what does the newly released xps-1 get me?

[copperpipe]

I have a bunch of records that I want to convert to digital. My current equipment: old record player, requires a new needle ("head"?) at the very least; a focusrite sound card with "line in" and decent pre-amp's.

Totally not up to date on the whole record thing (was my parents system), but I do know I can't plug my turntable into my computer line-in without hearing humming and poor sound quality.

Does the xps-1 essentially take the place of the "phono" inputs on old receivers? And then I would run the outputs into my focusrite? Does that sound right or am I off base here...

Also; can somebody explain what "moving coil" and "moving magnet" is all about? How do I tell what I have on my old record player?

[klinemj]

I am not familiar with the focusrite, but if it has a standard "line in" like on a typical pre-amp...then, yes, you could plug the XPS-1 into it.

The XPS-1 is a phonostage, so basically yes...it takes the place of the "phono" input on old receivers. It also provides preamplification that is needed for Low Output Moving Coil Cartridges.

Which leads to your Moving Coil (MC) vs. Moving Magnet (MM) cartridge question...a cartridge (needle, in your terms) can either be MC or MM. It's a description of how the cartridge converts the needle's movements into an electrical signal...either a coil is moved around a magnet (MC) or a magnet is moved with a coil (MM)...just different technologies. Typically, a MC cartridge is very low voltage output, so it needs voltage stepped up to run into an input on a receiver - whereas a MM does not. The XPS-1 steps up the voltage for MC's. How can you tell if you have MC or MM? Well, if you don't know the brand or model, if you put the turntable's output into a typical receiver's input and you get reasonable volume...it's likely a MM. (That is, unless it's a high output MC...which is a MC that puts out more voltage than the typical MC...).

But, the XPS-1 would work fine for MC or MM...but if you have a MM, you might be able to just plug your TT into the focusrite and skipping the XPS-1. And, by the way...the humming and noise you get plugging the TT into your computer inputs may be bad wiring in the TT.

Also, regarding your old records...how many do you have, and do you know if their condition is good enough to bother converting to digital? You may be better off just trying to find the same tunes in digital if they are in bad shape (as they'd be full of pops/clicks/skips/etc...).

Mark

[copperpipe]

Thanks Mark, that clears it up for me. I have a bunch of records (about 50), some of the recordings are hard to track down though I did buy cds of some of the others. I'll see how it goes, might get tired of the cracks / snaps of the record... was a young kid when I last heard records playing in the house

[Gary Cook]

Jan 6, 2014 17:21:22 GMT -5 copperpipe said:

Thanks Mark, that clears it up for me. I have a bunch of records (about 50), some of the recordings are hard to track down though I did buy cds of some of the others. I'll see how it goes, might get tired of the cracks / snaps of the record... was a young kid when I last heard records playing in the house

There is plenty of software around that will edit out the "cracks / snaps".

Cheers
Gary

[copperpipe]

Jan 6, 2014 17:51:33 GMT -5 Gary Cook said:

Jan 6, 2014 17:21:22 GMT -5 copperpipe said:

Thanks Mark, that clears it up for me. I have a bunch of records (about 50), some of the recordings are hard to track down though I did buy cds of some of the others. I'll see how it goes, might get tired of the cracks / snaps of the record... was a young kid when I last heard records playing in the house

There is plenty of software around that will edit out the "cracks / snaps".

Cheers
Gary

Any (good) recommendations? I don't mind paying for it if it's reasonably priced and does a decent job.

[Gary Cook]

Jan 6, 2014 18:49:24 GMT -5 copperpipe said:

Jan 6, 2014 17:51:33 GMT -5 Gary Cook said:

There is plenty of software around that will edit out the "cracks / snaps".

Any (good) recommendations? I don't mind paying for it if it's reasonably priced and does a decent job.

Since I am converting for use in iTunes (Apple Lossless) my experience is Mac only;
Pure Vinyl is the best I have used, but it's not cheap.
Vinyl Studio works well, has a 5 reoords free trial, then it's a very reasonable $30
Audacity is good and free.
A few guys that I have spoken to have used Golden Records with some success, no personal experience though.

Maybe the guys with PC experience can help if that's your hardware.


Cheers
Gary

[REN]

click repair dose a really good job