Which Analog to Digital converter


I'd like to buy an analog to digital converter for ripping old analog media I own. Recommendations? I'd like a very good one, but I don't want to spend more than 1.5k, hopefully under 1k. I've read Focusrite makes some good ones but looking at the inputs (intended for professional use) I'm not sure how to use these.
e91811

Showing 7 responses by auxinput

The VinylStudio Pro software for only $49 USD will support recording of DSD from the RME ADI-2 Pro interface:

https://www.alpinesoft.co.uk/

hope this helps.
The Focusrite stuff is the low end bargain product.  They are good if you want to spend less than $250, but do not match the upper end.

Many people have had excellent results using the RME ADI-2 Pro FS.  This is normally $2k, but there's a used one on ebay right now for $1299.  I would jump on that if you are really serious.  It also provides ability to record into DSD files (which is the preferred method for recording analog/vinyl if you don't have to do mixing/processing).

A good linear power supply may improve the sound quality captured even more.  The ADI can accept a DC power anywhere from 9V to 15V (I would probably use 12V).  There is a used Keces P3 on usaudiomart for $320 that would do this job.  You can try a Teradak on ebay for less than $200 as well (this will still likely be better than the stock switching power supply).  A Teddy Pardo will be at least $400 (but they are very excellent as well).
Oh, one more thing. These "pro" interfaces use combo XLR/TRS inputs. It will accept a standard XLR cable. If you use RCA cables, you can get a nice RCA-to-TRS unbalanced cable such as this:

https://www.proaudiola.com/product-p/1-m2549-rca-ts-1.htm

All these pro interfaces accept either balanced or unbalanced cables without any problem.
I was going to jump in.  The Muffin is really just a phono preamp that does click-reduction using DSP (which means it converts analog to digital to do the click-removal and then converts back to analog).  You can get a Muffin with S/PDIF output, but then you still need a digital audio interface that accepts an S/PDIF input for recording (and these S/PDIF interfaces are not all made equally).
The Tascam DA-3000 is a example of a digital recorder that nighthawk is talking about.  It's roughly $899, which is cheaper than the RME.  However, most people that have compared them really like the RME ADI-2 Pro better for sound quality.  With the RME, you only need the $49 VinylStudio Pro software to do everything (and a USB port on the computer).  With the Tascam digital recorder you still need a memory card that is large enough to record the length of music you need and also a memory card reader for your computer (which also connects via USB).  I suppose it all depends on your budget threshold.  I would go for the RME.

That used RME on ebay is gone, but there are several "non pro" versions available, some under $1k.  The "RME ADI-2" which doesn't have that special small LCD screen on the front (it's a step down, but still good.

Additionally, I really don't think you will have the "computer interfacing" issues that nighthawk is talking about.

Another benefit of the RME is that many have rated this as a quite excellent DAC as well, so you will have a really nice DAC to playback anything on your computer to computer speakers or studio monitors of your choice.

As far as fuzztone's promoting the Muffin device.  It is a DSP based phono preamp which makes it very easy to do adjustments and special eq for turntables.  You can get it with S/PDIF output, but then you still need a pro audio interface that has a S/PDIF input so that you can record that music.
Yes, it appears that the Tascam DA-3000 does have what you would call a "streaming mode".  You can enable a mode called "ADDA DIRECT" which basically takes any analog audio coming in on one of the inputs and converts and then output that on the analog and S/PDIF digital outputs (it basically becomes a live AD/DA converter).  However, you will still need a digital audio interface to connect it to a computer for recording (such as Focusrite, MOTU, RME, etc.).  This sounds like it defeats your entire purpose of getting the Tascam in the first place. 

The USB inputs on the front of the Tascam do not connect to a computer.  They are meant for a keyboard and a USB drive to record music onto. 

Sounds like a convenient way to record analog sources, but you still need a USB drive or a Compact Flash memory card to copy those files to computer and rename them.  It does look like this Tascam will do DSD recordings if you so desire.
I am assuming "streaming mode" means the ability for the Tascam to record music directly into a computer and save it as a file as it's being recorded (without having to record onto a USB drive or memory card first and then copying that file into the computer).

But we should let e91811 confirm this for us.