24-Bit/192 kHz USB Audio Interface for vinyl A/D archiving?

[johnss]

Have done quite a bit of this transferring from LP to hi rez digital files. The SQ you get in the digital file really depends on how good your phono stage is, and how good the D to A conversion is.

Getting a really clean vinyl surface is the first step.

 

[Spider100]

for the number of bits indicates not only the dynamic range but also how many sound levels there are. . and the sampling indicates not only high sound frequencies that can be reproduced but also how many times per second the sound is sampled. and sampling frequency then is also said to affect lower frequencies. then there is a little mystery the sound on the vinyl seems to contain something that the audio cd does not contain. for example, male voices sound deeper and human than than 16 bit. it is simply something that is missing in the CD sound even if no measuring instrument shows it. so now I'm talking about a vinyl record that has an analogous origin as an analog master tape. DSD Has a sampling frequency of 2.8224 MHz. DSD is considered to sound more analog than PCM except possibly with 384Khz. The highest on PCM is 384 khz also called DXD. and then the purpose is obviously not to reproduce as high a sound frequency as possible. but rather that the number of samples is considered important and to use as mild filter as possible there is a discussion about DSD or DXD sounds best in the digital world

 

[jaddie]

for the number of bits indicates not only the dynamic range but also how many sound levels there are.

Incorrect. There are no "sound levels". The number of bits indicates the theoretical dynamic range of undithered quantization only.

. and the sampling indicates not only high sound frequencies that can be reproduced but also how many times per second the sound is sampled.

Sampling frequency divided by 2 is the "Nyquist Frequency". The highest frequency that can be sampled without aliasing must be below the Nyquist Frequency. The sampling frequency is defined as how many times per second the signal is sampled.

and sampling frequency then is also said to affect lower frequencies.

Said by whom? Aliasing is the only issue here, and its solved by appropriate filtering. Lower frequencies farther below Nyquist are not aliased.

then there is a little mystery the sound on the vinyl seems to contain something that the audio cd does not contain. for example, male voices sound deeper and human than than 16 bit. it is simply something that is missing in the CD sound even if no measuring instrument shows it. so now I'm talking about a vinyl record that has an analogous origin as an analog master tape.

The above is subjective opinion that is not supported by...well, anything.

DSD Has a sampling frequency of 2.8224 MHz. DSD is considered to sound more analog than PCM except possibly with 384Khz.

Again, subjective opinion, no actual evidence.

The highest on PCM is 384 khz also called DXD.

No, DXD (Digital eXtreme Definition) is a digital audio format that originally was developed by Philips and Merging Technologies for editing high-resolution recordings recorded in Direct Stream Digital (DSD). In practice, most DSD productions if recorded in DSD will be converted to PCM because that's what all DAWs work with, then re-converted back to DSD for release. But DXD and PCM are NOT the same thing.

and then the purpose is obviously not to reproduce as high a sound frequency as possible. but rather that the number of samples is considered important and to use as mild filter as possible

This is basically gibberish.

there is a discussion about DSD or DXD sounds best in the digital world

Yes, lots of discussions, no actual scientific controlled testing to support any of it. Just tons of biased opinions.

 

[NareshBrd]

The digital versions of most commercial recordings are available on line, with a good resolution, and all the noise removed.
I suggest you download and listen a few before starting this project of converting your collection to digital.
You will find that you need not deal with worn records, playback noise and so many other issues.
The discussion about loss less formats, resolution, and so many things, is a recurring topic here and in many other forums. Read them to get a better idea on how to proceed.

 

[jaddie]

Ever run into a digital version of an older song only to listen carefully and find it was a copy from a vinyl record? I've noticed that more than once. Very disappointing.

 

[Allan]

I've had excellent results using one of these... Sony PCM D100
I connect from phonostage to analog in and record in 2.8Mhz DSD, then if needed software de-click
They've been out for a while now and occasionally used one's come up on e-bay
They come with a wireless remote to pause ect. They're a pretty good little unit

Specifications​

Audio Formats Supported
Record: DSD, WAV and MP3; Playback: DSD, WAV, FLAC, MP3, WMA (Non DRM), AAC-LC (Non-DRM)

Built-in Mic
Electret condenser microphones. Max input level: 128 dB SPL. Frequency response 20 Hz to 20 kHz

Mic Input
(Stereo Mini Jack) Input impedance: 22 k ohm, Rated input level: 2.5 mV; Minimum input level: 0.7 mV

Line Input (Analogue)
(Stereo Mini Jack) Input impedance: 22k ohm; Minimum input level: 450mV; Rated input level: 2.0V

Line Input (Optical)
Optical Digiital Input: Input level: -27 dBm to -14 dBm; Emission wavelength: 660 nm

Line Output (Analogue)
Output impedance: 220 ohms;Output level: 1.7V; Load impedance 22k ohms

Line Output (Optical)
Output level: -21dBm to -15 dBm

Headphone Output
Stereo Mini Jack; Maximum output: 25 mW + 25 mW or more; Load impedance: 16 ohms

Frequency Response
20Hz - 50kHz (Line In) @ DSD2.8 ; 20Hz - 45kHz (Line In) @ LPCM 192kHz/24bit

Sampling Frequency
DSD 2.8MHz; LPCM 192kHz/176.4kHz/96kHz/88.2kHz/48kHz/44.1kHz

Quantization
16-bit LPCM, 24-bit PCM and 1-bit DSD

S/N Ratio
DSD 98dB or greater; LPCM 24 bit 96dB or greater

Total Harmonic Distortion (Line Input to Line Output)
DSD: 0.008% or below (1kHz, 22kHz LPF)
LPCM: 0.006% or below (1kHz, 22kHz LPF)

Wow and Flutter
Below measurable limit (less than +/-0.001%W.Peak)

USB
High-speed USB 2, mass storage class

Power Consumption
0.75w

Power Requirements
Four AA size Alkaline batteries (supplied).
Four AA NiMH Rechargeable batteries (optional)

DC Input Jack
6V

Battery Life
25 hrs @44.1kHz/16 bit; 18 hrs @192kHz/24bit or 12 hrs @ DSD2.8

Memory Stick Slot
Accepts SD, SD-HC,SD-XC, Memory Stick Pro Duo and Memory Stick Pro-HG

Dimensions
2 7/8" x 6 1/8" x 1 1/4" (w x h x d) not including projecting parts and controls

Weight
13.9 oz (including batteries)

 

[NareshBrd]

If the person wants sound recorded before 1975 or so, it will be analog.
And you will be lucky to get digital copies made from the master tapes, particularly after some fires in vaults which happened long back.
Digital recording became common around then, but customers had to wait till about 1990 to get digitally recorded music as CDs, I will not say anything about CDs issued before that, as my memory is hazy about that topic..

 

[rif]

...t I'm looking for a good deal on a Behringer DEQ2496 which would allow me to get the sound from my tube phono amp into my computer VIA optical (no ground loops, cheaper than good isolation xfmrs).

How do you get optical into the computer? I can't find a gadget that converts optical to usb.

 

[kodabmx]

I use this to go optical to PCIe.
https://us.creative.com/p/sound-blaster/sound-blaster-z-se

 

[rif]

I use this to go optical to PCIe.
https://us.creative.com/p/sound-blaster/sound-blaster-z-se

I hadn't thought of a soundcar, thanks! Unfortunately I can't use the one you recommend since I have a mini PC with no internal room for cards. I'll look at Amazon soon.