How To Set This All Up? Record Player / PC / Speakers

[LostChild1]

Hi all, this is my (proposed, I don't have all the pieces yet) setup. I need help setting this up.

This is my GOAL:

I want to be able to listen to PC Audio AND Record Player audio through the same set of speakers (If this requires unplugging a wire or two, so be it, but preferably, not)

I want to be able to RECORD the vinyls onto my PC in 24bit/96khz (Or 192khz, but 96 at least)

These are the parts that I've GOT currently.

Technics SL-1200MK2 Turntable.
TC-750LC Preamp (Link)

These are the parts I'm THINKING would do the trick.

Audioengine A5s (Or A2s, which would you recommend?)
ESI Juli@ PCI Sound Card (Link)

How can I set this up? Would these parts accomplish what I'm looking for?

Thanks so much for all the help.

 

[mow_the_hawk]

I do not believe that the ESI Julia in necessary, but will greatly improve quality of listening and recording vinyls. And the way you are thinking of would require unplugging the PC/Pre Amp and plugging the other one into the speakers every time you want to. Also, you would have to run the output of the preamp to the soundcard for recording.

 

[LostChild1]

Okay well, from what I understand, the AudioEngine A5's have TWO input jacks, so couldn't I leave them each plugged in? And only switch when I want to record the vinyls for my PC?

My question is though, and I couldn't exactly tell from the Julia website, is that when I DO want to switch from using the A5's to recording with the record player, will I have to REMOVE the card, "flip" it (as it's double sided), and then plug it back in? Cause that'd be a hassle.

 

[LostChild1]

Anyone?

 

[NightOwl]

From what what I remember of the Audioengines, plugging in both inputs will disable one of them. I can't remember which one is the default, but I'm 99.9% sure that only one input at a time can be active.

I don't have the Juli, but from what I can tell from the web site you flip the card to switch between balanced and unbalanced i/o. Your i/o is unbalanced so you wouldn't have to switch.

The switching between playback of your computer source and recording would be done through the console in your computer.

You will have to plug the analogue cables from your tc-750 into your Juli for recording, then unplug them and plug them into the Audioengines for playback from your turntable. At the same time you would have to unplug the cable from your Juli to the speakers.

AFAIK the simplest way around this would be to get a preamp/integrated amp with a phono input instead of your tc750. You could then leave everything connected and do all your switching from the preamp/integrated controls.

Alternatively you could keep the TC-750 and connect it to a receiver (either new or vintage) and use the receiver as a switchbox.

Either of the above two methods would allow you to use different speakers since you would no longer require active speakers (built-in amp).

 

[LostChild1]

Okay well, I don't mind switching cables, as I won't be ripping my records all too often, as they take up a lot of room.

But I'm getting quite confused on the different types of jacks and such.

This is what the A5's website lists:

Inputs

ual 1/8" stereo mini-jacks

Outputs:USB Type A (power charging only), RCA L/R audio (full-range, non-adjustable)

Now, I have something like THESE (Except only the White & Red ones) coming from my pre-amp

Would these go in the Line Out? Because that seems to be the only place that they'd fit on the A5's, or do I need a converter? And would that converter degrade my sound quality?

 

[NightOwl]

I read up a little bit on the Juli@ and the Audioengines.

The analogue input and output on your Juli@ are RCA connectors (the red and white connectors in your picture). This will not require an adapter to connect the phono preamp to the Juli@ for ripping.

The Audioengines have two 1/8" mini jacks (headphone type) for inputs, one on top of the speaker and one in the back. You will require 2 y-adapters (two female rca to one male 1/8" mini). The A5's come with one of these. You will have to acquire another one (unless the Juli@ comes with one).

Apparently both Audioengine inputs are always active so you can leave the y-adapters always plugged in and leave the Juli@ outputs always connected. You will still have to unplug the phono preamp from the Juli@ and plug into the speakers for vinyl playback. However you can't use both sources at the same time.

The red and white line out jacks on the back of the A5 are for a subwoofer (don't worry about them).

Adapters technically degrade the sound, but I don't think you'll notice much difference with your setup. This is a last 5% type of difference and usually noticeable with a more audiophile setup than what you plan. If you really want you could buy a better quality rca to mini cable for your Juli@ to A5, but I don't know if it's worth it till you get a full-fledged separate stereo system, not computer based. You will still have to use an adapter for your phono preamp.

