Need recommendations on a turntable

[Sammy]

to get all my black vinyl transfered to my computer HDD for high quality playback.

The turntable in my signature was built prior to CD's and when computers were 8086 and had a 10Mb HDD standard so obviously there is no USB. I'd like to archive all that vinyl so am looking for any recommendations about turntables to do it from the audiophyles here.

[richteer]

Originally Posted by Sammy

to get all my black vinyl transfered to my computer HDD for high quality playback.

The turntable in my signature was built prior to CD's and when computers were 8086 and had a 10Mb HDD standard so obviously there is no USB. I'd like to archive all that vinyl so am looking for any recommendations about turntables to do it from the audiophyles here.

I think the Pro-Ject Debut III USB might be what you're looking for. But be aware: once you start listening to vinyl on this turntable--entry level though it is--you might start hankering after something further up the vinyl food chain... On appropriate high end gear, vinyl can be wonderful.

[Sammy]

Maybe but my turntable has served me fine for a great many years. After doing some research, I've found that I can connect it directly to my sound card and use some downloaded freeware (audicity?) to transfer the grooves to *.wav files pretty darn cheaply... like the cost of a couple of connectors from monoprice.

[Sammy]

I'm all about doing it as cheaply as possible as I refuse to have credit card debt or delve into my savings and I am just now getting it built back up after buying just about everything in my signature plus speaker wires and ethernet extension with switches etc except for the turntable, VCR and JBL speakers over the last six months.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Sammy

Maybe but my turntable has served me fine for a great many years. After doing some research, I've found that I can connect it directly to my sound card and use some downloaded freeware (audicity?) to transfer the grooves to *.wav files pretty darn cheaply... like the cost of a couple of connectors from monoprice.

Good luck with that!

John

[Sammy]

Originally Posted by John72953

Good luck with that!

John

http://digital-audio.suite101.com/ar...ces_to_digital

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Sammy

http://digital-audio.suite101.com/ar...ces_to_digital

You realize, of course, that you will need an AMPLIFIER to do this?

Digitise Audio Using the Original Turntable or Cassette Player
If the original player is still serviceable and in good condition, a cheap and easy way to convert the analogue signal to digital is to use the sound card of a PC, and the versatile free audio editor Audacity. Take the signal from the tape out jacks of the hi-fi amplifier to the line input (usually coloured blue) using a twin phono to 3.5mm jack lead. These are widely available in computer stores, electronics and audio stores like Radio Shack, Maplin or online.

John

[Johnny Vinyl]

I know you said you want to do things on the cheap, but I'll give you a suggestion anyway!

Look at the INport from Xitel. I've been using this for several years and I can vouch for its ease-of-use and quality. The associated software is from an Australian company called CFB Software and they are absolutely fantastic to deal with.

I don't know how much vinyl you own, but if you care about properly digitizing your collection, this product comes well recommended.

John

[Sammy]

Originally Posted by John72953

You realize, of course, that you will need an AMPLIFIER to do this?



John

Yeah, I still have the retired Sony in my sig. I could set this up in my home office.

But that kit in your second post above looks pretty good and not too expensive. Do you have experience with it? BTW, thanks for posting that.

BTW, I have probably 100 331/3's from my music collection that was startedin the late 70's until the mid 80's when I "early-adopted" CD's. I haven't seen some of them on CD at all. My purpose is the ease of playback using my Denon media bridge from my computer to my receiver via my home network.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Sammy

Yeah, I still have the retired Sony in my sig. I could set this up in my home office.

But that kit in your second post above looks pretty good and not too expensive. Do you have experience with it? BTW, thanks for posting that.

BTW, I have probably 100 331/3's from my music collection that was startedin the late 70's until the mid 80's when I "early-adopted" CD's. I haven't seen some of them on CD at all. My purpose is the ease of playback using my Denon media bridge from my computer to my receiver via my home network.

Yes, I have been using the INport for about 4 years, but upgraded the software on it. The CFB software included with the INport is a bit limited, and since I have an extensive collection (and wanted to convert everything properly), I decided to upgrade the software. FYI....I had a few questions about the software and emailed the guys at CFB...they came back right away and were very helpfull.

I bought the INport from TigerDirect in Canada, as Xitel won't ship outside of the U.S. (bummer).

And...you're welcome about the post!

John

[dobyblue]

I would recommend using a sound card with 24/192 capabilities if you want to properly capture your vinyl.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

I would recommend using a sound card with 24/192 capabilities if you want to properly capture your vinyl.

Indeed. I have an older Creative XFi Platinum Music card (can't remember if that's the correct product identifier)...the box is long gone! LOL!

John

[Sammy]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

I would recommend using a sound card with 24/192 capabilities if you want to properly capture your vinyl.

Popin' open my case right now. I'll report back in a bit.

[Sammy]

That's one dusty MF in there. I need to deal with that.

