USB Turntable Comparison Guide

Standalone Systems

Standalone systems record albums directly to CD (or iPod or flash memory, depending on the system). This is the easiest way to digitize your LPs and 45's. It's also the crudest.

If you prefer ease-of-use to pursuing perfection in archiving your record collection, a standalone system is a good choice.

If you want to create an organized collection of MP3s from your record collection, a USB turntable is likely the better choice. With few exceptions, standalone vinyl rippers don't connect to your computer, a requirement for naming and categorizing your music files.

Only four standalones meet the "sound quality" requirements for decent turntable fidelity. Look to DJ and analog turntables if sound quality is your top priority.

 

Vinyl ripping process on a standalone system

Recording vinyl to a CD using a standalone system is akin to recording to a cassette tape in days past:

1. Set the recording volume level
2. Hit record on the CD burner
3. Drop the needle on your LP
4. Press pause when the record ends

• Optional Press "Split Track" button between songs to create separate tracks on CD.

If your plans don't go beyond turning your LPs into CDs, this scenario is ideal.

However, without some extra effort, your iPod shows the LP as "Unknown Album" by "Unknown Artist" with tracks named "Track 1," "Track 2," etc.

If you're going to put in that extra effort, a USB turntable likely makes more sense. It gives you more control over the recording process and can save some steps.

 

Some standalones rip to flash memory, not CD

Many models in the standalone category don't burn discs at all. Instead, they write out to USB flash drives and/or SD and MMC memory cards.

The former are the little memory sticks with a USB connection at the end. The latter are the types of cards you might find in your digital camera.

A few things to watch out for:

1. Many cannot handle a USB flash drive or memory card larger than 2GB.
2. No flash memory systems feature a CD burner, though some have a CD player.
3. Don't be misled by the term "USB" on these systems: Most do not connect to your computer. In this context, USB means you can connect a USB storage device (such as a thumb drive) to the turntable.

 

Compact stereo systems with vinyl ripping capabilities

Many systems in this class aren't designed primarily for ripping. Often, they are compact, all-in-one stereo systems that include, among its components, a turntable and a cd recorder.

If you're looking for a stereo system for your office, garage or bedroom, one of these compact stereos may be your machine.

If you are looking for a turntable to rip vinyl and you don't need an AM/FM radio, cassette deck and speakers, keep looking. You'll overpay and get fewer vinyl ripping features in these all-in-one systems.

 

A standout standalone system

The LP 2 CD model offered by Numark and Ion Audio (same parent company) is a shining example of what other standalone LP/CD systems should strive for: Built-in memory allows you to get the recording just right before you burn it to disc.

All other standalone models burn to disc as the record plays. If something goes wrong, you've just wasted a disc!

 

Hybrid standalone/USB vinyl rippers cross categories

Numark and Ion Audio offer hybrid standalone/USB turntables, giving you the best of both worlds. With these units, you can choose between recording directly to CD, iPod or flash memory and connecting to your computer via the USB port.

Read more about USB turntables in the next category.

 

 

USB Turntables

USB turntables depend on your computer to convert your analog records to digital computer files. While it's a more tedious process than ripping with a standalone system, the result is more satisfying and useful.

 

USB Turntable vs. Standalone

Getting your computer involved has several advantages over standalone systems:

• "Tagging" audio files

  Tagging is the process of embedding the artist name, song titles and even the album cover artwork in your audio files. This step is crucial for an organized MP3 collection and enjoying music on your iPod, computer or other digital music player. The software bundled with USB turntables assists you in tagging your MP3s.

• Removing clicks and pops

  Software such as Audacity (a free download included with most USB turntables) can clean up your recordings, removing those crackles, clicks, pops and hissing.

• Achieving perfect track splits

  On a standalone system, creating a new track requires pressing a button at the end of each song while the record plays. As you can imagine, this is an error-prone process. Your computer can split your album into tracks automatically or you can do it by hand. If you mess up on your computer, you get a second chance. On most standalones, you don't.

