Ion TTUSB Turntable with USB Record

After looking for years for a device to convert vinyl to computer files, it was great to see that someone finally came up with a turntable that would USB directly into the computer. Fantastic invention. Works great.

I bought this from an on-line store about 9 months ago (not amazon). Because I had problems with wiring in my home stereo, I only just recently was able to hook this thing up to my system.

This table is lousy. I wish I could give it 0 stars because it doesn't do the most important thing it is supposed to do---- play a vinyl record with the sound quality you expect. My circa 1984 Magnavox all-in-one stereo system does a better job here. First of all, the RCA A/V cables are hard wired into the machine and are only about a foot, maybe 18 inches long. So they barely reach to where I have my receiver/amplifier to plug them in. Second, the casing seems to be cheap plastic and poorly constructed.

Worst of all, is the sound. I am not sure what is wrong with this thing--- I think the belt drive is off for one (which seems to be a frequent problem with other reviews). It seems to be just a touch slow, and makes the music that I know so well sound just not quite right. Second, it sounds like the music is being played from the bottom of a garbage can. The vocals are drowned out. The bass booms uncomfortably and with a hollow resonance. The higher pitched percussion sounds tinny. I thought for a second I had blown my speakers prior to playing this thing---- I checked my CD player and AM/FM and thankfully that was ok. I tried a different RCA input and there was no improvement. Disappointed and clearly a waste of money. I don't even want to try to record my vinyl onto CD because it would be a waste of a CD the way this thing plays music...... Now I am stuck with this paperweight.....

This unit was just perfect for converting LPs to mp3 files and CDs. I will admit that it was a tiny challenge setting the tone arm adjustments just right. Also, I was concerned over the fact that there is no cue function to carefully place your tone arm on a record without scratching it. Overall, it is great, especially to convert old 78 rpm records (with Audacity, of course). And of course to just sit and play your records with ease.

Now..the USB situation is fine but I choose to stick with the traditional RCA plugs to use the sound card to provide full sound. The other software was fine for the USB thing. I basically use the Analog Recorder from the Microsoft Plus software package and Audacity (when needed).

It's well worth the price and the adventure to set it up.

My father has been having a hard time in using the product. He has already installed it but he has not learned how to record his old long-plays. He has beeing doing it by himselsf but - I guess - there is not a manual in portuguese nor in espanish.
So far, that's all I have do say about the product.
I ordered the product from Brasil, where I live. It was deliveried in time in NYC, where I spent part of my vacations.

I bought An Ion TTUSB10 turntable last Christmas (9 months ago)and have still not been able to convert any of my vinyl to MP3s! I've tried to email Ion"s Tech Department and Audacity but received no reply from either! I had no trouble hooking the Ion up to my iMac and am running OSX version 10.4.11. I have loaded EZvinyl converter and have tried to use Audacity version 1.2.4 with no success at all.

Before I got the Ion, I was converting my vinyl using my old sound system turntable with AudioX 3.2.1 and was having no problems. I was looking forward to the convenience offered by an Ion turntable, but so far with no success. I understand that Ethan Zuckerman has obtained some new information on linking an Ion to a Mac, but I have been unable to find an email address for him. Is there any way that I can get a clear list of instructions, ie: 1) Do this, 2) Then do this, 3) Now do this? Reach me at bestaviationart@yahoo.ca