USB Turntables---Useful tool? Useless crap?

[Mike Walker]

Like most of the older guys (I suspect), I have mountains of vinyl. My aging Thorens needs work, so I'm thinking of purchasing a USB turntable for my studio...both for work, and to digitize my records for entertainment.

These USB turntables keep catching my eye. Particularly the affordable ones from Ion and Numark. The Ion with the S shaped tonearm actually looks reasonably well made. Anyone here got any experience with USB tables? I'm not going to drop half a grand for something like a Technics plus a preamp, because it's not like I use vinyl every day. But when I need it, I NEED IT!

Suggestions?

 

[Mike Walker]

Anyone tried this turntable?

http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...productId=2920518&support=support&tab=summary

I talked with Gem Sound, and they said it comes with a Stanton cartridge...probably that 500AL with the conical stylus. I seem to remember that thing mistracking "back in the day" when we dinosaurs spun vinyl for money.

Mike

 

[Chuck]

Anyone tried this turntable?

http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...productId=2920518&support=support&tab=summary

I talked with Gem Sound, and they said it comes with a Stanton cartridge...probably that 500AL with the conical stylus. I seem to remember that thing mistracking "back in the day" when we dinosaurs spun vinyl for money.

Mike

I have a friend who has a Stanton T-90 USB turntable, and he says he likes it. It seems it does exactly what they say it will do. It will play 78's if that is of any interest.

 

[Sgeirk]

I have read that the numark usb turntable sounds "tinny and noisy." I haven't heard one myself.

It may stand to reason that they don't sound perfect. But, if you absolutely need to get something off of vinyl, it may work just fine.

If you're archiving personal, valuable stuff...you might kick yourself down the road after you throw out your vinyl.