• Convert music to various formats

  Your computer can encode your music in nearly any format you need. Create a CD for your CD player. MP3s for you iPod. The "lossless" FLAC format for the ultimate in sound quality.

• Normalizing

  Today's popular music on CD is loud. Unnaturally loud. Using a process called "compression," sound engineers clip the loudest sounds, making the softest parts of the music even louder. One reason behind the resurgence of vinyl among music lovers is the lack of compression on LPs. "Normalizing" your recording helps you compete with your louder digital music by raising the volume to the maximum level without clipping it. Your computer provides this opportunity. A standalone does not.

• Better value/lower cost

  You're only paying for what you need when buying a USB turntable. Your computer has a CD burner. You don't need a cassette deck, a radio or speakers. Why pay for them by buying a standalone unit? USB turntables start at $80. If you pay more, the money is going toward enhancing your primary goal: Vinyl ripping.

 

Software: Find the Best Tools for the Job

Nearly all USB turntables come bundled with software to assist you in ripping your records. Some packages do a better job than others. You can purchase your own vinyl ripping software if your USB turntable software is inadequate.

Comparison chart #1 shows what software comes with a particular turntable. Find more information about the software in our Vinyl Ripping Software section.

When connected to your computer, a USB turntable simply looks like a new sound card. This leaves you free to use nearly any audio processing software. All programs in the software section are compatible with USB turntables.

Some USB turntables only include a program called Audacity. The manufacturer isn't doing you any favors. Audacity is difficult to learn and is missing several key features that make vinyl ripping easier, such as CD burning and including looking up album information on the Internet. And anyone can download Audacity for free.

If you're a Mac user, look carefully at the "PC / Mac" column in the first chart. Often the user-friendly program is only for the PC. Mac users are often stuck with the not particularly user-friendly Audacity software.

 

Line-In Jack: Digitize Cassettes, 8-Tracks and Reel-to-Reels

A number of USB turntables include RCA inputs. This lets you record other analog sources on your computer. Most desktop computers have this ability already. Most laptops do not.

Do you have other analog recordings to digitize? Maybe a cassette or 8-track tape collection? Some old reels? The "line-in" column in chart #2 shows whether the USB turntable allows you to record from tape players.

Most desktop computers allow you to plug in an analog player. Unless you find your sound card is particularly bad, you are not likely to see an improvement in sound quality by connecting your tape player to your USB turntable.

Laptop computers, on the other hand, might benefit from this line-level input jack: Most only feature a mono microphone input.

Ion also makes a USB cassette player* and USB VHS VCR* to easily digitize these formats.

 

 

The "Best" USB Turntable

Judging it by its specs, the Pro-Ject Debut III is the best USB turntable. However, it's not for everyone.

Pro-Ject's turntable line-up squarely targets the audiophile market. The Debut III USB is their entry-level model at $499 ($350 for the non-USB version*). Their top-end turntable, the RPM 10, sells for $3,000.

Some of the very things that make the Debut appealing to audiophiles may well be turnoffs to the average record listener.

Turntable aficionados are purists. They despise things like tonearm return at the end of play- the parts that move the tonearm may rattle their way into the record play. Some don't like knobs for anti-skate adjustment because it requires springs that may bleed minute vibrations into the playback.

In the case of the Debut III USB, you need to move the drive belt to a different spindle to play a 45 RPM record.

It comes down to this: You will find few conveniences in an audiophile turntable. In addition, you must acquire skills you wouldn't need on a friendlier turntable. And that might make the Pro-Ject Debut III USB more turntable than you're willing to deal with.

If you do decide to take on the Debut USB, congratulations- You have taken your first step into an exclusive, expensive and time-consuming club: The turntable audiophile club.

And, while you're there, you really should upgrade your Debut's 5E stylus to a 10 or a 20...

 

 

 

DJ Turntables

You may not be a DJ but there's a good chance you care about sound quality. You'll find the best built and best sounding turntables with a digital output in the DJ category. Only the Pro-Ject Debut III USB audiophile turntable sounds better than a DJ USB turntable.