So it's the on-board card. It is an Gigabyte main board that I got from newegg a few years back. I need to look up the spec's on it.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Sammy

That's one dusty MF in there. I need to deal with that.

So it's the on-board card. It is an Gigabyte main board that I got from newegg a few years back. I need to look up the spec's on it.

You should indeed look it up, because I'm not going to be able to be of any help in that department! I'm fairly savvy with computers, but the technical side of it is way beyond me! LOL

John

[Sammy]

Link to product page on newegg.

On-board audio:

ALC655
AC'97 Rev 2.3 Audio CODEC General DescriptionThe ALC655 is a 16-bit, full-duplex AC'97 Rev. 2.3 compatible six-channel audio CODEC designed for PC multimedia systems, including host/soft audio and AMR/CNR-based designs.
The ALC655 incorporates proprietary converter technology to meet performance requirements for PC99/2001 systems. The ALC655 CODEC provides three pairs of stereo outputs with 5-bit volume control, a mono output, and multiple stereo and mono inputs, along with flexible mixing, gain, and mute functions to provide a complete integrated audio solution for PCs.
The digital interface circuitry of the ALC655 CODEC operates from a 3.3V power supply for use in notebook and PC applications. An integrated 50mW/20ohm headset audio amplifier for Front-Out and Surround-Out, a 14.318MHz -> 24.576MHz PLL, and a PCBEEP generator cut BOM costs. The ALC655 also supports S/PDIF input and output for easy connection of PCs to consumer electronic products, such as AC3 decoders/speakers and mini-disk devices.
The ALC655 CODEC supports host/soft audio from Intel ICHx chipsets as well as audio controller-based VIA/SIS/ALI/AMD/nVIDIA/ATI chipsets. Bundled Windows series drivers (98/ME/NT/2000/XP), EAX/Direct Sound 3D/ I3DL2/A3D compatible sound effect utilities (supporting Karaoke, 26 types of environment sound emulation, 10-band equalizer), HRTF 3D positional audio and Sensaura™ 3DPA (optional) provide an excellent entertainment package and game experience for PC users. In addition, the ALC655 is embedded with an impedance sensing capability to detect when a device has been connected to input or output jacks.
Features

• Meets performance requirements for audio on PC99/2001 systems
• Meets Microsoft WHQL/WLP 2.0 audio requirements
• 16-bit Stereo full-duplex CODEC with 48KHz sampling rate
• Compliant with AC'97 Rev 2.3 specifications
  • Front-Out, Surround-Out, MIC-In and LINE-In Jack Sensing
  • 14.318MHz -> 24.576MHz PLL to eliminate crystal
  • 12.288MHz BITCLK input
  • Integrated PCBEEP generator to save buzzer
  • Interrupt capability
• Three analog line-level stereo inputs with 5-bit volume control, LINE_IN, CD, AUX
• High-quality differential CD input
• Two analog line-level mono inputs: PCBEEP, PHONE-IN
• Two software selectable MIC inputs
• Dedicated Front-MIC input for front panel applications (software selectable)
• Boost preamplifier for MIC input
• LINE input shared with surround output; MIC input shared with Center and LFE output
• Built-in 50mW/20ohm amplifier for both Front-out and Surround-Out
• External Amplifier Power Down (EAPD) capability
• Power management and enhanced power saving features
• Supports Power-Off CD function
• Adjustable VREFOUT control
• Supports 48KHz S/PDIF output, complying with AC'97 Rev 2.3 specifications
• Supports 32K/44.1K/48KHz S/PDIF input
• Power support: Digital: 3.3V; Analog: 3.3V/5V
• Standard 48-pin LQFP package
• EAX™ 1.0 & 2.0 compatible
• Direct Sound 3D™ compatible
• A3D™ compatible
• I3DL2 compatible
• HRTF 3D positional audio
• Sensaura™ 3DPA enhancement (optional)
• 10-band software equalizer
• Voice cancellation and key shifting in Karaoke mode
• AVRack® Media Player
• Configuration Panel for improved user convenience

Applications

• Multimedia PCs
• 3D PC games
• Information appliances (IA)
• Voice recognition
• Audio conferencing

[Sammy]

Supports 32K/44.1K/48KHz S/PDIF input

Not quite 24/192?

[Johnny Vinyl]

That's only a 16-bit onboard card. Try it anyway and see if the sound is acceptable to you. If not, head over to the Creative Labs website or check your local independent computer reseller.

Looks like this may not be all that cheap of an exercise for you though!

John

[Sammy]

If I use the INport from Xitel ($60 at amazon isn't bad) I don't think I need to upgrade my sound card because it uses USB and then the processing will be done by the CPU and not the sound card. I am not a gamer and don't need quality audio from my computer for youtube and the like as I will be playing it through my receiver. But first I am going to try just hooking up my turntable to my old receiver and then going from the audio out to my computer and see what happens.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Cool! Try it out like you suggested and then, if need be, you can get the INport after that.

Lemme know how it turns out for you! And...

Good luck with that

John