Owner’s manual of PS Audio NuWave Phono Converter.
I have one in use. . .but I have never used one to make a vinyl rip.
Actually I’m good on phono pre-amp - built into my CAT SL-1 Reference. I just want a damn decent ADC.
But wait, isn’t ripping vinyl (or any other line-level source) the whole idea behind the NPC? Or did you buy it for its phono stage that others here are saying not-so-good things about?
I think I saw something about the Rega, and I believe Pro-Ject did one at one point. Seems with the recent Vinyl Revolution (pun intended), the turntable makers would be all over this. And there are a zillion turntable “kits” to digitize your LPs, 99% which are available via streaming. I have an Audio-Technica turntable that has a USB output, but a) it’s set up for my 78 rpm records, and b) my guess is its quality is pretty basic.
I hesitate to “explain myself” on this forum as it has not gone well with some members before re: streaming.
But suffice it to say I have the NPC for two reasons: as a phono preamp with XLR outputs, and as a phono preamp that I can use in conjunction with my DSD Mk2 via I2S. I dont make vinyl rips, I listen to vinyl on my system.
As a phono preamp via either choice of output I think it sounds pretty darned good. I could afford it, which is not true of many other phono preamps persons here prefer. I actually have two, a backup I purchased at a killer price when I sent my OG back for a repair.
I recommend this for vinyl recording, DSD is really the best way to transfer vinyl to digital in my opinion.
I realize that the Nuwave isn’t easily obtained anymore, but it does support DSD recording as I understand it.
Well, I think they fooled both you and me.
I sent them an email with this: I am looking for a better-than-basic way to digitize vinyl LPs, reel-to-reel tapes, etc. I am very interested in the DVA A2D, but my target recorder would be a Mac Mini. I have found several interfaces that go from USB to SPDIF coaxial, but can’t find one that does the reverse, that would go from the DVA A2D’s coax to USB. Is there such a thing?
The reply:
Our DVA A2D is not designed to do what you are looking for; rather, it’s designed to allow an analog source to work with a variable DAC like our DVA Digital Preamp/DAC.
Just seems to me that if you’re converting analog to digital, you could feed it into a computer to be recorded, but I guess something else is going on….
Yes.
The Tascam DA-3000SD is perfect for your use and, as a master recorder, made for this task.
It records in 2.8 and 5.6 DSD if this is important.
Excellent sound. No client has fussed the CDs I produce have less than stellar sound.
Takes up only a single rack space.
Tank-like build. I haul this thing up and down stairs regularly, bouncing along.
And it is afordable at $1,500.
Any downside? Price an issue?
I bought that same Korg unit when it first came out and used it for many years. I still have it, but no longer use it. The TASCAM DA-3000 is what I use these days.
Budget? Elk’s Tascam recommendation is any easy solution without breaking the bank. Don’t obsess, just do it.
I missed your comment about running stellar output into NPC line level input. Sorry about that. In that case, If you compare the digitized recording to the playback of the record, I don’t think you will be able to tell the difference between the two.
Yeah, price is a bit of an issue. I just don’t think this is something I’m going to use very often and when I do, 16/44 would be plenty. But maybe I’ll find the Tascam used.
Thanks! So it’s like taking the long shortcut 
I’m going to give it a try sometime.
Don’t worry, your explanation of yourself is totally fine with me! And who cares what anyone says about anyone else’s phono stage - if it works for you and you like the sound, great.
Understood.
To be fair to AVA, I failed to understand that you need to rely on the USB output.
Though no different than the + 30% tariff direct price from miniDSP, I can recommend Deer Creek Audio who has the ADept.
Hi Allan, thanks for the lead. I did see that listing. However, IF I were pursuing something that I would be using on a regular basis, the MiniDSP thing would be a lot of fun to play with, but I’m just looking for something to get the analog recording done with a decent level of quality.
Further research: someone here mentioned that Rega has a box designed for digitizing records, and it does seem to come from a better audiophile perspective.
$195. Only goes to 16-bit / 48K, but probably good enough for what I want.
This one is fascinating:
$279. It’s clearly designed more as a recording studio device, but if it takes two channels of line audio and does a good job of converting it up to 24/192 and passes it through the USB port, wouldn’t that do? My only concern is whether its being a studio thing, would it focus its sampling “style” more on microphones and instruments than already-mixed audio? Would that even matter?I’ve sent an email inquiring about that.
Hey, speaking of Tascam, this is interesting:
No, I’d never need to mix 4 channels, probably never the microphones either - they do have a 2-channel handheld, but it doesn’t do line input. Just wondering whether the sampling capability would be good enough?