Vinyl To Cd - Better Interface Than Line-in?, (What Again?) Options

[Peter B.]

Hello:

No doubt this question has already been answered a thousand times, but...

All I want to do is transcribe vinyl LPs to CD. I've been using the line level inputs on two different PowerBooks (G3 and G4), but can definitely hear the 'loss' in the final product.

I'm wondering if an external USB analog to digital device will give better results?

The iMic is not (apparently) thought highly of here, but might it be a noticeable improvement over the straight line-in arrangement?

And/or is there a relatively inexpensive alternative that would give a superior result?

Thanks very much for your time and patience.

Peter B.

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[Peter B.]

rickenbacker:

Thanks much for your reply...

I probably should have given more detail in my first post. My turntable (older Dual), cartridge (Grado) and receiver are all fairly modest (though I'm more or less happy with them).

I wouldn't hesitate to spend an extra few bucks for the M-Audio (over the iMic) if it is truly likely to make an audible improvement over the basic line-in setup.

As to the results I've gotten so far, they are adequate for the ears of friends I've ripped LPs for, but I'm able to hear the degradation when comparing finished CD to the original vinyl recording. I know there will always be some loss... and that I'm not using optimal equipment.

I also know there are no 'guarantees' offered here.

I've got quite a few LPs I'd _like_ to transcribe, but I don't think I'd even bother if the result isn't noticeably better than I've managed so far.

Just (another) confirmation that the M-Audio is actually _likely_ to provide improvement over line-in will sway me.

Thanks Again.

Peter B.

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