TerraTec Phonopre USB

[reyneman]

Since Wardsweb has been busy (check the new gallery:) ), I thought I would post some intial impressions of this unit. He may join in later with his own inputs.

The Terratec basically takes your TT output, amplifies it and applies the RIAA equalization, then converts to 24 bit digital for storage on your hard drive. The unit comes with a decent software package (sound rescue), allowing you to optimize the sound and then record it to CD. I did not use the included burning software, instead using the Stomp RecordMax I presently use for all my CD copying.

In the next few posts (I hate to type a long dissertation, only to lose it to the AK munching machine before I get to post it) I will give my feelings on the package as a whole, breaking it down into smaller bits. In this way, I feel I can give each section the attention it deserves.

Please bear with me, as I will try to give as accurate a description as I can for each part and this may take me awhile.

On with the show...

[reyneman]

Man, you guys missed it!

I had a wonderful post, full of great insights and concise details in this section of the review.

Unfortunately, the (add LOTS of bad words here) AK munchkins struck me down and wiped out my post.

Guess in the future I will compose off-line and attach- hope it's readable.

Too bummed this evening to do over.

Just getting my post count up, opt80:p:

[reyneman]

Ok, will try to attach file of first part of eval.

Initial setup and testing

Installing the hardware and software was pretty straightforward- even I was able to do it without using the instructions (except for that dang grounding screw). Real men don’t like needing instructions! Of course, they do save a lot of hassle.

I wanted to check basic operation and RIAA equalization, so I pulled out a few albums in good to good plus condition. These were generic late 60s/early 70s American fare- probably from one of my many joinings of Columbia House Record Club (man, I loved those twelve free records, didn’t love fulfilling the agreement. And how are they free when shipping is so excessive anyway?).

I recorded each track twice, once connecting my TT directly to the Terratec Phono Pre and once connecting the TT to my Yamaha preamp and using the record out jacks to the Terratec line input. This way, I could compare the RIAA equalization of the Terratec.

After downloading the tracks to my hard drive, I burned four copies of each track to CD, using RecordMax rather than the included burning software. The four tracks were:

1. Downloaded to the hard drive using the Terratec phono inputs, no processing
2. Downloaded using the Yamaha pre and the Terratec line inputs, no processing
3. Downloaded to the hard drive using the Terratec phono inputs, normalized
4. Downloaded using the Yamaha pre and the Terratec line inputs, normalized

The normalization, built into the software, adjusts the peak recorded level to 0dB. No other processing was done at this time.

Using a ‘fair’ system for playback, I compared the CD tracks to the original album. Right off the bat, I discounted the non-normalized recordings. On my system, too much of the musical nuances were lost with the low level (yes, I did adjust the volume to get each track’s playback volume approximately the same). With this admittedly non TOTL system, I could discern no difference between the Terratec phono section and the Yamaha on the recorded tracks. I will leave the Yamaha on line for all future tests, due mainly to convenience- I can leave the system configured, not having to connect or disconnect anything except the USB cord when I want to burn a few tracks.

I found negligible difference between the playback of the record and the normalized CD tracks- mayhaps a bit of ambiance has disappeared, but for transportability, car playback, or office use, there will be NO discernable differences.

Ease of use, the ability to get a transportable version of your records that are either unavailable on CD or not worth buying another copy of, and the ability to make custom mixes off your records (come on- you know you only listen to a few of that albums tracks), make the Terratec more than worth its cost.

Future installments- comparo of ‘audiophile quality’ playback, ability to clean up those less than pristine records and the effect on the music. Please stand by…

you may download this as an attachement below:

[VinylHanger]

how much was it and is there a link to it?

[reyneman]

Hey VH- I paid 130 + shipping, using the online dealer Wardsweb gave in his thread:

Terratec Phono Pre (http://www.jdsound.com/store/product1.asp?Product_ID=462)

I believe this unit will become more widely available in online musicians stores very soon, mayhaps being even more affordable.

[Billfort]

Ray, why don’t you just compose your posts offline with your favorite text editor and cut-and-paste the text into the AK editor when you’re ready to post? Works great and lets you take your own sweet time writing while sipping a single malt in front of the stereo (playing some vinyl).

I had no interest in butchering the that sweet analogue signal flowing off my records into 1’s and 0’s to burn onto beer coasters for use on my real system but you make a very good point about transportability – there is certainly times I would love to hear even a seedee reproduction of some albums in the car, bedroom, office or even on a portable in the workshop or sailboat.

A question – can’t you accomplish the same thing as this “gadget” by running an IC from your pre line out to the sound card stereo input jack of a PC running some of this wonderful sound “manipulation” software? Might give you the advantage of at least using a top flight RIAA cartridge pre-amp.

Looking forward to your continued eval – maybe you can convince me yet that an LP can be heard in the car without too much pain and suffering (to my ears).

Billfort

[Wardsweb]

Originally posted by Billfort
...A question – can’t you accomplish the same thing as this “gadget” by running an IC from your pre line out to the sound card stereo input jack of a PC running some of this wonderful sound “manipulation” software? Might give you the advantage of at least using a top flight RIAA cartridge pre-amp...Billfort

The reason I went this route was so I didn't have to setup a stereo within reaching distance of my cd burner. Also, I bought the USB unit. Simple plug and play. The second reason for the Terratec was their software package to manually tweak the signal to the burner. Not all albums are equally bad, so I didn't want a fixed "what I think you want" solution.

