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Other => Technical stuff => Topic started by: japanesebaby on July 22, 2008, 15:23:58

Title: Turntables with USB audio interface?
Post by: japanesebaby on July 22, 2008, 15:23:58
it looks like my trusted old turntable is about to go to the turntable heaven soon.
i've been wanting to get a new one with direct USB > HD interface as i'd rather digitalize part of my vinyl collection than buy some remastered (read: volume destroyed) cd copies to replace them.

anybody have any recommendations/experiences on the reasonably priced/decent devices?
i don't want anything silly like these "convert your vinyls to 128 kb/s mp3s, with a built-in encoder!" and i can't exactly afford some 1000€ studio equipment either, but i'm prepared to consider investing a couple of euros if the device is worth it and would serve me well in the years to come.
Title: Re: Turntables with USB audio interface?
Post by: revolt on July 22, 2008, 15:48:05
Quote from: japanesebaby on July 22, 2008, 15:23:58
i'm prepared to consider investing a couple of euros if the device is worth it


I'm scratching my head here trying to think what possibly could you get for such a price... If anything comes to mind, I'll let you know.  ;) :-D
Title: Re: Turntables with USB audio interface?
Post by: japanesebaby on July 22, 2008, 16:10:22
Quote from: revolt on July 22, 2008, 15:48:05
Quote from: japanesebaby on July 22, 2008, 15:23:58
i'm prepared to consider investing a couple of euros if the device is worth it


I'm scratching my head here trying to think what possibly could you get for such a price... If anything comes to mind, I'll let you know.  ;) :-D

hehe don't take that "a couple of euros" too literally. i know what good equipment costs and i don't want some $10 stuff. it's just that i can't afford something like a 3000€ hifi stuff with a ebony base and a glass arm made of crystal or something.;)

since it's been ages since i bought a turntable, i'm simply completely out of touch with the equipment out there today.  :smth017
i was wondering how stuff like for instance this (a random pick) might be?:

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Numark-TTXUSB-USB-Turntable-104640099-i1321891.gc

that'd be pretty much the price limit for me.

here's something a lot cheaper:
http://www.thomann.de/gb/american_audio_ttd_2400_usb.htm

i wonder if it's any good...(?)
Title: Re: Turntables with USB audio interface?
Post by: lostflower4 on July 22, 2008, 16:16:13
I don't think I have a vinyl collection that warrants purchasing a turntable, but I've always had the idea in the back of my mind just in case I ever need one.

And after LOTS of research, I've come to the conclusion that this is the cheapest turntable you can buy new that's really any good:

http://www.panasonic.com/consumer_electronics/technics_dj/prod_specs_sl1200mk2.asp


Not exactly cheap, but of course that's just the list price. $450 seems to the average new price online, although I could swear it was less just a couple months ago.  :?

It's the only I've found (that you can still buy new) which has really good specs in terms of wow and flutter characteristics, etc. - which is especially important if you're thinking about archiving stuff.

No USB output, but I think that's an overhyped feature. I'm even pretty sure that some of those models don't even give you a choice for lossless output. They just go direct to mp3.  :oops:

Not to mention that the USB output is limited to 16 bits. At least I'm pretty sure of this. With vinyl, I think one would really want to take advantage of a higher resolution, as the resolution of analog is theoretically infinite.

And well, the USB/cheaper decks tend to skimp on quality and general robustness. Just compare the specs and you'll see a lot of differences.

Sure, there are some $5000+ turntables which are no longer made that audiophiles will swear by, but I think the SL-1200 MKII is quite adequate.

You could probably find a deal on a turntable from the '70s or '80s that would be superior to most of the $200 stuff made today, but I don't know anything about older models, plus that of course involves buying used stuff which may need extensive servicing to perform "like new".






Title: Re: Turntables with USB audio interface?
Post by: japanesebaby on July 22, 2008, 16:32:24
yes i know you're right about all that. and i'm really appalled by all those "direct to 128 kb/s" turntables that they seem to sell these days - awful.

the thing with the USB interface is just that i was kind of hoping to override buying both a new amplifier (my old one is from stone-age too and i'd need to replace it too, i think) and also a good USB soundcard (as my old laptop doesn't have a built-in audio in!), and i'm not sure i can afford to invest on all that right now. besides, whatever i'd transfer i'd only transfer for myself anyway (i don't have a collection of unofficial vinyls to transfer, just official stuff i would transfer for my own pleasure only).
but then again, to be able to transfer in 24-bit and beyond would be nice...

i'm a bit afraid to buy a used one, for the same reason i wouldn't by a used vcr.


