Showing posts with label vinyl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vinyl. Show all posts

Audio-Technica AT-PEQ3 - Phono preamplifier Review

Audio-Technica AT-PEQ3 - Phono preamplifier
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I bought this based on a recommendation from Stereophile Magazine. I saw the previous review about the loud hum and assumed that there was some sort of ground loop problem in their setup. When I got the unit and set it up, I was dismayed to hear a loud hum in my setup as well. After some experimenting I was able to eliminate the hum. Now the unit is dead quiet and sounds great.
At first I set up the turntable using the grounding post on the pre-amp. After hearing the hum, I grounded the turntable directly to the amplifier, but had the signal running through the pre-amp, and now everything is fine. I suspect more modern turntables (and more modern amps) won't have this problem.
I highly recommend this unit. It sounds noticeably better than the phono pre-amp in my ancient Sansui 1000a.


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CDJ1000 MK2 Review

CDJ1000 MK2
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Despite of all magazine reviews, the Pioneer CDJ-1000Mk2 is the new 1200 of the industry (if you know what i am talking). It has 4 types of pich 6% 10% 16% and Wide (a.k.a 100%) the large very large Dial, that has very touch sensitve feeling so if you are scrach DJ, or any type this is the most versatile dial you can buy... forget denon.. forget techics (the new one.. not the mk2)... this is the baby every one has on raves and big shows. the screen is brighter than the Mk1 version (even do, i havent seen mk1 in action).
it has revers funtions, that allows to back spin the cd even if scraching... also its quick!! loading and un-loading, it has 3 cue points, so if you are undecide , set them up and change your mind with out setting up again the cue points
the only bad thing about this cd player its that its expensive so if you are one of those bedroom DJ, you might wana wait till you get 2k so you can buy a pair.


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The CDJ1000MK2 is a powerful tool for live performance and studio use.It is equipped with professional options such as looping, digital I/O, 16 second shock-proof memory for normal CD play and much more.With all its options, it can be seamlessly integrated into a DJs set up.With vinyl scratch functions and turntable feel, it opens up creativity to all that music that may easier to find on CD.

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Grado Prestige Silver Standard Mount Turntable Cartridge Review

Grado Prestige Silver Standard Mount Turntable Cartridge
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I bought this cartridge for my Technics 1200 turntable, having already owned the budget Black model. The Silver does everything the Black does but better. It is fuller sounding with deeper bass and a more articulate midrange. More importantly, the soundstage is wider and deeper.
In my review of the Black, I felt it was like a low cost moving coil with excellent presentation of small details and a very neutral balance.The Grado sound is natural, warm yet detailed. There is no brightness. And while the Black can sound a bit small and lean the Silver serves up a bigger fuller sound while retaining all of the positive virtues of its less expensive stable mate. My listening includes jazz, classical and rock. I think the Grados are good with all kinds of music but I am most impressed with their natural presentation for classical and opera records.
At the price of the Silver, only the Denon DL110 offers actual high output moving coil performance. Ortofon has one for slightly more money. The Silver is actually a special moving iron design which Grado has used and refined for decades. The Grados are made in the USA.
Visually the Silver is identical to the Black except there are two silver dots on either side of the stylus holder indicating which model it is.
One thing I must warn about however is that this cartridge can hum on certain turntables that use unshielded motors. There are no hum issues on my Technics or Pioneer direct drives or my old Thorens 166 but it is a slight issue on my Rega. The Grado sounds fine at normal levels on the Rega (so not an issue for me)but hums when the cartridge gets close to the end of the side and near the motor (when played at very high volumes). It also hums noticeably on my older 1979 vintage Toshiba Direct Drive. This cartridge is also only an average tracker and certainly no match for the likes of a Shure or Nagaoka. However, I prefer the sound of the Grado Black and Silver to either of those cartridges.
So a strong recommendation for those with a compatible turntable. Grado also makes these in Pmount (T4P) so good for those sleek tables from the 1980s as well. I intend on trying a Grado Blue P mount for my other Technics table which uses that style of cartridge.

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Grado Prestige Black P Mount Turntable Phono Cartridge Review

Grado Prestige Black P Mount Turntable Phono Cartridge
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I saw this recommended for use with the Panasonic Technics SLBD20D Semi Automatic Turntable, but it cannot be used with that turntable due to a pronounced hum, even with the ground wire attached. This may be a good cartridge with a different turntable, one with a shielded or distant motor, but not with the SLBD20D. In fact, a brief Google search after I tried to use this cartridge with this turntable produced many references to "the infamous Grado hum" - so perhaps it has this problem with other turntables as well. This problem should surely be mentioned.