Keep this in mind: A DJ turntable is a musical instrument first and a record player second. Unless properly outfitted, a DJ turntable will be hard on your records and you won't get the best sound.

Many analog turntables in the same price range have better specs. However, they won't "plug and play" into your computer the way a DJ USB turntable will.

There are several things to know when buying a DJ turntable for vinyl archiving:

1. Get the right type of cartridge. Many DJ USB turntables don't come with a cartridge. Even if the one you're considering does, you probably want a more suitable cartridge for better sound and decreased record wear.
2. Make sure you get an "offset" tonearm. Straight tonearms, found on some DJ turntables, are very hard on your records and do not sound as good.
3. You may need software. Only three DJ USB turntables are bundled with software. Check the "Software" column in chart #1 to see if you need to supply your own.
4. You're paying for "fun" features that you may not need. DJ turntables play records backwards, change pitch, speed and more. Part of your turntable dollars go toward these features, whether you want them or not.

 

Better than "consumer" USB turntables

In terms of sound quality, DJ turntables rank above "consumer" USB turntables and below good analog turntables.

DJ USB turntables are better than ordinary USB turntables primarily because they are more expensive. This allows the manufacturer to use better parts and sturdier construction, which lead to better sound.

Most consumer USB and standalone turntables have at least one of the following deficiencies: Lightweight, plastic platter and body; cheap ceramic cartridge; no anti-skate adjustment. As you can see in the comparison charts, no DJ turntables suffer from these deficiencies.

The "audiophile" Pro-Ject Debut III USB turntable stands out as a big exception to low-cost USB record players with inferior sound. Like a DJ turntable, it is also expensive. Unlike a DJ turntable, the Debut's primary design goal is excellent fidelity through delicate and sensitive equipment.

Many analog turntables in the same price range beat both DJ turntables and the Pro-Ject Debut in terms of their specs. These superior analog turntables are also more user-friendly. As you might have guessed, though, you must find the right hardware and software to turn an analog turntable digital.

 

Some DJ USB turntables don't include software

Only three DJ USB turntables come with software to assist you in vinyl ripping: Numark's TTXUSB and Stanton's T90.USB and T.92 USB. It's up to you to get hold of vinyl ripping software if you choose one of the other DJ turntables.

The free Audacity software has several important record digitizing features. It records your LPs, automatically splits songs into tracks at silent moments and creates MP3s, among other things.

It doesn't burn CDs and it won't look up album information on the Internet to save you from typing in the track information.

The worst thing about Audacity is how difficult it is to learn.

There are much more user-friendly and feature-filled vinyl ripping software packages in the $30 - $50 price range. Just consider software part of the cost of the DJ turntable, if it's not included.

 

You'll need a "hi-fi" cartridge

For many DJ turntables, the cartridge (the needle and the unit that holds it) is not included. This means two things: You need to pick an appropriate cartridge and adjust your turntable to its specifications.

Stanton and Gem Sound turntables are the exception: They do come with a cartridge.

However, they include a "DJ" cartridge, which isn't the best choice for vinyl archiving or listening to records at home.

Stanton's T.92 USB turntable, for example, comes with their 500.V3 cartridge. It specs say it requires 2 – 5 grams of tracking force.

Experts say record wear begins at 1 – 2 grams. Experts also say you should set your tracking force near the higher end of the cartridge's tracking force range, or around 4 grams for the 500.V3. This is a perfect recipe for record wear.

 

 

Straight Tonearms are for DJ's, Not Vinyl Archivists

Another thing that sets some DJ turntables apart from traditional turntables is the "straight" tonearm. Only consider these turntables if you're a DJ first and a vinyl digitizer second.

Straight tonearms are great at keeping the needle in the record groove while scratching the record back and forth. The tradeoff for this stability is increased distortion and record wear.

Avoid straight tonearms by referring to the "Offset" column in comparison chart #3.

Traditional and even most DJ turntables use an "offset" tonearm defined by a headshell angled toward the center of the record. You can see this angled headshell yourself on various turntables by browsing through the turntable photos: All but three DJ turntables feature tonearms angled at the end.

