Topic: Cassette Transfer: USB vs RCA

[BradleyJY15]

I am converting cassette tapes and am not sure the best method.  I have a Marantz PMD-300CP cassette deck.

Option 1: Cassette USB out to computer USB in, using the Marantz EZ Vinyl Tape converter.

Option 2: Cassette RCA out to 1/8" input (channel 5/6) on Sound Devices MixPre-6ii.

I am going to do my own A/B listen test to see if I can hear a difference, but is there a technical advantage to use one vs the other?

It seems like most of it would lie in the AD converter on the cassette deck vs the SD MP6ii.  Only other consideration is I only have a "cheap" RCA to 1/8" cable.

Thanks
Brad

[rigpimp]

I use the RCA out on my Nakamichi using a pair of RCA > XLR and use the XLR inputs on my Mixpre.  I'd avoid the USB thing without knowing how it is going from A>D.

[jerryfreak]

I use the RCA out on my Nakamichi using a pair of RCA > XLR and use the XLR inputs on my Mixpre.  I'd avoid the USB thing without knowing how it is going from A>D.

this

a known known is always better. its unlikely the USB interface is better than the mixpre, which well exceeds the resolution of the tape deck, and should transfer without hiccups in almost all cases

 

[BradleyJY15]

Thank you for the responses.

Will any "generic" RCA->XLR cable (from B&H) be sufficient?  Or any brand recs?

[BradleyJY15]

Also, glad for your recs...I already did some conversions using the RCA->1/8"->MP6 because I did not trust the USB...seems kinda sketch to me...but really never thought about going to XLR. So thanks again.

[jerryfreak]

Thank you for the responses.

Will any "generic" RCA->XLR cable (from B&H) be sufficient?  Or any brand recs?

if you wanted to do rca>XLR (handy to have), monoprice is your jam

for your purposes, with a line level signal, no reason to not use the 1/8" input on 5/6. if you dont have that cable, again, monoprice

[BradleyJY15]

Thank you for the responses.

Will any "generic" RCA->XLR cable (from B&H) be sufficient?  Or any brand recs?

if you wanted to do rca>XLR (handy to have), monoprice is your jam

for your purposes, with a line level signal, no reason to not use the 1/8" input on 5/6. if you dont have that cable, again, monoprice

I can always use more cables!  Isn't the XLR a better input on the MP6 than the 1/8" though?  Or are you saying that it really does not matter for what I am doing?

[jerryfreak]

I can always use more cables!  Isn't the XLR a better input on the MP6 than the 1/8" though?  Or are you saying that it really does not matter for what I am doing?

it doesnt matter for what you are doing. for line-level signals. inputs 1-4 have no advantage

[BradleyJY15]

I can always use more cables!  Isn't the XLR a better input on the MP6 than the 1/8" though?  Or are you saying that it really does not matter for what I am doing?

it doesnt matter for what you are doing. for line-level signals. inputs 1-4 have no advantage

Thank you!

[IMPigpen]

FYI, you can also go RCA to 1/4" into your MP6 combo jacks.  I actually do this for my cassette transfers (Nak->DR70).

[rocksuitcase]

FYI, you can also go RCA to 1/4" into your MP6 combo jacks.  I actually do this for my cassette transfers (Nak->DR70).

This is what I do with my transfers- Naks >> Dr 680