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What's the best digitizing phono preamp currently on the market?


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I entrusted UPS with my prized PS Audio NuWave Phono Converter for a tune up in Boulder, Colorado, but UPS may possibly have lost it.  If my worst fears are realized and I need to find a replacement, who make the best phone preamp with an A/D converter built-in?

 

Thanks for you thoughts.

Denafrips Terminator + DAC fed by a Denafrips GAIA DDC, HTPC running JRiver MC, iFi PRO iCAN Signature headphone amp, Marantz AV8805, OPPO BDP-105 for SACD ripping, Sony UBP-X100ES for watching and listening, McIntosh MC1201s Front L/R with Bryston powering the remaining 5 channels, B&W N-801s, B&W HTM-1 in Tiger Eye, B&W 801 IIIs on the sides and in the rear, JL-F212 sub, ReVOX PR-99Mk II, Rega P10 and Alpheta 3, PS Audio Nuwave Phono Amp, Audeze LCD-4 and LCD-XC, UE18 IEMs, Sony CD3000 rebuilt, Sony VPL-VW995ES laser projector, Joe Kane Affinity 120" screen, Cables: Cardas Clear Beyond speaker, Wireworld Platinum Elite 7 RCA, custom (by me) XLRs using affordable, quality parts 🙂

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I can't answer your question about alternative replacements but, FWIW, a number of used PS Audio NuWave Phono Converter's can be found listed for sale on eBay.

"Relax, it's only hi-fi. There's never been a hi-fi emergency." - Roy Hall

"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." - William Bruce Cameron

 

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Allan,  thanks for the reply.  eBay is a great alternative if the worst happens.

Denafrips Terminator + DAC fed by a Denafrips GAIA DDC, HTPC running JRiver MC, iFi PRO iCAN Signature headphone amp, Marantz AV8805, OPPO BDP-105 for SACD ripping, Sony UBP-X100ES for watching and listening, McIntosh MC1201s Front L/R with Bryston powering the remaining 5 channels, B&W N-801s, B&W HTM-1 in Tiger Eye, B&W 801 IIIs on the sides and in the rear, JL-F212 sub, ReVOX PR-99Mk II, Rega P10 and Alpheta 3, PS Audio Nuwave Phono Amp, Audeze LCD-4 and LCD-XC, UE18 IEMs, Sony CD3000 rebuilt, Sony VPL-VW995ES laser projector, Joe Kane Affinity 120" screen, Cables: Cardas Clear Beyond speaker, Wireworld Platinum Elite 7 RCA, custom (by me) XLRs using affordable, quality parts 🙂

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  • 2 weeks later...

Really good A/D converters can be purchased for reasonable prices because of the pro audio home recording market, especially if one only needs two channels.  I have an A/D converter from Apogee that was reasonably priced (Element 24) that has fantastic specs and makes exceptional recordings.  Check out Reverb for used units.  Then you can just get the phono pre of your choice, and you have a great interface for all of your recording needs. 

SO/ROON/HQPe: DSD 512-Sonore opticalModuleDeluxe-Signature Rendu optical with Well Tempered Clock--DIY DSC-2 DAC with SC Pure Clock--DIY Purifi Amplifier-Focus Audio FS888 speakers-JL E 112 sub-Nordost Tyr USB, DIY EventHorizon AC cables, Iconoclast XLR & speaker cables, Synergistic Purple Fuses, Spacetime system clarifiers.  ISOAcoustics Oreas footers.                                                       

                                                                                           SONORE computer audio

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Barrows, that sounds like a great solution!

Denafrips Terminator + DAC fed by a Denafrips GAIA DDC, HTPC running JRiver MC, iFi PRO iCAN Signature headphone amp, Marantz AV8805, OPPO BDP-105 for SACD ripping, Sony UBP-X100ES for watching and listening, McIntosh MC1201s Front L/R with Bryston powering the remaining 5 channels, B&W N-801s, B&W HTM-1 in Tiger Eye, B&W 801 IIIs on the sides and in the rear, JL-F212 sub, ReVOX PR-99Mk II, Rega P10 and Alpheta 3, PS Audio Nuwave Phono Amp, Audeze LCD-4 and LCD-XC, UE18 IEMs, Sony CD3000 rebuilt, Sony VPL-VW995ES laser projector, Joe Kane Affinity 120" screen, Cables: Cardas Clear Beyond speaker, Wireworld Platinum Elite 7 RCA, custom (by me) XLRs using affordable, quality parts 🙂

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  • 1 year later...

Looking at the spec on the Apogee Element 24 it appears that it only works with Apple.  I have a NuWave Phono Converter that I am trying to replace - as it has died.  Any thoughts about ADACs and PCs?  Thanks

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27 minutes ago, twotinears said:

Looking at the spec on the Apogee Element 24 it appears that it only works with Apple.  I have a NuWave Phono Converter that I am trying to replace - as it has died.  Any thoughts about ADACs and PCs?  Thanks

I had mine repaired and the price and service were Stellar!  At about the same time I also bought the Stellar phono amp as a gift to self.

 

I use the NPC only for digitizing as I don't want to ever have to have it fixed again.

