Connecting turntable to new iMac doesn't work, but old iMac did

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Connecting turntable to new iMac doesn't work, but old iMac did

For the past few years, I had my Rega RP1 turntable connected to a TC-750LC phono preamp (TCC Audio & Video) and then connected to my 2011 iMac, which was running macOS Sierra. My old iMac had a dedicated line-in port. The software that I used (and still use) is VinylStudio. It all worked great.

A few days ago, I upgraded to a new iMac, which is running macOS Catalina. I still have my Rega and my TC-750LC phono preamp. I did change the wire between the preamp and the computer to be two male RCAs (preamp) to a USB-C (computer). I can see this connection in the "Input" tab of my Sound preferences. However, I can't get any sound (other than white noise) from the turntable to be heard from my iMac. I'm not getting any sound level.

I did connect a U-Turn Audio turntable with built-in preamp directly to my iMac. With the preamp off, I heard nothing except white noise. When I turned on the built-in preamp, I got interference sound, and when I turned on a record, I got some vinyl noise, so at least it seems like my RCA/USB-C wire works in theory.

I'm not sure what to try next, although I haven't tried an RCA/USB-A wire. Any other suggestions to try first before spending more money?

iMac 27″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Nov 1, 2020 4:09 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Johnb-one

Level 6

9,180 points

Nov 1, 2020 5:31 PM in response to reddye6

Yes, a few...reddye6... input should show up as USB codec or USBxxx. Try running audio midi setup. Go to system prefs>>sound>>Alerts/effects... then play sound using...for Output, then record sound/sound comes in from... (inputs)... otherwise would suggest reset smc/pmu and zap pram. If U hold down Option key and click on speaker icon at top right of screen, it will show all available audio inputs and outputs. Apart from starting up in “safe” mode ( hold down Shift key at startup, that’s all i have

John B

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Answer 2

reddye6 Author

Level 1

12 points

Nov 1, 2020 6:10 PM in response to Johnb-one

Thanks for your response, John! The device displays as "USB Audio Device" in the Sound system preference and in Audio MIDI Setup. I can play sound effects fine, and the regular sound, such as a CD, an alert, and an mp3, plays out via the iMac Speakers correctly. I did reset the SMC and NVRAM, but still no change. I still have to try starting up in safe mode.

I probably will purchase an RCA/USB 2.0 wire as well, just in case. Interestingly, when I first connected my preamp to the computer, I used: 1) Male RCA in preamp to Male RCA to 2) Female RCA to headphone pin to 3) headphone jack to USB-C adapter. The "headphone jack to /USB-C" adapter was new -- the other parts worked fine going into my old line-in. However, with this setup, my new iMac only saw the adapter as an output device and not an input device. With the wire that I got today -- the Male RCA to USB-C -- I was able to finally get "USB Audio Device" to display and have it be in the "Input" tab of my Sound system preference. So I'm wondering if a Male RCA to USB 2.0 will play better with the iMac.

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Answer 3

Johnb-one

Level 6

9,180 points

Nov 2, 2020 4:36 AM in response to reddye6

You might be onto something there, reddye6. Maybe try adding an input/aggregate device in audio midi setup, and when it says play from... try usb audio. The only other thing i could suggest is to grab a copy of Audacity( audacityteam. org) which plays nicely. Oh and set the frequency to either 44 or 48 k. The info on the tc-750 lc says to use line in and not mic in. You might have a bum usb-c cable. Vinyl studio looks like a neat piece of software. V.S sez to ‘check Level and then select your device( usb whatever)” the latest version is 11.5 which supports Sierra or later.are you using the standart or VinylStudioPro?

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Answer 4

reddye6 Author

Level 1

12 points

Nov 2, 2020 7:26 AM in response to Johnb-one

HI! I did try the aggregate option -- same deal as the regular input option. I did reach out on a specialty vinyl board that I'm on, and they're recommending an audio-to-digital converter in between the preamp and the computer. I found one that has gotten good reviews and isn't too expensive, so I'm going to try that as well. I'll report back with what happens!

For VinylStudio, I'm using the standard, which has been a fine option for the past few years. I definitely see the "USB Audio Device" as the input when I try to check the recording level. It all looks good from a software standpoint, but just no sound coming through.

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Answer 5

Johnb-one

Level 6

9,180 points

Nov 2, 2020 9:24 AM in response to reddye6

Yeah. I think you’re right. I used the cable from a vhs to dvd kit from elgato for hooking up a turntable + pro walkman ( for trnsferring casettes) which worked. Wasnt great but it worked. Recently i got a top quality usb turntable; the one i had from ion audio and grace were both crap. Plus i got an ART phono preamp plus which has a usb B 2.0 output.so that would be analog to digital i guess.

good luck

John B

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Answer 6

reddye6 Author

Level 1

12 points

Nov 5, 2020 12:24 PM in response to Johnb-one

I got Behringer U-Control UCA222 today and hooked it up, and everything is fine -- music coming through loud and clear!

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Connecting turntable to new iMac doesn't work, but old iMac did

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