(by the way, i can't find a local reseller for that technics around here: only used ones or i should order from germany or something... weird. :roll:
what was that ebay link you meant to include? i can't see it.)
Title: Re: Turntables with USB audio interface?
Post by: lostflower4 on July 22, 2008, 16:45:57
Quote from: japanesebaby on July 22, 2008, 16:32:24
yes i know you're right about all that. and i'm really appalled by all those "direct to 128 kb/s" turntables that they seem to sell these days - awful.

the thing with the USB interface is just that i was kind of hoping to override buying both a new amplifier (my old one is from stone-age too and i'd need to replace it too, i think)

I'm pretty sure the Technics has a built-in preamp, and you can just go from the phono out directly into your recording device (you could even use an R-09 for this  ;))


Quote from: japanesebaby on July 22, 2008, 16:32:24(by the way, i can't find a local reseller for that technics around here: only used ones or i should order from germany or something... weird. :roll:
what was that ebay link you meant to include? i can't see it.)

Sorry, I typed that before I searched, and then I didn't find any good deals. I could swear there were multiple sellers offering them for around $300-$350 just a couple months ago, but now there's almost nothing.

I'm sure I'm not imagining this, because I was thinking about transferring all the new Cure vinyl singles to avoid the loudness war crap. But after what mahood told us, I gave up on that idea pretty quickly.

So I have to conclude that 1) it has something to do with the economy, or even more likely 2) this model is finally getting phased out and will soon disappear completely just like good VCRs did not too long ago.
Title: Re: Turntables with USB audio interface?
Post by: japanesebaby on August 06, 2008, 11:44:03
after doing some more research i've become convinced that the USB turntables are not worth it. i really cannot find any really good models, most are just some quick-and-easy solutions.
(by the way i was already convinced of that before i read this guy's "sermon" (read the small print in red):

http://www.arar93.dsl.pipex.com/mds975/content/vinyl01.html

i have to say i fully agree with him. for what i've read by now, i cannot really recommend any of those USB models.


so, looks like nothing else seems to be worth going for than the good old technics 1200 series after all.
the classic 1200 MK2 model:

http://www.thomann.de/gb/technics_sl1200_mk_ii_silver.htm

(http://www.thomann.de/prodbilder/technics_sl1200_mk_ii_silver_pimx_128271.jpg)

even though the prices here in europe are utterly ripoff-ish, compared to those on the other side of the atlantic.  :shock:

+ i've thought about trying out this cartridge: http://www.amazon.com/Shure-M97xE-High-Performance-Magnetic-Cartridge/dp/B00006I5SB

amazon seems to have a good offer at the moment.
cartridges can always be easily upgraded, if i'm not too happy with it.

Quote from: lostflower4 on July 22, 2008, 16:45:57
I'm pretty sure the Technics has a built-in preamp, and you can just go from the phono out directly into your recording device (you could even use an R-09 for this  ;))
looks like the technics 1200 models don't have a built-in preamp. but i guess i'm prepared to live with that. ;)
Title: Re: Turntables with USB audio interface?
Post by: mahood on August 13, 2008, 15:13:00
i'm not sure the technics is the best idea, since - as you've said japanesebaby - they're usually overly priced in europe.
if you want something new, i would suggest a project debut, which starts at around 220 euros  - it really is a decent turntable for this price :
http://www.project-audio.com/main.php?prod=debut
http://www.phonophono.de/Yproject_debut.php3?Kennung= (germany has probably the lowest prices in EEC, but you have to take the shipping prices into consideration).

if you have patience, you can also try a secondhand one on ebay - again, the shipping prices may be a problem. i have bought a systemdek IIX for 330 euros (shipping included), which wasn't even the price of the cartridge included ! this one will equal a rega or a linn, but since it doesn't have the same popularity, it costs far less than its quality. some on them surface from time to time on ebay, and go for under 300 euros. It has a glass platter, so it's very very heavy, and has to be packed carefully.

you won't have all the facilities a technics can offer, but since it is for archiving and listening purposes only, it doesn't matter i think.

