USB Turntables - Comments Page 1

I bought the Sony PS-LX300 USB turntable and I am very satisfied! As soon as I loaded the Sony software that came with it, it notified me that there was an upgrade to the software that was for free. I paid less than $120 because it was an open box that someone did not know how to use. The belt drive comes with a red sticker tape that you lift up and place over the motor shaft. Apparently, whoever purchased it did not know how to make it work and probably assumed it was broken.

I have recorded about eight vinyl records and the software is simply fantastic! It takes out the hiss and popping without harming the quality of the audio. I just wonder how long the needle will last.

Thanks for featuring it in your article and nothing could be easier than hooking up the turntable via a USB jack. I have mine hooked up to an amplifier and to my computer so I can listen over speakers what the actual sound is going to be.

If you have old 78's, it's not vital to have a turntable that plays them at that speed, as Audacity has a speed conversion as one of its many facilities. Very useful free software. I use it extensively. Not sure what the stylus position is, though, as I imagine a standard stylus (being the wrong radius for a 78 groove) could get wrecked.

Simplistic question: My turntable/receiver setup is about 10-12 feet from the computer. Is the distance going to be a problem for quality? I know there has to be some limit to the cable length before increased S/N, etc. deterioration. After all, the digital conversion doesn't happen until the signal makes the trip to the computer.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I don't think 12 feet of good quality audio cable is too far -- don't worry about it.

The S shaped arm is only one of 2 ways to lower distortion. A properly designed straight arm with the proper head offset will accomplish the same thing.

I saw some of the USB turntables in the store. It appeared that they only converted to MP3. That sucks! Sure MP3 is ok for devices that have limited storage space,but you need something that converts to a better format for maximum listening enjoyment.

BTW I hooked up my old Technics turntable to phono pre-amp and then connected it to the sound card on my computer.Total expense was $20 for the pre-amp at Fry's The pre-amp ran on 110 volts ac,and had an option to run on a 9 V DC for cleaner operation.

In a reply from David (great name) above, he mentions Audacity having a speed conversion utility. Hmmm, I wonder if you could use that like High Speed Dubbing on old dual cassette decks? Put a 33 1/3, set the speed at 45 (or 78 if possible) and dub the LP about 40 percent faster at 45 RPM or about 140 percent faster at 78.... Quality might suffer. :)

Comment to borgward: I have the ION turntable. The supplied software will save in .wav format, in addition to mp3, which can then be converted to anything you want in another program. That also allows for directly saving to audio CDs without conversion from a compressed format. I imagine (but do not know for sure) that this option is available with most of these turntables.

i got the audacity over a year ago from amazon for $99.99, no tax, and no shipping! within 5 minutes out of the box i had my first mp3... i love the audacity software. best buy i've made in a long time.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Ummmm, actually not. Audacity is free software. See http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/

Picked up an Innovative Technology (iT) USB turntable at JC Penney before Christmas for $89 after rebate. Comes with Audacity freeware, and both USB and analog twin pair. Does 33, 45 and 78. Seems like the right and left channel are the same, on the captured audio, but I specified stereo. Anybody know where to tweak the inputs on either the hardware or Audacity?

Another option is to use the DAK.com (http://www.dak.com/Reviews/2020Story.cfm) mixer for $69.90 and the included software if you already have a turntable (as I do). They also sell a turntable/mixer package for $219.00 if you do not have a turntable.
The software if flexible allowing for burning to a CD or saving to file on the PC. The instructions are very good and the customer support is first rate with almost instant response to emails. I have had the unit for a month and have converted 67 albums without a problem.