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Tascam DA-3000 vs Benchmark ADC1 USB

In a previous thread the subject about using a Tascam DA-3000 to archive vinyl was discussed. I had posted that my initial tests with the Tascam were far from satisfying. I speculated that I thought the issue was the analog circuitry in the front end of the Tascam.

Well I just received a Benchmark ADC1 USB and have run a few test recordings to compare with the Tascam.

I set the ADC1 up to feed digital AES/EBU 24bit/96KHz into the AES/EBU digital input on the Tascam. Clock on the Tascam was set to DI (digital input from the ADC1). Clock rate and bit depth were set to match the ADC1.

So I was effectively using the Benchmark for the basic analog to digital conversion, and the Tascam to convert the digital data stream into a WAV file saved to a 4 G SD card in the Tascam. This way I avoided any USB and computer related variables in building the WAV file of the recording.

The analog inputs to the Benchmark ADC1 were straight out (DC out) of the Spectral DMC-10 phono preamp. I used custom built single ended RCA to XLR cables. Surprisingly, I found hum levels were about 6 dB better that the same inputs into the Tascam directly.

I recorded some quick cuts from LPs I am pretty familiar with (Steely Dan Gaucho Babylon Sisters, John Klemmer's Touch, and Blind Faith's Had to Cry Today that I used initially). The recording levels were very easy to set as the Benchmark ADC1 has really nice analog front panel controls for gain. Setting up the Tascam to "Monitor" confirmed the digital levels and both units agreed with each other to within a dB or so.

What about the results?

I was very happy with the recordings made with the Benchmark. When A/B'd directly with the LP, the recorded 24/96K WAV was not identical, but pretty damn close. Much better than recordings made with the Tascam alone. The original LP was a tad bit smoother and very slightly more detailed, but if you were not A/B ing you might not notice the difference. What was important to me was that the recording maintained the space and 3d sound field of the LP, and not crush it into a plane like many CD recordings.

All in all not the cheapest solution, but still cheaper than the Ayre 9A product. Plus using the Tascam gives you a stand alone solution with no need to connect USB to a computer, but it's there if you want it.

I would say Benchmark was pretty true to what they said their product would do.
dhl93449
almarg's avatar
almarg
9,670 posts
 
11-23-15: Dtc
You observations support the idea that the Tascam may be OK for moderate level systems, but its shortcomings become apparent on a higher end, more revealing systems.
Although not necessarily. See my post dated today in the other recent thread on this unit.

Regards,
-- Al
peter_s
1,348 posts
 
This is a good conversation. I'm thinking of buying the Benchmark and digitizing a bunch of albums. I'm not too worried about the USB direct to computer concerns, although I might consider inserting a galvanic USB isolator (purchased from Empirical Audio) to prevent elements from the computer from making their way to the ADC. But it then takes one to the question of which ADC to purchase, giving that one wants to only digitize LP's once. I was thinking the Benchmark, but the Ayre reviews sound a bit better - but just a whole lot more expensive. Any thoughts?
peter_s
1,348 posts
 
Also, does anyone know whether the optical out in the 1/8" headphone jack on a Mac Mini also serves as optical in?
dhl93449 OP
455 posts
 
DTC:

I am only using dB Poweramp which has limited file processing capabilities. Thanks for the suggestion for Vinyl Studio, as I would like software to "crop" lead in and lead out noise and song transitions. I would stay away from those pop and tick removers because they may be altering the sound data.

I have not directly compared 24/96K vs 24/192K, although I have read in some forums that 24/96K is the best sonically. This was confirmed by the Tech at Benchmark (sorry I cannot remember his name). The explanation had something to do with the anti-aliasing filters and digital processing...not my cup of tea. Plus, the 96K files are half the size so that is a plus when recording to flashcards. But to each his own and if you feel the 192K is more "accurate" then by all means, use it.

I do like the volume normalize function in dBpoweramp that lets you convert the file data to 32 bit floating point, perform all the math in floating point, then re-convert back to 24 bit.

Regarding writing to the Tascam vs PC, I am in the Bryston camp here. I have a BDP-1 (instead of a PC server) to play back my digital files and have not been disappointed with the sound quality. Their arguments re the use of linear power supplies and isolation from noise sources in a conventional computer make sense (speaking of RF Al). The Tascam uses similar techniques. Plus, the Benchmark tech actually confirmed that he prefers the Tascam/Benchmark combo vs a PC for those reasons.

Regarding the connections, the Benchmark has a word clock out and the Tascam has a corresponding word clock input. But you don't need them if you use AES/EBU. You have to set up the Tascam properly while the Benchmark is connected and powered on. Otherwise the Tascam will refuse the settings and tries to revert back to an internal clock.
dhl93449 OP
455 posts
 
JWM:

The Benchmark cannot stream USB to the Tascam, as the Tascam has no USB data INPUT. The USB inputs on the Tascam are for storage media only, and you cannot record to a USB drive, only play back from it (or transfer files to it).

To connect the Benchmark or the Ayre, you would connect the digital outputs such as coax SPDIF or AES/EBU XLR balanced. The Benchmark or Ayre has to connected and powered on for the Tascam to recognize the inputs and allow you to choose the clocks and sources correctly (which is done in menus in the Tascam).

You do not need a word clock connection between the Tascam and the Benchmark either if you use AES/EBU (or another digital input/output).
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