Showing posts with label records. Show all posts
Showing posts with label records. Show all posts

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Numark PT01 Portable DJ Turntable Review

Numark PT01 Portable DJ Turntable
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I bought this turntable to a) replace an older turntable from the 70s and which weighs more than me, for which new needles cost 30-40 bucks, and b) to transfer old 78s into digital files for a podcast. It's one of the few turntables that I found with both a built-in speaker AND audio out ports, in both RCA and headphone cable form. Usually, I found ones with either one or the other. It's lightweight, it has excellent sound quality, much more tone and pitch control than you'd ever expect in a 100 dollar turntable, and the new needles cost only 12 bucks. I could not find where to buy the needles online, so after contacting Numark, I discovered that they would sell them to me directly for only 12 bucks each (even if it involved giving out my CC# via eMail). Being a very new turntable, I don't expect it to be phased out anytime soon, so the needles should remain cheap for a while.
Perhaps the only thing I would change is the fact that the table only starts spinning once you move the arm over it - there is no 'start spinning' button beyond the on/off switch. Also, there have been a few times when I accidentally dropped the stylus onto the metal surface and it's left a visible gouge, and I can't help but think that this kind of thing should have been somehow protected against.
I'm not a hardcore audiophile. I don't know the difference between the sonic clarity of a CD and an mp3, and honestly, if it sounds full, that's good enough for me, but this was incredibly simple to set up and plays excellently, and pretty solid (if mostly plastic).

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Numark has created a portable turntable that enables you to convert your vinyl to WAV or MP3. This rugged, portable turntable can run on either wall or battery power, comes with a cover with integrated carry-handle, and has an internal speaker for total mobility.
Using the included recording software, no special drivers are needed to connect PT-01USB to any Mac or PC via USB and transfer music from vinyl to hard disk. EZ Vinyl Converter 2 (PC) and EZ Audio Converter (Mac) software are included to make recording and importing audio simple. EZ Vinyl Converter 2 imports your songs directly into your iTunes library, automatically separating tracks, and free, downloadable upgrade includes Gracenote® MusicID, which can even automatically name your tracks. PT-01USB also comes with Audacity software for editing your tracks. Audacity also helps reduce clicks, pops, and other noises from your recordings to restore the full quality of your vinyl. PT-01USB has an RCA line input so you can connect other sound sources such as tape decks and convert them to digital files too! RCA line outputs enable connection to your DJ system or home stereo so you can use PT-01USB as a standard record-player. In addition to the internal speaker and RCA outputs, you can also listen with headphones. With 33, 45, and 78 RPM speeds, PT-01USB works with your entire record collection. There's even a ±10% pitch control to help you optimize your tracks for whatever need you have. Advanced vinyl-to-digital conversion that's ready to roll when and where you are: PT-01USB. PT-01USB AVAILABIILITY PT-01USB has a suggested U.S. retail price of $149 and is available immediately from DJ and Pro Audio retailers. PT-01USB FEATURES
Plugand play USB connection Protectivedustcover and integrated carrying handle Fitsinside a standard 12-inch record case Wall-poweredwith included AC adapter or battery-powered (six "D" cells, notincluded) Internalmonitoring speaker Belt-drivemotor with 33, 45 and 78 RPM settings ±10%pitch control Convertsall standard-sized records up to 12-inches RCAline and headphone outputs 45RPM adapter included Cartridgeincluded USBcable included
PT-01USB: WHAT’S IN THE BOX
PT-01USBturntable Protectivecover Poweradapter USBcable SoftwareCD Quickstart guide


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Friday, April 27, 2012

Audio Technica AT3600 Standard Mount Magnetic Cartridge Review

Audio Technica AT3600 Standard Mount Magnetic Cartridge
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Have had an old Sony stereo system since 1987 and the needle has (had) been broken since 1995 or so. Recently replaced the needle (just unscrew the top black piece, pull off the yellow piece, and detach the clear plastic cover carefully--slides under and locks into position the tonearm, but will take some patience) and it works great. The single yellow piece will cost much less and would have bought on eBay but don't currently have an account with them, so all thanks to Amazon. Fortunately, this particular stylus is easy to find compared to some other/older styli. Have purchased some rare vinyl records on top of that as enjoyment. I digitize the records to iPod with MicroMemo accessory and sounds great on a computer. Just use an audio editor and burn to CD if you want. (Just a suggestion--what I do.) Generally, if the album is available on tape or CD as well and you don't have a turntable with a working needle, a vinyl record wouldn't be appropriate. Some might choose vinyl for its so-called warm audio tones and cover art that differ from other formats. Probably little demand for this nowadays but you never know when obsolete technology has a minor advantage over the newer stuff. Vinyl records are still in production, but cassette tape is becoming harder to find now, even online! Blank CDs and DVDs don't have the archival life of tapes and vinyls because they scratch too easily. Vinyl is very sturdy but certainly not compact, and you can't record your own records as you can tape and CD/DVD. Having said that, more than likely you would buy vinyl than tape, but it's a matter of need and interest. I would recommend this Audio Technica product if you have the equipment for it.

