LP records

[genrex]

Just a heads-up for the Pelican audiophiles:

I was looking at the Radio Shack website, and they have turntables that enable LP records to be recorded onto our computers, for under $100! This is way cool. I'm going to get one. I like doing business with Radio Shack; they have a good return policy if something doesn't work as it should.

Turntables - Stereo systems & components - RadioShack.com

_

[URY914]

What's an LP?

[John_AZ]

I do not have a "Dummies" guide but I saw this recently on LP to computer conversion.

LPs To CDs - LPs to MP3s - LPs To Your iPod - Vinyl To CD Perfection Turntable And Interface Mixer

GL
John

[MRM]

What's a Radio Shack?

[Superman]

For cryin' out loud. This should be as easy as plugging your regular turntable into the computer, and using the right software. There are excuses I don't permit IT folks to get away with, and this would be one of them. The signal is going into the computer. Soft ware should convert it to the mp3 file. Simple as that. In fact, the software should recognize the spaces between songs.

[MBAtarga]

uh, we bought one of those about three years ago for our daughter. I don't think that technology is late breaking.

[Flieger]

If you are an analog man then why would you want to put the music onto the computer anyway?

[john70t]

Originally Posted by Superman

For cryin' out loud. This should be as easy as plugging your regular turntable into the computer, and using the right software.

Free: LP Recorder - CNET Download.com
I think it might just need the audio plugs->usb thingamabobs.

I've been thinking about doing this as well. I just don't have the storage in the usage space.
ELO awaits baby.

There are a couple different brands of those dedicated LP rippers.
Some play through just like regular phonographs through an audio system.

Only thing from buying one now is the audio quality (not advertised on box), and that some only convert to mp3.
It would be nice to burn a cd for the car/etc.

[HardDrive]

I keep it old school. 5 more turntables scattered about.

[IROC]

Originally Posted by MBAtarga

uh, we bought one of those about three years ago for our daughter. I don't think that technology is late breaking.

Yep. Actually, it's hard to find a turntable that doesn't have this "feature".

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by IROC

Yep. Actually, it's hard to find a turntable that doesn't have this "feature".

Not if you walk into a real hifi store. Vinyl is still alive & well in a small niche way.

The signal from a standard phono cartridge must go through a phono preamp before you can use it to record. It must be processed with a reverse RIAA curve & then amplified before it has the same equalization & voltage that a normal hifi input (CD, tape etc) has. Those RS units will probably do this - albeit poorly.

Ian

[rammstein]

Properly done. That $100 turntable will sound like absolute rubbish. The HIFI shop I frequent bought one of those $100 types just for the hell of it to inspect. It didn't even have bearings.

You'd be better off (actually MUCH better off) getting an old Technics off ebay and running it through a cheap phono into the stereo in on your computer.

Something like the unit pictured above goes a step further by having a halfway decent A/D converter built in, so you just hook up the USB to your computer and send it 0s and 1s.

LINK: Bellari VP-530 USB Phono Preamp

[IROC]

Originally Posted by imcarthur

Not if you walk into a real hifi store. Vinyl is still alive & well in a small niche way.

The signal from a standard phono cartridge must go through a phono preamp before you can use it to record. It must be processed with a reverse RIAA curve & then amplified before it has the same equalization & voltage that a normal hifi input (CD, tape etc) has. Those RS units will probably do this - albeit poorly.

Ian

Oh, I agree. I looked for a turntable a few years ago and it seemed that the vast majority of what was available was designed without the preamp and with a USB output. I had to look to find one with the preamp (I had specifically bought a 2-channel receiver with phono inputs)...

[IROC]

Originally Posted by imcarthur

Not if you walk into a real hifi store.

Also, there is no such thing as a "real hifi store" within 200 miles of where I live.

[scottmandue]

Last time I was in Target they had turntables with USB

Many years ago I bought an inexpensive preamp for no other reason than to use the phono stage into my power amp.

[cairns]

There are turntables and then there are turntables.....one of my favorites:



Alas I can only afford these (which are darned pricy in their own right):

http://www.wallpaper.com/images/0688_142335_110_clearly.jpg



There is only one way to hear Tracy Nelson sing "Down So Low".

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by IROC

Also, there is no such thing as a "real hifi store" within 200 miles of where I live.

That is a growing problem. There is a guy opening a high end boutique in Nashville Jan 1 . . .

Our Canadian version sells Rega Turntables & does very well with the line.

Ian

[nota]

thorens is about as good as a all in one turntable gets

the better ones just sell/sold the spinning bit [platter]

then you go to another company for the tone arm

and yet another for the cartrage

I have a old collins with a A-something tone arm and a pickering cart

so who makes a good quality usb or digital cart ?

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by cairns

There are turntables and then there are turntables.....one of my favorites:

Hah! The belt on this will cost more than one of those Target USB TT's!

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by nota

so who makes a good quality usb or digital cart ?

Check Jerry Raskin's website. He has several options - Rega, Pro-ject & Alesis - the latter is only $49. You plug your TT leads in & USB out. They have built-in DACs.

Ian