Topic: Transfers: Cassettedeck/MD/DAT > [what to put in here?] >HD

[Popmarter]

Hi,

Looking for a complete setup to transfer old stuff, i have: Cassettedeck, Minidisc (with optical out) and DAT.

I am looking for one unit to connect all these too and then (if possible in 24 bit) record to harddisc (flash/SD-card, through USB?, whatever). After that i want the WAV to edit in the PC.

To exclude all sorts of possible extra noises (and the fact that i have an old laptop) i'd rather not go for any internal soundcard.

Low noise (in case of cassette-tranfers) seems, from what i read, a thing to look for...?

What are my options? Primairy goal is error-free and stable transfers at variable bitrate. No need for anything else fancy.

[vanark]

Sounds like an Edirol UA-5 would do the trick?  I have not used it for what you have described, but with the various digital and analog inputs and a USB connection to your hard drive, it seems to be something to look into.

[Popmarter]

Thanks, yes looks like the one to have. But seems like its discontinueed and haven't found it secondhand in Europe yet... any other recommandations?

[Brian Skalinder]

For cassette transfers:

• cassette > DAT or iRiver.
• 16-bit has more than enough dynamic range to capture an analog cassette

For MD transfers:

• MD optical out > iRiver optical in
• then simply copy the WAV from iRiver to PC

For DAT transfers, either/or:

• DAT coax out > inexpensive soundcard (internal or external) with digital coax input > PC

or

• DAT coax out > digital format converter (like the Hosa ODL-276 or ODL-312) > iRiver optical in.

if the latter, then simply copy the WAV from iRiver to PC

An inexpensive soundcard with digital coax input or an ODL-276 or -312 runs ~$60 in the US.  I imagine the pricing in Europe isn't radically different.

[DigiGal]

Thanks, yes looks like the one to have. But seems like its discontinueed and haven't found it secondhand in Europe yet... any other recommandations?

They are discontinued yes but used and modded Edirol UA-5's pop up in the yard sale all the time.  There are a couple currently listed at a good price too...

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=145729.0

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=147310.0

[hi and lo]

Doesn't the UA-5 resample the digital input?

[Popmarter]

Thanks all for the replies. Working on it  

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

Doesn't the UA-5 resample the digital input?

Yes...  If I remember correctly...  Skalinder has the best solution...

Terry

[sunjan]

Any external sound card with coax + toslink + analog input that doesn't resample would cut the bill.
Fast Track Pro comes to mind.

After looking around, I realize that Art USB Phono Plus is more convenient, since Fast Track Pro lacks the toslink.
Can be had for 83 EUR:
http://geizhals.at/eu/?in=&fs=art+usb+phono+plus
Line in/Phono is switchable with a button on the front.


The total cost would be lower than Brian's solution above. 

Regarding UA-5, they do show up in Europe if you have the patience. Here's one in the UK:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320736109944

But as Hi and lo pointed out it does resample digital input, so it's less than ideal for DAT/MD transfers.

[Popmarter]

Thanks for checking that out. Brian his suggestion is good as i only need a small extra toy. I already have md and can use a DAT deck from a friend.

Still, resampling is no good? What is the alternative called(bit to bit??).

[sunjan]

Bit-perfect is what you should look for:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bit-perfect

[adrianf74]

For MiniDisc, you have a few options but the best still is to use the Sony MZ-M200/MZ-RH1 with the included software (or open source software) and then copy the raw data files to your PC and play them back using FFDShow.