Using a Digital Out SPDIF to Record LPs

[zdenes]

Why can't you configure one of the RCA connections for Digital out and use that to record an LP?

SPDIF out to a computer with appropriate software. Seems simple BUT IS IT? 

Do you need any additional HW equipment?

I recorded many of my LPs (including some first presses from the 1960's) using a Devialet D-Premier (before I upgraded) so no USB port. I had to use the RCA digital out as you said. In this case, you need a computer with an RCA digital input (a desktop PC with an added PCI card) or another device that converts it to USB (like the Mutec). Or, as you said also, another device that can record straight from RCA digital input. I chose this last option as my desktop PC was in another room and could not place it near my hi-fi rack for long periods. 

I bought a KORG MR-2000s studio recorder that can record in 44.1kHz - 192kHz /24 bit and even single or double DSD 
http://www.korg.com/us/products/drs/mr_2000s/

I'm pretty sure that the reputation of Korg guarantees that this was surely better than the first option and most likely equal or better than the second one. 

I recorded in 192kHz/24bit (Roon even tells me the dynamic range) as that was the max. the D-Premier could handle. I used my  10,000+ euro analogue system for this. I even edited some albums to 'proper format' - as into tracks and track names added, etc. 

Now, I have to say two things. 

The process of recording and sometimes re-recording if somebody happened to make some noise inda house and then editing things into shape from the mass of bits was very time-consuming. I'd say an album took 2-3 hours in total, and not that enjoyable after the first few. 

Second, I have Tidal now (see the rest of my system in my sig.) and I can compare all my recording to the TIDAL version of the same album. (Few of them I had on CD too, so not much chance for that before TIDAL). I must say that most of my recordings (maybe all) sound worse than the TIDAL standard RB flac. 

I will not go into theorizing why that is the case. There are too many factors that may have gone wrong, despite my utmost efforts and self-education to achieve the best results. Or maybe, it is just not possible to digitise something properly in a home environment that could compete with what can be achieved in a studio for the lack of top-shelf equipment and knowledge that exceeds the self-trained 'studio engineer'. 

I also received a few albums recorded by a friend on a much more expensive analogue system and yes, they sound better than mine but still not better than CDs or TIDAL.  

Of course, you still might want to do it but I encourage you to make one recording first and then compare that to a CD or TIDAL and decide if you really want to continue. 

Zoltan