Thank you folks for your adive re "Which CD Recorder". I've decided
to narrow my search. For a variety of reasons, I think a standalone
recorder is a better fit for my needs. I am somewhat concerned that
this may yield only "mid-fi" sound. Does any of you gentle readers
have have direct experience transferring analog (preferably LPs)to
digital using the ALESIS Masterlink 9600, NAD C660, or similar quality
products? If so,what is your opinon of the resulting A/D transfer
sound? Thank you.
Jay

In article ,
(Jay Woodson) wrote:

Thank you folks for your adive re "Which CD Recorder". I've decided
to narrow my search. For a variety of reasons, I think a standalone
recorder is a better fit for my needs. I am somewhat concerned that
this may yield only "mid-fi" sound. Does any of you gentle readers
have have direct experience transferring analog (preferably LPs)to
digital using the ALESIS Masterlink 9600, NAD C660, or similar quality
products? If so,what is your opinon of the resulting A/D transfer
sound? Thank you.

My Alesis knowledge is second-hand, but from production types. They like
it! If you haven't already done so, read Fremer's review of the Alesis
in Stereophile:

http://www.stereophile.com/digitalso...605/index.html

Love him or loathe him, it's safe to say he wouldn't accept "mid-fi"
sound. The editing features may become important to you in the future. I
don't know if you could use it as DAW to eliminate pops, do crossfades,
etc, but the playlist system will give you much of the versatility of
the pc option.

I haven't heard the NAD, but it is marketed to audiophiles, whatever
that's worth.

Stephen

I use the Masterlink every day for live recordings and i think
the converters are decent sounding. The two things I
dont like about the masterlink are the cryptic user interface
and no ethernet or firewire to dump data off for editing.


"Jay Woodson" wrote in message
om...
Thank you folks for your adive re "Which CD Recorder". I've decided
to narrow my search. For a variety of reasons, I think a standalone
recorder is a better fit for my needs. I am somewhat concerned that
this may yield only "mid-fi" sound. Does any of you gentle readers
have have direct experience transferring analog (preferably LPs)to
digital using the ALESIS Masterlink 9600, NAD C660, or similar quality
products? If so,what is your opinon of the resulting A/D transfer
sound? Thank you.
Jay

the converters on the masterlink aren't bad, and you get to record hi res
24/96 audio. Masterlink is cheap enough that you get one and buy some nicer
converters
--Lou Gimenez
The Music Lab
2" 24track w all the Goodies
www.musiclabnyc.com



From: (Jay Woodson)
Organization: http://groups.google.com
Newsgroups: rec.audio.opinion,rec.audio.pro
Date: 6 Aug 2004 07:13:30 -0700
Subject: Experience with ALESIS Masterlink? NAD C660?

Thank you folks for your adive re "Which CD Recorder". I've decided
to narrow my search. For a variety of reasons, I think a standalone
recorder is a better fit for my needs. I am somewhat concerned that
this may yield only "mid-fi" sound. Does any of you gentle readers
have have direct experience transferring analog (preferably LPs)to
digital using the ALESIS Masterlink 9600, NAD C660, or similar quality
products? If so,what is your opinon of the resulting A/D transfer
sound? Thank you.
Jay

you can use aes or spdif
--Lou Gimenez
The Music Lab
2" 24track w all the Goodies
www.musiclabnyc.com



From: "Chip Borton"
Newsgroups: rec.audio.opinion,rec.audio.pro
Date: Fri, 6 Aug 2004 09:23:03 -0600
Subject: Experience with ALESIS Masterlink? NAD C660?

I use the Masterlink every day for live recordings and i think
the converters are decent sounding. The two things I
dont like about the masterlink are the cryptic user interface
and no ethernet or firewire to dump data off for editing.


"Jay Woodson" wrote in message
om...
Thank you folks for your adive re "Which CD Recorder". I've decided
to narrow my search. For a variety of reasons, I think a standalone
recorder is a better fit for my needs. I am somewhat concerned that
this may yield only "mid-fi" sound. Does any of you gentle readers
have have direct experience transferring analog (preferably LPs)to
digital using the ALESIS Masterlink 9600, NAD C660, or similar quality
products? If so,what is your opinon of the resulting A/D transfer
sound? Thank you.
Jay

Only AES/EBU from the masterlink ,
and that has to be dumped realtime, so dumping a
2 hour performance is going to take 2 hours.
Yes you can split a long track and copy the split
to a new playlist and burn 2 CD's but thats a pain too.


"Lou Gimenez" wrote in message
...
you can use aes or spdif

"Jay Woodson" wrote in message
om

Thank you folks for your adive re "Which CD Recorder". I've decided
to narrow my search. For a variety of reasons, I think a standalone
recorder is a better fit for my needs. I am somewhat concerned that
this may yield only "mid-fi" sound. Does any of you gentle readers
have have direct experience transferring analog (preferably LPs)to
digital using the ALESIS Masterlink 9600, NAD C660, or similar quality
products? If so,what is your opinon of the resulting A/D transfer
sound? Thank you.

