Recording From Vinyl Records

[Jan45]

I have recorded from vinyl records to mp3 files on computer with our old amplifier successfully in the past. However, now have a newer amplifier Yamaha RXV457 which has no phono inputs and find that the volume is way too low from the turntable.

Tried all the volume settings I could find on amplifier and computer, but no luck.

Does anyone know a way around this?

I think the phono inputs on old amplifier must up the volume.

I am just trying to record a few records for my neice so don't want to buy any other equipment.

Jan

[Alfred Smee]

I have recorded from vinyl records to mp3 files on computer with our old amplifier successfully in the past. However, now have a newer amplifier Yamaha RXV457 which has no phono inputs and find that the volume is way too low from the turntable.

Tried all the volume settings I could find on amplifier and computer, but no luck.

Does anyone know a way around this?

I think the phono inputs on old amplifier must up the volume.

I am just trying to record a few records for my neice so don't want to buy any other equipment.

Jan

The output from a turntable pickup poses two problems. First the actual output is very small and secondly the vinly recording has been equalised heavily (bass is reduced in amplitude and high frequencies are amplified). The equalisation is the same for all 33 and 45 rpm records and is called RIAA equalisation. The reverse equalisation has to be applied on the output to restore it back to flat. Basically you require a "phono pre-amp". The pre-amp applies equalisation and amplifies the signal.

You have 3 options:

1/ Buy a turntable with a built-in phono pre-amp.

2/ Buy a separate phono pre-amp.

3/ Buy a specialist soundcard that has a phono pre-amp built in.

[50mxe20]

3. Buy a specialist soundcard that has a phono pre-amp built in.

I reckon this option is the easiest.

[Jan45]

Thanks for the info guys

I thought it would be something like that

But as I only wanted to do these few records it's not worth buying extra equipment for.

Thanks again

Jan

[50mxe20]

I had an idea, or recollection that I remembered Tassie Devil commenting on this topic awhile ago. I PM'd him and asked if he'd care to comment. It might have been a mis-recollection of course.

In the meantime did you read through the following thread: Converting Vinyl

[Tassie Devil]

Alfred S. is spot on with his advice. Assuming you are not concerned about audiophile quality your best option is to look for a used phono preamp or (less expensive) an older stereo amp with phono input. You should be able to pick up something like a 3010 NAD (VG quality) for around $100 and you can feed its preamp out into your new amp for recording. Check your local paper for cheaper bargains.

I have the parts (includes circuit board) for a phono preamp I was going to construct but no longer need, so if you can handle a soldering iron or have a friend who can, you can have the bits pretty cheaply.

Sorry but you will not be able to avoid extra expense unless you can borrow an amp from someone.

John

I have recorded from vinyl records to mp3 files on computer with our old amplifier successfully in the past. However, now have a newer amplifier Yamaha RXV457 which has no phono inputs and find that the volume is way too low from the turntable.

Tried all the volume settings I could find on amplifier and computer, but no luck.

Does anyone know a way around this?

I think the phono inputs on old amplifier must up the volume.

I am just trying to record a few records for my neice so don't want to buy any other equipment.

Jan

[ozrgv]

Related to this topic:

While there seems to be lot of separate pre-amps around to boost a turntable signal up to line level to record it digitally - my problem is I already have a very good turntable set up but my problem is it has an ortofon "moving coil" cartridge (eg low output) & none of the external preamsp seem to cope with this.

I really dont what to get a new set up etc so does any one know of a reasonably priced external pre-amps that can do this with this type of cartridge?

thanks

[mtv]

There are moving coil preamps around, however, as this type of cartridge is considered 'top-end' the pre-amps are priced accordingly

How have you been using your turntable with this cartridge?

A second hand amp with an MC phono input would probably be the cheapest option, other than borrowing one, or having someone else with one convert your vinyl for you.