Angling the headshell keeps what's called "tracking error" to a minimum. As the tonearm follows the grooves to the center of the record, it arcs to varying degrees along the way.

Like the skating force, the tracking error affects the positioning of the needle in the record groove. The more the needle rides the groove wall, the more distortion it creates.

The tracking error in straight tonearms is drastically worse than offset tonearms. Up to 8.5 times worse, according to Kab Electro Acoustics, who says a typical offset tonearm has a maximum tracking error of 2 degrees, whereas a straight tonearm's tracking error is up to 17 degrees.

On many models, the length of the tonearm is straight but that doesn't necessarily make it a straight tonearm in the sense we're discussing here. The lack of an angled stylus/cartridge assembly at the end makes it straight. For example, the Ion TTUSB05's tonearm is straight all the way up to the headshell, where it makes an inward turn.

 

DJ-Only Features

Like standalone systems, vinyl digitizing capabilities aren't the only features you're paying for when you buy a DJ turntable.

A DJ turntable is a musical instrument and the following features let you make new music from old:

• "Scratching" allowed!

  In the 80's, many fathers blew a fuse when he caught his children moving the record player platter back and forth on the family home stereo system. A DJ turntable doesn't spoil the fun: It's designed for scratching. Remember, though, your irreplaceable vinyl LPs are not! Scratching also quickly wears down the needle in your delicate hi-fi cartridge.

• Pitch shifting

  This audio effect adjusts the pitch or tone of the sound without adjusting the speed or tempo. Make Barry White sound like the Chipmunks without changing the length of the song. Pitch control is not the exclusive domain of DJ turntables- several regular USB turntables feature it as well.

• Key locking

  This effect is the opposite of pitch shifting: Hold the same pitch while speeding up or slowing down the record. Keep Barry White's deep voice but finish "Can't Get Enough of Your Love" a minute sooner.

• Electronic brakes

  Braking systems are not uncommon on direct drive turntables. However, DJ turntables offer adjustable stop times- smoothly slowing and stopping the record for effect. The motor brings the record back up to speed for the opposite effect. Brakes are also used to quickly slow from a faster speed (78 to 33, for example).

• Play records backwards

  Finally, decipher those backwards messages in Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and the Beatles without destroying your turntable. DJ turntables play in forward and reverse. Of course, these days software can reverse your songs as well.

• Direct Drive

  DJ turntables are the only models featuring direct drive motors. All other vinyl ripping turntables in the comparison use a belt drive. A well-built direct drive turntable offers superior speed stability compared to similarly priced belt drive turntables. However, poorly built direct drive turntables can introduce motor noise into the playback, a phenomena to which belt driven turntables are naturally more immune. There's a healthy debate over which is better in turntables under $2,000. Above that price, there is no debate: Belt-drives win hands down.

 

 

S/PDIF Turntables

An alternative to USB output. Think of an S/PDIF connection as the modern, digital version of left and right RCA cables. They both transmit audio from one component to another. They both allow for surround sound. The S/PDIF interface does it digitally with no loss of data. Analog audio transmissions through RCA cables suffer from signal degradation.

S/PDIF (which stands for Sony/Phillips Digital Interface, in case you're wondering) became popular with DVD players and the Dolby Digital surround sound receivers they plug into.

These interfaces have found their way to a handful of DJ turntables from Stanton and one from Gemini.

Many newer sound cards have S/PDIF connections but look closely: Most are outputs. Very few sound cards feature a S/PDIF input. Further, the sound cards with digital inputs are typically on the expensive side. Knowzy only found two under $100.

S/PDIF connections come in two types: Coaxial (which, despite its name, looks like an RCA cable, not a cable you connect to a TV) and optical (also called Toslink). The turntables with S/PDIF outputs are all coaxial. Adapters are available to convert between coax and optical if needed.

Several standalone CD recorders accept S/PDIF inputs. In effect, you can build your own standalone system by combining a S/PDIF turntable and a CD recorder*.