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Audio Technica AT90CD Universal Mount Phono Cartridge Bundle With Replacement Stylus For Turntables Review

Audio Technica AT90CD Universal Mount Phono Cartridge Bundle With Replacement Stylus For Turntables
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I've always trusted audio technica to have great products and this one is no disappointment. The fact that it came with an additional stylus was the icing on the cake.

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Numark TTX Professional Turntable Review

Numark TTX Professional Turntable
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These are great decks, and certainly hold their own against the industry standards. I've also got a pair of Technics (SL-1200M3D) that I've had for years. No complaints with those, of course, but I picked up the TTX1s so I could have a pair set up battle-style and more suited for scratching (straight tonearm, etc.).
Right out of the box, I could see that these were well-made turntables. The construction is quite solid. I believe they even weigh in slightly heavier than the 1200s.
For the price of these, the range of features is amazing. Here are some of them:
Selectable pitch control range (+/- 8%, 10%, 20% and 50%) - I tend to stick with +/- 8 because that's what I'm used to with the Technics, but for the occasional crazy mix, it's nice to have the option of greater range. The turntable also has a key lock feature, which allows you to adjust the tempo while the pitch stays the same. This is a very cool feature that CD DJs enjoy, so having it available for vinyl is fantastic.
Interchangeable tonearm - The tables come with both a straight and an S-shaped tonearm. They are very easy to switch out, but to be honest, I don't find myself changing them a lot. I just stick with the straight configuration, but for someone who might be using these for both turntablism and conventional DJing, the ability to switch would be great.
Designed for battle-style use - For those who like to work battle-style (the turntable positioned so the tonearm is in back rather than on the right side), the TTX1 is designed to easily accommodate that preference. As you can see from the photo, there are two start/stop buttons, so regardless of which way you have it turned, there will always be a button right where you're used to having it. Also, the pitch slider module and the RPM selection buttons module are interchangeable, so you can position the pitch slider to move up and down while in battle configuration (rather than having to adjust the pitch left to right). When you switch these controls, the LCD display automatically rotates so all of the info is still easily readable; a very nice touch.
Adjustable torque - Two thumbwheels on the turntable allow you to adjust the torque of the platter as well as the braking force. Compare this to the Technics, where you had to take the turntable apart and adjust some potentiometers with a small screwdriver. While on the subject of torque, I should mention that the TTX1 is insane in that department. The motor is quite noticeably more powerful than that of the Technics, and the start/stop times are phenomenal.
Output options - The TTX1 allows for three output configurations. You can output a phono-level signal (like most other turntables). This tends to be the cleanest signal because it's more or less a straight connection to the cartridge without going through the signal processor. The turntable also has line-level outputs (more like a CD player). These go through the internal signal processor to enable effects like the pitch lock feature. I have mine set up like this, and cannot discern any degradation in sound quality from the phono configuration. The third option is a digital (S/PDIF) output for use with a digital mixer or a direct connection to your computer.
I am hard-pressed to find anything bad to say about this product. There are a few minor things, but they're not big concerns. Here are the cons:
The left side of the turntable has a curve to it, which would make the turntable difficult to fit into a standard coffin case, if that was your preference.
The 45 adapter that comes with these is a light plastic thing, so I tend to use the solid metal ones that came with my 1200s. There's no place on the turntable to store the adapter, which isn't too big of a deal, since most people won't be spinning a lot of 7" 45s these days anyhow.
The turntable doesn't include a shell (dust cover). The TTX1 isn't really designed to sit on top of your home stereo anyway, so that omission isn't a big concern.
Overall, this is a fantastic turntable, and well deserving of the five stars I'm giving it. It's worthy to stand up there with the great decks from Technics and Vestax. I'm quite confident that these will give me many years of reliable use, just as I've come to expect from my 1200s.
One final note: As of this writing, the product photo here on Amazon depicts the TT1600, and not the TTX1. To see what the LCD and other cool features look like, check out the Numark web site for the correct photo (they call it the TTX, and not the TTX1).