Denafrips Terminator + DAC fed by a Denafrips GAIA DDC, HTPC running JRiver MC, iFi PRO iCAN Signature headphone amp, Marantz AV8805, OPPO BDP-105 for SACD ripping, Sony UBP-X100ES for watching and listening, McIntosh MC1201s Front L/R with Bryston powering the remaining 5 channels, B&W N-801s, B&W HTM-1 in Tiger Eye, B&W 801 IIIs on the sides and in the rear, JL-F212 sub, ReVOX PR-99Mk II, Rega P10 and Alpheta 3, PS Audio Nuwave Phono Amp, Audeze LCD-4 and LCD-XC, UE18 IEMs, Sony CD3000 rebuilt, Sony VPL-VW995ES laser projector, Joe Kane Affinity 120" screen, Cables: Cardas Clear Beyond speaker, Wireworld Platinum Elite 7 RCA, custom (by me) XLRs using affordable, quality parts 🙂

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  • 2 months later...

The Parks Audio Waxwing is a great option. If you're going to convert to digital, you might as well do RIAA in the digital domain, and the Waxwing does a great job of that. 

 

The RME ADI-2/4 Pro SE does this as well for 5x as much money.

Digital: ISP - Firewalla Gold - Audioquest Pearl ethernet - Lenovo ThinkCentre M92p Tiny w/ ROCK - Cisco 2960G w/ 20000ufd Nichicon FW & iFi iPower2 - OM-1 optical - Teradak T-S212 media converter - Audioquest Pearl - Pink Faun Lan Isolator

Analog: Rega 50th Anniversary P3 w/ Exact cartridge and Groovetracer subplatter, Cambridge Audio Alva Solo 

Amp: Naim Uniti Atom

Speakers: Dynaudio Excite X44, Supra Classic speaker cables, Audioquest banana plugs

 

 

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Wow!  Thanks for the info!  This little guy looks pretty cool!

Denafrips Terminator + DAC fed by a Denafrips GAIA DDC, HTPC running JRiver MC, iFi PRO iCAN Signature headphone amp, Marantz AV8805, OPPO BDP-105 for SACD ripping, Sony UBP-X100ES for watching and listening, McIntosh MC1201s Front L/R with Bryston powering the remaining 5 channels, B&W N-801s, B&W HTM-1 in Tiger Eye, B&W 801 IIIs on the sides and in the rear, JL-F212 sub, ReVOX PR-99Mk II, Rega P10 and Alpheta 3, PS Audio Nuwave Phono Amp, Audeze LCD-4 and LCD-XC, UE18 IEMs, Sony CD3000 rebuilt, Sony VPL-VW995ES laser projector, Joe Kane Affinity 120" screen, Cables: Cardas Clear Beyond speaker, Wireworld Platinum Elite 7 RCA, custom (by me) XLRs using affordable, quality parts 🙂

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  • 1 month later...

It doesn't have to be a preamp, does it?  If you want to digitize LPs then you're looking for a high quality ADC.  

 

I recorded over 1,500 LPs with a Korg MR-2000S digital recorder at 1 bit/5.66 MHz and then used their software to convert each LP as a single file into 24/96.  I tested with 24/192 but really couldn't hear the difference.  Then, with a program called VinylStudio you can do a lookup on Discogs to get (if possible) the cover art, track times and track titles.

 

The Korg is no longer being made but is available as either used or NOS.  An alternative would be the Tascam DA-3000 which has comparable specs.  

 

Edit:  I had the Korg connected to the monitor loop of my preamp, at the time an Audio Research LS-27.  The turntable output had already been through an Audio Research PH-5 phono stage to boost from MC to MM and for RIAA equalization.  

 

 

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Nope it certainly doesn’t need to be a pre.  An ADC would be fine.  If the Nuwave dies I’ll go that way.  I also use and love VinylStudio when A2D’ing vinyl.

Denafrips Terminator + DAC fed by a Denafrips GAIA DDC, HTPC running JRiver MC, iFi PRO iCAN Signature headphone amp, Marantz AV8805, OPPO BDP-105 for SACD ripping, Sony UBP-X100ES for watching and listening, McIntosh MC1201s Front L/R with Bryston powering the remaining 5 channels, B&W N-801s, B&W HTM-1 in Tiger Eye, B&W 801 IIIs on the sides and in the rear, JL-F212 sub, ReVOX PR-99Mk II, Rega P10 and Alpheta 3, PS Audio Nuwave Phono Amp, Audeze LCD-4 and LCD-XC, UE18 IEMs, Sony CD3000 rebuilt, Sony VPL-VW995ES laser projector, Joe Kane Affinity 120" screen, Cables: Cardas Clear Beyond speaker, Wireworld Platinum Elite 7 RCA, custom (by me) XLRs using affordable, quality parts 🙂

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I used the Korg DS-DAC-10R and VinylStudio to rip my vinyl collection to 24/88.2. I am very pleased with the results.

https://www.korg.com/caen/products/audio/ds_dac_10r/

 

I used my phono stage, because the Korg RIAA input is moving magnet only, I use a moving coil. Recording goes straight to the Korg, never enters your computer. It was hard to tell whether the LP was playing, or the copy. Some LPs actually came out better in digital format due to the handy click and pop tool in VinylStudio, and the sound keeps getting better as my network audio system improves.

 

Main System: QNAP TS-451+ > Silent Angel Bonn N8 > Sonore opticalModule Deluxe v2 > Corning SMF with Finisar FTLF1318P3BTL SFPs > Uptone EtherREGEN > exaSound PlayPoint and e32 Mk-II DAC > Meitner MTR-101 Plus monoblocks > Bamberg S5-MTM sealed standmount speakers. Crown XLi 1500 powering AV123 Rocket UFW10 stereo subwoofers. Upgraded power on all switches, renderer and DAC. Furutech and Audio Sensibility ethernet cables, Cardas Neutral Ref analogue cables. iFi Audio AC iPurifer, iFi Supanova, Furman PF-15i & PST-8, power conditioners.

 

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