PS Audio Phono Pre/ ADC

[wkhanna]

A new offering from PS Audio.

Nice feature set for ~ $2k.
I wonder just how good it really sounds?

NuWave Phono Converter

[JonMarsh]

On the plus side, it's a very nice feature set, especially having both PCM and DSD ADC available, AND of course, keeping a pure analog output available, too. Using it as a real time player might have utility for some- imagine some dork like me who only has a digital preamp control center; then I could add vinyl to the system via the digital outputs. But usually I'd think recording on to a Mac or PC would be the way to go... I used to do things like this for demo material at the audio shop back in the 70's, we'd setup the straight-line player carefully, and play a virgin copy that had been cleaned carefully to get the manufacturing munge out of the grooves, and record to 15 IPS half track two or three times. then use the tape for demo.

It's one of those weird things in life, the cost performance curve, if plotted, for vinyl, would look very different from digital- at the low to early midrange, vinyl has a very clear advantage, in my opinion- but then to get the most out of it, the prices become astronomical, compared with the cost performance curve of digital these days. (considering that the TotalDAC-D1 puts you into dCS territory at a fraction of the cost).

That would be an interesting shoot out- $8K to $12K vinyl versus digital at the same price range. For me, the stability and convenience and ubiquity of digital wins... especially with SACD RIPs to PCM. And a huge range of decently mastered CD's in many musical genres.

I wonder if this component performs at a level that would make sense at that kind of budget level? (jitter is just as big a deal for ADC as it is for DAC). It accepts line level inputs as well as phono inputs- it might be an interesting solution for high end ADC in a small studio, but only if it sonically outperforms something like the Metric Halo LIO or ULN-8- which is 8 channel ADC and DAC, with fully customizable DSP, and often used for RIAA equalization and phono conversion to digital, too.

What are you running these days for vinyl, Bill?

Why don't you get one and A/B the direct analog output against running it into your DAC and into the same system, level matched? that could be interesting!

[PewterTA]

Sounds really cooool!!!!

I wish I had the money to just jump on it, would give me a nice phono stage for when I go for a good 2ch setup... ha ha.

I like that you get a $200 gift to Mobile Fidelity's website... though I would think they'd do better just taking the $200 off the unit itself.

[JonMarsh]

Sounds really cooool!!!!

I wish I had the money to just jump on it, would give me a nice phono stage for when I go for a good 2ch setup... ha ha.

I like that you get a $200 gift to Mobile Fidelity's website... though I would think they'd do better just taking the $200 off the unit itself.

They probably get the $200 fit to Mobile Fidelity at "wholesale", so it doesn't cost them $200, but something like $150 or $125.

[PewterTA]

Yeah I know... I'd just rather them say... we took money off the unit!

[wkhanna]

I wonder if this component performs at a level that would make sense at that kind of budget level? (jitter is just as big a deal for ADC as it is for DAC). It accepts line level inputs as well as phono inputs- it might be an interesting solution for high end ADC in a small studio, but only if it sonically outperforms something like the Metric Halo LIO or ULN-8- which is 8 channel ADC and DAC, with fully customizable DSP, and often used for RIAA equalization and phono conversion to digital, too.

Interesting that Barry Diament, owner & mastering engineer at Soundkeeper Recordings, recommends the V same equipment based on value & the fact that he uses them after trying many many other units. He feels they offer more pure transparency (read lack of colorization) than just about any other offerings currently available at any price.

Why don't you get one and A/B the direct analog output against running it into your DAC and into the same system, level matched? that could be interesting!

That is a great idea! I will get an Ayer QA-9 too, while I am at it!
That should make for a V interesting shoot-out!

What are you running these days for vinyl, Bill?

A solidly placed entry level rig, IMHO.

Turn Table is the Music Hall MMF-7 (older style which means I have the aluminum tone arm & not the current carbon fiber affair.

Cartridge is a moving magnet Audio Technica AT150-MLX

Pro-Ject Speed Box II

Interconnects are Doug’s top-of-the-line XLR KingCats

Phono-Pre & Pre-Amp is my prized Carver C-19 which has been heavily modified with personal instruction & input from Bob Carver who graciously provided the specs to a no-holds version of his original design along with a few other tricks from the guys a Pittsburgh Vintage Hi-Fi including an Alps volume pot, IEC power socket for utilizing an aftermarket power cord & other such goodies like socket mounts to facilitate op-amp rolling. With features like a mono switch, a phase switch & selectable gain (I run with it at the zero setting) along with duel outputs (allowing my two subs to run in true stereo mode)....they just don't make um like this any more.

Edit: Well, I guess technically, they never did make this one. ; )

[PewterTA]

See now I want to buy the PSAudio and then compare it to the phono section in your modded C-19!!!!

I just need to be rich so I can try all this stuff and try it out! ha ha.

[JonMarsh]

That is a great idea! I will get an Ayer QA-9 too, while I am at it!
That should make for a V interesting shoot-out!

Hey, yeah! :T That's the spirit! I mean, it's only money, right? Something the streets are flowing with in this economy! NOT!

....they just don't make um like this any more.

Edit: Well, I guess technically, they never did make this one. ; )

Sometimes the engineers don't get to make them the way they want to, because of the financial constraints and target price points.

I've corresponded with Barry a few times over the years, and I have many of the recordings he's produced; he has a solid rep in the industry, and his opinions on stuff like that are not to be trifled with- they were a factor years ago when I bought my LIO-8, which is now pretty much upgraded to a full ULN-8 (mic preamps, full DSP license).

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You can do a lot with these things, as long as you have a Mac. You can set them up to a default playback startup mode that doesn't require having them hooked up to a Mac, but they are designed to work with Firewire as the input source.





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Now it's likely I'll be setting mine up as a core DAW setup, and doing things more like they were intended for....

[Finleyville]

... along with duel outputs (allowing my two subs to run in true stereo mode)

Wow! Dueling outputs! Is that like dueling banjos? Or dueling pistols at ten steps? Do they sit side by side and try to out output each other? If they do hopefully you are sitting in a null when that happens. Heehee.

[wkhanna]

Wow! Dueling outputs! Is that like dueling banjos? Or dueling pistols at ten steps? Do they sit side by side and try to out output each other? If they do hopefully you are sitting in a null when that happens. Heehee.

humiliated by auto-spell yet again!!!!!

[JonMarsh]

Now my GF wants one of these to plug her turntable into my digital system and Bonnie and Clyde and play back her vinyl! Never should have shown her this and explained it to her! :roll:

[JonMarsh]

humiliated by auto-spell yet again!!!!!

I see that so often, even in published books!

[PewterTA]

The book I'm reading now, I've found about 2 misspelled words in it already (only on chapter 10 of 30 something) and a sentence or two that made me go back and re-read it three or four times to figure out what it really was supposed to say. LOL.

Jon, let us know how your girlfriend likes this!