Questions about recording vimyl to computer?

First - just to clarify, regarding the NT-505: I have no complaints, in most respects. No problems connecting to the network, playing DSD and other hi-res from my server, streaming, the Lumin app (getting to know it), etc. What I said concerns the sound quality only, and at that point, I am still not sure. What is clear, is that is good enough to play my vinyl recordings back in a good way (I didn't say "optimal" way). Time - burn-in - will tell.

Second - is it worth it? Recording from vinyl is a lot of work, but actually, more like a routine than hard work, once you get into it. I don't sit around while recording, rather I use a timer, roughly adjusted for the duration of the LP side, usually around 15 minutes. I bring this to my home office and do some "real" work while it counts down. Not ideal, but OK. Sometimes, I think, "is this LP really worth it", or even (monitoring the recording, in headphones) "this doesn't sound so good". But then I remember all the times I have enjoyed playing back my recordings, and I keep recording, some more LPs while I am at it. I think of  holidays when I've brought a little DAP (Fiio x3) along, and we have enjoyed the analog sound. So my rule is, just do it, you won't regret it. Although streaming and digital is coming along and so forth. As dacs improve, the benefits of high format recordings will probably become even clearer. Even from this "stone age technology", analog record playback, warts and all. If you have time and taste for it, investigate a program like Vinyl Studio, which makes it easier to spilt your recordings into tracks. I find that it works well, but often, I prefer to leave my LP side A, side B original recordnings are they are, since I like to listen "into" albums. Old-fashioned, maybe.

I have one problem, or challenge, that you should be aware of. DSD recordings often have lower volume than other types of audio files, including PCM. This is the case with the recordings I make with the Tascam DA-3000, unless I turn up the volume quite "hot". There is debate regarding the best recording volume, and "hot" (loud) is not advocated. This fits what I hear. However, with some equipment, the recording may just be too low in volume. That happens in our car stereo (Ford Focus) - even with full volume (from the Fiio x3), the sound is too low. Even if it is good enough for the home system, and for the Fiio X3 into our cottage system, or active speakers, etc. The most serious problem is shifting from these low-volume recordings, to other sources / files. Which is easy to do, for example, with the Teac HR (or Lumin) app, that automatically creates a playlist from what you play. Be *careful* and turn the volume down, before doing this - on you might ruin your speakers! There may be a way to "normalize" the volume level across dsd / pcm / streaming, but I have not seen an easy solution so far. Korg Audiogate seems to be able to turn up the DSD file volume without harming the file, I have not tested much, except to notice that the process takes a long time, for each file.

I bought a Tascam DA-3000 some years ago and have not looked back. Best digital sound I've heard (with DSD128). 

Yes the digitizing is time consuming, but to my ears, well worth it. I now have ca 400 album vinyl rips on double DSD through the Tascam DA-3000. I can play them back very conveniently through my new Teac NT-505 streamer/dac, over my home (ethernet) network. Sound is very good. Almost as good as the direct analog playback itself, and for less bother and cost in cart replacements, tubes etc. So in my case, it is well worth it.Most of my analog recordings are better than Tidal masters - to my ears. Lesser formats need not apply.

Almarg made a good point in the beginning of this thread. Make sure that the ADC is good enough, before starting to invest much time on recording from analog. This is like the source of the Nile, so to speak, when recording from analog sources like LPs. In my case, the Tascam DA-3000 ADC is quite good from what I hear (and read) allthough not the best. The "secret anxiety" of anyone using time on this is, is that maybe in some years, my recordings won't be good enough;I should have changed the ADC, or some part of my analog chain, like the cartridge. So it is a bit of a risky gamble. Ten years ago I recorded with the Korg MR-1. I don't listen much to these recordings today, since the DA-3000 recordings, going from single to double DSD (plus balaned connections, a better cartridge, etc), are clearly better. So I think it is a good idea, first, to ensure that the analog chain is fairly well made up and settled - don't record if you have a new and better cart or phono preamp coming soon. And that you are satisfied with the ADC. The conversion back from digital - the best DAC - is something you can come back to that later. In that respect, your recordings are (like what was said of DSD) "future proof". 

Thanks bondmanp. I also skip the computer, so far (using a Teac NT-505), though who knows, in the future. The Sugarcube looks nice but does not seem to be able to handle dsd -? I know that pcm top level is nice, but still not the best format. I am a strong believer in investing in the best recording format, before going into recording. including "vinyl rips". Plan ahead. You dont want to re-record your vinyl collection some years later, because you started out with too low level digitizing. 

I am still investigating the Teac NT-505. Sometimes it seems good - other times not so good. Maybe still burning in. I will soon getter a better headphone, Audioquest Nightowl, to compare.