cabling can only conclude that the amplifier is swapping them - but why?
If you haven't already guessed, I should point out that I am not an audio buff and just want to be able to listen to music via the convenience of my iPod.
If the o/p from your record deck which has a phono preamp can make it to full scale then any more amplification will not be any better or required.
It does not make any sense why the left and right output channels seem to be swapped between the two methods, if it is cabled up correctly.
What goes in should come out the same unless there is something strange going on inside your amplifier. Are the cables that you use different?
If you run the i/p through your amplifier, does the balance control do its job? attenuate the levels correctly for L/R channels.
I assume when you cable your record player into your amplifier that you are not going into the phono i/p, it should go into an aux, or a tape i/p. you do not want to have 2 RIAA correction filters used at the same time.
It does not make any sense why the left and right output channels seem to be swapped between the two methods, if it is cabled up correctly.
What goes in should come out the same unless there is something strange going on inside your amplifier. Are the cables that you use different?
If you run the i/p through your amplifier, does the balance control do its job? attenuate the levels correctly for L/R channels.
I assume when you cable your record player into your amplifier that you are not going into the phono i/p, it should go into an aux, or a tape i/p. you do not want to have 2 RIAA correction filters used at the same time.
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Thanks rsvas. My amplifier is part of a Sony midi system which requires a deck with a preamp connected to the "video" input in order to play vinyl records. There is no phono input so hence the need for the preamp. There is no balance control either. If only the wave forms were the same I'd just use the preamp as you suggest, but the amplifier seems to be doing something and this is how the system is meant to be configured when listening to recordings. I still don't know why the output channels seem to be swapped.
I've remembered I downloaded a digital version of one of my recordings (Rhapsody in Blue) a few years ago and have now compared the wave forms of this and those from the two methods of recording my vinyl copy through Audacity. Assuming the download has the R/L channels correct I can say with 99% certainty that running the output from the preamp through the amplifier gives the correct R/L output whereas from the preamp alone has them swapped. If anyone can provide enlightenment I'd be very grateful. I can't see how I can connect up the cables incorrectly as they are colour coded. As long as red goes on red and white on white it must be correct. It at least suggests I should be recording via the amplifier.
Hang on a mo ...
You're going from record deck with preamp to Sony video in with phono plug (RCA plug) cables one for Red, one for White.
Then you're going from either the preamp direct to the compy or the Sony to the compy.
Now are you using the SAME cable going from preamp to comp as Sony to the comp?
And since compys usually have 3.5 mm Stereo plugs for their inputs, I presume this cable is a 2 phono plugs to 3.5 mm plug?
You're going from record deck with preamp to Sony video in with phono plug (RCA plug) cables one for Red, one for White.
Then you're going from either the preamp direct to the compy or the Sony to the compy.
Now are you using the SAME cable going from preamp to comp as Sony to the comp?
And since compys usually have 3.5 mm Stereo plugs for their inputs, I presume this cable is a 2 phono plugs to 3.5 mm plug?
Sorry for the delay in responding but I've been away for a few days.
The output from the record deck preamp is via a cable with red and white RCA plugs. The two configurations are (1) preamp into RCA sockets of line-in video input of amplifier. Output from amplifier via cable with 3.5mm jack in headphone socket of amplifier to 3.5mm jack in computer line-in socket.
(2) preamp into adapter cable with red and white RCA plugs terminating in 3.5mm jack for computer line-in socket.
Hope this is clear.
The output from the record deck preamp is via a cable with red and white RCA plugs. The two configurations are (1) preamp into RCA sockets of line-in video input of amplifier. Output from amplifier via cable with 3.5mm jack in headphone socket of amplifier to 3.5mm jack in computer line-in socket.
(2) preamp into adapter cable with red and white RCA plugs terminating in 3.5mm jack for computer line-in socket.
Hope this is clear.
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