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These are AT3600 standard mount (two hole with 1/2" spacing) moving magnet cartridges that will replace virtually any brand cartridge in any turntable which uses a removeable headshell and many that don't; if you see two screws holding your current magnetic cartridge in place, this Audio Technica will replace it. Don't waste time searching for a replacement stylus for your current cartridge when you can simply replace the whole thing for the same or less money!!!

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Sunday, February 5, 2012

BBE FJB-200X Phono Preamp Review

BBE FJB-200X Phono Preamp
Average Reviews:

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This preamp was great until I started using my Ortofon Arkiv cartridge. The higher output of the cartridge made the preamp clip the audio signal. Because of this I was losing sound when digitizing vinyl. Since there is no volume control I could not over come the problem and had to go with another with volume control. Please keep that in mind when buying this product.

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The BBE FJB-200X Phono Preamp converts an RIAA turntable signal into line level so you can play your vinyl straight through your stereo, mixer, or computer sound card. The BBE preamp has stereo RCA I/O, 1/4" TRS out, and a grounding post for 60-cycle hum elimination. Works with magnetic phono cartridges.

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Monday, August 22, 2011

T.90 USB TURNTABLE Review

T.90 USB TURNTABLE
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I bought this unit due to the fact that it is direct drive, has a quality S-shaped tone arm, and plays 78's. I have three problems with it, though. There is no cue lever. There is no auto return at the end of a record. And the dust cover is cloth. This means the record is exposed during playback. More importantly, you have to be very careful when removing the cloth cover that it doesn't snag the stylus. This happened to me last week, and my favorite Stanton 6800 EEE Mk111 stylus was ruined. I am going to be more careful. I am also going to see about adapting a plastic dust cover from another turntable.

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Professional-quality USB turntable.

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Thursday, June 2, 2011

ART DJ Pre II Phono Preamp Review

ART DJ Pre II Phono Preamp
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Recently I sold off my high end stereo preamp and power amp to transition to a multichannel home theater environment. The stereo preamp had a very nice phono stage and after reviewing the specs and prices on countless generic and hybrid phono preamps I decided to take a chance on the ART DJ Pre II. Am I glad I did. Even though I was prepared to drop some serious cash on one of the more esorteric audiophile preamps I had wondered whether any inexpensive phono preamp could provide reasonable playback quality.
As I'm now streaming audio and video to my home theatre from my home computer network (via wired ethernet) I wanted a simple device that would enable me to playback and/or digitize my LP collection (numbering over 1000 albums). After interfacing the ART DJ Pre II to my home brew computer's Audigy 2 music card via a quality shielded mini-cable and adjusting and matching the signal levels appropriately on both the preamp and my computer software I was pleasantly surprised at the purity of reproduction.
While this arrangement may not approach the most sophisticated levels of vinyl reproduction possible, for one who attends live orchestral music concerts and plays SACD's on a regular basis the ART DJ comes darn close. When adding the fact that I've avoided spending several thousand dollars on an audiophile quality phono preamp I'm left with a very pleasant smile on my face.

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The ART DJ Pre II should be in every DJ's gig box!Vinyl records have drawbacks. Bass compensation can be needed during playback. Records produce a certain amount of hiss, and magnetic cartridges produce a weak signal. A separate RIAA preamp is necessary when you are connecting a turntable to a mixer that does not have one built in. The ART DJ Pre II features an RIAA-type phono preamp circuit with full patching facilities for connecting a phono turntable and mixer.The DJ PRE II (formerly named thePhono MicroPRE) acts as an interface between your turntable and your audio recording / playback system. The analog input capacitance can be switched between 100pF and 200pF to optimize your phono cartridge response. A switchable low cut filter removes turntable rumble while leaving the audio pristine. The front gain trim control and signal/clip LED allow you to optimize the preamp's gain for a wide range of input sources. The built-in low noise phono preamp circuitry is highly accurate and precisely conforms to the RIAA standard. The line output jacks are low impedance and can be used with any sound card.Housed in an all aluminum black anodized case, the DJ PRE II can be powered by a wide variety of external supplies. If you need to amplify and EQ your vinyl records to interface with your audio workstation, sound card, home stereo system or main monitor system, the DJ PRE II gives you flawless audio reproduction in a rugged and reliable package.ART DJ Pre II FeaturesDual RCA-type inputsDual RCA-type outputsGround terminalPower: 12V DC (Adapter included)ARTcessories Series OverviewCreative audio solutions in cool little boxes.ARTcessoriesare taking the audio world by storm and quickly becoming a popular brand with musicians, DJs and studio engineers everywhere around the World. Split, combine, mix, power... you name it. On stage, in the studio, in your liv

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