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It's not really loud enough to listen to LP's directly. purchased to the intent of burning LP's to cd. However, you need a sound card for playback, and for whatever reason, my pc doesn't have one, so I've yet to record anything.yet again, a purchase that leads to another purchase. It does, however have the software, cables, dust cover, and a good, solid platter. Some assembly required.
The unit performs as advertized, but the sound quality is lacking. The transfered audio jus doesn't have that clear tone it does coming from my standard turntable. Another improvement would be a locking tonearm. Any knock and the tone arm goes flying.
With this last control, you can perform manual cueing but still lower the dust cover before you lower the arm.There is no catch on the tone arm rest to hold the tone arm in place when you move the turntable. The tone arm has an integrated cartridge with a diamond stylus. I decided to download the latest version from the Audacity website, rather than install the older version that came with the turntable. Assembly was mostly easy, though getting the belt (pre-installed on the platter) over the drive motor's pulley was a bit tricky.
I found it suitable for creating CDs from vinyl (you need separate burning software, such as iTunes). It was the one place that I couldn't just follow the set-up instructions in the manual.Though the turntable's speed and record-size settings are under the dust cover, the basic operating controls are not. There are three controls on the front, one to start playing a record, one to stop and return the arm to its rest (which also stops the platter), and one to raise or lower the arm at its current location. I liked the solid feel of this turntable, with its aluminum platter (rather than the plastic advertised for some units) and a belt-driven mechanism that isolates the motor from the platter. When I tried to use a USB-connected output device, it interfered with the input and ruined the sound copied onto the computer. Rather than simply flipping out of the way, the guard comes off (and thus could be lost).Since I have a Mac, I tried only the Audacity software.
If you do that, some of the software instructions in the manual supplied with the turntable won't work, as the interface has changed. I have no experience with audio editing software, so I can't speak to how well Audacity compares to other software that might be available.
When I sent the sound instead to my elderly computer's built-in mono sound output, I got rid of the interference, but it sounded sometimes as though the record was skipping (it wasn't). The integrated cartridge means that an audiophile can't substitute a preferred cartridge, but it also means that stylus pressure and anti-skating controls are not needed, as the manufacturer can build in the correct settings for the cartridge provided.
The on-line documentation is of fair to good quality -- much better than is typical of open-source software, but requiring some practice and experimentation before I got my first satisfactory results. You'll need to use a twist-tie to lock it down whenever you want to move it.
There is, however, a stylus guard. Attempting to monitor a record while copying it onto the hard disk was a bit dicey.
Despite the defect in the sound during monitoring, the sound as copied onto the hard disk was fine when played back later.
Definitely don't use the USB connection. I have an extensive collection of 'vinyl' and have been looking for a way to save all-of-the-above "digitally". I LOVE this turntable. Go with the RCA hook-up directly to the back of your PC. I now have found the PERFECT way. I have read all of the previous reviews on this item and have learned that if you have half-a-brain in your head, you can make this work. I am finally re-enjoying and saving music that I haven't heard for years. AAA+++
Variety of outputs (Line level, Phono, USB) makes it a very versatile piece of equipment.Controls are easy and intuitive.Easy setup, VERY well packaged and protected. Fast shipping.
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