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The result of extensive research into the needs of professional DJs, the TTX1 deftly combines unmatched torque, incredible precision, and the world's first interchangeable tonearm design for optimal performance under all conditions. The turntable is sleek and attractive, with an ergonomic housing that weighs a hefty 28.6 pounds and accommodates the requirements of both beat mixing and scratching setups. It's specifically built with a solid core to fight vibration and unwanted noise while employing an anti-drag aluminum platter to reduce friction. The platter also boasts a quick-start setting with 6.2 lbs./inch of torque, though the start can be adjusted, as can the brake system.
It's the tonearm assembly that really shines, however. The tonearm is made from die-cast aluminum and is compatible with both S-shaped and straight tubes. DJs can use an S-shaped tube in conventional mode to mix and blend tracks, or they can turn the deck 90 degrees and attach the straight arm for scratching and battling. The latter setting is made more user-friendly by the beveled left-hand edge and the pair of stop/start buttons. Users can also swap the pitch fader with the control buttons for further accessibility.
DJs will delight in the backlit LCD display, which not only informs them of the motor's direction, but also includes tidbits such as the platter speed, pitch adjustment, key lock status (which changes song tempo without affecting the key), and beats per minute. Speaking of turntable speeds and pitch control, the TTX1 supports 33-1/3, 45, and 78 rpm vinyl and toggles between a pitch range of +/- 8, 10, 20, and 50 percent, allowing the DJ to mix endlessly with few restrictions. Additional features include switchable phono and line outputs, an S/PDIF output for digital devices, and an illuminated output bay. The assembly measures 18.1 by 5.3 by 14.6 inches (W x H x D) and carries a two-year warranty.
What's in the Box TTX1 turntable, right-angle IEC power cord, right-angle RCA cord, S-shaped tonearm tube, straight tonearm tube, phono cartridge, warranty card, user's manual.

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Shure M92E Hi-Fi Moving Magnet Cartridge Review

Shure M92E Hi-Fi Moving Magnet Cartridge
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This is a good all around cartridge especially if your not after a superior sound. It's very "neutral" and uncolored which is a real plus. However, the upper frequencies-cymbals, "sibilants" etc.-get pretty muddy. Don't let this scare you. This puppy, especially when mounted on a good straight arm P-mount, will track almost anything! If you can find a Shure 104E stylus to replace the stock stylus you'll be pleasantly surprised at how good the 92E cartridge really sounds! I only give it 4 stars because the stock stylus is a little lacking on the high end, at least to my ear anyway! Good overall value especially given that it's a "universal" mounting system.

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Suitable for a wide variety of applications, the Shure M92E moving magnet phono cartridge faithfully reproduces the sound of your records at an affordable price. Once mounted on your turntable's tonearm (it fits both common tonearm types), its natural bi-radial diamond tip and aluminum-alloy stylus cantilever combine to precisely trace the grooves of almost any record for a difference you can hear. In addition, the model's low 1.25-gram tracking force helps prolong the life of your vinyl--an important consideration for collectors and serious music fans. Audio-wise, the M92E boasts an essentially flat frequency response of 20 Hz to 18 kHz and a stereo balance within 2 dB, so your favorite tunes sound rich and nuanced through the average speaker set.
The M92E comes with a standard mount adapter, hardware, and a stylus guard and is covered by Shure's standard one-year warranty.
What's in the Box M92E cartridge, standard mount adapter, mounting hardware, stylus guard, user's manual.

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Ortofon SH-4 Black Headshell Review

Ortofon SH-4 Black Headshell
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I had the Technics headshells for close to 10 years and I was beginning to have sound quality issues with the new cartridges I had just purchased. So I ordered the Ortofon headshells and the sound quality is incredible. It comes with a weight plate and screws with nuts. I am very pleased with the product. The only drawback is the finger lift. It is much longer than the standard finger lift which is great for grabbing but it is difficult to find a case to store the headshell with the cartridge.

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TCC TC-750 BLACK Audiophile Phono Preamp, Pre-amp (Preamplifier) Review

TCC TC-750 BLACK Audiophile Phono Preamp, Pre-amp (Preamplifier)
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I have a fairly large collection of operas on LP's and had been having a friend transfer some of them to CD's. Unfortunately he seemed to have trouble keeping system noises, humming and buzzing, from entering the recordings so I decided to try for myself. I have an old Technics direct drive turntable equipped with a Stanton pickup. I read another review on the TC-750 which impressed me, so since this preamp was relatively inexpensive I decided to give it a try. It arrived shortly after ordering particularly for Hawaii, and I hooked the turntable up to the TC-750 and that in turn to a VCR which is plugged into the sound card of my computer. Using Nero software that came with a Sony DVD burner I captured several of the operas and burned them onto CD's. I cannot emphasis to much how elated I am with the sound. It is absolutely clean and smooth. The sound reproduction is perfect. I am totally estatic with the performance of the relatively inexpensive TC-750 phono preamp, and highly recommend it to anyone wanting to connect a magnet phono pickup to a standard audio imput.

