2. analog
  3. 138595-96357

Difference in sound using different carts when digitizing vinyl record?

Hello A'goners .......

I hope I am posting it in the right forum!

Here is my question - this is a hypothetical situation - if I digitize my vinyl record  while the record is played using any cart (cart #1) and then again play and digitize the same record using a different cart (cart #2), am I going to hear any sound difference typically attributed to two different carts? Everything else remain same in both cases i.e. the turntable, phono stage, DAC, preamp, amp, speakers, and all cables. The software to digitize is the same with identical setting. 

Did anyone of you do this or similar experiment? I am curious to know.

I bought a Sweetvinyl Sugarcube SC-1. I am wondering because of the conversion to A to D and then again D to A, it there a possibility that the sound differences from different carts are not so significant anymore?  Right now I do not have two carts, so can not do the experiment myself and report the results here. That is why I am asking the question and hoping to get some reasonable answers.  Please pardon my lack of technical knowledge.  

I would appreciate if we stay focused on the topic while discussing this. I do not want a debate of why I or anyone wants to convert analog to digital or one format is better sounding than the other.

Thanks and have a good day :)
 


128x128confuse_upgraditis
sleepwalker65's avatar
sleepwalker65
832 posts
 
@wcfeil, the definition of “average” is subjective. Would you consider an average cartridge a $60 AT95E or a $260 Grado Gold 2 or $750 Ortofon 2M Black, or a $1200 Sumiko Blackbird?

Similarly for turntables and arms, what would you offer as “average”?

My belief is that the law of diminishing returns applies here like in most other areas of hifi. While exceptional results could be obtained for a total outlay of $10K, the sweet spot is probably around $1.5~$2K. 
wcfeil
464 posts
 
If you apply “average” equally in the discussion, my assertion remains correct.

Thanks for the opportunity to clarify my thoughts. 
sleepwalker65's avatar
sleepwalker65
832 posts
 
@wcfeil ?
orpheus10
8,668 posts
 

Confused, if you're going to use your rig like I use mine, which is to down load to hard drive, and play back utilizing your PC, I recommend that you ask questions on the PC forum.

There are some cards in your PC that need to be upgraded, and an outboard DAC will make a tremendous improvement. PC upgrades are not as expensive as analog upgrades for equivalent improvement.
inna
7,297 posts
 
Yes, table itself is the most important element, then arm, then cartridge. And the interaction between them all, of course.
I have $4k table/arm and $500 MM cartridge - sounds very good.
Why would you want to convert analog into digital ? In a sense, you would be doing digital mastering. I have a few records like that - none sounds like analog.
Michael Fremer has his own agenda, an excellent one, to keep vinyl alive no matter what. He is also a businessman.
So, to answer your question - yes and no. You will hear differences between cartridges but it won't matter - you will spoil the recordings in any case.
More to discover