Sony PS-LX300USB USB Stereo Turntable System - Black
Do you still have some classic vinyl? Would you like to transfer those albums to your PC, Walkman music player or even your iPod music player? Well now you can bring those albums into the digital world with the PS-LX300USB USB stereo turntable from Sony. Using the USB connection, you can import all that music into your computer and create MP3 files to store on a PC or bring along with you on your favorite portable player. The supplied Audio Studio software makes it easy for you to archive your music from vinyl, optimize the sound, and store it on your PC. The PS-LX300USB USB turntable is also a fully functional turntable that can connect to your current system and playback your classic vinyl albums.
Sony PS-LX300USB USB Stereo Turntable System - Black Accessories
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Sony PS-LX300USB USB Stereo Turntable System - Black Reviews
I figured that only audio snobs with expensive equipment could tell a difference since I was quite pleased with my CDs and iPod music. I am thrilled beyond belief and looking forward to listening to hours more of my old treasures as I compile them into a digitilized collection. But as I listen to my old LPs I am aware of exactly what they mean. I settled for the RCA Discwasher for $14.95, even though reviews claimed it was vastly inferior to the old product (which sells at auction for well over $50.00). My LP collection has been in the basement for the last 23 years.
I have a DAK Mixer Interface (which I never figured out) so I hooked the RCA cables into that and tried plugging their stereo mini plug into my laptop input line, but my first pass did not produce sound on the final recording no doubt I had to change some settings on my input line. I used the default settings on the SoundForce Audio Studio for "Vinyl Recording and Restoration" and these pops and crackles were almost eliminated in the final product. As a final note, I always scoffed at those who said that records had a warmth that is missing from CDs. There is an intimacy and depth of sound that is missing from CDs. I never had good stereo equipment or fresh needles, and I never treated them with more than casual care. The turntable comes with a switch to choose either Line or Phono.
I hooked the Sony turntable up to my Dell Laptop so I could keep working on my desktop computer while recording. There was some cracking but mainly it was noticeable between tracks. Spending hundreds of dollars on a disc cleaning system for records that I assumed were about ruined was out of the question. I also looked at the DIY options of washing vinyl records, but what I read indicated that drying was as important as getting a cleaner into the grooves and the RCA Discwasher brush was supposed to serve this function of both cleaning and drying. I couldn't believe the quality of that old LP after cleaning. I'm sure with more fiddling around I can figure out how to get sound through my laptop while recording, but it's working just fine for me with headphones. So I decided to try digitalizing my old LPs using the Sony PS-LX300 USB. Then I thoroughly cleaned my first LP an old favorite I purchsed in 1961 and played to death over the next 20 years.
However, I dragged them up to make a list of what MP3 tracks I'd like to buy and to my amazement I found that I had huge collections with songs that have never been digitalized. Right now my recordings are coming through as one track (which they mention can happen with some old LPs) but the software has a good help section which includes how to go back and separate the tracks. I expected to hear mostly hisses and pops with a little music thrown in. I presume from the combo offered above that you could also attach the RCA cables to speakers purchased separately to listen while recording through the USB option. I also found that some of these old LPs are only available at astronomical prices. Before playing my first record, I spent a day on-line looking at the options for cleaning vinyl records. The Sony turntable comes with a USB connection and also RCA cables (which are very short). Amazing to think that such an old technology can hold up so well, even on ill-used records that are over 45 years old.
I'll be working through that later this morning. So instead I just plugged headphones into the DAK mixer to listen while recording using the USB option. Frankly I assumed those records were ruined.
But as it is I've fumbled along by trial and error and I'm getting incredible results. But right now I have my first two records digitilized with a sound quality I never believed possible. I would have given this 5 stars with a little better instructions on set up.
As I pushed the start button on the Sony, I was amazed at the quality of sound coming through the headphones. I cleaned it a total of three separate times, assuming it was very dirty, following the directions carefully. For USB recording, I had to go into my control panel and change my Sound|Recording options, but that those steps were well spelled out on page 11 of the Sony turntable manual.
It assumes a knowledge of stereo components that I don't have.
