I rigorously clean records, and stylus prior to doing the rip, but once clean, the recording chain is as follows:
- Tascam DA3000 - set to 2X DSD rate
- Balanced XLR from SME V tone arm to ASR Basis Exclusive phono stage
- Balanced XLR from ASR to Tascam
My analog rig is an Acoustic Signature Final Tool with a brand new DC Syncronous motor, and brand new Silencer 24 platter / bearing system. Cart is a Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation sitting on SME V tonearm.
In the past I used to rip into a PC with external TC Electric sound card (external fire-wire) and WaveLab studio… That was combersome… Then I picked up the TASCAM and recorded to 2X DSD then use AlpineSoft’s Vinyl Studio to split the DSD into separate tracks - but not any more. I now just tag the .DSF into Artist, Album, and side number, along with album art.
Playing back through Roon at 2X DSD to my PS Audio DS DAC via JPLAY (ASIO) is transparent to the source.
I too used to use iZotope RX 3 to clean up and level the PCM (prior to the Tascam DA 3000), but I found it consumed more time than I have with two small children and a demanding job 