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Forum List => General Discussion => Topic started by: bkaplan on November 23, 2013, 01:08:15 AM

Title: PS Audio Nuwave Phono Converter
Post by: bkaplan on November 23, 2013, 01:08:15 AM
Does anyone have any experience and comments on using the PS Audio NW Phono Converter as the A/D converter for vinyl?  Will Vinyl Studio support recording in DSD format from the NW?
Title: Re: PS Audio Nuwave Phono Converter
Post by: Paul Sanders (AlpineSoft) on November 23, 2013, 11:20:07 AM
Hi,

It will, very soon.  We should have a beta version capable of recording DSD available shortly.  When it is ready, I will post it here.
Title: Re: PS Audio Nuwave Phono Converter
Post by: NMacJr on November 24, 2013, 04:18:52 AM
Paul,
Thank you.
I just ordered this new unit from PS Audio and very much want to try using the DSD feature to do my ripping. How PS Audio came up with the idea of a phono preamp combined with an ADC I don't know, but it's a great idea and should eliminate the use of a separate ADC.
Great software you provide, but I'm always looking to improve the workflow.
Regards,
Title: Re: PS Audio Nuwave Phono Converter
Post by: Paul Sanders (AlpineSoft) on November 24, 2013, 12:02:29 PM
OK, I will post software here soon.
Title: Re: PS Audio Nuwave Phono Converter
Post by: Paul Sanders (AlpineSoft) on November 24, 2013, 10:40:13 PM
Here it is (V8.6.0)

http://www.alpinesoft.co.uk/VinylStudio/download.aspx

Please let me know how you get on.
Title: Re: PS Audio Nuwave Phono Converter
Post by: sirlordcomic on November 25, 2013, 05:58:44 AM
Looks good, will let you know how it works out.
Title: Re: PS Audio Nuwave Phono Converter
Post by: paddycook on March 29, 2014, 07:30:28 PM
I'm trying to record DSD with my PSD Audio Nuwave and following the instructions to set the recording level at 100%. However, this induces severe clipping, and lowering the level just a couple of clicks seems to totally kill the incoming level. Anyone know what's going on?
Title: Re: PS Audio Nuwave Phono Converter
Post by: paddycook on March 29, 2014, 08:05:23 PM
After converting my DSF files back to AIFFs using DSD Master I see that the audio level is cutoff above -1.5db. Is there any automatic limiting being applied when recording DSD?
Title: Re: PS Audio Nuwave Phono Converter
Post by: Paul Sanders (AlpineSoft) on March 29, 2014, 08:28:04 PM
No, we record the bitstream from the Nuwave verbatim.
Title: Re: PS Audio Nuwave Phono Converter
Post by: paddycook on March 29, 2014, 08:33:15 PM
Thanks for your reply. Does that mean the level is set in the Nuwave?
Title: Re: PS Audio Nuwave Phono Converter
Post by: Paul Sanders (AlpineSoft) on March 29, 2014, 09:15:27 PM
I guess so, although there's no defined '0dB' level in DSD as there is in PCM.  When converting to PCM, the converter has an influence on the level of the resulting file and that might be what you re seeing here.  In any case, if you convert to 24 bit there is plenty of dynamic range so -1,5dB is nothing to worry about, except perhaps for the effect on the playback volume.
Title: Re: PS Audio Nuwave Phono Converter
Post by: skolis on February 12, 2015, 11:05:03 PM
Hi:
A question re: settings for the NPC and VS:

I'm using VS version V8.7.0 Mac
with a PS Audio NPC.

Apparently these companies both recommend each other, so I'm going to presume some 'compatibility'.

The NPC has it's own RIAA curve which I'm told ( by PSAudio) is the  (largely) Standard ( since 1954).
The NPC does not have a "flat" switch.
VS has, as one of the options, the same Standard RIAA curve.

The VS instructions advise to "apply inverse RIAA first"; then use the Standard RIAA Curve.

So I'm left with the impression that I've made  a "round trip" to where I started.

Why not just "disable" the EQ curve in VS, record from the NPC , and be done?

Any input from either a technical, SQ, playback, or subjective impressions (ONLY if you've actually tried it both ways) standpoint  would be appreciated.

( esp from Paul, re: the technical aspects)
thx
Title: Re: PS Audio Nuwave Phono Converter
Post by: Paul Sanders (AlpineSoft) on February 12, 2015, 11:26:52 PM
Hi,

I would turn off equalisation in VinylStudio and use the curve built into the NPC (which, in effect, you have to use anyway).  The only esception to this advice would be if you are recording 78's or other old discs which were mastered with a non-standard curve.  Then you can use VinylStudio to defeat the RIAA curve built into the NPC and apply the correct curve in its place.  Assuming you know what it is, that is...
Title: Re: PS Audio Nuwave Phono Converter
Post by: skolis on February 12, 2015, 11:38:32 PM
Hi:
Thanks for the quick reply.
Your advice my conclusion from a SQ playback standpoint - but the differences are truly truly miniscule.
So much so, that I wasn't completely sure I wasn't just "hearing things".  So thanks.
How about another , hopefully quick, question.   The NPC manual advises "capping" the sample rate at 96kHz, saying
beyond that  is "not recommended for best sound".   I've been ignoring that and using 192 kHz.
But your thoughts on this would be appreciated.

And, speaking of appreciation, the more I play around with and get comfortable with the features of VS, the more I appreciate all the "stuff" that is built in and that it does.  Before I starting ripping discs everyone said how time consuming/complicated it is.  They're wrong. At least with VS, they're wrong.  Thanks for terrific software!
Title: Re: PS Audio Nuwave Phono Converter
Post by: Paul Sanders (AlpineSoft) on February 13, 2015, 11:53:26 AM
Hi,

I think 96 kHz is plenty high enough for digitising vinyl so personally I would stick to that.  I think PS Audio's advice is based on the fact that their ADC is actually done as DSD and this is then converted to PCM inside the unit.  When doing this, high sample rates can be a bit noisy, although you can't normally hear it.  PS Audio have a forum where you could ask about this if you want to know more (and my explanation may not be the correct one).
Title: PS Audio Nuwave Phono Converter
Post by: skolis on February 26, 2015, 04:57:08 PM
Hi:
Thanks for the input.  Here's a update:  PSAudio says no technical difference in processing that would affect SQ, Paul McGowan
just thinks 96/24 sounds better on his system.  ( I can send a link from PS Audio or cut/paste here if anyone cares).
After a week + of comparison of both on a couple different systems with both jazz and classical - for me "it's a push".  Since 96/24 uses less disc space, I've decided to go with that.

On to the next question:  with and without rumble filter.   Is there any sonic or sq difference between the two?
It may be  my system, or my ears, but I'm not really hearing a difference.  At least for my collection ( which is in mint shape) thx.

Title: Re: PS Audio Nuwave Phono Converter
Post by: Paul Sanders (AlpineSoft) on February 26, 2015, 05:41:56 PM
Hi,

You probably can't hear the effect of the rumble filter - it's designed to filter out subsonic vibrations picked up from the turntable or record groove that might damage your speakers at high volume settings.  The rumble filter in VinylStudio also has the useful side-effect of removing any DC offset and we generally recommend turning it on for vinyl recordings.