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Mark75H
01-20-2009, 06:43 PM
Can someone suggest a decent preamp for digitizing my vinyl collection? Hope to spend less than $125

jphii
01-20-2009, 06:54 PM
You can get a USB turntable for about that that will plug right in to your computer.

Mark75H
01-20-2009, 07:54 PM
I know, but I like the turntable I have now, its a little better than the $125 USB turntables

jphii
01-21-2009, 09:42 AM
I understand that. But it really won't make enough difference when you turn it digital. Been there, tried it all.

Riverman
01-21-2009, 10:04 AM
Does it lose that much Joe? I know even ripping CDs and playing them through the computer doesn't do the music justice.

jphii
01-21-2009, 10:09 AM
Yes it does. Especially using vinyl as your source. Nothing comes close to the original.

Droll
01-21-2009, 10:50 AM
Can someone suggest a decent preamp for digitizing my vinyl collection? Hope to spend less than $125

How do you play your records today ?? almost all Hifi Pre/stereo amps got a RIAA input for the player....most of them got a TAPE out too ( use a phono to 3.5 mm jack cable between your old amp and your computers audio in )

The newer surround/cinema amp usually don't have that luxory ...

Or you can use something like this one (http://www.terratec.net/en/products/PhonoPreAmp_iVinyl_2064.html)... or this one
(http://cgi.ebay.com/RIAA-Phono-Preamp-Record-Player-Turntable-Amplifier-Amp_W0QQitemZ400025428420QQihZ027QQcategoryZ48648QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
Arne Kjetil

RobF
01-21-2009, 07:41 PM
I had a sound card that would take RCA and other inputs, it had a nice set of front mount I/Os on it and came with good software, actually had optical I/Os as well.

My brother in law put close over 5000 records into his computer, but I dont remember how he did it.

I dont know what they cost these days but I did not pay alot of money back then.

something like this, but mine was a little different

http://www.soundblaster.com/products/product.asp?

category=1&subcategory=208&product=17813

http://www.soundblaster.com//images/corporate/artwork/hires_PEX-FiTFC.jpg

Mark75H
01-21-2009, 07:48 PM
I have the input device, it just needs some push to boost up the recording level.

My old stereo doesn't have a preamp ... if it did I wouldn't be asking

RobF
01-21-2009, 07:51 PM
i used to record off records thru the soundcard, ran it through a EQ as well.
cant you adjust the recording level through the computer?

flabum1017
01-30-2009, 01:17 AM
Something like this? http://www.crutchfield.com/p_057ATPEQ3/Audio-Technica-AT-PEQ3.html?search=phono+preamp&tp=204 .... just google "phono preamp". Or you can use your home stereo if it has a phono in and a tape out connection....run the tape out to the computer and you will the correct line level.

Mark75H
01-30-2009, 07:29 AM
Or you can use your home stereo if it has a phono in and a tape out connection....run the tape out to the computer and you will the correct line level.

Dooh! thanks ... been so long since I've done any stereo stuff I forgot I could do that.

Big Thank You!

Mark75H
02-13-2009, 07:35 AM
My tape connections thru my old stereo didn't go thru the preamp :( line in and line out I guess ...

I ended up buying a used Presonus microphone preamp off of eBay for $70. It has a mixed transistor/tube amp and really softens the sound the way you expect a tube amp to do. I really doubt you can get the same softening from a transistor preamp without really smushing the signal with some stupid digital compression/softening algorithm which I don't want. My recordings are now very true to the vinyl (sometimes good, sometimes bad :(). I didn't see any other tube preamps that were selling in this price range. Usually if it is a stereo preamp with tubes it goes outrageous.

Another nice feature of the mic preamp is the output pad control, so you are not overdriving the next device.

jphii
02-13-2009, 07:40 AM
Tubes, good call. Only way to go, all my stuff is tubes:thumbsup:

Mark75H
02-13-2009, 08:37 AM
Tubes, good call. Only way to go, all my stuff is tubes:thumbsup:

you just like having your tube serviced :reddevil:

Dd24skater
02-15-2009, 11:42 AM
audiogon.com

If you can't find it on there it's not made!

dd

Mark75H
02-15-2009, 12:00 PM
audiogon.com

If you can't find it on there it's not made!

dd

Wasn't that much listed there. 2 or 3 dozen super high end items, all $400 to $5,000,

$300 to $4,900 over the specified price range :(