Audio Technica LP-to-Digital Recording System (AT-LP2D)

Pros: Built-in preamp allows you direct connection from the turntable to computer sound card. Low cost. Easy to operate. CakeWalk software is simple to use and does great audio transfering from LP to CD.

Cons: A light weight system requires an easy touch while operating.

Summary: I bought the Audio Technica LP-to-Digital Recording System (AT-LP2D) to convert about 150 LPs to CDs. I have converted around 12 LP's to date (all of them classical music) with wonderful results.

The conversion process doesn't require much work. It's a bit more involved if you want to preserve the individual / separate music pieces on the LP as tracks on the CD but still simple. You just need to pay more attention to pause each track at the right time.

Audio Technica PL120

Pros: This turntable is heavy, and.. I mean rock solid. Features include quartz timing, variable weight, s-shaped arm, and selectable stylus pitch. The reverse playback setting was useful when one track always skipped going forward. Therefore I recorded the track backwards and switched it in the software. I used an eMagic audio interface. Unless your computer has RCA inputs on the sound card, you'll need to have a USB or firewire audio interface that does (or maybe an adapter if your computer has a 3.5mm input). You can switch the output between Line or Phono levels - the switch is beneath the turntable and accessible through a small hole in the platter.

The AT-PL120 will play any 33 1/3, 45 and 78 rpm vinyl you throw at it. I found the 78 speed awesome since I can use it to play some very old 78s. The playback options of the PL120 are the right thing for taking care of all the platter & groove media you may have laying around. And a majoy plus, direct drive means no annoying belt replacing!

Cons: You have to manually cue most of the things. It is made easier by the tone arm lever, which is located on a pneumatic cylinder, so that the arm comes down slow and smooth. Heavy - but you really need that for hard, stable copies. No USB output directly, but that's unimportant especially if you want to use it to play discs and not just copy them.

Great sound, worth the investment.

By the way, this is the turntable they used in "The Matrix: Revolutions" club parts of the movie.

Audio Technica AT-PL50 Belt Drive Turntable

Pros: This is a great belt-driven turntable for those of us that are just starting out. The AT-PL50 does boast quite a few of attractive features that includes a switchable built-in pre-amp, a dust cover, a pre-installed cartridge, automatic playback and return, and, best of all, the entry-level price.

Cons: My main problem with this unit is the fact that it doesn't handle imperfections in the vinyl all too well. Most of my my collection is made up of passed-down purchases, many of which aren't in a great condition. These albums play without skipping/pausing on a 30 year old JVC direct-drive turntable but they often skip on the AT-PL50. Because this unit does not offer you an adjustable counterweight for the tone arm, there isn't a way to add weight to the tonearm other than to tie a metal coil to the tone arm or tape a coin to the head.

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References:

Audio-Technica AT-PL120 - turntable

Audio-Technica AT-PL120 is a Direct Drive Stereo Turntable System with selectable 33/45/78 RPM speeds.PRODUCT FEATURES: Selectable internal stereo phono pre-amplifier;

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