Vinyl Recording - 24-bit, interface Q, processing

[ef37a]

Ah, well done Acoustical! I especially like the RF stopper at the front end but then would expect nothing less from them.

I understand the discrete 33 stage was not so clever?

Dave.

[James Perrett]

I've been tempted to try building Doug Self's design - a two stage preamp using the 5534. He takes great pains to accurately implement the RIAA eq using standard parts.

There's a version of it at

https://www.markhennessy.co.uk/showpic. ... /Phono.gif

with a short description at the bottom of

https://www.markhennessy.co.uk/preamp/analogue.htm

but you'll need to read Self On Audio for a full description.

[Jorge]

Don't forget about physically cleaning the vinyl discs before you play them back. I have an old Nitty Gritty disc washing machine that makes a major difference in playback noise and pops, but there are other brands and types available. The main point is that most older vinyl LPs have dust and other foreign matter in the grooves that create a lot of the pop and scratch sounds on playback. If you try to remove as much of that as you can before playback you may not have to use so much noise reduction in post. Obviously you don't want to damage the surface and the microscopic grooves so you should use a well designed disc washing method.

[Hugh Robjohns]

I've been tempted to try building Doug Self's design - a two stage preamp using the 5534. He takes great pains to accurately implement the RIAA eq using standard parts.

The Signal Transfer Company make several Doug Self designs available either as kits or ready-built and tested PC boards.

I have built the kit of his RIAA preamp (the balanced output version, but there is an unbalanced output version as well) and it performs superbly well. It also has selectable MM and MC inputs (the latter via a discrete transistor stage IIRC). If you're interested I could dig out the build manual and share the schematic?

http://www.signaltransfer.freeuk.com/RIAAbal.htm

[James Perrett]

I saw that one Hugh and thought about buying a PCB but I don't see myself ever going for an MC cartridge so much of it would be redundant. The circuit that I linked to is basically the MM part of that design without the balanced output. The biggest hurdle at the moment is finding a suitable power supply from my collection of junk that I can turn into a dual rail supply.

[Nazard]

I have just bought the balanced phono PCB, (007), from Douglas, who very kindly sorted out the supply problem, which is referenced in the link Hugh kindly placed. So I paid for two in the end, but am very pleased, nonetheless. And I have bought all the parts now: incidentally, if you want the SBS737 transistors, six are used in the MC stage, Nikko Electronics still have some for sale on their eBay site.

Back in 2012, I built another Douglas Self designed phono board, again MM/MC, but relay switched, together with a rather rarely used IEC, relay switched, correction facility. That board featured twenty six polystyrene capacitors and is part of the Elektor 2012 preamplifier, which Douglas told me a few weeks ago, is: "So far as I know it remains the quietest preamp in the world".

I shall post a pic of the completed preamp if you're interested.

[Folderol]

Yes interested

[Nazard]

OK, I read the sticky about posting pics, so will have a go!

Interior Self design preamp



Front panel Self design preamp



I've replaced the links with the actual pictures — you need to paste links to the actual images (ending with jpg/jpeg) and enclose them within the Img BB codes for the pictures to appear in the post — HR

[Folderol]

Good to see nice tidy wiring

[Drew Stephenson]

Very neat!

[Nazard]

Thanks Hugh, I shall post images like that next time.

Many thanks for the very kind comments about my wiring

Mrs J often comments about my wires, though, not always quite so enthusiastically!

[Martin Walker]

Wow - that wiring is indeed a work of beauty Trevor!

Now if only you'd been able to fit a level meter, you'd have had (wait for it)...

...a loom with a VU

I don't need a coat in this warm weather, so I'll just take my leave quietly

Martin

[Nazard]

[Fishnish]

I've not done it myself, but if I were going to, I'd pickup a Radial J33 DI/preamp and then just run that via xlr into my usual interface.

I did exactly that when digitally archiving my vinyl. Worked a treat.
https://www.radialeng.com/product/j33

[Rich Hanson]

Wow - that wiring is indeed a work of beauty Trevor!

Now if only you'd been able to fit a level meter, you'd have had (wait for it)...

...a loom with a VU

I don't need a coat in this warm weather, so I'll just take my leave quietly

Martin

We've warned you about that, Walker!!!

[Hugh Robjohns]

Now if only you'd been able to fit a level meter, you'd have had (wait for it)...

...a loom with a VU

Exceptional, Martin, quite exceptional! I've only just finished cleaning up the tea sprayed all over my desk!