Accessories

USB vs. Line Input & Software Choices
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. I chose the Sony because it came with software that you couldn't just download for free. 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.

I did download Audacity and like it too. In fact, I switch back and forth, depending on the project. What suprised me was that the sofware wouldn't detect the breaks between songs very well while using the USB interface. I think the gain is just too high and can't be adjusted down that I can tell. 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. Now the software will detect the individual songs and treat them accordingly.
I don't know if this is a flaw with this particular unit or all USB input. The other benefit of using line level over USB is that you can hear what is being recorded. With the USB input, you can't (unless I'm missing something).

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.

Turntable is great, still learning the software
I haven't had any problems with the turntable, it's being very kind to my old albums. 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.
Like several other reviewers I've had a not so fun time trying to figure out the software. I do have sound through my computer. 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. My Device Properties on the Audio tab is: Sound Playback: Realtek HD Audio Output
Sound Recording: USB Audio CODEC
MIDI Music Playback: Miscrosoft GS Wavetable SW Synth
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.
Hope this helps.

Neat product!
What a neat product! 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. Now I can listen to my old tunes.

The product is easy to set up and use. The sound quality of the recordings is fine.

Just what I wanted!
Product works just as described. Software is easy to use--I'm a novice, so it can do more than I need it to do. Sony brand name is trusted. Seems more rugged than the competition.

Once you figure out the software, you'll love it
As a tool for getting your vinyl to CD (or iTunes or whatever), this is a great product. Sure, the whole thing costs less than the B&O crowd will spend just on cartridge, but if you're like me and have a bunch of LPs sitting in the garage feeling neglected, this is just what you need to get the tunes back in your living room & vehicle.

As others have said, the software takes a little getting used to. It would have been useful if the software's default startup behavior would have been optimized for use with LPs. As it is you have to hunt around a bit to get the recordings to work. Don't be surprised if on your first attempt:
* The sound on all your programs stops working
* Your first LP recording sounds even scratchier than the oldest LP you've ever played.

After a little poking around, you'll get most of it working. Like the others I haven't been able to get the sound to play through my computer while recording, but since I've got the unit hooked up to my receiver, that doesn't really matter.

Just remember recording LPs isn't like ripping CDs. :) You actually have to play the album in real time in order to record it, just like the old days.