then, it also implies having good cables and a good soundcard, but why would you transfer your vinyls anyway ? why not just play them ?  ;)

edit : about the cartridge, it's very interesting to buy in the USA, since you will have reasonable shipping prices.
these two sites are quite good :
http://www.needledoctor.com/
http://www.lpgear.com/
audio technica and goldring offer very good, affordable products.
Title: Re: Turntables with USB audio interface?
Post by: japanesebaby on August 13, 2008, 20:54:13
thanks for suggestions mahood.
anyway i've already made up my mind that technics is indeed the best choice. overly priced - yes. but also the best i think. the specs are superior to almost everything else out there so i wouldn't be wasting my money. after all, i think i really want a piece of equipment that will endure and i don't want to find myself thinking about upgrading it in a couple of years.
but the specs for the technics model are truly impressive (thanks to lostfower4 for pointing these out):
http://www.panasonic.com/consumer_electronics/technics_dj/prod_specs_sl1200mk2.asp

for instance:
Wow and Flutter:       
0.01% WRMS
0.025% WRMS (JIS C5521)
ą0.035% peak (IEC 98A Weighted}


show me a turntable that can beat that! :P

about ebay: yes i might save some money but i don't want to buy a used deck. turntables have so many fragile parts that i don't fully trust used gear. especially if it came from overseas: if i found out it wasn't in a condition described by the seller, i'd be in trouble. so i'd rather buy a new one, with full warranty.
besides, i found a german seller (for the technics) that can ship overseas with only 20 euros postage cost which is really good service. i bet any ebay seller would have to charge three-five times that (as turntables are rather heavy, 11-12 kgs).


Quote from: mahood on August 13, 2008, 15:13:00
then, it also implies having good cables and a good soundcard, but why would you transfer your vinyls anyway ? why not just play them ?  ;)

yes well actually i don't have any interesting unofficial vinyl colection to transfer here. if/when i'd transfer my recordings they'd be just official recordings i'd want to transfer for my own listening pleasure. of course a good soundcard is the key, that's right. but i've come to think i need to move slowly: first to get a good turntable, then  think about the pre-amp/soundcard issue next (after saving a bit of money ;)). until then i'd just enjoy playing my vinyls. :)


Title: Re: Turntables with USB audio interface?
Post by: dsanchez on August 13, 2008, 21:00:31
Quote from: japanesebaby on August 13, 2008, 20:54:13
thanks for suggestions mahood.
anyway i've already made up my mind that technics is indeed the best choice.

how much are you going to pay for that Technics turntable? Just curious. I bought some years ago a brand new Kenwood in Peru, very simple, for just 50 Euro. Don't remember the model, but was similar to this, thought

(http://home.c2i.net/jantoresvart/turntables/kd-291rc.jpg)
Title: Re: Turntables with USB audio interface?
Post by: japanesebaby on August 13, 2008, 21:12:10
Quote from: dsanchez on August 13, 2008, 21:00:31
Quote from: japanesebaby on August 13, 2008, 20:54:13
thanks for suggestions mahood.
anyway i've already made up my mind that technics is indeed the best choice.

how much are you going to pay for that Technics turntable? Just curious.

it's freaking expensive, around 450 euros. :eek:
ok call me crazy (because no, i'm surely not a rich person and i'd need that money for rent anytime!). but the way i've figured it:
i've thought about getting a really good turntable for several years now. and why invest so much? because i've really thought about it quite a lot and come to think that i will buy this for life. unless something totally hazardous/some kind of accident happens, i very likely don't have to buy another turntable ever again. these models are known to easily last for 20-30 years, if they are well maintained. and i've realized i don't want to buy some other model just because it would be cheaper - i want this one because everytime i compare it with any other model out there, it wins.
ok now i sound like i was lobbing for technics (hey i wonder if they could give me some discount because of it? ;)).
anyway recently one of the local record stores here had one of these on display (available for customers who wanted to listen to vinyls before commiting to buy) and i had the possibility to take a closer look at this model. i suppose that convinced me.


ps. the stupid thing is that in the US the same turntable costs less than $300 - which is less than 200 euros. so yes, it's overpriced in europe...  :evil: but i know i will be happy when i receive it! :P
Title: Re: Turntables with USB audio interface?
Post by: dsanchez on August 13, 2008, 21:16:39
Quote from: japanesebaby on August 13, 2008, 21:12:10
Quote
how much are you going to pay for that Technics turntable? Just curious.
it's freaking expensive, around 450 euros. :eek:

:shock: Well, if I could afford it, I would also go for it. Since I was a child I always wanted to build-up a sound-equipment with Technics. Technics rocks :rocker
Title: Re: Turntables with USB audio interface?
Post by: japanesebaby on August 13, 2008, 21:23:36
Quote from: dsanchez on August 13, 2008, 21:16:39
Since I was a child I always wanted to build-up a sound-equipment with Technics. Technics rocks :rocker

i remember when i was 13 and i finally managed to pester my dad enough to buy me my first turntable (we never had one at home when i was a kid so it was something really magical for me). i got some phillips model which wasn't anything expensive or fancy, but actually not the worst either. it was complete ok for me at that time and i was (and i still am) very thankful that my dad bought me this because it meant a lot to me, so i am not complaining at all here. but i also do remember that around the same time my best friend from school also got herself a turntable - and guess what? her mom bought her a technics! i was silently soooo envious...