Incidentally, my unit is hooked up to an XP equipped Dell laptop. I have about as many 78s as LPs. Frankly, for what I spent on it, I could throw it in the trash and come out ahead b/c I didn't have to go out and replace my (some irreplaceable) vinyl with CDs. So, yeah, it might be an issue. Now that we're over those few hurdles, let's talk about the turntable and software. Maybe. The Sony works well enough that I recommended it (and Amazon, too) to an older friend.
As for the reasons, lets just say that so much new recording technology has come down the road since you bought your old records that they didn't sound as good as you thought they did when they were brand new. This unit does have a switch which allows you to turn on or off the preamp, which is handy if you decide to use it as a part of your home entertainment system instead of putting it on eBay. In other words, this USB player works just fine and the software will allow you to disguise the defects of your old, used records somewhat, but it isn't going to make them new or even come close to a new CD. The TT works just fine with as little "wow" as you used to have on much more expensive units.
The way I look at it, once I have copied my 100 or so LPs to a hard drive, I'll just put this puppy on eBay and get most of my money back. But, it cost more money. The TT will play 33s and 45s, but not 78s. She immediately purchased it, but I'm pretty sure her techno savvy son had to set it up for her. It had a few more features, such as a fancier mechanism for dropping the stylus on a track in the middle of the record and it would play records backwards(.). Like others, I was surprised and disappointed to discover that I could not monitor the sound through the laptop's speakers while it was being recorded. Actually, once you get over the hump, it's pretty much a matter of play and record. The software can be a little daunting at first, unless you have already played with similar apps.
My wife has a slew of 45s. I recently had the opportunity to set up another brand of unit for a friend. Let's make it plain, however, that converting your LPs to digital (even with the pretty good scratch removing software included) won't render the clean, clear quality of the identical recording which was later released on CD.
Some reviewers have commented on the "plasticky" appearance of this unit. You'll probably just stick with one scratch removal setting and copy all of your records w/o changing it. Well, really - do you care.
Other than that, getting it set up and operational was fairly easy (but I do have a background with computers and A/V stuff). No doubt, it isn't the kind of equipment you would have expected to be sitting next to an expensive amp, receiver and huge speakers twenty years ago, but it doesn't serve the same purpose. The stylus seems to be up to the task, also.
I don't know if this is a flaw with this particular unit or all USB input. I think the gain is just too high and can't be adjusted down that I can tell. I did download Audacity and like it too. All in all, I'm pleased with my purchase and even more pleased that my decision to go with the Sony model got me two choices of recording software. The other benefit of using line level over USB is that you can hear what is being recorded. Now the software will detect the individual songs and treat them accordingly. What suprised me was that the sofware wouldn't detect the breaks between songs very well while using the USB interface.
After reading the reviews about my top choices for an afforable USB turntable, I came to the conclusion that unless it had some major flaw that made it unusable or introduced some intollerable noise, one turntable at this price was just about the same as any other. Sound Forge Audio Studio is quite easy to use and the the fact that it supports.wma so I can edit clips recorded from other sources. With the USB input, you can't (unless I'm missing something). In fact, I switch back and forth, depending on the project. Luckily, this unit has it's own preamp and allows me to hook it up at line level to the computer's sound card input. I chose the Sony because it came with software that you couldn't just download for free.
I haven't had any problems with the turntable, it's being very kind to my old albums. My Device Properties on the Audio tab is: Sound Playback: Realtek HD Audio Output. Sound Recording: USB Audio CODEC. I can listen to an album even if I don't want to record it by opening up the vinyl recording and restoration window and just letting it run in the background. MIDI Music Playback: Miscrosoft GS Wavetable SW Synth.
To make a long story short, here's what I ended up with for my settings: click "Tools" then "vinyl recording and restoration", be sure "monitor recording level" is checked. I'm pretty impressed with the quality and am glad I chose the Sony over several other brands I researched. I would definitely recommend this one. Hope this helps. I do have sound through my computer.
Like several other reviewers I've had a not so fun time trying to figure out the software.
Now I can listen to my old tunes. I've got several hundred 45's that have been collecting dust for years now. I love the tunes, but the labor of playing a 45 is too much in today's world of mp3 players, take your music with you, create your own playlists, etc. The product is easy to set up and use. What a neat product. The sound quality of the recordings is fine.
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