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Best Way To Archive Vinyl On My PC

I have a metric $#%&load of vinyl that I'd like to archive on my PC. The native sound card has to go. I already have the PC-to-stereo big rig connection in place, and it functions. Now, I'd like to stereo-to-PC, so I can play all the vinyl using my good TT, into my PC. It looks like there's a movement afoot to go to PCI E sound cards. My current PC has only PCI sockets, so maybe USB is the way to go. I'm not sure. I'll probably go FLAC, WAV, etc. if I can find the space. Right now, all my tunes are high-bitrate MP3s, or M4As.

Any advice on this?
licoricepizza
orpheus10
8,668 posts
 
My computer says WAV, where does MP3 come in.
daverz
487 posts
 
I get great results with an M-Audio Audiophile USB, which is a pretty old design. Unfortunately, I don't think this particular model is made anymore, but you can still buy it online. I usually use it with my Macbook. I take the output from my pre-amp's tape output.

I use Audacity for recording. Lately I've been recording at 24-bit/96 kHz, and it really does sound better to me. I save as FLAC and play back with a Squeezebox Touch. I use ClickRepair on a low setting for removing tics and pops. I suggest turning off the amp when recording to eliminate acoustic feedback.
orpheus10
8,668 posts
 
Go to "Google" and you will find DAK 2800 WAV grabber. It's no wonder I know nothing about MP3 and my computer knows nothing about MP3, we only know WAV.
ghasley
2,487 posts
 
Good morning Orpheus. Let's try this a different way. What sound card are you using to capture your data? PC/system setup. Wav or Mp3, its the sample rate that we are trying to get to. It is extremely relevant and you have yet to disclose that, which will helpful to the original poster when evaluating his/her options. But the sample rate is only part of the equation, the quality of the A to D conversion is the other part. While i have never seen a Dak 2800, i have no doubt it is proving to be a cost effective manner to get your analog signal to your PC.

All of your conversion from analog to digital is currently ocurring at your sound card within your windows PC. That can be pretty noisy not to mention inferior in sound quality but I will withold my specific opinion until you specify your computer setup and sound card. You may have your sound card isolated etc.
ghasley
2,487 posts
 
Also, please be sure to include a brief description of your digital to analog conversion you currently utilize for playback and the method you play it.....itunes...etc?
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