Topic: ripping vinyl with ADI-2 Pro
Hi
I just replaced my ADI-2 with ADI-2Pro. First, would like to thank the RME team to produce such a wonderful dac, the initial RME Dac replaced my Node2i streamer/DAC. It just bought out a new dimension in listening to my ripped CD collection. I use Volumio Primo as the streamer connected to the ADI via USB.
When I ripped the CD's and used the volumio app for playback, I noticed, I was listening to more music as I did not have to hunt for a CD, and go thru the motions of putting it in the player, etc. etc. Then I listened to 24/96 and 24/192 tracks I bought from HD tracks via ADI-2 and compared it to a similar record playing on vinyl, I could not tell the difference. I also have a little high frequency hearing loss, and have hearing aids :-), so that could attribute it too :-). My LP playback is the new technics DD turntable with lyra delos cartridge feeding to ifi iphono black label. The ADI dac and phono connect to benchmark preamp. I used to have my own 801A DHT preamp, but after listening to benchmark, which provided the little more detail and clarity, I retired my 801A DHT preamp. I built my own SE amps, its a 211 triode driving a 211 triode using monolith magnetics iron, using mosfet source follower to drive the output 211. I can share the details if anyone is interested.
Coming back to the topic, after doing the above comparison, I realized, I will listen to more of my vinyl if I can rip them in hi-res and stream it thru the volumio to ADI dac, so I bought the ADI-2 Pro. I went thru quite a few links on the web regarding ripping vinyl, and got myself a copy of vinyl studio pro for controlling the ripping on my windows laptop, and I also got RCA to XLR-make to connect the phono preamp to ADI pro.
The chain I am putting together for ripping:
turn table --> iphono black label --> ADI2 Pro on the analog inputs 1/2--> USB out to USB in --> lenovo thinkpad --> vinyl studio pro --> disk
I will learn how to remove the pop/clicks/hiss, separate tracks with vinyl studio.
Had few questions to the experts here, hopefully to jump start a newbie like me
Q1) ifi iphono3 states max 6V of undistorted output, currently, I have the ad/da output 1/2 set to +24dBu with autoref off, with volume set to 0db feeding to the benchmark pre. It can handle this level of input, as I had a benchmark dac that outputs +24dBu [which has moved to my office system]. Will this level settings be ok? I will ofcourse record and listen and also keep a look out on the vinyl studio pro if I am overloading, but would appreciate a starting point on the levels.
Q2) As I am recording, and my understanding is the digital outputs are sent to USB and main output 1/2 [page 42 of the manual] and the digital output will be available on the XLR 1/2, which is connected to my preamp - I am assuming I will be able playback the music on my system as I am recroding -- would this be correct?
Any other advice for ripping vinyl :-).
Thank you
Sridhar