USB turntable

[Christiern]

I saw this listed at Circuit City for $149. Has anyone here tried it, or something similar?

ION USB Turntable (ITTUSB)

Convert vinyl: ION has created the world’s first USB turntable, allowing you to convert your old vinyl collection directly to CD or MP3 with the included recording software. (No special drivers needed.)

Features: This turntable also has line level output for connecting to any home stereo with CD or auxiliary (AUX) inputs. It features 33 1/3 and 45 RPM (software allows for 78 RPM), adjustable anti-skating control for increased stereo balancing, high-speed vinyl recording, line level RCA outputs, and adjustable pitch control +/- 8%.

Software: The ION USB turntable includes Audacity software for Mac/PC for recording and allows for 78 RPM conversion. It also includes a trial of Bias Soundsoap 2 for cleaning and restoring vinyl.

Computer requirements:

PC running Windows 98, 2000, or XP

Mac running OS9 or greater

One available USB1.1 port

[Claude]

ION has created the world’s first USB turntable, allowing you to convert your old vinyl collection directly to CD or MP3 with the included recording software. (No special drivers needed.)

It's the first time I see such a thing, but in my view that's not really innovative, since it consists in integrating a phono amplifier and a USB soundcard into a turntable. Most users already have a soundcard, and a phono amp can be found for $20 and a decent used turntable for less than $100. The parts in that USB turntable are probably low end quality.

Edited April 27, 2006 by Claude

[David Ayers]

Since I already have a turntable and a soundcard, what do I need to connect one to the other and record LPs?

Thanks for any help...!

Edited April 27, 2006 by David Ayers

[Claude]

The turntable was discussed some time ago on the Steve Hoffman forum:

http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=71554

[Claude]

Since I already have a turntable and a soundcard, what do I need to connect one to the other and record LPs?

Thanks for any help...!

Your soundcard only accepts line level (CD player etc) and microphone inputs, and the sound of a turntable need to be preamplified and equalized (hence the dedicated phono input on older amplifiers).

So you need a seperated phono amplifier, which can be found in the price range of $20 to $20000

The turntable will be connected to the phono amp inputs (RCA plugs), and the RCA plugs of the phono amp outputs will be connected to the soundcard using a RCA to mini-headphone adapter cable.

Here's some info on budget phono amps:

http://www.delback.co.uk/lp-cdr.htm#record_preamp

If you only need one temporarily (to make a few CD-Rs from LPs), you can also find an amplifier or receiver with a phono input and connect the soundcard to the Tape Record or Tape Out connections of the amplifier.

Edited April 27, 2006 by Claude

[7/4]

I posted this two years ago, I was all jazzed about it and then never followed up.

http://www.organissimo.org/forum/index.php...wtopic=8406&hl=

[David Ayers]

Thanks Claude! I have got a free standing pre-amp (a Quad 44). I imagine that has line-out there somewhere. That may mean I only need a cable! How exciting... why didn't I think of this before? Now I can flood the world with illegal mp3s of obscure LPs...

[David Ayers]

In fact I've got three line outs - 500mV (for the amp), 1.6 V and 5 V. Will that cover it do you think? Also a couple of tape outs.

[Claude]

The output for the power amp should be avoided, since it is affected by the volume, balance and tone controls. The Tape Out is the best choice

[David Ayers]

The output for the power amp should be avoided, since it is affected by the volume, balance and tone controls. The Tape Out is the best choice

Thanks, - noted!

[porcy62]

Why should you need such awful thing, (as vinyl fetichist I can't even call it a TT ) ?

I mean: if you want an analog sound you have to get some decent stuff, that doesn't always mean KK$$, if you want to record your LP on a cd-r you still need a serious stuff, plus some decent editing software, otherwise you can buy a cd.

And if the purpose is to listen to records through a computer you need a good phsychiatrist.

Sincerly I found it totally useless.

[Noj]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this enables one to burn LPs to CDR. I would find this useful because I have material on vinyl that I'd like to hear in my iPod.

[Christiern]

Let us all bow our heads and hope that porcy62 hasn't suffered too much by reading this thread.

[porcy62]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this enables one to burn LPs to CDR. I would find this useful because I have material on vinyl that I'd like to hear in my iPod.

This is probably the only use of this stuff: transform a great analog sound in a compressed digital format in a cheap way. Anyway I wouldn't spin any of my rare LPs on that 'TT' more than once. The poor Roy Du Nann should turn in it's grave at this very moment.

[porcy62]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this enables one to burn LPs to CDR. I would find this useful because I have material on vinyl that I'd like to hear in my iPod.

This is probably the only use of this stuff: transform a great analog sound in a compressed digital format in a cheap way. Anyway I wouldn't spin any of my rare LPs on that 'TT'. The poor Roy Du Nann should turn in it's grave at this very moment.

Edited April 28, 2006 by porcy62

[porcy62]

Let us all bow our heads and hope that porcy62 hasn't suffered too much by reading this thread.

Actually it will cost me another 45 min with my analyst

Edited April 28, 2006 by porcy62

[Claude]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this enables one to burn LPs to CDR. I would find this useful because I have material on vinyl that I'd like to hear in my iPod.

As I wrote above, any old turntable can be connected to a PC (through an amplifier) and be used to convert LPs to CD-R or MP3. If you buy a regular non-USB turntable and a cheap phono amp, you will get the same or better sound quality for a lower cost.

This product offers no new functionalities. People have been recording LPs to CD-R for as long as CD-R burner exist (10 years).

[Noj]

Thanks Claude. Won't you also need a stand-alone cd burner to use the turntable and amp method?

[couw]

Thanks Claude. Won't you also need a stand-alone cd burner to use the turntable and amp method?

no, you feed the signal of the phono amp into your soundcard using this ditty cable thing that goes from two plugs to one slim headphone plug like Claude described above. Then you record using some audio software, which is available for cheap or even for free.

[Noj]

Duh, thanks couw. Does that work the same for a Mac? Might be worth skipping the headache to just get some USB thingie I can plug in and go.

[couw]

Duh, thanks couw. Does that work the same for a Mac? Might be worth skipping the headache to just get some USB thingie I can plug in and go.

should work same for a Mac. all you need is a soundcard and any of those is llikely to give you better results than this ditty. Sometimes it is certainly worth to invest some time and effort into getting it good instead of just getting it working. You will want decent dubs of your vinyl, right?

[(BB)]

Duh, thanks couw. Does that work the same for a Mac? Might be worth skipping the headache to just get some USB thingie I can plug in and go.

I use the iMic with my Mac and it works great.

RCA jacks from the Amp to a banna plug cord that plugs into the iMic, and it provides the USB plug.

Very Simple. Let me know if you have any set up questions.

[Noj]

Thanks again couw. It might be a while, but thanks for the offer (BB). It will take me some time to buy the components.