Analog Magik

[edwyun]

So this is same cartridge only different VTF, ? Cartridge? Arm ? TT?

Yes, same cart, arm, and TT over a few days. Adjusted everything else (VTF, Azimuth, and Zenith,...)

And I see a typo in my chart. The last VTF was 16.55 g not 16.15g

 

[Balle Clorin]

good review with data

HIFISTATEMENT | netmagazine - Analogmagik

Noch weigere ich mich standhaft, LPs zu digitalisieren und so Analoges und Computer zusammenzubringen. Für Analogmagiks Hard- und Software habe ich e

www.hifistatement.net

 

[BruceBW]

good review with data

HIFISTATEMENT | netmagazine - Analogmagik

Noch weigere ich mich standhaft, LPs zu digitalisieren und so Analoges und Computer zusammenzubringen. Für Analogmagiks Hard- und Software habe ich e

www.hifistatement.net

I use V1 and one of the most useful things I find is adjusting Zenith using the VTA track. Adjusting visually to begin, I typically start with 8-10% distortion. By making teeny, tiny twists or the cartridge I can usually get this down to around 2%. I know this is not a revelation as I have seen it mentioned back in previous posts, but I didn't see where the author of this article mentioned zenith.

He did mention the lack of meaningful results with the VTA tests. However, he doesn't show any use of the VTA tests. Perhaps he did not get any meaningful measurements with the VTA adjustments because his zenith was too far off?

 

[mtemur]

I’m using the RME ADI-2/4 Pro with AM software instead of the ART USB. It’s quieter and better in every respect compared to the ART USB. The biggest issue with the ART USB is its potentiometer—it doesn’t track channels equally. Additionally, the ART lacks the precision that the RME provides, which is clearly reflected in the results. Now, I can see very slight differences in measurements when I make small adjustments to a parameter—something I couldn’t detect with the ART.

 

[tony22]

At ten times the cost I should hope so!

But seriously, I’ve wondered if something more pedestrian like a Creative Soundblaster Pro would be slightly better than the ART.

 

[BruceBW]

I’m using the RME ADI-2/4 Pro with AM software instead of the ART USB. I

Great idea... makes sense but seems there should be a good candidate in between the $125 ART and the $2500 RME (I know street prices are less. There are a lot of high quality pro audio interfaces a lot less than the RME.. Impulse bought a used Apogee Duet 3 on Reverb for < $450 all in,. Apogee is a great company, a decent DAC too

 

[mtemur]

Great idea... makes sense but seems there should be a good candidate in between the $125 ART and the $2500 RME (I know street prices are less. There are a lot of high quality pro audio interfaces a lot less than the RME.. Impulse bought a used Apogee Duet 3 on Reverb for < $450 all in,. Apogee is a great company, a decent DAC too

I’m sure there are excellent alternatives to RME.

That said, I didn’t buy the RME solely for use with Analog Magik. I primarily use the RME ADI-2/4 Pro SE for vinyl ripping, and in my opinion, it’s an outstanding mastering-grade converter. I’ll admit it’s a costly choice for this kind of task, but it’s what I already have on hand. Some key advantages of the RME include:

- Exceptionally low noise and high accuracy
- Built-in spectrum analyzer, which helps me pinpoint the start of a test track—important because I always aim to measure the exact same section, typically the beginning
- Independent channel trimming, useful for compensating for cartridge or phono stage irregularities that could affect measurements
- 50K analog input impedance, which is close to ideal
- Built-in RIAA phono stage that works well with MM cartridges directly and with MC cartridges via a SUT, minimizing variables introduced by external phono stages

 

[Balle Clorin]

I’m using the RME ADI-2/4 Pro with AM software instead of the ART USB. It’s quieter and better in every respect compared to the ART USB. The biggest issue with the ART USB is its potentiometer—it doesn’t track channels equally. Additionally, the ART lacks the precision that the RME provides, which is clearly reflected in the results. Now, I can see very slight differences in measurements when I make small adjustments to a parameter—something I couldn’t detect with the ART.

Agree, I use Parks Audio Puffin directly with a Toslink 24 bit/96k to usb converter to PC. Works better than ART which tends to freeze the PC at regular intervals. Puffin is my RIAA, but also a fantastic diagnostic and set op tool for vinyl, a Swiss Army knife.

Now you get Waxwing that cost 499 usd, the Hifi-ME Toslink-to- USB is cheap. Make sure you order that and not USB to Toslink.

If you do not want to skip your RIAA Waxwing works with line signals too so you can put it downstream your RIAA

Parks Audio

Waxwing - the new standard for phono preamp performance - from Parks Audio.

parksaudiollc.com

Hifime SPDIF Optical to USB converter, record DAT/minidisc to computer

The UR23 accepts SPDIF optical sources and transfer this to USB. Suitable to record DAT tapes, minidisc or other digital source to a computer.

hifimediy.com

 

[tony22]

Hifi-ME Toslink-to- USB

It should be noted that for anyone in the U.S. purchasing from the linked site, while it ships from a NH location the payment (in US dollars) is still a foreign transaction. I did not see this mentioned anywhere on the site before purchase. It may matter to some depending on the form of payment used.