Forums
Home » Forums » Audio Hardware » Analog Sources
3 replies [Last post]
stanley's picture
Submitted By: stanley
member
Location: Chicagoland IL
Joined: Jan 3 2006
Posts:
Can a better turntable create a better CD or MP3 file?
Posted: January 3, 2006 - 8:06pm

I am cleaning my LP collection and making an MP3 and a CD copy of each album. I am using an inexpensive Audio Technica turntable and I wondered if my finished MP3's and CD's would benefit from a turntable/stylus/cartridge upgrade- I am looking at the Pro-ject Debut III. Any advice would be appreciated. I must admit that i am not a stereophile, I actually have a pronounced hearing loss and tinnitus thanks to my early days of reckless abandon; but I am interested in the turntable because it will allow me to enjoy my 33 1/3 LP's today and down the road, and it has a 78 RPM pulley option that would allow me to add my 150 or so 78's to my digital collection and would allow me to play them in the future as well. Bottom line- will the turntable quality of the better equipment be noticeable when it goes into the MP3/CD/computer environment? Thanks for your input. PS. I do have a phono preamp with an RIAA/78 switch.

Top
Jim Tavegia's picture
Submitted By: Jim Tavegia
member
Location: Atlanta
Joined: Sep 1 2005
Posts:
#1
Re: Can a better turntable create a better CD or MP3 file?
Posted: January 4, 2006 - 6:27pm

An upgrade always helps. I would also look at the Moth TTs from Brit Audio. They are OEM Rega models and great bang for the buck. You will need to upgrade your phono stage and you might look at the range of stages from Needle Doctor. www.underwoodfhfi.com has some great products off their web site. You might get a good package price on a Music Hall with a phono stage. The MMF5 has a pretty good cartridge pre-mounted. If you plan on keeping your files in MP3 format you might use what you have. If you are going to store them as wav files then an upgrade might be in order.

Top
stanley's picture
Submitted By: stanley
member
Location: Chicagoland IL
Joined: Jan 3 2006
Posts:
#2
Re: Can a better turntable create a better CD or MP3 file?
Posted: January 4, 2006 - 7:56pm

thanks, Jim. I appreciate the insight.

Top
JoeE SP9's picture
Submitted By: JoeE SP9
senior member
Location: Combat Zone of Phila. PA
Joined: Oct 31 2005
Posts:
#3
Re: Can a better turntable create a better CD or MP3 file?
Posted: February 2, 2006 - 10:16am

I would suggest doing some listening tests using different bit rates on MP3 files prior to transferring all your vinyl. I have found that MP3's coded at the lower bit rates sound truly awful. 256K is to my ears the minimum acceptable bitrate. Even at 256K MP3 files are only good enough for background listening with my ears and current gear. My audio buddies agree with me on this. Under serious listening conditions any MP3 file is inadequate. Bottom line - the better your source signal the better the results, especially for straight transfer to CD. For lower bit rate MP3's it probably doesn't make a lot of difference.

Top

 

  •  
  •  

    • Site Map / Direct Links
    Loudspeakers Amplification Digital Sources Analog Sources Accessories Featured Music Columns Features Show Reports Show Reports Recommended
    Components     Blogs Latest News Community     		Shop Resources Subscriptions