26-Nov-2015, 19:26
There is no optimum setting for phono sensitivity since there is no standard for the maximum allowable recording value set as a standard for LP cutting, so a setting which is fine on one LP may clip when playing a different one.
The dynamic range of LP is around 11-bits, so, since the ADC in the Devialet is 24-bit it has much more dynamic range capability than is needed for playing LPs.
I noticed quite a lot flickering of the clipping indicator on my D-Premier using the 0dB output of my cartridge as the sensitivity in the configuration, so halved it.
Once the firmware had added the level display it was easier to adjust the level, but too low is much better for sound quality than too high, though it may give a very different volume control position for normal listening than digital inputs if one listens to lots of pop music which nowadays seems to be hammering the limiters and almost no dynamic range.
I used to do a lot of tape recording. To set levels such that the tape overload was still euphonic without the quiet bits descending into noise was quite an art. With a 16-bit digital recorder it was quite easy, though of course the nice sound of mild tape overload is no longer there unless simulated. With a 24-bit system it is very easy to set levels to capture everything - just avoid clipping. Aim for a sensitivity which gives peaks around -6dB which used to be a general recommendation for setting levels on a digital recorder.
The dynamic range of LP is around 11-bits, so, since the ADC in the Devialet is 24-bit it has much more dynamic range capability than is needed for playing LPs.
I noticed quite a lot flickering of the clipping indicator on my D-Premier using the 0dB output of my cartridge as the sensitivity in the configuration, so halved it.
Once the firmware had added the level display it was easier to adjust the level, but too low is much better for sound quality than too high, though it may give a very different volume control position for normal listening than digital inputs if one listens to lots of pop music which nowadays seems to be hammering the limiters and almost no dynamic range.
I used to do a lot of tape recording. To set levels such that the tape overload was still euphonic without the quiet bits descending into noise was quite an art. With a 16-bit digital recorder it was quite easy, though of course the nice sound of mild tape overload is no longer there unless simulated. With a 24-bit system it is very easy to set levels to capture everything - just avoid clipping. Aim for a sensitivity which gives peaks around -6dB which used to be a general recommendation for setting levels on a digital recorder.
Devialet Original d'Atelier 44 Core, Job Pre/225, Goldmund PH2, Goldmund Reference/T3f /Ortofon A90, Goldmund Mimesis 36+ & Chord Blu, iMac/Air, Lynx Theta, Tune Audio Anima, Goldmund Epilog 1&2, REL Studio. Dialog, Silver Phantoms, Branch stands, copper cables (mainly).
Oxfordshire