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Audio Technica AT3482P P-Mount Magnetic Cartridge Review

Audio Technica AT3482P P-Mount Magnetic Cartridge
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It's not that the compact disc cannot show its superiority at times under the right conditions but as usual the industry has reached a point whereas to sacrifice true dynamics for the sake of mass production. Did this not also occur during the glory days of analog vinyl reproduction? Still the big full artwork of the analog record cover may be reason enough for one to get bit {so to speak} by this very nostalgic analog bug as I and many others have recently! Besides...records...or vinyl if you will...are alot more interesting...are they not?
And what about those of you still fortunate enough to own one of the great {OK sometimes not so great} Technics and Pioneer P-Mount turntables like myself. As you pull your new found treasure from that dusty musty ole cellar box...you notice that the stylus {needle} ain't lookin' too great. The cantilever is rusted or the stylus is bent. So now what are you going to do?
You're probably gonna look for an o.e.m. replacement stylus/needle on line. Don't bother! Yes...it might be out there but probably will cost more than the fine product up for review here. Besides...one of the features of a T4P/P-Mount system is the fact that the cartridge can easily be pulled out after removing the side screw. Instead of replacing the needle...you can simply opt to {at low cost} replace the whole kit-'n-kabootle!
Of course there are limited pickins for P-Mounters these days and really only one that actuallly performs well. Enter the A-T 3482P cartridge with uniradial or conical stylus shape. The cartridge itself is downright sexy looking with its high glossy piano black finish and white lettering stamped on top. This is no run-in-the-mill A-T!
Audio-technica also offers a similarly priced, specified and constructed white model with bonded .7 mil stylus that is interchangeable with the introduction of its A-T 90CD but there are significant differences! One being the 3.5 mv output of the A-T 90 as opposed to the higher 5.0 mv output of the A-T 3482. The other is more significant but perhaps so easily overlooked.
The cantilever of the A-T 90CD is a thin alloy hollow tube that is so commonly found on numerous models from not only audio-technica but from Shure and others in this price range. Unfortunately...at least in their P-Mount form...they all stink! The cantilever of the 3482 however is a dark-colored light rigid skip-resisting carbon fiber type and it sounds good...very good...and sweet!
It also holds the groove better than any of the others. Some of the others don't perform as well at the 1.25 gram factory preset of most P-Mount tonearms because they are designed to operate ideally at higher forces. The 3482P is designed for optimum tracking at the factory settings of P-Mount tables.
Bass with the A-T 3482 in place is well-defined, strong and powerful without being overdone. Stereo separation, mids, highs and imaging are all superb! Sibilance also is handled well by this cart although not quit equal to the best standard mounts. At least you won't want to take cover everytime your favorite artist splatters that S-SSS-SSSSound!
Since using the A-T 3482P with my new TC-160LC Phono Preamp...the news gets even better! Guitar pickin' has really become something special and I am appreciating the subtlety aspect of this nice cartridge even more. For you old timers...like myself...remember when you owned your first Dual turntable way back when and for an extra twenty bucks you received that great Shure Hi-Track M91E??? Remember when once aligned properly with Dual's little plastic protractor...how great transients sounded...and how clean...Clean...C-L-E-A-N those Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, 4 Seasons, Neil Young, Beatles and Joni Mitchell LP's sounded???
Well...this is precisely what I'm getting with the A-T 3482P/Technics SL-D30/TCC TC-160LC combo...only better! By comparison and just for the hell of it...I recently substituted the A-T 3482P with the company's slightly higher priced A-T 92ECD model which features an aluminum cantilever with .003 x .007 elliptical stone. Remembering how well the A-T/Signets with a similar stylus shape sounded back in the day...I expected much more than what I received from this cart.
I found myself immediately yanking the 92ECD out of the Technics tonearm while putting the 3482 back in its place. Whew!...I was just happy to have that CARBON FIBER CANTILEVER BACK AT THE HELM AGAIN.
The 3482 has a nice way of staying detailed and dynamic even on inner passages but it must be said that the Shure M97xE does perform slightly better in this regard. The M97xE is also two to three times the price of the A-T 3482. Funny how I find myself listening to the Technics/A-T rig quite a bit lately. Man...THAT GE-EEE-TAR P-I-C-K-I-N'!!!!
So...ole timers...here you go...here is your modern day Shure M91E bargain...at least in P-Mount form. It outperforms all other P-Mount designs past and present...PeterSince using the A-T 3482P with my new TC-160LC Phono Preamp...the news gets even better! Guitar pickin' has really become something special and I am appreciating the subtlety aspect of this nice cartridge even more. For you old timers...like myself...remember when you owned your first Dual turntable way back when and for an extra twenty bucks you received that great Shure Hi-Track M91E??? Remember when once aligned properly with Dual's little plastic protractor...how great transients sounded...and how clean...Clean...C-L-E-A-N those Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, 4 Seasons, Neil Young, Beatles and Joni Mitchell LP's sounded???
Well...this is precisely what I'm getting with the A-T 3482P/Technics SL-D30/TCC TC-160LC combo. By comparison and just for the hell of it...I recently substituted the A-T 3482P with the company's slightly higher priced A-T 92ECD model which features an aluminum cantilever with .003 x .007 elliptical stone. Remembering how well the A-T/Signets with a similar stylus shape sounded back in the day...I expected much more than what I received from this cart.
I found myself immediately yanking the 92ECD out of the Technics tonearm while putting the 3482 back in its place. Whew!...I was just happy to have that CARBON FIBER CANTILEVER BACK AT THE HELM AGAIN.
The 3482 has a nice way of staying detailed and dynamic even on inner passages but it must be said that the Shure M97xE does perform slightly better in this regard. The M97xE is also two to three times the price of the A-T 3482. Funny how I find myself listening to the Technics/A-T rig quite a bit lately. Man...THAT GE-EEE-TAR P-I-C-K-I-N'!!!!
So...ole timers...here you go...here is your modern day Shure M91E bargain...at least in P-Mount form...Peter

