BlueSkyy Posted February 20, 2023 Share Posted February 20, 2023 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 🙂 Link to comment
Allan F Posted February 20, 2023 Share Posted February 20, 2023 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 Link to comment
BlueSkyy Posted February 20, 2023 Author Share Posted February 20, 2023 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 🙂 Link to comment
barrows Posted March 5, 2023 Share Posted March 5, 2023 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. BlueSkyy 1 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 | opticalRendu | ultraRendu | microRendu | Signature Rendu SE | Accessories | Software | Link to comment
BlueSkyy Posted March 5, 2023 Author Share Posted March 5, 2023 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 🙂 Link to comment
twotinears Posted June 8 Share Posted June 8 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 Link to comment
BlueSkyy Posted June 8 Author Share Posted June 8 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 🙂 Link to comment
gregdc Posted August 22 Share Posted August 22 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 Link to comment
BlueSkyy Posted August 22 Author Share Posted August 22 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 🙂 Link to comment
StephenJK Posted Wednesday at 08:10 PM Share Posted Wednesday at 08:10 PM 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. Link to comment
BlueSkyy Posted Wednesday at 08:48 PM Author Share Posted Wednesday at 08:48 PM 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 🙂 Link to comment
audiobomber Posted Thursday at 02:56 PM Share Posted Thursday at 02:56 PM 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. Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now