[Tassie Devil]

Yes, moving coil head amps are a more rare variety, but they exist in some integrated amp (there is one in a Proton integrated amp here). Do a Google search and you might be surprised what you come up with. But generally stand alone phono amps are likely to cost a lot more and are probably overkill for what you are requiring.

Aren't there any audio nuts in your area you can borrow/hire from? Try an ad in your local paper as well as doing a sleuth job in the second hand shops.

Good hunting,

John

I have recorded from vinyl records to mp3 files on computer with our old amplifier successfully in the past. However, now have a newer amplifier Yamaha RXV457 which has no phono inputs and find that the volume is way too low from the turntable.

Tried all the volume settings I could find on amplifier and computer, but no luck.

Does anyone know a way around this?

I think the phono inputs on old amplifier must up the volume.

I am just trying to record a few records for my neice so don't want to buy any other equipment.

Jan

[ozrgv]

Thanks for your replys - I currently do have an amp witha pre-amp that is swtichable between MM & MC. This, is perfectly satisfactory for the (very rare ) occasions when I can be bothered listening to vinyl. However, as I have already tried, it does not get the signal up enough to provide a satisfactory s/n ratio when converting to CD etc.

I do keep an eye on 2nd hand dedicated MC pre-amp's but, as they are all very old 2nd hand units - not so thrilled at purchasing such old electornic equipment, particualry as they go for pretty high prices.

Was hopeing there might be a more modern (&economic!) alternative

[Alfred Smee]

Thanks for your replys - I currently do have an amp witha pre-amp that is swtichable between MM & MC. This, is perfectly satisfactory for the (very rare ) occasions when I can be bothered listening to vinyl. However, as I have already tried, it does not get the signal up enough to provide a satisfactory s/n ratio when converting to CD etc.

I do keep an eye on 2nd hand dedicated MC pre-amp's but, as they are all very old 2nd hand units - not so thrilled at purchasing such old electornic equipment, particualry as they go for pretty high prices.

Was hopeing there might be a more modern (&economic!) alternative

Look out for Ortofon transformers second-hand. They are a small device with an RCA socket at one end (plug the leads into here) and an RCA plug at the other (plug into pre-amp). You will require two for left/right and they step up the moving coil cartridge voltage to moving magnet voltages. I used them for twenty odd years with my Rega 3 and Ortofon MC30.

[mtv]

I currently do have an amp witha pre-amp that is swtichable between MM & MC. This, is perfectly satisfactory for the (very rare ) occasions when I can be bothered listening to vinyl. However, as I have already tried, it does not get the signal up enough to provide a satisfactory s/n ratio when converting to CD etc.

This sounds confusing. You have an amp with a MM/MC switchable pre-amp that you say works perfectly satifactorily, and yet you say it is not satisfactory for output to record to CD etc???

From that description, it sounds that your amp is ok, but the problem lies with your soundcard/recording software.

How do you have the pre-amp or line out of the amp connected to your computer?

Many amps will have a pre-amp output, or at least a tape-out connection, providing line-level audio out.

All you need to do is connect this output to your soundcard 'line in'.

Inferior soundcards are often noisy, as they pick up spurious noise from the computer. The biggest offender is usually a graphics card.

I have seen this problem many times.

Upgrading the soundcard usually solves this problem.

[Skid_MacMarx]

I have come across the Terratec USB 2.0 PhonoPreAmp, Has anyone used one of these devices?..

I have a Technics SP10 MKII turntable.. (I chose this turntable as its not hard to get spare parts for it)..with an Ortofon MC2000 cartridge (this cartridge came with a dedicated transformer which one has to use in conjunction with a phono equalizer)

so, make sure you have a dedicated MC transformer or "pre-pre amp"..as well if using a moving coil cartridge

http://www.speakerbits.com/net/catalogs/showpic.aspx?ID=OT20

http://www.speakerbits.com/net/catalogs/sh....aspx?ID=OT3000

[Maton]

you can pick up nad or cambridge pre amps for about $160

[rrobbie]

cant u d/l the albums and save all the hassle