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AUDIO TECHNICA Universal Mount Phono / Turntable Cartridge Review

AUDIO TECHNICA Universal Mount Phono / Turntable Cartridge
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A friend of mine who is a recording engineer recommended I get this one to go with a Technics turntable (sl-5 linear tracking, p mount only) rather than the Shure someone had put on it. I was hesitant because of the lack of reviews online and the price point. I thought it was too cheap to be really good. I have to say its the best thing I could've gotten. My main musical interest is rock, and some of it gets really hard and heavy. This cartridge makes music really come alive. The bass is full, without overpowering, all of the musical details are crisp and clean. Its dynamic, warm, spacious, vibrant! I haven't felt vinyl in a long time. I could totally feel it with this. I just can't believe that its so underrated. Well, maybe that keeps it nice and affordable.

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Sony PS-LX250H Automatic Belt-Drive Turntable Review

Sony PS-LX250H Automatic Belt-Drive Turntable
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No, you can't use this Sony turntable to beat mix 12" dance records or to perform fancy dj-ing tricks. And it certainly will not compare with any $1000 audiophile turntables in terms of audio reproduction quality. This amazingly inexpensive unit will function nicely, however, if you are seeking a basic turntable to play records.
This turntable will NOT play old 78 rpm records, but it does just fine with 45's (the small "hold in the middle" kind or l2") or 33 1/3 rpm lp's. Operation is simple: all you need to do is place the record on the platter, put down the built-in dust cover, and push "start." If you wish to interrupt play, you push "stop." If you want to raise the tonearm above the record temporarily, you push "up/down." What could be simpler?
Since it includes its own built-in preamp, this unit is easy to use in conjunction with a home computer. Why would someone do this? Not only can you utilize your computer's audio reproduction capabilities to listen to records as you work (or play), but hooking up a turntable to your sound card is the first step in setting up a system to convert your old vinyl records to digital files so you can burn them to cd. That's mainly how I use my PS-LX250H, and in this capacity is has performed flawlessly and magnificently.
It's unfair to rate this item based upon unrealistic comparisons to far more feature-laden and expensive turntables. What's truly astonishing here is just what a fine machine Sony has made available for such a bargain price.

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The PSLX250H Automatic Belt-Drive Turntable features fully automatic operation, a belt driven system with 33-1/3 and 45 RPM speeds, a balanced tone arm, and front-mounted controls. Plus it includes a phono cartridge with a bonded diamond stylus. So pull out those records that you haven't played in a long time and start to reminisce.

