New acrylic platter for the SL-1200/1210

[Stratmangler]

Marco I had a similar problem with my 1210 using a Trichord Dino, the output would nuke my SoundBlaster Live, further reading I discovered I needed a soundcard with pre trim on the inputs. Reading forums and the like they said many phonostages wil overload PC inputs unless pre-trimmed.

I got a Focusrite Saffire which has seperate input gain levels so you can level out the recording well.

Is that what you meant, sorry if I read it wrong

Hi Mike

You read it right - nuking the inputs is a good description of what was happening on Saturday with the SUTs in circuit.

Cutting the levels by half with line attenuators should do the trick.

[Marco]

With regard to recording; I don't use a Soundcard/USB device. I just use a cheap Tascam CD Recorder and burn the tracks to a blank disc which I then take to my computer, import & upload. If the recording needs the start or finish editing I do that in Wavepad but I don't use any normalising or level adjustment. Recording level is set at the CD Recorder. Actually I set the recorder to highest sensitivity & use the gain control on my phono stage to set to the desired level.

Sorry, mate, but I'm afraid that's all double-Dutch to me...

Could you explain what you do, step by step, in simple layman's terms? Churz!

Marco.

[Marco]

Hi Chris,

You read it right - nuking the inputs is a good description of what was happening on Saturday with the SUTs in circuit.

Cutting the levels by half with line attenuators should do the trick.

Let's hope so. What do you make of Mike's suggestion though in comparison - or how Guy does it (presuming that, unlike me, you understand his method)?

Marco.

[YNWaN]

Guy has a bit of Pro audio equipment made by Tascam - it's like a tape deck but records to CD and has it's own A2D and D2A built in.

[Marco]

Cool. So would it be better buying one of these than having a sound-card?

Basically, I'm looking for the simplest, quickest, best sounding solution possible, for non-technical numpties, where high gain from my SUT isn't an issue.

Therefore, I'm open to all suggestions

Marco.

[Stratmangler]

Hi Chris,



Let's hope so. What do you make of Mike's suggestion though in comparison?

Marco.

Trimming down the input level is exactly what is required - the device Mike mentioned looks like it has more control over signal level than the EMU0202.
I've just been scanning through the user manual, and there is a -10dB pad that can switched in to calm the signal for each channel. So there is greater inbuilt flexibility than you get with the EMU.
I still reckon that a -6dB line attenuation would be more than adequate to bring the input levels into line.

To be honest I found it difficult to believe just how much gain the SUT brought to the party.
I knew that the signal from a low output MC was pretty puny, and that SUTs boot that level up considerably, but I didn't expect the levels to be booted up quite that much.

I've done quite a few recordings of my own TT running a MM cart into a stand alone phono stage, and never had the levels come in so hot.

[mike1210]

http://www.zikinf.com/materiel/photos.php?m=524&p=0

FYI

Top 2 knobs do the gain, there are newer cards out now mind from Focusrite

I then got Mark Grant 1/4 inch Jack to Phono connectors to go from the Dino the input on the Card, made from the 1000HD leads

[chris@panteg]

Why not just put a acrylic mat on the platter. SRM do a 3mm one for thirty quid.

I tried one , it didn't fit properly and sounded a bit hard and shiny , in fact just the way it looks , also because the surface was so shiny , it may be best to use a thin neoprene mat with it .

[Marco]

Trimming down the input level is exactly what is required - the device Mike mentioned looks like it has more control over signal level than the EMU0202.

I agree. I suppose that putting some 6db phono attenuators in-line is effectively the same as using the gain control switches on Mike's Saffire

Marco.

[Stratmangler]

I agree. I suppose that putting some 6db phono attenuators in-line is effectively the same as using the gain control switches on Mike's Saffire

Marco.

Yup