Turn Tables and DACs - Getting the best sound

RS65573
RS65573 Posts: 2,506
in The Porch
In the Psst Fresh Faced - Earthling thread, some users were nice enough to help me get some info on how to hook up my dads old turn table. In an effort to not pollute that thread, I thought id move this here.

Right now, I'm running a 70s Audio Research Turn table (AR-XB), into an 80s Pioneer SA-V1160 Amplifier, then out to 2 old Advent speakers.
I also have a Laptop, with Flacs, headphone out, into RCA AUX in Pioneer receiver.

My question is what receiver/amp/DAC device will allow me to hook 2 inputs then go out to my Advents to replace my receiver/amp? (This Pioneer is huge and really ugly.)

I think the Shiit Modi is what I want on the DAC front, but that doesn't take into account the turn table.

Thanks in advance for the help.

I will be testing the FLAC out tonight on Benaroya. 
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Comments

  • GlowGirl
    GlowGirl New York, NY Posts: 12,411
    There is a lot of discussions about turntables and stereo systems on the Musicians and Gearheads forum. You might get more answers there. I got a lot of turntable help in that forum.
  • foriginalsin
    foriginalsin Posts: 715
    Running a turntable through a DAC doesnt make sense and is unnecessary.  Because vinyl is analog theres no need for a DAC. What you want is a passive switch. I currently use the schiit sys which allows me to switch between my analog and digital sources. Its $50 and completely transparent. 
  • RS65573
    RS65573 Posts: 2,506
    foriginalsin said:
    Running a turntable through a DAC doesnt make sense and is unnecessary.  Because vinyl is analog theres no need for a DAC. What you want is a passive switch. I currently use the schiit sys which allows me to switch between my analog and digital sources. Its $50 and completely transparent. 
    Just the laptop would goto the DAC. THANKS!
  • JBob87
    JBob87 Posts: 486
    Check out the Denon PMA-600 NE. I have one and love it.

    Has a built in phono stage to handle the TT directly. Also has a built in DAC and 3 digital inputs (1 coaxial, 2 optical)...not sure if this will meet your exact needs.
  • RS65573
    RS65573 Posts: 2,506
    JBob87 said:
    Check out the Denon PMA-600 NE. I have one and love it.

    Has a built in phono stage to handle the TT directly. Also has a built in DAC and 3 digital inputs (1 coaxial, 2 optical)...not sure if this will meet your exact needs.
    It does, thank you! Smaller would be better.
  • RS65573
    RS65573 Posts: 2,506


    Flac Benaroya hall sounds great. Need shiit modi next I guess. 
  • 2-feign-reluctance
    2-feign-reluctance TigerTown, USA Posts: 23,461
    Paging @mrussel1


    www.cluthelee.com
  • foriginalsin
    foriginalsin Posts: 715
    edited February 2022
    RS65573 said:


    Flac Benaroya hall sounds great. Need shiit modi next I guess. 
    Definitely get a separate dac. The modi is a very good dac and measures very well. The modius measures even better and has balanced output for $70 more. Either one is fine and is going to be leagues better than any avr receiver.  

    You should also put your speakers up on stands. Unless you're sitting on the floor, the speakers should be ear level. 
    Post edited by foriginalsin on
  • brianjones
    brianjones Montreal Posts: 244
    Marantz pm7000n
  • mrussel1
    mrussel1 Posts: 31,094
    edited February 2022
    RS65573 said:
    In the Psst Fresh Faced - Earthling thread, some users were nice enough to help me get some info on how to hook up my dads old turn table. In an effort to not pollute that thread, I thought id move this here.

    Right now, I'm running a 70s Audio Research Turn table (AR-XB), into an 80s Pioneer SA-V1160 Amplifier, then out to 2 old Advent speakers.
    I also have a Laptop, with Flacs, headphone out, into RCA AUX in Pioneer receiver.

    My question is what receiver/amp/DAC device will allow me to hook 2 inputs then go out to my Advents to replace my receiver/amp? (This Pioneer is huge and really ugly.)

    I think the Shiit Modi is what I want on the DAC front, but that doesn't take into account the turn table.

    Thanks in advance for the help.

    I will be testing the FLAC out tonight on Benaroya. 
    You have two options...

    1. Purchase a more modern integrated amp that has an internal DAC ( almost all do) along with at least one analog input,  and a USB A input. 

    2. Keep your ugly 80s receiver and get an external DAC like the Schiit that accepts USB A as well.  

    The reason USB A is key is two fold 

    First,  it's unlikely that your laptop has an optical out. Few do.  If you do,  then you have some more flexibility.  But generally they do not.  So you have to use USB A to connect the laptop to the DAC or integrated amp along with a software program like JRiver.

    Now the good news is that this is the best way to play digital music. It's bit perfect,  jitter free and bypasses the crappy sound card in your laptop. 
    Post edited by mrussel1 on
  • mrussel1
    mrussel1 Posts: 31,094
    2-feign-reluctance said:
    Paging @mrussel1


    Hey there!
  • 2-feign-reluctance
    2-feign-reluctance TigerTown, USA Posts: 23,461
    mrussel1 said:
    2-feign-reluctance said:
    Paging @mrussel1


    Hey there!
    What’s up maestro!? See you dropped some knowledge for the OP! 👍🏻
    www.cluthelee.com
  • MedozK
    MedozK Tennessee Posts: 9,212
    I run my digital files through my Cambridge DacMagic 100. Wolfsen DAC, don't really listen to a lot of digital files but when I do It is pleasing to the ear.
  • mrussel1
    mrussel1 Posts: 31,094
    edited February 2022
    MedozK said:
    I run my digital files through my Cambridge DacMagic 100. Wolfsen DAC, don't really listen to a lot of digital files but when I do It is pleasing to the ear.
    Yes, that would work perfectly for the OPs situation because it has a USB Audio input.  



    Post edited by mrussel1 on
  • LB260405
    LB260405 Posts: 66
    Why not get two pieces of Schiit? Modi for the DAC. Mani for the phono preamp. That would be a nice mini stack for not a lot of money.
  • mrussel1
    mrussel1 Posts: 31,094
    LB260405 said:
    Why not get two pieces of Schiit? Modi for the DAC. Mani for the phono preamp. That would be a nice mini stack for not a lot of money.
    The OP didn't say anything about needing a phono stage and presumably has one in the current receiver. If that receiver is replaced,  then the integrated amp will need to have a phono or buy an external like the mani.
  • LB260405
    LB260405 Posts: 66
    RS65573 said:
    I think the Shiit Modi is what I want on the DAC front, but that doesn't take into account the turn table.

  • foriginalsin
    foriginalsin Posts: 715
    The mani 2 just came out. Its solid. I use the mani 1 and its great. 
  • LB260405
    LB260405 Posts: 66
    I guess I interpreted that statement incorrectly.

    If you need a new amplifier, you could go with the Cambridge AXA35. It sounds like a million bucks (my opinion, of course), and it is very affordable. It has a built-in phono preamp, as well. It does not, however, have a DAC. You could hook up the Schiit Modi to this, and have a really nice setup.
  • supertear
    supertear Posts: 28
    I have an Asgard with a truebit dac upgrade and a mani. Works a treat!

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