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Pioneer PL-990 2-Speed Full Auto Type Fully Automatic Turntable Review

Pioneer PL-990 2-Speed Full Auto Type Fully Automatic Turntable
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When you're comparing turntables on the lower end of the spectrum, such as the Pioneer PL-990, it's very difficult to really find audible fault with these players. One is more apt to find personal faults in the players rather than in the performance, and such is the case here.
I have owned low end Sony, Technics, Audio Technica players in this price range. The Pioneer is the best looking players of all the lower end models. It features speed control, arm control, 45 play capability, fully automatic, just about everything you want in a player. I'm surprised the speed control is included in this price.
The sound of the player is nothing short of great, and not having played LPs for awhile made my old LPs come to life instantly.
My personal gripe with the player is that it doesn't allow you to hook into your existing PHONO jacks ( if you have them ) on your receiver. It has a built-in pre-amp and it won't allow you to bypass. I have a PHONO jack, and would have liked the option to choose to by-pass the pre-amp, like the Sony does. Luckily, I had some open jacks and I had sound instantly. The player would have received a 5-star rating if it weren't for this small inconvenience.
Other than that minor gripe, this is one snazzy looking player, and at this price, it will be hard to beat. The classy look of this player, plus all of the features will make a great addition to your existing system.

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2-speed, fully automatic stereo turntable with phono EQ and moving magnet cartridge included

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Technics SL1200MLK2 TurnTable Review

Technics SL1200MLK2 TurnTable
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I've known some people to still own a manually operated Technics that has lasted over 25 years (the beauty of a manual is no extra gizmos or electronics to break down or mechanically and annoyingly affect pure playback) ! If you want proof just look at how many Denon or other top brand name turntables listed on E-Bay will often carry a disheartening claimer by the seller that reads something like, "turntable works fine except automatic tonearm or speed chip sensor does not work properly".Lesson learned is to stay away from turntables with a lot of "computerized-electronic sensing automatic features". So, no, this 'table is not an automatic nor is it for the lazy listener who will fall asleep only to wake up and find the needle has been scratching and bumping at the end of playing. Once you damage your needle in this fashion you will never make the mistake of falling asleep again while playing it.... But, again, the trade off or sacrifice is worth it versus having an automatic tonearm malfunctioning with time. It was first and foremost designed back in the 70's as a mid-priced audiophile turntable for home consumer use and later incorporated as the reference or standard dj equipment for radio stations and then dj/scratching venues. Over the years Technics has fine tuned and tweaked what was already, in my opinion, an almost perfected machine. While audiophile purists and snobs gasp at the thought of using a direct drive 'table to hear their precious vinyl collection, I for one don't mind a direct drive over a belt drive. Advantages of a direct drive is no belt to replace, wow & flutter are almost non-existant (since the platter is driven by the spindle shaft motor directly), speed accuracy is on target. Some purists have pointed out that this 'table is not "dead" sounding enough and may produce some rumble or motor vibration noise when listening to extreme quiet passages on classical disc pressings. So far I have tested some classical records and cannot hear any unwanted vibrations coming from the motor or disturbing noises.In fact, Technics makes one of the best turntables with a very quiet and smooth running motor. The plinth is heavily weighed down and isolated from unwanted vibrations that would otherwise be picked up by the cartridge.Over the years I have owned a fully automatic-remote controlled Kenwood table, a Pioneer 'table, and an el cheapo Sears LXI 'table...All of these turntables ended up in a junk pile in Siberia due to their cheap plastic nature and gamut of so-called bells and whistles. Technics is the only one for those, like myself, not yet to make it into the higer end audiophile arena with 'tables costing from $1000.00 and beyond price range realm. I have used everything from a cheap Audio Technica cartridge to a mid priced Shure cartridge and finally a Grado Prestige cartridge (the Grado being the best in sound quality, price and workmanship).Whether you decide to use an Ortofon DJ cartridge/needle for DJ/scratching purposes or a Grado audiophile cartridge for in home listening you will be thrilled of the workmanship and sound quality of this finely crafted and engineered product ! As a plus, the Technics is an aesthetically pleasing piece of audio gear to look at and realize some solid materials were used to produce it...Finally, who would have thunk decades ago that the Technics 1200 would carry the distinction to be used as a "DJ instrument" for scratching (the motor is that strong) as well as being dubbed the honorary title of the true "Wheel of Steel"!

