What type of turntable makes vinyl conversion to MP3, Line input or USB?? Technics, Numark or Yamaha?

6 Responses to “What type of turntable makes vinyl conversion to MP3, Line input or USB?? Technics, Numark or Yamaha?”

1. 
   #1
   Digital Age
   December 28th, 2009 5:01 pm

   Costco sells one that is USB.
   I have a line input turntable….I run my stereo system’s turntable into a mixing board that connects to the line input on the computer; I make Nero7 MP3 Pro…the highest sound quality mp3 available.
   References :

2. 
   #2
   Darby
   December 28th, 2009 5:44 pm

   I think I saw a turntable that would do that in the Sharper Image catalog (threw it out).
   References :

3. 
   #3
   TopSavings
   December 28th, 2009 6:03 pm

   You will want USB more than likely, but it is the software you will need. I have seen such software at http://www.download.com. You should have no problem finding the right software in their search.
   References :
   http://www.topsavings.net

4. 
   #4
   rich h
   December 28th, 2009 6:21 pm

   Just go down to Radio Shack and buy yourself a cable that that is 3mm male on one end (to plug into your line-in on the back of your computer) and RCA left/right on the other end (to connect to any turntable)? This costs about $5 and allows you to use any turntable out there, including one that you might be able to borrow from a friend. You connect the turntable to you computer, then use some software (such as Music Match Jukebox, but there are lots out there) to record directly to your hard drive.

   I’m not familiar with a turntable that converts to MP3, except for those "systems" that you see in Sharper Image. Software is fairly inexpensive, especially when compared to a decent turntable.

   This may not be the answer you were looking for, but on the other hand, it might give you an option that you were not aware of.
   References :

5. 
   #5
   Marc X
   December 28th, 2009 6:52 pm

   None of them makes a conversion to MP3. They’re simply different brand names that play vinyl. They also hook up to your computer. USB is easier since everyone has a quick plug on the front. But you can run out of plugs, which is why some people prefer a dedicated line input for a permanent connection.

   Like I said, the turntable simply plays the record through your computer’s sound system. To actually record it into your computer, as an MP3, you’ll need recording software. There are some free ones, but I don’t know how good they are. The favored one seems to be Voyetra (Turtle Beach) Audio Surgeon which, if I remember, costs like $29. Voyetra has over 15 years of good history to back it up.

   As for brand names, I can personally attest to the quality of Technics, but Yamaha is another good one, and there are a few others out there. Most are belt-drive which helps to reduce ‘rumble’ in the quiet parts of the music, but it’s always been direct-drive that’s the most expensive, most preferred, and best perfoming.
   References :

6. 
   #6
   Doug
   December 28th, 2009 7:40 pm

   Juan,

   This might get a bit long-winded, so get comfortable…

   To transfer vinyl (analog) records to MP3 (digital) there are several steps involved, each contributing to the overall "quality". The process to convert involves playing a record (extracting the analog info from the grooves as accurately as possible), boosting and equalizing the raw / low level signal to get a line-level output, converting the signal to digital format, and capturing it in a file.

   A "turntable" in the classic sense only plays the record and extracts a phono (low) level signal. Next a preamplifier boosts and equalizes the signal to line (RCA) level. Some recent turntables (Audio Techinica, Numark, Ion) have a built-in "preamp" for this purpose. The Yamaha (and most other vintage turntables) and the best-sounding most expensive audiophile turntables typically do not have integral preamps. For those you have to buy an external preamp, or play through a receiver/amplifier with a "phono" section.

   Then you take the line-level signal and feed it into your computer for conversion. Your sound card can do the conversion using any of a variety of programs available to do this. This step is limited by the quality of your sound card. If you have a standard off-the-shelf computer with built-in / on-board sound card, you will probably get good but not great results. The inside of a computer is electrically noisy, the sampling rate of most ordinary sound cards is "ordinary" and the results are also "ordinary".

   For this reason, those looking for higher quality capture / conversion usually buy an external converter. Something like the M-Audio Transit, where the line-level output of the preamp plugs into this, and USB comes out the other side, and plugs into your computer. (Turntables like the Ion and Numark have something like this embedded in them, but not as high a quality.) This is also an ideal solution for a laptop – where you can’t upgrade the sound card, or a line level input might not be available.

   mp3 quality is limited, and is not as good as CD quality or LP quality. So I would recommend capturing first to .WAV format for archival purposes, then down convert to mp3 for portability and higher song capacity. You’ll need about 400-500M for each 2-sided 33RPM LP you want to capture, and the results can easily be burned to an Audio CD, then you can rip the mp3s off the CD just like you would on a purchased one.

   One of the biggest limiting factors that most people overlook is the cartridge. A turntable has a relatively easy job – turn the record at a constant speed, without introducing noise; keep the stylus in contact with the grooves. The cartridge/stylus has to do the hard part. Most cartridges that come pre-installed on $99 turntables are pathetic. You pretty much get what you pay for with phono cartridges.

   So here are two solutions I would recommend:

   Higher Quality:

   Turntable: Project Debut III (w/Ortofon OM5e cartridge)
   Preamp: Pro-ject Phono Box (or Bellari VP-29)
   D/A Converter: M-Audio Transit

   You’ll get a very good (near audiophile quality) turntable, with a decent Ortofon cartridge, low mass adjustable tonearm, that will extract a lot of music from your records without introducing noise. Of course the setup will cost about $500, but it will be a noticable improvement over…

   Good Quality:

   Turntable: Ion/Numark Turntable with built-in USB.
   Preamp: built-in
   D/A: built-in

   This will only set you back about $100. Not as high quality a setup, but a lot less hassle.

   You probaby should start with the Numark/Ion (they appear to be practically the same turntable), and see if the results are acceptable to you. If not, return it and save up for the Pro-Ject… Or if you like the setup, but the sound is not quite there, you could always separately upgrade the cartridge.
   References :
   http://www.needledoctor.com/Audio-Technica-LP2D-Record-Conversion-Kit_2;jsessionid=0a0016431f438610f9bedff0480f94a8a48d0493b2f4.e3eSc3eMbxuPe34Pa38Ta38Lc350?sc=2&category=358
   http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/mp3/90a0/
   http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000G3FNVM/km-20/ref=nosim
   http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Transit/
   http://www.needledoctor.com/Pro-Ject-Debut-III-Turntable-Multicolor_2?sc=2&category=352

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