The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group XPSound - XP201 Anthony Payne |
| Some readers may remember an article I wrote last year (Vinyl to CD - Everything Old Is New Again. PC Update, July 2001) about how to convert your old LPs and tapes to CD. Well, the XP201 Phono/Mic pre amp is the perfect addition to that process. The good people at XPSound have kindly supplied us with one of these units to test. |
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What Does It Do?
This device along with the bundled software enables you to achieve high quality
transfer of old records and cassettes to your home PC.
To quote a passage from the XPSound press release:
"The product is called the XPsound XP201 Microphone/Phono Preamp,
retailing for $199 inc GST. It includes software valued at $250: Diamond Cut 32
V.4 Restoration Software, Dart CD Burner, and Dart Karaoke. The basic premises
of the product is the fact that you can restore your old vinyls and cassettes
using the enclosed software and burn the new revision onto CD, also using the
enclosed software - a complete solution! Furthermore, you are able to plug in
your microphone and record your vocals or plug in your guitar and record your
music. The unit works with any computer or software program and is quite
straightforward in its use. You are able to use it as a stand alone unit or
install in the front of your computer in a 5¬" drive bay. You are also
able to record your music (mic or guitar) into your Minidisk, CD Burner, or
Camera."
You Need Amplification
The problem in transferring your LPs to CD lies with your turntable. The "phono"
output is too low to be plugged directly into your sound card and requires
additional amplification to reach standard "line" level. That's where
the XP201 comes in. You simply plug the output from your turntable into the
input on the XP201; then plug the output from the XP201 directly into the
"Line In" on your sound card.
If you are a newbie at transferring vinyl records to CD, it may be a good idea
to check out the previous PC Update article at http://www.melbpc.org.au/pcupdate/2107/2107article5.htm.
What Is In The Box?
The unit comes supplied with two audio cables (RCA to Mini Headphone) and one
power connector that enables you to power the unit from a standard Molex
connector (the type of connector used to power a Hard Drive). This is great if
you want to install the unit inside your PC. However, if you want to use the
unit as an external stand-alone preamp, then you can use a wall socket AC
adapter, or it can be powered from a sound card joystick/midi port.
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The XP201 can also be powered from a standard 9v battery (not included). To install the battery, you must remove the bottom plate (6 screws). I have no idea how long this battery would last. |
The range of power options available for the device is great, but you need to be
aware that only the internal computer power cable is shipped with the unit. If
you want to connect the unit to a laptop, or if you want to operate the unit
externally, then presumably these power options would be purchased as optional
extras.
Installation
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On the rear of the unit are the RCA outputs, as pictured in Figure 5. When you
connect these outputs to your sound card's "Line In" port with the
cable provided, you have to run the cable outside your computer case. The only
way to do this is to remove one of the spare back plates from the rear of your
computer (see Figure 6). This is less than ideal, and it's a shame that they did
not provide a modified back plate to facilitate this cable pass through. (Once I
had a mouse make a home for its family inside my computer when I left a back
plate off.)
The Software |
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Diamond Cut is sophisticated enough to keep the most discerning audiophiles busy
tweaking and fiddling. However, it also has a number of preset filtering options
that make it a "no brainer" when it comes to cleaning up clicks and
scratches on less than perfect records. For the most part, I found it easy to
use.
I recorded several different types of music through the XP201, ranging from
modern music on very good condition vinyl, to classical music on old, worn,
scratched vinyl, and I have to say, it performed very well for a sub $200
preamplifier.
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Diamond Cut 32 provides you with a useful package for re-mastering your
favourite LPs once you have recorded them. In fact, it offers more than most
people will need.
On another level, if you record your own music or make your own Karaoke hits,
the XP201 offers these features as well.
Conclusion
If you wish to transfer your vinyl records onto CD, and you don't have a decent
amplifier, or you don't want to disassemble the stereo cabinet, then the XP201
is a good option. The only negative aspect is that it does not come with any
external power options, or a pass through back plate. But, the fact that these
items are not included, undoubtedly helps keep the cost down, so it's six of one
and half a dozen of the other.
The XP201 is available from computer resellers.
Be sure to check out the Web site at http://www.xpsound.com.
Unit supplied by
Sound & Music Promotions Pty. Ltd.
720 Glenhuntly Road
Caulfield South, Victoria, 3162
Ph: (03) 9528 5744
Fax: (03) 9528 5844
http://www.sound-music.com/
About The Author
Anthony Payne, is a music and audiophile enthusiast, currently working in the
computer industry as a sales consultant. Previously he worked for ten years in a
management capacity for the cinema industry, and the electronic gaming industry
(the fun stuff, like Nintendo etc.). Anthony can be contacted at ajpayne@optushome.com.au.
Reprinted from the September 2002 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
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