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Numark TTUSB Turntable with USB Review

Numark TTUSB Turntable with USB
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I've been looking for a way to easily convert the old vinyl to iPod-ready MP3s. A bunch of my old LPs will never see the light of a CD so this looked like a great, one-step way of digitizing the old, round, black things with all the grooves.
Backstory: I'm a Mac guy, and I've worked with and taught audio production for a number of years so I more or less know my way around the audio world. That said...
This works quite well, but has a few limitations. Out of the box it plugged right in via the USB port and it also has stereo RCA jacks (such as would plug into the back of your tuner/amp) on the back. Drawback #1 is that the RCA jacks are hard-wired into the base of the turntable so if you don't use them (and are using the USB connector) there's no way to get rid of them. They dangle. This _could_ be causing a problem and I'll address that in a moment.
The turntable worked great, though I"m not sure why they put a pitch control on it if there's no strobe light to verify the speed of the unit. Sort of like putting a tachometer on a car with an automatic transmission. Why?
Beyond that, it has two speeds, 33 and 45 (with adapter) and the LPs sounded OK on the speed. If you are wanting to digitize your old 78s, you can record them at 33 and use the software (see below) to get them to the right speed.
Drawback #2: No tonearm cueing lever so you are manually dropping the arm onto the vinyl disk. Don't drink a lot of coffee before you cue your records, especially since it has a counterweight adjustment on the tonearm that make the tonearm almost wightless. It really tough (even without coffee) to drop that ultra-light arm onto the vinyl without bounce and shake. Be careful...
The audio processing software that ships with the unit is "Audacity," an open-source freeware that you can also download from the Web. If you are using an Intel Mac, make sure you download the new version, as the Mac software supplied on the disk is out of date. PeeCee users with Win2000 and XP should be ready to go. You can also use it with most other audio processing software apps.
Audacity software is a bit clunky, but it works OK for this task. I've used it for a number of years so I felt at home with it. If you are new to it you may not be comfortable with it for a while. But it does a good job and you can easily fix clicks, pops, and vinyl noise with the software. To make the final export to MP3 you also need to download MP3 conversion software (LAME...that's an MP3 encoder, not an opinion...and it's also free), as it's not part of Audacity. No biggie. Once it's downloaded and you link it once so Audacity can find it, you're done and it's forever invisible.
Drawback #3: There seems to be a very, very faint hum through the USB connection and I can't find the source. It may be a grounding issue but there is no grounding connection on this, a basically plasitc body and base. You don't notice the hum during the music, but if you listen it's there in the silence between the tracks. It may also come from those dangling RCA cables that you can't unhook. Until I can isolate and eliminate the hum, I'm just editing out the noise between the tracks with the Audacity "generate silence" command. Again, no biggie, but it's an extra step.
Once you've captured an entire side of a vinyl, you add "markers" to the recorded track to indicate the track breaks, hit Audacity's "Export Multiple" command, select MP3 (assuming you have downloaded the LAME software) and your ready for iTunes. It's slick.
Overall: The turntable works very well for my needs. A serious audiophile may scoff at it and be displeased with the minor hum problem or the lack of a cueing lever, but hey, the price is right. I'd give it a Five-Star rating if it had a cueing lever, detatchable RCA cables, and no faint hum between the tracks.

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The TTUSB is a unique, plug and play, USB compatible turntable that makes digitizing your vinyl record collection to your PC or Mac a snap. Packaged with all the necessary cables to connect with a computer or stereo playback system, along with software to remove clicks, pops, and other undesirable characteristics of vinyl, the TTUSB is a comprehensive package that breathes new life into older recordings.

