Windows 7 stereo left and right level in-balance when recording vinyl through Magix Audio Clean Lab 2014

Durn wrote on 12/1/2014, 2:21 PM

Still relatively new to Magix Audio Clean Lab 2014 but received some excellent help from a number of member’s vinyl track identification Thanks to all.
My latest concern is the issue regarding the initial stereo balance shown when recording vinyl. I should point out at this time that this problem is present when using other vinyl copying software. However, I hope that someone has experienced a similar problem and can offer a solution.
The setup is
Connoisseur BD2 Deck with SAU 2 arm and Audio Technica Cartridge 110E. Monitor amp, Scan-Dyna 2000
This is connected to the PC using two options. The PC is running Windows 7 64bit with all latest Updates, CPU is an AMD FX6300 with 8GB of RAM. The MB sound card driver is a Realtek HD Audio.
Option 1. Record Deck is connected to the PC USB 2 port via an ART USB phono Plus V2. This creates a USB Audio CODEC which is setup to meet the needs of Magix ACL. Regardless of the monitor output, Magix ACL 2014 displays the Left channel some 10 dB below the right channel. Even if the BD2 Deck is disconnected from the USB Phono amp, the resultant noise is still displayed with an in-balance between left and right channels. The Windows 7 USB codec nor Magix ACL 2014 seems to allow the balancing of Left and Right stereo channel levels.
Option 2. The record deck is connected to the Line in of the PC sound card via the phono input of my Scan-dyna Amp2000 amp. Again setting Magic ACL 2014 to select the correct input (RealTecHD Audio Line), the same in-balance between left and right channel occurs. With this setup, it is possible to control the Left and right balance via the windows 7 driver balance option but this change is immediately over ridden if the level control is altered within ACL 2014. In other words, the balance setting within the windows driver is reset to the default value.
I have changed the cartridge, the deck and tried a completely different PC (still running win 7 64bit) hence removing a number of variables. The above issues can also be replicated on differing software. I therefore suspect that the issue is something to do with Windows 7. I cannot remember seeing this issue when using Win XP but on a different PC setup. Is there anyone out there who has experience a similar problem and have an answer Please?

Comments

johnebaker wrote on 12/1/2014, 2:48 PM

. . . . Connoisseur BD2 Deck with SAU 2 arm and Audio Technica Cartridge 110E . . . . .

Now that is a blast from the past !

Is this happening for all vinyl discs?

As this also occurs with different software I would check the following:-

Is the SAU 2 set up correctly - in particular the anti skate bias weight? If this is set too high / low then the L / R channels can exhibit different output levels - though 10 dB is excessive. IIRC the only true way to set this up was with a special test disc.

Is the stylus in good condition and the correct size / geometry for the discs being played?

Swap over the left / right channel connections at the cartridge end - does the 10 dB difference now swap as well?

Do you have the original counterbalance weight ie the arm runs through the centre of it or the modified counterweight which was under slung ie the arm went through above centre?

If the latter is it correctly fitted and set so no torque thrust is applied to the arm?

John

Durn wrote on 12/2/2014, 9:41 AM

Hi John

Thanks for the response. Glad you liked the “Blast from the past”. The BD2 + arm have had a number of rebuilds during its long life the last one in 2012. I still think as an entry deck it is still far better than the basic decks on offer today.

The deck has been setup with the correct tools namely the Connoisseur Precision Stylus Balance and the Cartridge Protractor template. In addition the bias weight is set to obtain the best output when a test record HiFi Sound (HFS69) is used to adjust the Lateral and vertical modulation of the stylus. The output has been observed on a duel channel scope and all is fine.

I have carried out more investigations and have now applied a low level 800Hz signal to the inputs of the Computer Line In and the Phono input of the ART USB Phono Plus amp. This has revealed that the computer line in port is balanced when viewed via Magix ACL while there is a channel level discrepancy when the USB output from the ART USB amp is displayed on the Magix Audio Clean Lab wave form display and level bar display.

Changing the left and right input signal to the ART Usb Phono amp input does not make any difference suggesting that there may be an issue within the ART product. However, when the ART amp is used as a straight through Phono amp which is one of its facilities (No USB connection) and the output is directed to the Computer sound card, Magix ACL 2014 show that the stereo balance is fine.

I will carry out some more investigation and possible contact ART. Again comments would be welcome.

The recorded output from the ART USB amp using Magix ACL 2013 is fine and the channel level discrepancy is not noticed across a range of recorded vinyl. However, I know it is there and it “bugs” me so hence makes it a challenge.

Regards

Brian

johnebaker wrote on 12/2/2014, 12:36 PM

Many thanks for your response

Nice to meet a HiFi entusiast like myself. You have a good turntable / arm combination - modern ones just dont hack it.

My favourite was a Thorens TD160, Shure M5, Armstrong 521 (a Class A amp), Leak Sandwich 600 speakers. Although my Uher CV140 (custom modded to 120 W RMS per channel and upgraded power supply after blowing both power amps) gave the Armstrong a good run for its money and was very versatile in its input switching, level controls.

John

Durn wrote on 12/19/2014, 2:52 PM

Hi John

An Update that may interest you and any others who use the Magix ACL and the ART Phono Plus combination. Have just received a replacement ART Phono amp from the suppliers and everything is now fine. It appears that there was a problem with the first unit supplied.
The Magic ACL software is excellent and the ART device is a well-built product and handles Phono to USB conversion very well. Again thanks for your help on this matter.

Regards
Brian Odurny