Can anyone recommend a specific turntable to digitize my vinyl collection? I'm thinking of getting myself one for Christmas and was overwhelmed by the selection: Ion, Audia Technica, Sony, Numark, Innovative Technology..... I've seen several with USB + preamp to RCA connectors + software for under US$150. Which one is a good choice?

If you intention is to use it to play your collection, get an expensive one with standard cartridge shell and use a cartridge of your choice.

If you intention is to rip your collection and play the wav, then any level is ok. I bought an Ion but haven't proceed to convert my collection yet.

I use a Creative USB Soundblaster box plugged into my laptop and feed it from the preamp of my pre-existing "Hi-Fi" system and 1970's era turntable.

Creative includes some software but I usually use Audacity.

A non-computer literate friend has a
Croslewy Songwriter which looks like a semi-antique phonograph and has the Turntable, CD-Burner, Cassete & AM/FM all in one box. It doesn't look too cheesy in person. An example:
http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/v...cm_ite=E197018

I've got hundreds of CD's stored on my iPod. Ripping them took a huge amount of time. Ripping an LP will take even longer as it must be done in real time. I could buy a new cartridge, put it in my 1970's turntable, wire it into my old stereo integrated amp, run cables from the Tape out to the sound card inputs -- or I could just buy the new USB turntable.

I may just look for a used one on craigslist, since I will probably sell it there after I rip all the albums I want.

THANKS for the tip on Audacity - it's probably better than some of the software that's bundled with turntables. I appreciate your help, and still welcome any recommendations all you friendly techie types can offer.

If you want maximum control over the transfer, the Stanton T90 is a good choice.

OP, please post your results here when you've chosen a method. I'm in the same situation as you are, and I know others who are too. I'm willing to invest a modest amount on a USB turntable. It's just too much hassle to move all the sound gear from its current location to my office.

Thanks!

Whatever hardware you choose, I recommend Audacity as the software.
And there are other software programs that can be used to filter out pops and scratches.

This $100 Audio Technica consumer product gets the job done for my LP to iPod rips. Available in either USB or Mini RCA connections. Comes with Cakewalk Pyro software. Works great; simply amazing quality of music coming off the old LPs. You'll wonder why you stopped playing them.
Warning: takes a loooooong time to do a few LPs. Good Christmas break project, I guess.

I have an Ion an used the Audacity software to rip the vinyl collection to mp3 and wav. it sits on the laptop and can be played when i am away travelling.

you have to play and record in real time, like the "old days", putting the needle in the groove and let it play one side, then turn it over and do the other. then the software does the conversions. definitely not like ripping a cd!!!

something for a long term project if you have lots of vinyl, or else you would not be asking the question, i suppose. Once you have it done once, you then have the digital file of the "original vinyl", so you can then edit out the clicks and hisses if you wish and save a second digital copy. Winter nights are good for this sort of thing

Some advice you might find useful:
http://www.delback.co.uk/lp-cdr.htm
http://lancej.blogspot.com/2006/01/r...p-records.html

Hope that helps

we bought an audio technica. came with good software. audio technica was a good name in turntable and cart. the stuff they sent was decent.

after transfer, one must go in and separate the music, and label it.

amazon has a christmas special for $120 or so. the regular price is $86 delivered.

You could use auto-split functions in TotalRecorder (highcriteria.com) or see if autosplit and labeling for replaymusic (replaymusic.com) would work.

I have an Ion but bought it a couple years ago when there were less choices. It is a time consuming process since the record plays in "real time" and then you have to break up the songs manually and label them. It seemed to work fine otherwise. I thought the Audacity software was easy to use.

What model is that 70s turntable? Belt or Direct drive? What cartridge is in there now? Might just need a new stylus.

Find yourself a Pioneer 509\609 CD recorder,on Ebay or CLs. Get some music CDRWs(2 is enough).

Get a nice Grado\AT\Shure cartridge(stylus), balance and align everything. Get a steam cleaner and some microfiber towels. Clean LPs are happy LPs

Get a free copy of EAC-http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/

Play your CLEAN LPs, sit and sip(bourbon works well for me), listen and record at the same time.
Take finalized Music CD to PC, save file as a *.Wav for archive purposes convert if so desired-flac or ogg.

I've got the above set-up, using a Pioneer PL600 TT(1978) with a half dozen cartridges to choose from, going through a Sansui 4000 receiver(1975)-for now, Polk SDAs are currently in rotation as my speakers

I record each album side as one large .wav file and convert for portable player as needed. You can take the time to separate tracks if so desired.

Can always find sage advice over at www.audiokarma.com as well
or
I'm just off Capital in Starmount

\\//\\//

I remember reading somewhere that there was a company in New York which provided a service where they'd record all your CDs, vinyls and tapes onto your iPod.

+ 5$ shipping. For those interested.

Check out the reviews on Amazon, they're not bad if you understand the limitations.