Audio to USB converter

[butchbass]

Does any one know of a stand alone  analog to USB converter, one that is 96/24? I would like to start putting some of my old albums on my music server.

[porcupunctis]

Quite a few sound cards will allow you to go RCA "in" to a PC and record at 24/96.  I have an M-audio Audiophile 2496 card but have never used it for recording.  It will do it and these cards can often be found used on ebay for well under $100.

I know there are some stand-alone interfaces that connect to the PC's USB.  I'm not sure how these would work hooked directly to a music server, though.

Also, you might want to check the resolution limits of USB.  My understanding is that USB has difficulty with resolutions that high.  I could be wrong about this or there may now be a workaround.

[Noskipallwd]

I am interested in this myself, I have a little phonostage with usb out but from what I have read usb can't handle the higher resoulution. I wonder if a stand alone ADC with digital out and you had a card that would accept digital in would yield better results than an ADC on the card itself?

Cheers,
Shawn P.

[vanofmonks]

USB 1.1 can handle up to 24/96, depending on the chip in the adc/dac.  I have the creative one which does 24/96, but I haven't used it to record yet.

[butchbass]

Is the creative one a brand?

[porcupunctis]

Creative is the manufacturer/brand.  They are well known for their "Soundblaster" PC sound cards.  They make many products with a range of features.

[Yoder]

Is the creative one a brand?

Creative Labs also handles the E-Mu brand--some good interfaces at low prices. A lot manufacturers are making USB and hybrid (USB and FW) interfaces that use ADC 24/192 specs--MOTU, Apogee, are a couple. http://www.sweetwater.com/shop/computer-audio/audio_interfaces/ is a good place to look. Apogee components hold their prices. I just sold my two year old FW Duet for the price that I paid for it. I would definitely shoot for 24/192.

[Jim R.]

Just saw this the other day, but there's a new kid in town...

The HRT LineStreamer 24/96 ADC.

I have no idea how it sounds or what the price is, but my guess is that it is inline with other HRT products, which means very decent sound quality for not huge money.

Just passing this along.

-- Jim

[Grainger49]

butchbass,

There is a question implied in your question.  The phono needs preamplification and RIAA equalization before being digitized.  Do you want a box that takes care of both?

[butchbass]

No, I will eventually build an Eros. Just looking ahead to see what I'll need down the road.
Thanks

[Yoder]

I have been doing a lot of research lately into this area. Once I get my Eros, then I plan on burning a few hundred jazz albums--many of which cannot be purchased via any medium today. Here is what I have found out. First, there are a lot of 24/92 ADC systems available...some USB and some FW. Many of the better systems can burn at 24/192 and this is the route that I think I am going to go.

One of the cheaper ones, but one that I have read a lot of rave reviews about is the Ross Martin PCM4222 ADC (it is at the bottom of the page). This page...http://rossmartinaudio.com/index_files/Page318.htm

I have been an Apogee fan for years, and I talked to a Sweetwater rep and he suggested that I go with the RME Babyface instead of the Apogee Duet II. That is if I decide not to go with the Apogee Rosetta 200, which from what I hear is a kicker of an ADC. It only has two channels, but once you get the FW card for it then you are in the same price range as the Benchmark ADC. The various reviews I have read put the Rosetta above the Benchmark. I was told that the Rosetta is superior to both the Babyface and Duet, and it should be since it cost twice as much.