24-Jun-2016, 05:33
Hi Axel,
I meant to include a signature with my first post but had too many characters and so now have included a condensed one.
Ripping chain:
Clearaudio Stradivari V2 moving coil cartridge (Garrott Brothers retip) > Kuzma 4Point tonearm > Clearaudio Champion Level 2 turntable (power supply and bearing upgrades) > Graham Slee Elevator transformerless MC step up device > Audioquest Sky interconnects > Devialet 250 > Audioquest Diamond USB cable > 2009 Mac mini (Mac OS 10.8.5, Pro Tools 10.3.9, SSD, 8GB, WiFi & Bluetooth antennae removed, internal shielding, powered by Keces DC-116) > Curious USB > Oyen Enclosure containing Samsung 850 EVO 1TB SSD, powered by UpTone Audio JS-2.
Vinyl is first cleaned in an Audio Desk machine.
My wife – also an audiophile and with better ears than mine – and I are surprised that my latest vinyl rips sound better than the original vinyl played live, the rip having more detail and better soundstaging, the vinyl more congested. I wonder if this is a result of an absence of airborne feedback from the speakers when ripping, but wonder if it is more likely due to the reduction in conversions. When ripping there is only one conversion: analog to digital. When playing back a rip there is only one conversion: digital to analog. When playing vinyl live there are two conversions: analog to digital and then digital to analog. If I play an SACD in my Esoteric DV-60 with analog out to the Devialet, there are three conversions, and it doesn't sound all that good. If I rip the SACD analog out signal as I would an LP and then play this back the sound quality is better.
I meant to include a signature with my first post but had too many characters and so now have included a condensed one.
Ripping chain:
Clearaudio Stradivari V2 moving coil cartridge (Garrott Brothers retip) > Kuzma 4Point tonearm > Clearaudio Champion Level 2 turntable (power supply and bearing upgrades) > Graham Slee Elevator transformerless MC step up device > Audioquest Sky interconnects > Devialet 250 > Audioquest Diamond USB cable > 2009 Mac mini (Mac OS 10.8.5, Pro Tools 10.3.9, SSD, 8GB, WiFi & Bluetooth antennae removed, internal shielding, powered by Keces DC-116) > Curious USB > Oyen Enclosure containing Samsung 850 EVO 1TB SSD, powered by UpTone Audio JS-2.
Vinyl is first cleaned in an Audio Desk machine.
My wife – also an audiophile and with better ears than mine – and I are surprised that my latest vinyl rips sound better than the original vinyl played live, the rip having more detail and better soundstaging, the vinyl more congested. I wonder if this is a result of an absence of airborne feedback from the speakers when ripping, but wonder if it is more likely due to the reduction in conversions. When ripping there is only one conversion: analog to digital. When playing back a rip there is only one conversion: digital to analog. When playing vinyl live there are two conversions: analog to digital and then digital to analog. If I play an SACD in my Esoteric DV-60 with analog out to the Devialet, there are three conversions, and it doesn't sound all that good. If I rip the SACD analog out signal as I would an LP and then play this back the sound quality is better.
Devialet 250 - Martin Logan Ascent i - Clearaudio Champion 2 - Kuzma 4Point - Clearaudio Stradivari V2 MC - Graham Slee Elevator
dCS Network Bridge - UpTone Audio EtherRegen – Esoteric DV-60 - PS Audio Power Plant 10
AUSTRALIA
