Ripping vinyl using Carver Sonic Holography

Fongolio

I've recently gotten into ripping vinyl to digital. I'm using a Technics table and a Carver CT-Seven pre-amp. I had read somewhere that the Carver will output Sonic Holography and that it will be embedded in the signal if recording to tape or digital.

Last night I did some experimenting. I was ripping a copy of Led Zeppelin II and ripped it with Sonic Holography and without. I then made two cd's and listened to the results.

Even on the cd without SH the results were stunning when played back through my modded Rotel and on the SDA-1c's. Super wide sound stage and 3D imaging. The copy of Zep II on vinyl was kind of rough so I used ClickRepair but even still the results were outstanding. Huge bass but clear trebles and excellent dynamics even with the clickrepair engaged.

Next was the cd with Sonic Holography. Even wider sound stage and more 3 dimensional!! At times during Whole Lotta Love the sounds were hovering above my head and even behind me and yet at the same time Bonzo's cymbals dead center and 9 feet in front of me. Quite remarkable especially with this song in particular. On Moby Dick Bonzo's drum set was perhaps too wide with the left and right drums extending even beyond the walls of the room.

I think that for a setup with no SDA's (like my bedroom rig) cd's recorded with Sonic Holography might make for a very SDA like effect. Perhaps in the car (which I will test this afternoon). With the already 3D imaging SDA's the effect is almost overkill and I think I prefer the disk without any effect. Anyway, long story short, yes you can record with Sonic Holography and the effect certainly is recorded onto the digital file.

Paden501

Yeah for the most part it's not advisable to use Carver Sonic Holography and SDA at the same time. They're two different means to pretty-much the same end, but when used together you get a sound that almost makes you sea-sick at times.


BTW: Aside from the sonic holography, how do you like the C-1 paired with the SDAs? I just picked up my C-1 yesterday and I haven't listened enough to really decide yet.

Fongolio

I had a Carver CT-Seven with them when I first got them but something was missing. It wasn't lively enough for me but I loved having a remote to control volume. I then switched to the C-1 which is older and, of course, no remote. The difference was large. The C-1 really worked well with them. More dynamic, better tighter bass response, plus the C-1 can accomodate a moving coil cartridge where the CT-Seven only can if it's high output. It plays with the 1C's so well I can live without a remote.

Paden501

That's great info to have. My story is similar... moving from a CT-17 w/ remote that I was so-so about (somedays I was in love, other days I wanted to toss it out the window) so I'm hoping that I don't have the same love/hate relationship with the C-1.

I've also had the C-1 apart already, and it looks like there's a lot of room in there. If the lack of remote ticks me off enough, I may investigate adding a motorized volume Pot and an IR sensor board. We'll see though.