my newest recording gear - Focusrite Scarlett 2i2

I recently i upgraded from my internal ESI maya44 to a usb based Focusrite Scarlett 2i2.
That way i can use my laptop and connect the recording "rig" to both of my systems. (or easily take it elsewhere )

here is one of my first needledrops i made with it.
Elton John - Funeral for a friend / love lies bleeding. (44,1kHz / 16 bit - Flac . zip file) 
http://www.freefilehosting.net/sample_4

let me know what you think of it.



Equipment used: Pro-Ject Xpression III / Ortofon 2m blue - Musical Fidelity V90-lps - Cambridge Audio 640Av2 - Focusrite Scarlett 2i2.

Nice! The sample sound great! I always preferred the sound of Cirrus Logic A/D converters for PCM conversion and the Scarlett uses the CS4272. The synth sounds nice and clean with a lot of presence. I don't have a clean copy of that album, it's on my 'want' list though.

In my small home studio, I use the Focusrite Liquid 56 which also uses the CS4272 chip. 

That speaker looks interesting (ribbon tweeter?) - who makes it?

Thank you!

The speakers are ELAC BS243.

here is a better picture of them in my home office/man cave system.

Nice! I love the framed cassettes on the wall! One of my favorite brands of cassette tape is Denon, especially the HD-M and HD8's. 

Is that an Audio-GD NFB-12.1 DAC I see in the second photo? What's your opinion of it?

well spotted.
Its a first gen NFB-12.

it replaced my ZERO Dac unit.
I was never happy how the zero sounded ( i had better sounding DACs, but i needed the headphone amp and pre amp function for my computer setup)
so i researched a bit and sold some DACs to fund a new combo unit.
The NFB-12 is a great little unit. Good sound and powers my AKG headphones fine. 

Since then i upgraded the powered speakers to the integrated amp / passive speaker combo seen in the picture, so the pre-amp function is not that important anymore. But the DAC still sounds good to my ears. ( it reminds me a lot of my Cambridge Audio CD player)

I was considering this Focusrite USB interface before going for the Tascam US-122 Mk II. But this is also a nice machine.
The only weak spot of these audio interfaces are the electrolytic capacitors on the audio path. Even after the needed break-in period (at least 250 hours), they still sound a bit harsh, with exaggerated mids and less ambiance than the source they are recording. The so-called loudness effect. I can spot that when I make direct A/B comparisons between my LPs and my vinyl rips.

 Niice place Those framed tapes make me drool!  Here's a picture I've just took of some of mine:



I'm trying to download the needledrops but I can't...I'll keep on trying.

^   nice tape collection!
i still use tape to make copies of my records.


I made a new needledrop.
This time i recorded the same record ( David Bowie - Cat People ( Moroder remix) 45rpm maxi single ) on both my systems. Let me know what you guys think and can you guess which one is which?

(44,1k 16bit wav)


http://www.file-upload.net/download-9423386/sample-a.wav.html

http://www.file-upload.net/download-9423414/sample-b.wav.html

Wow, I haven't heard that song in a long time - nice song choice! Can't go wrong with Bowie.   

I just downloaded both samples and listened to them on my Sennheiser HD800's going through my Audio-GD NFB-12.1.

IMHO, Sample A has better high frequency extension, slightly deeper bass and much better dynamics and clarity. The AT440MLA has a micro-line stylus, which would explain the added clarity, transparency and refinement, so I'm guessing sample A is the AT440MLA.   

Sample B is a little rolled off in the highs and the dynamics are slightly more compressed. The sound stage is not quite as wide; and overall, it's not as refined and clear as sample A. I'll say that sample B is the Ortofon 2M Blue. 

My guess:

Sample A: Audio-Technica AT440MLA
Sample B: Ortofon 2M Blue

I've just listened to the samples. Mmmm.... I think Brian's bet is the most coherent option but my guess is:

A: Ortofon 2M Blue
B: AT440MLa

A risky bet, I know, since sample A seems to have better high freq extension but maybe the TTs also add their character to the sound and I also guess that the 2M Blue stylus is new and the AT is a bit old, therefore the AT is likely to have lost part of its highs...anyway, this is fun

Bowie, excellent choice

GoodVinylLover is right !

Interesting findings though. I think the AT440 has roughly 500h on it, the 2m blue around 100h i think.)


I was surprised that the AT440mla sample had more surface noise than the 2m blue in the direct comparison.
(i used foobar ABX plug-in to switch between both samples instantly.)

Wow, I'm really surprised and impressed by the 2M Blue!   

I think we need more comparison tests like this - they're really helpful and a lot of fun.   

I think we need more comparison tests like this - they're really helpful and a lot of fun.   

Agreed! LOL! 
http://www.vinylaudio.net/index.php/topic,560.0.html