Purchased this on Tuesday from my good friends at Audio Advisor who shipped it out quickly arriving at my door on Thursday. I was happy with the Schitt Mani pre-amp but not completely satisfied with it so while I was off sick last week I did some research and came across the Furutech/ADL GT40a (Alpha). Since it has been around a while it has been tried and tested with great reviews. I decided to order it and give it a try, so far I am very pleased with it, the soundstage seems wide with clarity and great bass. There will be some burn-in time as it really gets warmed up and starts developing its sound as is the case with most audio electronics. I look forward to hearing your feedback on how you think it sounds. Yesterdays OMD post was the first one using the GT40a.
-Paul
The GT40α built for enthusiasts with growing music collections on their computer hard drives. It’s a high-performance 24bits/192kHz USB DAC that’s amazingly affordable. Looking to convert your LPs or other analog sources to digital? The GT40α will take you to the podium with every album you archive.
The seriously-shielded audiophile-grade GT40α features a low-latency USB 2.0 audio driver that plays and records at 24bits/192kHz. A likely first for this category, the GT40α includes a built-in low-noise MM / MC phono preamp! Record your favorite vinyl to hard disk via the USB output.
The ADL GT40α features L/R analog outputs, and switchable line or phono inputs with a vivid, captivating sound that is simply unheard of in this category.
The ADL GT40α (wired with ADL’s Formula 2 cable of course!) brings Furutech’s signature sound — smooth, detailed clarity — to desktop systems, especially with high-resolution 24bits/192kHz files, but even 16-bit/44.1kHz files sound impeccable and very musical.
FEATURES:
High-performance 24bits/192kHz “VIA VT1736 “USB chip and 24bits/192kHz “Cirrus Logic CS4270” DAC /ADC chip
Enjoy audio in high resolution at 24bits/192kHz surpassing conventional 16bit/44.1KHz standards
Incorporates the most trusted driver in professional audio for 24bits/192kHz recording and playback
External power supply: while a USB-powered device might be convenient, it won’t develop the power required for high-resolution playback, so we designed the GT40α with an external power supply to solve the problem.
Headphone Amplifier: It contains a high performance “Maxim MAX9722A” headphone amplifier with ample drive for good headphones
Analog-to-Digital Converter: The GT40α sports a high-performance ADC IC chip for high-resolution recordings via analog inputs including phono, AM/FM radio, or other analog signals.
Convenient Clip signal Toggle switch for Recording Attenuation: Adjust the recording attenuation to avoid any distortion during recording: 0dB, 6 dB, or 12dB (RecAtt/db signal light comes on when input level exceeds circuit Gain).
Phono Preamplifier: A first for this class, the GT40α features a phono equalizer for recording your precious LPs. Switch between Moving Magnet (MM) and Moving Coil (MC) or Line input
Highest Quality Parts: The GT40α features a high-quality amplifier and condenser supporting its high-performance analog circuit (NJM5532 OPAMP： for ADC,DAC,Line in and out and NJM2068 OPAMP： for Phono )
High-End Audio Grade Connections: The GT40α is equipped with gold-plated Teflon-insulated RCA jacks with an extremely high-quality aluminum chassis and machined volume knob
Gotta go back to 24bit flac with this one 😎
Congratulations dj paul, it is a perfect purchase. I hope your projects are recorded in excellent quality with this new audio component.
Nice! Will you be able to hear an audible difference?
Very nice, Paul. I look forward to listening.
Goddddammit Paul ! You get a new audio interface and STILL NO DSD ! You dont need to be releasing it to us with your hosting headaches but you should be ripping to DSD for your own future archival purposes. I bought a DSD DAP last year and the DSD 5.6mhz Vinyl rips i have been getting from rutracker are a religious experience and sound superior to 24bit PCM. So much so i bought a Project Record Master Hi-Res with built in DSD ADC to rip my own records with. I highly recommend that model. NOT having a Dig at… Read more »
I’m with you on the lossless and uploading the 24bit somewhere was always the plan. Unfortunately i’m moving house at the moment and just dont have the bandwidth so the Mega is just a stopgap. FYI the BTG archive is
24bit 96KHz .flac : 230Gb
16bit 48khz .flac : 112Gb
.m4a : 14.9 Gb
I did away with the plan because $40 a month for Mega adds up to like $500 a tear something like that which is expensive if more people donated regularly I might be able to do that.
Impressive numbers.
A torrent with limitations would do, with Paul’s approval and perhaps linked to the fundraising.
Great Idea + highly appreciated.
I’m still longing for various hi-res versions I missed.
There is a point in DSD, especially when the source and other hardware are of that high level standards.
I rip DSDs myself, cannot mention the same day with Paul.
Did Paul give his approval? According to the FAQ he does not want his rips posted outside of his blog.
For what it does at this price point it’s an excellent value. For anyone looking to integrate their digital and analog needs this is an excellent choice for relatively little money.