XPS-1 level limiting

[cgpiper]

I've been using my XPS-1 preamp for a few years and it's been great. Audio from my Dual 604 with a Shure V15 III DU is very nice. Now, I want to start recording my vinyl collection to my computer. I'm bypassing my system in order to get the cleanest audio, so I have the output from the XPS-1 going directly into a Tascam DR-05 recorder. I've been transferring that audio to my laptop, since the laptop doesn't have a discrete audio input jack.

The problem is that I can't get the audio down far enough on the Tascam without seeing lots of peak indicators and a touch of distortion  here and there (primarily recording classical vinyl). I'm using the MM setting on the XPS-1 and have the Tascam input levels at minimum.

I'm going to guess that the problem is, how to limit audio into the recorder since there's no way to limit the audio out from the XPS -1, correct? In that case I would have to simply run the audio out of the amplifier. The only problem there is that I'm struggling with some hum that I can't seem to mitigate.  I'll keep working on that, but meanwhile, does it sound like I'm dead in the water with the current configuration?

Ideally, I'd simple run the audio output from the XPS-1 into the laptop USB, but since there's no USB output on the XPS-1..... kinda stuck there.

[AudioHTIT]

Aug 3, 2020 12:14:20 GMT -5 cgpiper said:

I've been using my XPS-1 preamp for a few years and it's been great. Audio from my Dual 604 with a Shure V15 III DU is very nice. Now, I want to start recording my vinyl collection to my computer. I'm bypassing my system in order to get the cleanest audio, so I have the output from the XPS-1 going directly into a Tascam DR-05 recorder. I've been transferring that audio to my laptop, since the laptop doesn't have a discrete audio input jack.

The problem is that I can't get the audio down far enough on the Tascam without seeing lots of peak indicators and a touch of distortion  here and there (primarily recording classical vinyl). I'm using the MM setting on the XPS-1 and have the Tascam input levels at minimum.

I'm going to guess that the problem is, how to limit audio into the recorder since there's no way to limit the audio out from the XPS -1, correct? In that case I would have to simply run the audio out of the amplifier. The only problem there is that I'm struggling with some hum that I can't seem to mitigate.  I'll keep working on that, but meanwhile, does it sound like I'm dead in the water with the current configuration?

Ideally, I'd simple run the audio output from the XPS-1 into the laptop USB, but since there's no USB output on the XPS-1..... kinda stuck there.

It’s surprising the Tascam won’t let you reduce the gain enough to avoid clipping, and yes there’s no gain control on the XPS-1, though a lower output cartridge would accomplish the same thing, you might also be able to use passive attenuators before the Tascam. To get a USB output you need an ADC, the XPS-1 is all analog, but if you’re making digital recordings it has to happen somewhere. You could also get a device like a Focusrite 2i2 which would take stereo analog, perform the ADC and output USB.

[cgpiper]

The Tascam has an "auto level", "peak reduction", and "limiter". Without using any of these features, it's totally overdriven even at the lowest level. Using these other features, the peak is minimized and the audio is acceptable but since I'm transferring classical music the forte portions are sometimes difficult to discern for clarity. I'll try this on some other non-classical albums and see if it works better. It may just be my ears. I also have an older Zoom recorder that I may try. Thanks for the feedback1

Bill