“If you have a good turntable, cartridge, and preamp, then the audio interface matters,” says Stephan Mathieu, a musician and mastering engineer. It’s an extra step, but if you’re interested in achieving higher-quality audio, it’s one worth taking. This is called an audio interface, which converts the analog sound coming from your turntable into a digital form that your computer can process. To connect these traditional phono preamps to your computer, one more device is required. For a step up in quality, several people I spoke to recommended the Graham Slee Audio Gram Amp 2 Communicator ($299), a moderately priced preamp that has been earning rave reviews since it was introduced 20 years ago. A versatile option is the Radial Engineering J33 ($200), which includes both RCA outputs, for connecting to a home stereo system, and also balanced XLR mic-level outputs. More traditional phono preamps, which don’t come USB-equipped, focus exclusively on boosting the signal from the turntable. Another good USB-equipped option is the NAD PP4 Digital USB Phono Preamp ($199). Daniel Baughman, music curator of the Barcelona listening bar Nica and A&R of the Hivern Discs label, explains, “You want to beef up the record at the beginning of the chain in an organic way, rather than using plug-ins.” Some phono preamps, like the Rega Fono Mini A2D ($175), come with a built-in analog-to-digital converter and USB out, meaning you can run them directly into your computer. Turntables typically require amplification, so you’ll often need a phono preamp to boost the signal of your deck. ( Pitchfork earns a commission from purchases made through affiliate links on our site.) In hopes of demystifying the process, I spoke to a handful of experts and audiophiles about the gear you’ll need and the steps to take.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried to rip a record and failed miserably: The audio made a terrible crackling sound at the song’s climax, or the quiet bits were full of clicks and pops, no matter how diligently I thought I’d cleaned the wax. It’s not rocket science, but it’s trickier than you might expect. Much as it might pain purists to hear it, there are lots of times when it’s more convenient to listen to your records-including vinyl-only titles and out-of-print rarities-on your computer or phone.įor that you’ll need to digitize your vinyl-rip it-onto your computer. The discs are heavy, fragile, vulnerable to heat and humidity, not terribly portable, and difficult to keep organized. But vinyl can also be wildly impractical. Between the vivid sound, full-size cover art, and even the texture of the sleeve, enjoying vinyl records can be a multi-sensory ritual.