FROM ANALOG TO DIGITAL
I made a few upgrades to my system
I was using a Bluetooth Sony turntable connected to my Klipsch Core 200 soundbar.
I was feeling rather guilty taking the vinyl to Bluetooth to soundbar. Being a lifelong Neil Young fan, this just made me feel guilty, and honestly, the records sounded like I was streaming from Spotify.
The main problem was my soundbar was made for the digital age. No analog inputs.
So, after researching, arguing with ChatGPT, and talking to my friend Rocky, I found a great solution with the WiiM Pro Plus.
This thing is amazing! You can take an analog RCA output, and it will convert it to digital and send the signal out via optical to the soundbar. Most people are buying this for high-quality streaming, but it also works great to solve my issue of converting an analog signal to high-resolution digital. There is so much you can do with a WiiM Pro.
So, the nerdiness continues. Having the WiiM also gave me the ability to hook up a CD player as well! So, after some research, I found the Fosi Audio Merak CD Player. It’s portable, has high-quality playback, and is gapless (you may have to install a firmware update to get the gapless playback to work correctly).
More nerd coming! I decided to go back to my U-Turn turntable I purchased 10 or so years ago.
It had an Ortofon 2M Red stylus, and it was time to do some upgrading. I went with a U-Turn Pluto 2 preamp, a black leather turntable mat, and Iso-Level feet.
Not only was I trying to get better sound and the ability to use my turntable with my current soundbar, I was also needing to go for a small-footprint design. In other words, not a lot of stuff sitting out everywhere. This was all done to appease the wife and as a compromise!
The soundbar is sitting on a shelf, and the only other visible thing is the turntable. I ordered the leather turntable mat for sound quality, but also for aesthetics. It looks great!
The preamp, WiiM, and Fosi CD player are all tucked away in a cabinet.
And now for some of my equipment!
This is just an amazing addition to my setup, and I’m not even utilizing the streaming and multiroom capabilities! Really awesome DAC and very high audio resolution.
Castline Gold RCA Cables with Mogami W2549
I’ve always been big on top-quality cables! Mogami W2549 has been designed using the famous Mogami (Japan-made) Neglex OFC to provide the highest-quality audio reproduction in any recording application. It features #22 AWG conductors and extremely low capacitance. The 100% coverage served shield and twisted-pair construction are excellent at preventing noise caused by electromagnetic interference.
And now for some turntable additions to my Gen 1 U-Turn!
Amazing little preamp. Just plug it in and go!
Adjustable-height aluminum feet with Sorbothane for advanced vibration isolation.
Our leather mat dampens vibrations and reduces static for cleaner, more detailed playback.
The 2M Red delivers an open, dynamic sound with a slight touch of warmth.
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