AD Converter Options

Ditto Tascam-3000 for recording LPs to DSD128.  I modified its analog input section with better piece parts, substituted better DC regulators in PS, and give it a clock link from an Antelope Liveclock frequency divider slaved to a Stanford Research 10MHz master clock.  The recordings sound close enough to the source for me--whose goal is to scale back considerably on LPs while preserving enough original vinyl to justify keeping the most collectable stuff.  At a higher price point I considered a Merging Technologies studio-class A/D.   

Go to a web site that sells pro audio gear (Sweetwater is one) and look at Pro Audio Interfaces. Almost all are under $10K.  I seriously doubt you will find any responses to your question here that you can't find by doing a simple internet search.

interesting you say "only 24 bit." Do you really think 32 bit is better?

Herman. Yes, I really think 32-bit is better after making LP recordings at both 24-bit and 32-bit. The latter seems to have higher resolution / clarity in the treble. Of course, this is with my gear. The difference is even apparent on my Fiio M15.

I don't doubt you like what you hear from your ADC that runs at 32 bits more than the one that does 24... but EVERYTHING about the 2 is different, the power supply, the ADC process, the firmware, all of the passive and active components that amplify and handle the digital and audio signals... EVERYTHING is different, so it is a huge leap to assign the difference you like to the number of bits.

Just sayin'

The sole variable when I created the different WAV files from my turntable is the saving format in Audacity. This suggests that the differences in the 24-bit and 32-bit sound is attributable to the format since the recording platform, both hardware & software, was unchanged.

In fact, the two files, one for 24-bit and one for 32-bit music, were created minutes apart, with just a simple 'Save As'.