I'm familiar with transferring LPs to digital using audio interfaces like
the LynxONE, LynxTWO, and CardDeluxe. I think that they perform on an equal
or better level than the ones you are interested in.

What's to say about LP transcription?

The most important parts of the system, the parts that do the most to set
the final quality level of the transcription, are the turntable, cartridge,
and the preamp.

It doesn't take a heck of a lot in the way of an audio interface to
outperform a LP and the analog gear used to transcribe it, by one or more
orders of magnitude.

One might think that the equipment I mentioned which has 17 to nearly 20 bit
resolution, would provide a strong sonic advantage. Regrettably, the law of
the weakest link has not been repealed, so the 12-14 bit resoltuion limit of
vinyl itself, and even high end phono preamps which fall woefully short of
16 bit resolution, are your weakest links.

Any of the audio interfaces I just mentioned will outperform your final
results by almost two orders of magnitude. Exactly how much overkill do you
need?

The A/D conversion stage is the least of your worries. Please take this to
an appropriate forum. Ripping tapes and LP's is not a professional process,
and your specified needs are to use consumer-level hardware. There are
dozens of forums dedicated to your exact needs, and this isn't one of them.

Perhaps you would be kind enough to direct me to, say, three of these
numerous un-professional forums? I should be quite happy to direct my
requests to more appropriate groups, and I apologize for any distress,
however minor or fleeting, that I may have provoked in your lordship.
Jay

"Jay Woodson" wrote in message
om...
The A/D conversion stage is the least of your worries. Please take this
to
an appropriate forum. Ripping tapes and LP's is not a professional
process,
and your specified needs are to use consumer-level hardware. There are
dozens of forums dedicated to your exact needs, and this isn't one of
them.

Perhaps you would be kind enough to direct me to, say, three of these
numerous un-professional forums? I should be quite happy to direct my
requests to more appropriate groups, and I apologize for any distress,
however minor or fleeting, that I may have provoked in your lordship.
Jay

Jay,
Pay no attention to the guy. He's a gadfly.

Hi Amy,

My experience with audio hardware is that there is often a
diappointing correlation between quality of sound and published specs.
This has been my experience with BOTH analog and digital formats.
The reasons for these inconsistencies would certainly produce a lively
thread, but I'd rather focus on the quality of sound, something which
is unabashedly subjective, yet real. I particularly like your
"weakest link" approach to a system. I gathered some info re Lynx
interfaces you use. My question is this: After transferring an LP
onto CD, does the CD sound like the record? Identical? V. similar?
Noticeably different?
Thanks. Jay

I'm familiar with transferring LPs to digital using audio interfaces like
the LynxONE, LynxTWO, and CardDeluxe. I think that they perform on an equal
or better level than the ones you are interested in.

What's to say about LP transcription?

The most important parts of the system, the parts that do the most to set
the final quality level of the transcription, are the turntable, cartridge,
and the preamp.

It doesn't take a heck of a lot in the way of an audio interface to
outperform a LP and the analog gear used to transcribe it, by one or more
orders of magnitude.

One might think that the equipment I mentioned which has 17 to nearly 20 bit
resolution, would provide a strong sonic advantage. Regrettably, the law of
the weakest link has not been repealed, so the 12-14 bit resoltuion limit of
vinyl itself, and even high end phono preamps which fall woefully short of
16 bit resolution, are your weakest links.

Any of the audio interfaces I just mentioned will outperform your final
results by almost two orders of magnitude. Exactly how much overkill do you
need?

"Jay Woodson" wrote in message
om

My experience with audio hardware is that there is often a
disappointing correlation between quality of sound and published specs.

That's primarily because:

(1) Very few spec sheets are really complete -and-
(2) Many specs are an order of magnitude or more below audibility.

This has been my experience with BOTH analog and digital formats.

The reasons for these inconsistencies would certainly produce a lively
thread, but I'd rather focus on the quality of sound, something which
is unabashedly subjective, yet real.

When I talk about specs I usually try very hard to talk about specs that
make an audible difference, but sometimes I do just talk about them like
they are numbers when they are so good that it doesn't matter if they are a
little better or a little worse.

I particularly like your
"weakest link" approach to a system. I gathered some info re Lynx
interfaces you use. My question is this:

After transferring an LP onto CD, does the CD sound like the record?

It can. Ironically, this is an outcome that many prefer to go out of their
way to avoid.

Identical? V. similar? Noticeably different?

I've taken some very good converters, put them back-to-back, and switched
them in and out of a high quality analog playback system. I've done this
with both LPs and half-track 15 ips master tapes as the source. Results,
based on listeners who included musicians and engineers who worked on the
tapes, was random guessing.

In article , says...


"Jay Woodson" wrote in message
. com

Thank you folks for your adive re "Which CD Recorder". I've decided
to narrow my search. For a variety of reasons, I think a standalone
recorder is a better fit for my needs. I am somewhat concerned that
this may yield only "mid-fi" sound. Does any of you gentle readers
have have direct experience transferring analog (preferably LPs)to
digital using the ALESIS Masterlink 9600, NAD C660, or similar quality
products? If so,what is your opinon of the resulting A/D transfer
sound? Thank you.

