Customer Rating:  
Summary: Great gift!
Comment: I bought this for my boyfriend for Christmas. I was a little nervous because he tends to be particular about his electronics. He seems more than satisfied with it. It works great with the Mac, and he's had a blast rediscovering all the old albums he's hasn't been able to listen to for years.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Turntable
Comment: It was exactly what my husband wanted and expected. it's easy to use, and we've had no problem using it or playing old records that we upload onto the computer with the included software.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A tale of two records
Comment: This is an AWESOME product.
I have many wonderful jazz recordings in my collection. I will focus on two of these recordings featuring Julian Cannonball Adderley for the purpose of this review.
In 1955 Cannonball was featured on two recordings for the Savoy label. One was "Presenting Cannonball" with Adderley as leader. The other was "Bohemia After Dark" featuring Kenny Clarke as leader.
The records were both recorded for the Savoy label; one week apart. Same studio.
Now, I am fortunate to own "Presenting Cannonball" in the form of a mint original LP. Nice heavy vinyl. Scratch free.
The other recording I own on CD. It has been professionally "remastered;" one assumes from the original master tapes, or a mint record just like mine.
I recently purchased this turntable because with three small children running around the house, the good vinyl has been sitting in bins in a dry and cool corner of my basement. I listen to most of my music on the computer these days, and I wanted to get some of the great music sitting on my vinyl records into my ears where it belongs.
One of the first records I brought into the digital realm (I use an old eMac) was "Presenting Cannonball." I used the free "Audacity" software included with this turntable.
I then listened to the record in MP3 format and was really impressed. Through my Bose computer speakers, only a small audible difference between the vinyl and the MP3 made from it (of course, it doesn't sound as good as when it is hooked up to a great turntable and amp, but I sold THAT system years ago..). Then I decided to give "Bohemia After Dark" a listen through the same Bose computer speakers.
WOW. The record that I digitized myself using this turntable and audacity sounded SO MUCH better than the CD from Nippon that I couldn't believe my ears. Bohemia After Dark sounded like it had been recorded under water, or across the hall. There were no pops of course, but, aside from the brilliant performances, the recording sounded... DEAD.
The MP3 made from the record with this turntable on the other hand sounded WARM and WONDERFUL and very present by comparison. Of course, I didn't remove any of the few "pops" that were there because I didn't want to deaden the sound... like that CD. YUCK.
I was surprised to say the least. This is an AWESOME product.
I deduct one star because the "easy" software they included is horrible. The sound quality stinks, and it is so dumbed down as to be unusable. Audacity on the other hand works GREAT, and if you are at all capable you can figure it out without reading the instructions.
My recommendation is to bring in the records using audacity and export to MP3 format using the downloadable plug-in that they recommend. Export to at least 256 kpbs using 48.000 khz. The results are OUTSTANDING.
I will add here a personal request. This technology is wonderful, and we want to keep it around. So DON'T abuse it. Use it to back up your records so you can enjoy them from the convenience of your computer. Don't make copies for your friends. DON'T go sharing your stuff with illegal file sharing sites. If you sell your record, delete your digital copies. You will feel better about yourself in the long run. Trust me.
Enjoy the music. From now one I am planning on spending the extra money and going back to buying vinyl recordings. There is a whole Vinyl store here at Amazon now! When I want digital copies, I will buy legal downloads from here as well. I don't think I will buy another CD ever again. I will enjoy the same music on my iTunes, imported there using this EXCELLENT product.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The Warmth of Vinyl
Comment: First off: This is my first turntable, and I bought it STRICTLY to play vinyl. The USB connection to my computer to transfer vinyl to MP3 is an added bonus for me. I simply wanted a turntable to play through my stereo, and that is EXACTLY what I got.
Secondly: To all of the people who complained that the directions were unclear, or hard to follow: I'm a 23 year old music buff. I'm not that great at setting things up ( I know my fair share) but I found these directions (as blunt, short, and unclear as they might be) easy to follow. My turntable was set up in about 10 minutes.
The sound quality is amazing. Its warm, full, and full of bass. I couldn't ask for anything more. the RC cables plugged in easily and it was just as easy to find what setting my stereo had to be on for the turntable to play through it. I have not tried to convert anything to MP3 yet, and when I do, Ill be sure to update this review, so that you all can hear how much or little trouble I had following those directions, and using that software.
All in all I am very pleased this this product, and I will SURELY be buying WAY more vinyl to add to my collection. Lets hope this product lasts.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Damn Fine Turntable
Comment: Have been without a turntable for over 4 years prior to purchasing this unit, since the options that had been available were shoddy with no thought given to the end user's experience with vinyl.
This turntable is quite solid overall. Would I like to have had auto return and a tone arm lift? Yes. But, considering how generous and forgiving this turntable is with my old albums, it is minor. (NOTE TO COLLECTORS: I am in it for the music, not trying to sell people an over-inflated price on music that should be heard, not hoarded.)
I use a Mac (of course), and the software is seamless. I jack this into my home Philips home theatre system for the most part, and the sound is amazing. I often play "Back to Black" by Amy Winehouse and Anita Baker's "Rapture" for guests lately, and they cannot believe the sound and warmth.
I used the pitch control seldomly, and it works like a charm (Black Sabbath's "Mob Rules" and the self titled debut from Wolfmother have greatly benefitted from this.)
Spend a little extra, and get something that will make the music shine like it was meant to be heard.
|
