Pro-Ject Debut III USB Preamp Advice Options

[Engelsstaub]

I have the turntable mentioned in the title. I suppose it's no big news that the USB-out is sometimes too loud (no gain adjustment) with some vinyl (which results in clipping,) especially nearly every double-LP I own. Much to my dismay it also happens with a few regular ones like my mint original-pressing Black Sabbath "Mob Rules." For about 70% of my LPs it's fine, though "limited" to 16-bit resolution for recording.

My questions are these:

Would it be feasible to use something like the M-Audio Firewire Solo Amazon to record my needledrops from the preamp's RCA-outs to my Macintosh? (I'm using VinylStudio and it's pretty great IME.) If so, would I be able to effectively do so at 24-bit? (I don't imagine I hear any difference, but would like to do so for editing purposes.)

Any recommendations/good advice is greatly appreciated. (I wish I had researched this TT before I bought it. I'm considering trading it in later and getting a regular Debut III or something else in their line-up for under 800 USD...that's just not going to happen anytime really soon. I'm otherwise pleased with this TT's performance, so I wouldn't mind coming up with a good workaround. I get great results with many records and the hardware/software combingation.)

Pretty new to digitizing vinyl, so please forgive my ignorance.

[Engelsstaub]

Well, I do have a RCA-to1/8" cable that I use to occasionally line-in my iPod to my home stereo system. I tried it out as you guys suggested and there was no issues with clipping. I recorded a 2xLP (Trivium's "In Waves") that gave me problems through the USB and it worked well in VinylStudio. I adjusted the volume to max out at around 92% @ 24/192 (overkill, but just for the hell of it.)

I'm concluding from this that there's no problem recording from the on-board preamp to something like the M-Audio... Speaking of that: I feel what you're saying about the possible FireWire issues, AndyH-ha. I'll probably just go with the Tascam that Apesbrain recommended. USB 2.0 is more than sufficient for my purposes. I think you're right about the USB 1.1 protocol used by the Debut III's preamp. I'm pretty certain that's why the needledrops are limited to 16 bit resolution.

I haven't had an opportunity to listen to the results of the Trivium LP rip yet. This may be feasible but I'm still thinking I want the Tascam US-144MKII...it seems like a good bargain and may be a "better" way of getting the job done.

I've always been kind-of aware of possible issues with a laptop and its mains power supply. I have been just running it on battery when doing needledrops. It's never a problem--the battery seems to last forever on my 13" MBP.

All of your input has been helpful and is not unappreciated. Thanks.