I'm familiar with transferring LPs to digital using audio interfaces like
the LynxONE, LynxTWO, and CardDeluxe. I think that they perform on an equal
or better level than the ones you are interested in.

What's to say about LP transcription?

The most important parts of the system, the parts that do the most to set
the final quality level of the transcription, are the turntable, cartridge,
and the preamp.

You forgot one of the most important -- the wet-wash vacuum cleaning machine
(VPI, Nitty-Gritty, etc.) that should be used to clean _every_ record before
transfer. I would rate the importance of this device as anywhere from #1 to
#2 (where the cartidge is #1).

"Robert Orban" wrote in message

In article ,
says...


"Jay Woodson" wrote in message
om

Thank you folks for your adive re "Which CD Recorder". I've decided
to narrow my search. For a variety of reasons, I think a standalone
recorder is a better fit for my needs. I am somewhat concerned that
this may yield only "mid-fi" sound. Does any of you gentle readers
have have direct experience transferring analog (preferably LPs)to
digital using the ALESIS Masterlink 9600, NAD C660, or similar
quality products? If so,what is your opinon of the resulting A/D
transfer sound? Thank you.

I'm familiar with transferring LPs to digital using audio interfaces
like the LynxONE, LynxTWO, and CardDeluxe. I think that they perform
on an equal or better level than the ones you are interested in.

What's to say about LP transcription?

The most important parts of the system, the parts that do the most
to set the final quality level of the transcription, are the
turntable, cartridge, and the preamp.

You forgot one of the most important -- the wet-wash vacuum cleaning
machine (VPI, Nitty-Gritty, etc.) that should be used to clean
_every_ record before transfer. I would rate the importance of this
device as anywhere from #1 to #2 (where the cartidge is #1).

IME they can't work wonders. I've heard a lot of claims, but I've seen
nothing better than manual cleaing with similar fluids and applications.

In article , says...


"Robert Orban" wrote in message

In article ,
says...


"Jay Woodson" wrote in message
om

Thank you folks for your adive re "Which CD Recorder". I've decided
to narrow my search. For a variety of reasons, I think a standalone
recorder is a better fit for my needs. I am somewhat concerned that
this may yield only "mid-fi" sound. Does any of you gentle readers
have have direct experience transferring analog (preferably LPs)to
digital using the ALESIS Masterlink 9600, NAD C660, or similar
quality products? If so,what is your opinon of the resulting A/D
transfer sound? Thank you.

I'm familiar with transferring LPs to digital using audio interfaces
like the LynxONE, LynxTWO, and CardDeluxe. I think that they perform
on an equal or better level than the ones you are interested in.

What's to say about LP transcription?

The most important parts of the system, the parts that do the most
to set the final quality level of the transcription, are the
turntable, cartridge, and the preamp.

You forgot one of the most important -- the wet-wash vacuum cleaning
machine (VPI, Nitty-Gritty, etc.) that should be used to clean
_every_ record before transfer. I would rate the importance of this
device as anywhere from #1 to #2 (where the cartidge is #1).

IME they can't work wonders. I've heard a lot of claims, but I've seen
nothing better than manual cleaing with similar fluids and applications.

OK. But the point remains that wet cleaning followed by throughly
removing the contaminated solution from the record should always be the
first step in a serious vinyl transfer. How you remove the contaminated
solution is your call. But vacuuming is very effective.

"Robert Orban" wrote in message

In article ,
says...


"Robert Orban" wrote in message

In article ,
says...


"Jay Woodson" wrote in message
om

Thank you folks for your adive re "Which CD Recorder". I've
decided to narrow my search. For a variety of reasons, I think a
standalone recorder is a better fit for my needs. I am somewhat
concerned that this may yield only "mid-fi" sound. Does any of
you gentle readers have have direct experience transferring
analog (preferably LPs)to digital using the ALESIS Masterlink
9600, NAD C660, or similar quality products? If so,what is your
opinon of the resulting A/D transfer sound? Thank you.

I'm familiar with transferring LPs to digital using audio
interfaces like the LynxONE, LynxTWO, and CardDeluxe. I think that
they perform on an equal or better level than the ones you are
interested in.

What's to say about LP transcription?

The most important parts of the system, the parts that do the most
to set the final quality level of the transcription, are the
turntable, cartridge, and the preamp.

You forgot one of the most important -- the wet-wash vacuum cleaning
machine (VPI, Nitty-Gritty, etc.) that should be used to clean
_every_ record before transfer. I would rate the importance of this
device as anywhere from #1 to #2 (where the cartidge is #1).

IME they can't work wonders. I've heard a lot of claims, but I've
seen nothing better than manual cleaing with similar fluids and
applications.

OK. But the point remains that wet cleaning followed by throughly
removing the contaminated solution from the record should always be
the first step in a serious vinyl transfer. How you remove the
contaminated solution is your call. But vacuuming is very effective.

Now that makes a lot of sense to me. The point is the basic mechanics of
cleaning, not the precise details of how it is accomplished.