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(More customer reviews)First, I'm not sure if the previous reviewer had his sound card input set correctly, or if he forgot to switch this turntable's pre-amp switch to the correct setting, but mine sounded great. Also, I elected to use the RCA output on this and not the USB... maybe he was having audio-quality problems with the USB part? Many users seem to have an issue with static and otherwise poor audio when using the USB connection. Instead, I suggest using the RCA output on this unit connected to your PC's audio-in jack for the best sound quality. Please read on...
I've never even owned any LPs before, but I recently got a real craving for some mixes that only appeared on DJ-only LPs. So I purchased a few, along with this turntable so I can rip them into MP3s.
Everything arrived on the same day, so I was like a kid in a candy store. All I can say is HOORAY!
There are two versions of this Audio-Technica turntable... one has USB capabilities, and the other (which is a bit less expensive) does not. However, even with the USB output, there are also good old RCA outputs on this turntable. The turntable also comes with two RCA to stereo 3.5mm mini-plug adapters: one male adapter (for connecting to stereos, powered speakers, or a mixer with 3.5mm mini jack inputs), and one female adapter (for connecting to amplified speakers or other devices with a mini-plug). Basically, you can connect this turntable to almost anything without having to go out and purchase additional cables or adapters.
The unit has three buttons on the front: start, stop, and up/down. I'm sure you can guess what each of these does. This is an automatic turntable, so the arm is controlled by the buttons (no need to manually lift and place the needle back down).
The turntable also has a pre-amp switch, for either "line" or "phono" output. This way, you can connect it to most devices, whether they have an amplifier or not.
The setup of the turntable itself is pretty easy. Follow the instructions to easily place the platter onto the turntable and pull the drive belt onto the motor spindle (illustrations are included).
I elected to connect the RCA cables to one of the adapters, and connected that to the "line-in" mini-jack input on my digital sound card. Technically, I didn't need to purchase this more-expensive USB version of the turntable since I am not using the USB output, but that's beside the point :)
There are two CDs included in the package: one for Cakewalk Pyro 2004/2005 (commercial software), and one for Audacity (open source software). Cakewalk Pyro is NOT compatible with Windows Vista, so I installed Audacity (check their website for newer versions if desired).
After installing Audacity, I selected my input source ("line-in"), put the first LP on, and heard exactly what I was hoping to hear... high quality music and sound. So I restarted the LP, hit the record button in Audacity, and waiting for the song to finish. Then I hit the "stop" button in Audacity to stop recording, quickly and easily trimmed a bit of the dead space before and after the song, and exported it to a high-quality, high bit-rate MP3.
For the money, I couldn't have asked for anything better. Everything sounds crystal clear, and couldn't be easier. I highly recommend this product. If you have a line-in jack on your sound card (which most do), and would like to use that, save yourself a few bucks and go with the model that doesn't have the USB output. I'm not sure if the other model comes with a CD for Audacity (maybe only Pyro), but Audacity is an open-source free download on the web anyway. Either way, you won't be disappointed.
Happy ripping! :)
The non-USB version of this turntable appears here:
Audio-Technica AT-LP2DA LP-to-Digital Recording System
Click Here to see more reviews about: Audio Technica AT-LP2D-USB Fully Automatic Stereo Turntable with USB Output, Includes Recording Software and Dual Magnet Cartridge
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