[MorbidToaster]

There's a lot of phono stages with balanced outs. Balanced ins are the unicorn.

Also, I was reading about this the other day and I still don't get it.

It's not a DAC. ADC, fine, but the marketting basically make it sound like you'd want to listen to your LPs in DSD directly through a DAC.

Why the hell wouldn't you just listen to the analog?

Am I missing something?

 

[Punnisher]

I believe it's for recording purposes. Transcribing the analog vinyl into a digital file. Some people would be very interested in this because you can play back vinyl in high-res on different systems.

 

[MorbidToaster]

I believe it's for recording purposes. Transcribing the analog vinyl into a digital file. Some people would be very interested in this because you can play back vinyl in high-res on different systems.

Oh no I understand that but every time I read the marketing jargon it makes me think they want you to play it directly. Like feed I2S to another DAC. There's a few features I don't see the point of having on this thing.

 

[bbophead]

Atma-Sphere has been making fully balanced pre-amps with phono stages for many years.  I know, I used to own their MP-3.  Since cartridges are inherently balanced, it makes sense.  
 
I wonder what a small scratch would sound like in DSD.

 

[Hi-Five]

Oh no I understand that but every time I read the marketing jargon it makes me think they want you to play it directly. Like feed I2S to another DAC. There's a few features I don't see the point of having on this thing.

 
I've felt the same way about the way it has been presented....listen to any analog source on your DAC of choice!  But other than archiving, why the heck would anyone want to digitize an analog signal only to decode again immediately on another DAC doesn't make much sense to me either.
 
I think this is another step to unifying preamp, A/D and D/A in one box while keeping options for the vinyl spinners available.
 
Interesting gear, odd marketing I guess.
 
Hi-Five

 

[Punnisher]

Going A-D-A for real-time vinyl playback seems a bit sacrilegious to me. I really doubt any vinyl junkie would want to do this.
 
Vinyl archiving is a different story. I do high-res vinyl rips and love that I can play back my favorite lps on digital systems without wearing out valuable lps. That's what I would use it for.

 

[MorbidToaster]

Going A-D-A for real-time vinyl playback seems a bit sacrilegious to me. I really doubt any vinyl junkie would want to do this.

Vinyl archiving is a different story. I do high-res vinyl rips and love that I can play back my favorite lps on digital systems without wearing out valuable lps. That's what I would use it for.

I'm pretty interested in it for archival purposes.

I need a new phono stage, and I want a good ADC for needle drops...BUT I could get a Hilo and get a killer DAC and ADC, but then I'd have to get a new phono stage anyway.

I was also less than impressed with the last PS Audio phono stage I heard. Might wait for review...might end up with one. Guess we'll see.

 

[Hi-Five]

I'm pretty interested in it for archival purposes.

I need a new phono stage, and I want a good ADC for needle drops...BUT I could get a Hilo and get a killer DAC and ADC, but then I'd have to get a new phono stage anyway.

I was also less than impressed with the last PS Audio phono stage I heard. Might wait for review...might end up with one. Guess we'll see.

 
Definitely worth a look if one doesn't already have a nice phono pre.  We'll have to see how it sounds.  One could certainly get a nice A/D for that kind of money.  I haven't tried it yet, but I really should start ripping some of my vinyl using my Apogee Ensemble.  The Decware ZP3 and a choice set of tubes might make for some pretty good sound into those sweet Apogee converters!
 
To keep it a picture thread, here's a "first spin" shot of my friend's band's new album on clear wax.
 
Hi-Five
 

 

[OPR8R]

So the 200 gram version of Come Away with Me came in the mail.  There's less pre-echo (almost none now), but in general it sounds much better than the other, far floppier version.  Also the packaging is nicer; it came with a gatefold jacket with more pictures, and a high quality inner sleeve.  And I much prefer Soundstagedirect's (shipping) packing to Amazon's.

 

[bbophead]

FYI
 

 

[Eee Pee]

 A short film that explores how different people respond to the same piece of music, all captured from the point of view of a vinyl spinning on a record player.

 
 
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[bbophead]

 

 A short film that explores how different people respond to the same piece of music, all captured from the point of view of a vinyl spinning on a record player.

 
 
/img/vimeo_logo.png

 
Hmm, couldn't get it to play more than ten seconds.  Might be my stuff.

 

[Skylab]

I have installed the 2M Black "PNP" cartridge/headshell combo on my Pioneer PL-530 - sounds terrific.

 

[Eee Pee]

Woo!  That is mighty sweet looking!  Really sweet.  I bet you're all 

 

[Skylab]

Thanks! Yup, it's pretty cool looking. And sounds great