Turntable (with Built-in Amp) connection issue

[dicksonhornist]

Hi! I just bought the Wiim Ultra, I think it is a very good purchase for my setup.
I want to connect many inputs into the Wiim Ultra. I have a Macbook and a IKEA Turntable.
Here's my ideal setup:

Line-in [RCA] < [RCA] Interface [USB] < [USB] Macbook
Phono [RCA] < [RCA] Turntable

And the issue is: the IKEA Turntable has a built-in amp (I think, I'm not sure). So when I connect to the Phono in Wiim Ultra, the sound is super funky.
Seems there's nothing I could change from the Turntable (no other output, no switch for the amp, nothing).
I am thinking if it is possible that I should:
1) use a RCA to Optical from Turntable to the Optical input?
2) use a RCA switcher and put them both in the Line-in?
3) Get another input from my Macbook (with or without Interface)?

 

[d6jg]

I'd use the Turntable with the RCA Line In and get a USB to Optical converter for Macbook.
The stuff you listen to via Macbook will stay in digital domain.
Turntable is analogue anyway.

 

[Krabin]

I'd use the Turntable with the RCA Line In and get a USB to Optical converter for Macbook.
The stuff you listen to via Macbook will stay in digital domain.
Turntable is analogue anyway.

^ came to say this

Hi! I just bought the Wiim Ultra, I think it is a very good purchase for my setup.
I want to connect many inputs into the Wiim Ultra. I have a Macbook and a IKEA Turntable.
Here's my ideal setup:

Line-in [RCA] < [RCA] Interface [USB] < [USB] Macbook
Phono [RCA] < [RCA] Turntable

And the issue is: the IKEA Turntable has a built-in amp (I think, I'm not sure). So when I connect to the Phono in Wiim Ultra, the sound is super funky.
Seems there's nothing I could change from the Turntable (no other output, no switch for the amp, nothing).
I am thinking if it is possible that I should:
1) use a RCA to Optical from Turntable to the Optical input?
2) use a RCA switcher and put them both in the Line-in?
3) Get another input from my Macbook (with or without Interface)?

You ideally want as little conversions between digital and analogue as you can for optimal quality and latency (which you might care about given your use of an interface). The previous reply put it perfectly: turntable to line in, computer usb to optical converter to the Ultra's optical input. For live monitoring while recording, it would be best to run your interface directly to your speakers/headphones for 0 latency (if your interface has that, which i think most do). Hopefully your speakers have more than one input for this (rca from WiiM, xlr or 1/4in from interface for example). If not, you can get a cheap rca switch.

 

[jfbuk]

If your IKEA turntable is this one

Then it does have a preamp and you cannot switch it off so you are feeding line level audio into the phono input which is why it sounds “funky”
As per the previous posts you need to connect to the turntable to the line in RCAs on the Ultra

A Cubilux adaptor or similar will work for the USB output of your MacBook into the optical input of the Ultra

Cubilux

 

[dicksonhornist]

^ came to say this

You ideally want as little conversions between digital and analogue as you can for optimal quality and latency (which you might care about given your use of an interface). The previous reply put it perfectly: turntable to line in, computer usb to optical converter to the Ultra's optical input. For live monitoring while recording, it would be best to run your interface directly to your speakers/headphones for 0 latency (if your interface has that, which i think most do). Hopefully your speakers have more than one input for this (rca from WiiM, xlr or 1/4in from interface for example). If not, you can get a cheap rca switch.

Great advise!! I will look for some USB > Optical cable

 

[Krabin]

Great advise!! I will look for some USB > Optical cable

A popular one brought up a lot and measured on ASR is the SMSL PO100 for like $40 USD. It's been a while since I've looked so maybe there's a cheaper one that's just as good