 

 

Analog Turntables

Analog turntables may seem out of place in a buying guide to turntables with digital outputs. However, analog turntables play a vital role in the world of vinyl digitizing.

First, any self-respecting audiophile would be embarrassed to admit using a USB turntable, as there are no high-end models. The specs of the one "introductory-level" audiophile turntable- the Pro-Ject Debut III USB- are no comparison to the similarly priced, analog Technics SL-1200 series turntables.

Second, if you already own a record player, buying a USB turntable may be unnecessary. A simple box turns your analog turntable digital. You may even be able to run it directly into your sound card.

To sum up, consider using an analog turntable for digitizing your records in two situations:

• Own a cherished turntable: Unlike so many technologies, hi-fi turntables haven't advanced much since the 80's. As long as you replace the needle or even the entire cartridge, the turntable that's been collecting dust all of these years is probably suitable for digitizing those similarly dusty LPs.

  The only hurdle is how to turn that turntable digital. We can help.

   

• Only the best sound quality will do: In the digital world, there's little difference between a $50 CD player and a $500 CD player from a sound quality standpoint. In the analog world of turntables, the difference is night and day. Analog turntables that outperform USB turntables start at around $250.

  If you can afford to spend that kind of money (or can't afford not to), turn a good analog turntable digital. Three analog turntables featured here perform much better than comparably priced USB turntables.

   

Our upcoming section goes into more detail on using an analog turntable to digitize your records, including:

• A simple box that turns any turntable into a USB turntable
• Superior analog turntables
• Using your computer's sound card to digitize vinyl

ARTcessories USBPhonoPlus v2: This third generation device does what you need at an affordable price. This feature-packed box offers some surprising bonuses:

• Monitor input and output in your headphones
• Adjustable gain
• Clipping indicator light
• Switch between phono and line level inputs
• S/PDIF input (coax or optical Toslink) lets you convert digital output to USB
• S/PDIF optical output- connect your computer digitally to your home stereo (doesn't convert line-in to S/PDIF output)
• Analog RCA pre-amp line out- connect your turntable to your home stereo or computer
• Powered by USB port or AC adapter
• Rumble filter
• USB cable not included. Belkin's $5, 10 foot USB cable* works well.
• Mac, Windows and Linux compatible

 

 

Ion Audio U Record: Ion Audio is the leader in USB turntables. They also make an inexpensive phono pre-amp/USB sound card combo.

Compared to the other two units, the U Record is pretty bare. On the plus side, it is the only unit to include software, includes a USB cable and is the cheapest.

The U Record has RCA inputs, USB output, adjustable gain and that's it. Unlike the ART PhonoPlus v2, there are no S/PDIF connections, no input monitoring, no rumble filter, no line out and no clipping indicator.

It does include the same Ion software for Mac and PC that ships with their turntables: Easy Vinyl Converter and EZ Audio Converter, along with the free Audacity software.

If you are budget-minded or really appreciate the software, the Ion U Record may be your USB sound card/phono pre-amp. Be sure to consider what $30 more buys you in the ARTcessories PhonoPlus v2 before making a decision.

• Adjustable gain
• Switch between phono and line level inputs
• USB cable included
• Powered by USB port
• Mac, Windows and Linux compatible (no special Linux software)

 

 

Rolls/Bellari VP530: This unit is three times more expensive and has fewer features and connections than ART's USBPhonoPlus v2. So why even consider this unit?

Bellari is a respected audiophile equipment maker specializing in vacuum tube technology. Many ears prefer the sound of tube amplifiers to modern, solid-state amplifiers.

With the VP530, you can digitally capture the warmth of music amplified through vacuum tube circuitry, if that's what you prefer.

• Upgradeable vacuum tube
• Burr-Brown Analog to Digital converter- a respected ADC
• Switch between RIAA equalization and flat
• Rumble filter
• Mute button
• Adjustable gain
• Monitor output via headphones or line-out
• USB cable not included. Belkin's $5, 10 foot USB cable* works well.
• Mac, Windows and Linux compatible