Converting LP's to digital files

One more thing:

I've tried lots of ways of doing this including using Meridian A/D converters, better phono rigs, etc. and nothing sounds identical to the record. There is always a loss. Still the results can be excellent.

Hi I currently use an Alesis Masterlink stand along Pro HD/CD recorder. It makes the process pretty easy and you can record 24/96 AIF files. You can save files on cd and transfer them to your music server or burn redbook (regular) audio cds.

It is a real work horse. no usb out.

http://www.alesis.com/masterlink

The analog to digital converter is very good and the street price is well under $1k.

-- Hey Davemitchell I am curious if you have any exposure to the Alesis, how do you think it stacks up vs. the Korg in terms of the quality of the ADCs. Obviously it is more versatile and can produce higher res files. I have held off on a the Tascam HD dvd burner recorder because I had heard that the quality of the ADC would not be better than in the Alesis.

thanks, Stephanie

I use a Denon studio cd-r recorder. It has XLR inputs that I use from my phono pre. Simple, yet perfect recordings. After that, I convert to any format I want through PC. At this point you can use software to manipulate the noise. 550.00 for the Denon.

I just bought a Cakewalk UA-1G, which is made by Roland. It has analog and mini optical inputs, and a USB and mini optical output. It also has an input volume control. It does up to 96khz. It came with their own software, but I've been using Audacity because I can't figure out the Cakewalk software. Audacity had a little bit of a learning curve, but after the 3rd or 4th try I got everything figured out.

I've been recording at 96/24 (DVD Audio standard) and Redbook 44.1/16. I don't have a way to play the 96/24 (need a new DAC to do that), but I'd like to have them when I get a capable DAC.

The 44.1/16 results are great to my ears. I compared my 180 gm vinyl recorded versions of Nirvana's Nevermind and In Utero to the CD versions, and it sounded noticably better to my ears. Others did as well.

For a little less than $100, you can't go wrong IMO. I can finally buy new stuff on vinyl and not worry about buying it on CD too. They make more expensive versions of it, but my reaearch lead me to believe the extra features on the more expensive models was stuff that I would never use and had no bearing on my overall sound - sound effects, pitch change, etc.

JR