USB Turntable Numark is known for their turntables, and this one lives up to the company name. Features include an adjustable Anti-Skate control for increased stereo balancing, 33-1/3 and 45 RPM speed playback (with 78 rpm support via software), line level RCA outputs with built-in preamp, and an adjustable pitch control of plus or minus 10%.
The USB output means a no-fuss, plug-and-play connection to your PC or Mac for easy archiving.
Stereo Line Input As an added benefit, the TTUSB also includes a 1/8-inch stereo mini jack input connector to facilitate the transfer of cassette tapes (or similar line level sources) to computer files-making this unit the perfect tool for archiving older recordings, regardless of their original format.
EZ Vinyl Converter 2 The included EZ Converter software quickly rips your vinyl collection directly to iTunes. MixMeister's software lets you easily designate each track with the click of a button, and retrieves track names and other info using Gracenote technology. Once it's in iTunes (or the playback software of your choice), make playlists, burn CDs, or transfer to your iPod or other media player.
Audacity For the editing of your transferred files, the included Audacity software (PC and Mac compatible) provides a wealth of easy-to-use features. Remove clicks, pops, and other vinyl surface noise. Export your analog music to popular digital formats such as WAV or MP3, and turn your old, forgotten records to the top of your digital music playlist.
What's in the Box TTUSB Turntable (Includes Pre-Mounted Cartridge, Platter, Counterweight, 45RPM Adapter, Slipmat), USB Cable, Software CD, User's Manual

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Audio Technica AT-PL60USB Fully Automatic Belt Driven Turntable with USB Port Review

Audio Technica AT-PL60USB Fully Automatic Belt Driven Turntable with USB Port
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Have been waiting and watching and after my first use, download to the computer, and mp3 file creation, I'm happy enough to recommend this product.
For under a hundred bucks the quality seems great. The manual for setup of the system and software is well done with step by step pictures.
I have mine connected to both the computer and external speakers. I'm able to listen to the music while recording thru the external speakers and listen to playback of the downloaded music thru head phones on the computer.
the software has lots of options to play with. but the basic " push the red button to record " and file save as and file export, get the job done to make your albums digital.

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Digitize your favorite 33-1/3 and 45 RPM records on the Audio Technica AT-PL60USB turntable, which comes equipped with a USB output that allows direct connection to your computer. The system offers Mac- and PC-compatible Audacity software, an integral dual-magnet Audio-Technica Dual Magnet phono cartridge with replaceable stylus, and a USB cable and adapter cables.
With Audacity recording software, you can convert tapes and records into digital recordings or CDs, change the speed or pitch of a recording, and more. The turntable also features a built-in switchable phono/line preamp that allows connection to a stereo system equipped with either a phono or line-level input.


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Audio-Technica AT-PL120 Professional Direct-Drive Turntable Review

Audio-Technica AT-PL120 Professional Direct-Drive Turntable
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I stopped listening to LPs as most folks did when CD players hit the mass market. Convenience was the name of the game, particularly the ease of listening to music on the road. But what a tremendous difference in sound vinyl really provides! I chose the AT-PL120 after several hours of research on the web over a couple of days. I first considered spending the least amount of money and considered the entry-level model AT-PL50. I talked to an audiophile shop and while the shop thought it was a good entry-level model, they advised me to consider the next step up because it was well worth the investment in terms of sound quality and equipment durability. Upon close inspection at a local electronic store, the AT-PL50 looked really cheap. I decided to spend more money and get decent quality. I considered the AT-APL120 and the Music Hall MMF2.1, which has pretty decent reviews. The difference came down to saving $50 or so and decided to try the Audio Tecnica. I must admit, the sound is impressive and the built quality of the turntable is really good. Besides the DJ features, which I really do not care about, it has several bells and whistles that makes it very professional looking. I am using a pair of B&W bookshelf and a Yamaha RX-777, perhaps one of the few available stereos for music listening you can still get. The combination works well, but no doubt the vinyl sounds much better than a well-recorded CD. The AT-PL120 makes the sound really come alive! If you still have your old records and invested in taking good care of them, spend a few bucks and get this turntable. If I ever decide to burn a few LPs to play them in my car, it also has the built in amp. All in all, after two days of playing LPs on this turntable, I am very satisfied. The AT-PL120 comes pretty well boxed too. Too bad that Amazon packed it in a big but soft box, which was open on one side when UPS delivered. If it wasn't for the Audio Tecnica box, I would have refused the shipment. Luckily it all works like it is supposed to.

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Audio-Technica's AT-LP120 direct-drive, high-torque professional turntable is perfect for DJs and other music enthusiasts, especially in an era that many would call "postvinyl," when it's no longer the norm for audio/video receivers or even integrated amplifiers to offer a dedicated phono input. A selectable internal stereo phono preamplifier lets you plug the turntable directly into any line-level input, even your PC's (when used with a stereo RCA to minijack "Y" adapter cable, not included). Alternately, you can use the player's phono output and an outboard, higher-quality phono preamplifier for even better sound quality.
The Audio-Technica AT-LP120 professional turntable (see larger image).

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