LP to iPod

If you want a super easy way to convert LPs to mp3 files for an IPOD, another way is to use an external cd burner (I use a yamaha cdr d651) connected to your amplifier. you load the cd, drop the needle, and start recording. you set the track markers with the remote. When you are done, simply put the cd into your computer and use music match or i-tunes to rip the tracks into mp3 format and then your IPOD.

The first sugestion sounds super expensive. You could buy Magix Audio Cleaning Lab for $19.99. It's a super easy to navigate program. You just record the LP, it sets the track markers which are almost always right on, you just right click add/remove track markers to fix missed ones though. Then they have a bunch of filters, compression, dehissers etc. that I never use unless the LP is screwed. There are recording "wizards" to walk you through the process. The tracks will be wav files and you will either need to upgrade the software to be able to convert tracks to MP3 in this software or you can find a freeware program for this. The 2005 version of the program may include this already. It's also great for making mix CDs as you can master all the songs, equalize the gain, and crossfade the tracks. It's cool!

Actually, it doesn't cost a penny to use Audiograbber and a PC with a sound card built in. It just so happens that my PC is upstairs and would require a 50-plus foot RCA cable to reach it from my downstairs audio rig. My laptop only has a mono microphone input so I purchased the Power Wave ($100) to use as an external USB sound card. It has gold-plated RCA inputs and also is powered to allow you to hook up speakers to play music from your laptop.

You can also do it with apple's grage band program and iTunes. The sound is very good (better than a ripped AIFF file from a CD), if you have an audiophile quality LP player, needle, and preamp. If not, use a CD.

If you want a audiophile DAC for a computer, check out the wavelength audio "Cosecant USB Computer DAC" at www.wavelengthaudio.com

hope this helps

Oh, I thought you were using a $500.00 sound card. For $100.00 that's great. Also the M-Audio Audiophile sound card is good for $100.00. I'll have to check out wavelength. Keep in mind you are going to compress the audio files so a $100.00 sound card should be more than fine. Also, it looks like with an Ipod you do not need to convert to MP3 cuz i-tunes does it for you?? So you could burn a CD from ACL, etc, etc.,