Ion Audio iPTUSB Portable USB Turntable with Software and Built-in Speaker

I'm not sure what the deal is with the buzz in this thing. I have seen one or two other mentions of it, besides the review here. Some reviews specifically mention that there is no buzz whatsoever, another mentioned that there was a buzz specifically in the USB. In my case, I was getting a buzz from the headphone jack and the built-in speaker. I did not try the line out. I was all set to pack it up and send it back, but decided to just try the USB anyway. I was surprised to discover that there was no buzz in the USB output. Since my whole purpose was to convert vinyl to digital, and not to add a component to my stereo system, then the USB connection gives me all the capability I need. Even as a stereo component, the buzz might not be all that bothersome. It is not very noticeable on average-to-loud music, only comes forward on the softer passages. Indeed, I wasn't even aware of it until I brought up a digital recording (made from the headphone output) to edit. I saw the buzz on screen before I heard it, but once I was aware of it, it was intolerable for archival purposes. I wondered if the buzz might be caused by bad grounding or other interference in the AC circuit, but the buzz is still there even when running on batteries and nothing else whatsoever connected (i.e.--listening to the built-in speaker.)Anyway, for what it does do, I am happy enough with this. I find the sound quality (from the USB!) to be more than adequate. I like the lightness and portability. It is very easy to set up and use temporarily, do a few records when time permits, and then close it up and get it out of your way when done, does not claim a dedicated chunk of real estate somewhere on your desk or on your shelf.I would have done the "gain" knob for the USB a little differently. First of all, I would have placed it on the top surface (where the other controls--volume, tone, and speed) are, instead of recessed on the side where you can hardly see it (I have to use a flashlight!) and it's difficult to operate. Also, it would have been nice to have tick marks so that you can line up the notch on the knob with a specific gain setting. Also, it seems a little counterintuitive to turn the knob counterclockwise for increased gain.

I was looking to digitize a stash of really old vinyls - all 3 speeds (78, 33 and 45). Over the years many of the brittle 78s have cracked/broken and we've lost some really unique recordings. So it was time to bring them into this century. I was looking for a lightweight, portable (I was carrying this half way across the world!) turntable with 3 speeds. Most turntables seem to be 2-speed and you need software to convert the 78s. But I didn't want to deal with that, so I specifically looked for a 3-speed and this one came up in my search. Software was easy to install and the recordings were easily converted to digital format - the software ports the music into iTunes. The turntable itself worked well. And it doesn't record any extraneous sounds (some of the reviews I read for other brands/models claimed this was a problem). Not being a sound guru, I didn't really try and play with all the bells and whistles (which seem to be very limited) on the player itself. However, I'm sure there is far more sophisticated software available if someone wanted to do that. I was looking for a very simple, easy to use solution to convert the vinyls and this more than sufficed.Cons - the in-built transformer didn't work in a 220v country. However, they do have the option of using batteries. The files that are created are named temp0, temp1 etc. So you have to rename the files or you never know what they are. And that means you have to re-sync the file with iTunes after you rename the file - I found that a bit painful. There must be a better way to do this. I just haven't figure it out yet.

I was looking for an inexpensive way to get some of my many record Albums and 45's into iTunes. These seemed to fit the bill. Not the cheapest one, but far from the most expensive.I want to qualify this review with a couple of facts up front. First, I bought this in 2012; Secondly, I only paid $88.70 for it. At the time, there were similar one that cost $99.00, $119.00 and about $139.00. Were I do get a "do-over", I would have sprung for the $139.00 model and would probably have a gotten a superior product with better sound quality.First is the sound quality is reproduces from my records. Only fair to average. It's difficult to adjust the pitch to get the original quality sound. It either plays the records slightly too fast or slightly too slow, which distorts the sound quality.Secondly, even given that it's an inexpensive model, it seems really cheaply built, even give it's price. One minor bump, I am sure the plastic construction will crack.I've imported about three albums so far. The quality is passable, but barely. I'd like to see a little better quality without having to break the bank.Addendum update November 2016: As noted above, I would like to point out to any readers of this review that when I purchased this unit, the price was only 88.00. The current price is listed at over $200.00, which is ridiculous. I definately would not pay more than the $89.00 I paid a few years back. No way would I fork over $200.00 for this substandard product. For that money, you easliy can get a way better USB turntable than this one. If I were buying this now, there is no way I would spend over $230.00 for this machine. It simply is not worth anywhere near that kind of money.In a nutshell, look for a higher quality product for around $200 or a bit less. You'll surely get a better quality product at a much better price.

I really like this turntable.It was a bit like rediscovering my youth and gave me a good reason to dust off my 45rpm collection and give them a play.Plugged in my portable speakers and it made it even better.Followed the easy instructions to transfer an LP that I had never played before (as it is a collectors piece that I want to keep in pristine condition) into my itunes collection on the PCIf you are a certain age and have kept your record collection but now have nothing to play them on, then this is the product for you (especially if you want a portable system that you can play in the garden shed or the attic room where you have stowed your collection but do not have an electrical supply handy).It would be just as good if you are of the younger generation who are discovering vinyl for the first time (now that there seems to be a revival of producing old covers).

This record player has the ability to connect via USB to a computer so you can create MP3s of your records; but why would you do that when it sounds so good - and feels so good - to keep playing the records on this fantastic portable turntable? the little speaker is surprisingly OK in a quiet setting (eg with a group of friends), or connect via minijack to a speaker, or via phono leads to an amp - and play your records to your heart's content. Let me put it this way - since this versatile little beauty came into my life a short while ago, I've ordered five more for friends who have insisted that they own one themselves. It will change your life for the better as surely as it's changing theirs.

I bought this product with the specific aim of archiving my collection of 78 RPM records in itunes. I found it easy to set up and the software that comes with it is very easy to use, recording the tracks straight into itunes. I had to order a different stylus to the one that comes as default (which is for 45RPM singles and 33RPM LPs). The stylus required for 78s is product STY06 "78" and I found this via the customer support advertised on the ION website at a small additional cost.The deck is a bit plasticy, the speaker adequate for my purposes but it is not "hi-fi" and not the sort of turntable that I would personally choose if I were planning to routinely listen to my records on it (rather than record them). However it is ideal if you just want to pack it away and get it out when you want to archive a record to itunes. For this purpose I felt that it was absolutely ideal and hence the 5 star rating.

Bought this for my daughters 13th birthday, the belt went wrong within a month.The item is within warranty but the manufacturer, Amazon and Standish Trading are all being Teflon like with my complaint. Don't go anywhere near the product or Standish!

Good device!