 

[LostChild1]

Okay thanks for all the help! You helped me make sense of all this.

I appreciate it very much.

I don't mind switching cables, as I said, I won't have to do it very often.

And my Preamp came with another Y-Adapter, so with it and the A5's, I should be in business.

My last question is extremely general, and you don't have to answer, but considering what I want to do with my setup (Listen to vinyl, and PC Audio with relatively little hassle) and my price range (Speakers + Sound Card = ~550) is there any BETTER setup that you would recommend? You seem very knowledgeable.

 

[Golden Ears]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LostChild1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Okay well, from what I understand, the AudioEngine A5's have TWO input jacks, so couldn't I leave them each plugged in? And only switch when I want to record the vinyls for my PC? My question is though, and I couldn't exactly tell from the Julia website, is that when I DO want to switch from using the A5's to recording with the record player, will I have to REMOVE the card, "flip" it (as it's double sided), and then plug it back in? Cause that'd be a hassle.

I am an audio engine dealer..

If you need a set of A5's let me know and I'll drop ship them to you..pm me for price.

The 5's have 2 female mini stereo jack inputs one on top and one in back. They also have RCA outs in back.

You may connect to all 3 inputs and outputs at once with no issues. I currently have airport express feeding one input- and my Mac Book pro feeding another (for when I don't stream Itunes) and the out puts running the sub.. it all works flawlessly. No hum.

The A5's will come with an female stereo RCA to male mini stereo plug.. as well a a male to male mini stereo plug. So you need to get one adapter since A5's inputs are only stereo mini females.

You won't notice a sound difference with the A5's with all the adapters.. but better cables are better... for instance... but I'd rather see you spend another $500 on a better set of speakers (or the audio engine sub) than on cables. They have good resolving power... but you have to understand the resolving limits of a sub $400 Actively amplified speaker with conventional drivers.

APureSound - Where The Music Is Always Pure - APS Audio LLC.


Before you rip your vinyl... consider....

http://www.kabusa.com/frameset.htm?/1200bld.htm

 

[iriverdude]

You could look at a integrated amp + speakers, those amps have plenty of inputs for example my Arcam Alpha has six inputs. You may be able to get something similar second hand. If you've got more than one input than I cannot see why you buy a set of speakers with only one input (although you could use a audio switch later) You may also want to plug your MP3 player into the switch/amp. Maybe a Media Steamer, a PS3 or Xbox, Sky etc

Do no use Y splitters.

 

[NightOwl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LostChild1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Okay thanks for all the help! You helped me make sense of all this. I appreciate it very much. I don't mind switching cables, as I said, I won't have to do it very often. And my Preamp came with another Y-Adapter, so with it and the A5's, I should be in business. My last question is extremely general, and you don't have to answer, but considering what I want to do with my setup (Listen to vinyl, and PC Audio with relatively little hassle) and my price range (Speakers + Sound Card = ~550) is there any BETTER setup that you would recommend? You seem very knowledgeable.

It looks like you've done some research already. As far as meeting all your criteria, you've picked a system that is balanced and will make you happy.

The ESIJuli@ is a quality card and a good choice to rip from vinyl.

Where speakers are concerned, a lot depends on the type of music you listen to and at what volume. The Audioengines are good speakers and would be the most hassle-free solution. If you wanted to consider other choices you would have to look at a separate integrated amp and passive (no built-in amp) speakers.

My favorite amp in your price range is the Trends TA 10.1. It only has one set of inputs, so you would have do more plugging and unplugging. However you wouldn't have to use y-adapters as the input is rca.

I have heard the following speakers and liked them but they all sound different so you would have to research/listen to them to see if they match your favorite music.

PSB Alpha B1
Axiom M3
Paradigm Atom V.5
Infinity Primus 150
Epos ELS-3
Wharfedale Diamond 9.1

I'm not up on current prices so some of these might be over budget (especially the last two). In addition, I don't remember the efficiency of each off-hand so you should try to ensure that the speakers are 89db spl or higher for the Trend to drive them to a high volume. I know that the PSB's are.