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Help on LP to CD Transfer Firms

I'm getting ready to transfer some of my more obscure lps to cd, and I was wondering if anyone knew of a transfer firm that uses high end components.
I have a Roxsan turnatble so I know how important a good front end is to get the most out of the grooves. Plus good quality converters, etc.
I cherish my music and if I'm going to trust my lps to someone I want to be certain that the transfer/noise reduction is going to be of superior quality.
Most companies I've seen on the web charge about $20 to $25 for a cd transfer and I'd be willing to pay twice that if I could be confident that the cd transfe� is true to the music on my lp.
Which is a long-winded way of saying "does anyone know of a really good transfer company?"
Much appreciated.
---Steve
smaietta
8 responses Add your response
abstract7
541 posts
 
I'm wondering why you don't do it yourself? It's really not very difficult and if you have a good A/D converter (not the one in your computer) it may be better than what you can get by sending your LPs out--because of the front end. I addition you can even get rid of any pops or ticks. I've used Sonic Foundry to convert LPs to CDs. I actually used the sound card in the computer, because I really wasn't concerned about the quality for what I was doing at the time, but if I were doing it for archival purposes I would have used the A/D converter on my EAD and captured the digital directly on the computer. Then get rid of any very load pops or ticks with Sonic Foundry and burn to CD rom.
sdcampbell
2,136 posts
 
I agree with Abstract7 -- do it yourself. There are a number of decent audio CD recorders on the market now that can be purchased at discount for under $400. I recently bought a Sony RCD-W1 audio CD recorder specifically to transfer much of my LP collection to CD, and I've been very pleased with the results. If you already have a good front analog front end, make your own CD copies of your LP's. If you choose to do that, I recommend that you make transfers to CD at 1-to-1 speed, and NOT at higher rates (2x or 4x).
avideo
222 posts
 
I agree with SDCampbell and above. I own a video editing
and duplication firm in Portland,OR. And from what I've
seem of most outfits that do LP-to-CD transfers; most are
low ball operations that are using aging mid-fi gear and
maybe an inexpensive noise reduction system of some type.
Most of these people are either too cheap or have no
interest in using decent quality gear. I just recently
bought a Marantz CDR500 - which is a pro grade CD recorder
for under $600.00. It burns great sounding disks and has
digital, RCA, and XLR inputs - and can be setup to ignore
SCMS!
If you have the budget, you might also want to consider
going to a higher end commercial music studio for your
transfer. Good luck!
ramstl
342 posts
 
Ditto, you can buy a Sony CDR with SBM for $450-700 depending on the model, CDRW 33 or 66. Either of these units, coupled with you front end will do a great job of transfering.
smaietta OP
1 posts
 
That's really terrific advice. In fact, a number of people have told me to do my own transfers. Problem is, I don't own a computer (I use this one at work). If I were to buy my own computer plus cd burners, etc., it would cost me several thousand dollars. If I can pay a transfer firm $50 per cd, I could use the money to transfer around 50 or 60 cds. Plus I really don't need a computer at home.
So maybe I should ask, "has anybody used an lp to cd transfer company thay are satisfied with?"
Thanks again for the response.
ramstl
342 posts
 
No I haven't.

But let me clarrify, "You don't need a computer." The units I have recommended are stand alone units. As a matter of fact you can often get a used stand alone unit for $275.

But if you're really against doing it yourself, drop me an e-mail we can work something out.

I use a Well Tempered Record Player-Glider-Classe' 5MKII with a 6 Phono section-Sony SBM- Marantz CDR630.
abstract7
541 posts
 
I have a question on using stand alone units. I've only done this with a computer. How do you segregate the tracks on each side of the album when burning a CD on a stand alone recorder? Also, I've heard you have to use the more expensive "music" CD-Rs--is that true of all players, some, or is that only applicable for the first generation units, (or is it completely false altogether)?
ramstl
342 posts
 
You index them manually as the track is over. By buying a professional unit you can you computer grade media. Right now Office Max sells H.P.'s in a spindle of 50 for $14.00 or 10 in a case for $4.00.
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