Hi Haroon, is there any special reason that you'd prefer transferring LPs to SACDs instead of plain red book CDs?
As far as I can tell, all the info extracted from an LP can easily be stored into a CD.
brgds, Marcelo

I agree whit marcelo.

Not only all info from analogue outputs can be stored into a CD, also sound exactly the same as original vinyl.

http://www.matrixhifi.com/contenedor_art_cd_vinilo.htm

Hi Haroon, welcome to the club!

Look, I'm one of the many that is convinced about the superiority of the analog recording against those horrible CD recordings, specially early CDs.

So, from that point of view, you have now discovered what many has done sometime ago. I have conducted numerous ABX testing, commercial CDs against plain old vinyles, and the vinyles wins hands down time ant time again.

Now, having transferred CDs now for a while, I can tell you that your quest for a superior format than PCM to transfer your LPs makes no sense.
As I was telling you on my first answer (and I understood your question, never challenged the idea of transferring LPs to CDs, just the format), all the information that your cartridge can extract from an LP can easily be within the red book CD standard.
There is no further information (musical tones) that you will be able to hear just because you use an "extended range" format. What is on the vinyl will be recorded on the CD.
All the talk about the superiority of DSD against PCM (challenged by many), it is of no advantage when recording from an "inferior" format with "only" 65-70db dynamic range. On a red book you can have 100 db dynamic range, so why would you want more?
Forget about the SACD, and use plain good old red book CDs. You won't hear the least of differences.
brgds, marcelo

http://www.futurestyle.org/archives/t/tascamDVRA1000.htm

this is the recorder Haroon talks about. Wonderful piece of equip.

Again, as far as sound quality goes, it won`t make any difference at all to record in DVD/DSD or PCM/red book.

Now, if your question was more general, like "how to transfer", it is very easy, you can do it directly from your phono preamp connecting directly to the recorder (best) or if you are using an integrated preamp with phono section, you will have to use your REC OUT outputs to connect your recorder.
As far as editing, I wouldn't touch the original recording, it may end being the same POS Cds became.

brgds, Marcelo

>I am interested in converting my LPs to SACD. How can I do that? Any ideas?

The sticking point is actually producing the SACD discs. This requires engaging the services of a Sony-licensed SACD mastering house.

The DVD-A format has equal or better high frequency performance as compared to SACD and can be implemented using standard DVD burners and software that is not prohibitively expensive.

The Tascam unit will only allow playback of those disc on another RA1000 it is not true DSD/SACD universal format. I would just get your self a good computer sound card like the Digital Audio Labs CArd Delux and do very good redbook copies.

Why bother storing them on an (error-prone) optical disc at all? Just record using some decent PC software and a A-to-D converter and save them as 24-bit, 192K files (or whatever format is convenient for your playback hardware/software) and play them using a computer (which is much more convenient and reliable than playing them off optical discs).

Hi Haroon, thanks for your kind explanation!

I now understand the basis of why you'd want to transfer to DSD instead of PCM your LP's.

I wish I had the chance to compare both recording results. I fear it will not be possible according to what we know about DSD copyrights and Sony's policy toward SACD.

However, have you considered that perhaps the differences pointed by you on your analysis of DSD against PCM streaming cannot be translated into any audible result?

Do you really think there is room for audible improvement when hearing a digitalized LP on your system? Or does it sounds exactly the same (gorgeous sound from LP played on CD) ?

brgds, marcelo

CD Redbooik files are over 10megs per minute of 2 channel audio. 24/96 will be over 22 megs per minute and 24/192 even more. Depending upon the quality of your playback system and the DAC's themselves you may not hear the difference unless you have a system cable of this level of resolving power and clarity. Just because a DAC is 24/192 does not in and of itself mean high quality.

Quote:
I have 200+ classical lps bought (15?) years ago at Tower's "cutout" store in NYC before it...closed? Unopened, still, waiting for a purchase of a great amp/preamp/cartridge/turntable. Which, may or may not ever happen, sorry to say. But rather than wait another 15 years to find out, I'd like to have the LPs transcribed to CD by a house that will assure highest quality -- these are mint, never-been-opened-or-played. Any recommendations? I'm in NYC. Thanks.

Do you really think that an independant transcription of these LPs to CD would be superior to simply buying the CD issues (assuming they exist) that were made from the original master tapes? It would certainly be much more expensive.

Of course, if you could get Michael Fremer to do it for you.......

Kal (who is still sitting on lots of LPs)

Funny that you mention that... I have been setting up a new transfer company (although we are in Wichita, KS, so that isn't much help) for this exact reason. Although many of my clients seem to be individuals who have 1/4" and 1/2" masters of their old band or 78s and other records of their old college choir or there grandfathers barbershop quartet or something of that nature, and they want to either be able to listen to this music in the car... or the tape or record is in BAD shape and we do what we can from baking tapes to cleaning and reshaping records to get them the best quality we can out of their music. We are going to be using Mytek converters and ATR Service tape machines for this purpose, the best that analog and digital have to offer.

Josh