Also, I see this as a hack at best. No real reason to go to the time and expense of trying to recreate something I can only get with vinyl in the first place. I accept it for what it is - a cd played in a car. The car not being the best acoustic environment to begin with.

I've been very happy with mine. I know it is not the "best" audio can be, but then I don't expect it to be. This is not your audio solution. It is a compromise to avoid throwing out albums I won't listen to anymore because they are just to noisy. I've done my own and several cd's for older friends who have 331/3 and 78 they wanted to either hear in their car or were not steady enough to use a TT any longer.

[Billfort]

Yes, makes sense Wards, the software is a major piece of the deal here and USB is certainly nice. I have a CD burner in my laptop so kind of think of computer junk as something I can easily use right in front of the real stereo.

If you keep things in perspective - use it to make LP's portable, it's an interesting piece. This sound "clean-up" aspect is intriguing but sends up the warning flags for me - I'd love to hear a comparison on the real stereo - reeks of throwing out the baby with the bathwater.

(Don't mind me, the digital devil always scares the @#%* out of me :) )

Billfort

[reyneman]

Billfort- when I get the time, I will post my results of listening to a burned copy and the original album, using top quality recordings and my main system.

As for being able to do the same thing through your soundcard- of course you can. But then...

1. What soundcard? A top flight card would be needed to get the same quality results I seem to be getting. The Terratec is directly storing a 24 bit digital representation of the input onto your hard drive. Minimal connections, maximum transfer.

2. What software? The included software is easy to use, yet powerful enough to do most anything needed to get your sound listenable. Good record- no processing. As your record gets in worse shape, adjust processing to level needed, minimizing deleterious effects on the sound.

3. Cost- The level of card needed and the software would each cost more than the entire package.

One other point- you got that old turntable from your parents, along with their stack of old records (or those ones you found for 10c at that garage sale). Unfortunately, your brand new integrated or receiver has no phono input. I stated that the RIAA curve on the Terratec is as accurate as my Yamaha Pre's in real world usage, so you would now have the ability to transfer the black stuff into shiny stuff you can play through your persent system.

[reyneman]

Ah, my fellow Akers- gather around and listen to my story of lost love, of things remembered fondly, of things you don’t realize are important to you until they’re gone and it’s too late.

The magic is gone, lost in the world of digital truncations. Separation and unique identity become a mish mash of sounds. Hear, then, my story.

Since the Terratec did such a wonderful job (especially considering its price) on every ‘fairly decent’ (or less) system I tried the discs on, I felt it was time to see how the CDs did against the source vinyl on my main stereo, head to head against MY preferred format- vinyl.

Casino Royale (Colgems, Classic reissue)

The vinyl shows a great delineation between the background instruments, each identifiable within the whole, adding their separate voices to the presentation. Herb Alpert is clear and brassy, very realistic brass reproduction on the vinyl. The CD slurs the background instruments, forming more of a vague sense of individual instruments rather than the clear palette presented by the record.

Dusty, while sounding quite decent on the CD, loses the ‘presence’ that makes the vinyl so enjoyable. The bit of breathiness, the air and ambience, are missing. The woodiness of the reed has left. This was the most disappointing track compared, only because it is so magical on the vinyl.

Jimi Hendrix ‘Blues’ (Classic Records)

The recordings on this record are mainly raw and unprocessed, recorded in different venues at different times. Quite enjoyable for Hendrix fans, and a different venue to show his talents. Both the CD and vinyl point out the differences in the recording venues, but the CD had a slightly shrill edge on the more complex passages, leading to nervousness on my part- I was unable to listen to more than two tracks in a row without feeling irritable and tense. Although shrill, the attack and decay of the guitar went missing.

Neil Diamond ‘Hot August Night’ (MFSL Original Master Recording)

This live set is one of my favorite. Neil is raw, raucous, and real on the vinyl. The edge is missing from the CD, the palpable venue is not as clear. Neil goes from up close and personal on the vinyl to a singer on a stage on the CD. Instruments are once again slightly blurred; the clean attack lines are missing from the guitars.

So what’s the bottom line? In spite of the negatives, I am frankly quite happy with the CDs I’ve made. If I had bought these CDs, I would have been pleased with their sound quality and would quickly recommend them to others. It is only in direct comparison with the vinyl that their shortcomings become apparent (and the differences are NOT as great as the above may lead you to believe).

Another factor is that the CDs were recorded using a Shure V-15 Type V on a Technics TT, while the comparison was done using a Benz Silver on a Rega P-25. Quite frankly, many of the difference heard could be caused by the cartridge/TT used, as I find the Benz/Rega to be quite a few steps above the Shure/Technics. The difference in presence and palpability is easily discerned between the two vinyl setups, so some of the difference must be attributed to that.

If this was all there was to the Terratec, I would give it high recommendations. However, there is still the clean-up of poorly maintained vinyl for a future review. Imagine, being able to once again listen to that old favorite and actually hearing the music through the noise.