so i suppose it's payback time, finally!  :rocker :lol: 
(talk about some supressed childhood traumas, oh yes... :-P)
Title: Re: Turntables with (or without) USB audio interface?
Post by: japanesebaby on October 08, 2008, 20:52:27
finally got my technics SL-1200 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SL-1200), after lots of delays.
it took a while get all the adjustments done and the cartridge performance optimized...

...but i just LOVE it how you can play 'disintegration' and literally turn the volume up up up and PLAY IT LOUD and it sounds freaking marvelous. something one cannot experience with lot of newer music anymore.

thank god for pure clean analog sound!  :rocker there simply is something in it, certain profoundness and fullness of quality that will always beat digital sound 6-0, all the way.

digital is  just so passé.  :smth019

:-D



(http://www.clipartof.com/images/emoticons/xsmall2/1954_dancing.gif)
Title: Re: Turntables with USB audio interface?
Post by: dsanchez on October 08, 2008, 21:32:07
congratulations!

cds and any digital format will never reach the feeling to play a vynil disc. is just a very, very different experience.
Title: Re: Turntables with (or without) USB audio interface?
Post by: revolt on October 09, 2008, 10:59:58
Quote from: japanesebaby on October 08, 2008, 20:52:27

thank god for pure clean analog sound!  :rocker


That's a surprising statement, coming from a non-believer.  ;)
Title: Re: Turntables with (or without) USB audio interface?
Post by: mike65 on October 13, 2008, 23:02:39
Quote from: japanesebaby on October 08, 2008, 20:52:27
finally got my technics SL-1200 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SL-1200), after lots of delays.
it took a while get all the adjustments done and the cartridge performance optimized...

...but i just LOVE it how you can play 'disintegration' and literally turn the volume up up up and PLAY IT LOUD and it sounds freaking marvelous. something one cannot experience with lot of newer music anymore.


Glad to hear that you seem VERY satisfied with your new "Toy".
I bought a used not SL 1200  but an SL 3210. maybe It´s a bit "light" besides yours but it plays real nice and sounds real good. I paid 125 swedish kronor I think that´s about14-15 euros,(And as you said earlier you´ll never know with used stuff, but for that price I just couldn´t resist).
I was at a second hand shop supposidly looking for some furniture.....
But I recognised it from must be at least 20 years ago, then I wanted one but just couldn´t afford it.

And then this summer I was at an action outside the village where I live, and then I bought A brand "New" Yamaha Reciver CR - 820 for the fasionoble price of 3 Euros!!!!

It was just perfect, as I the week before asked my neigbour to take a look at my old Matantz reciver (only one channel working).
He said "It would be much cheeper if I buy a new one"" and so I did. :D

My wife wasn´t to happy though. (Maybe it´s because the other 5 turntabels ,some amps and 5 or 6 tape decks But Í don´t really know.)

cheers Michael
Title: Re: Turntables with (or without) USB audio interface?
Post by: japanesebaby on October 15, 2008, 22:04:10
 :)

Quote from: mike65 on October 13, 2008, 23:02:39
I bought a used not SL 1200  but an SL 3210. maybe It´s a bit "light" besides yours but it plays real nice and sounds real good. I paid 125 swedish kronor I think that´s about14-15 euros,(And as you said earlier you´ll never know with used stuff, but for that price I just couldn´t resist).
I was at a second hand shop supposidly looking for some furniture.....

hey nevermind the furniture haha.
anyway, that unti doesn't sound too bad, especially for that price  :shock:
good to hear you got a good unit there with such a bargain. 

Quote from: mike65 on October 13, 2008, 23:02:39
But I recognised it from must be at least 20 years ago, then I wanted one but just couldn´t afford it.

that sounds all so familiar. ;)

but yes, i've been really happy with my new toy, just getting happier every day. it's also great that you can find a good selection of vinyl, both new and used, these days. i remember sometime in the mid/late-90's how difficult it was to try find anything really, vinyl just seemed to have been disappear all around - if you asked about it they said it was called "progress"....hmm. anyway it's great to see it back on the shelves.

(by the way the cartridge alignment is/was trickier than i thought, it's not easy to get it exactly correctly thanks to the way the two small screws holding the cartridge to the headshell are positioned.)

Title: Re: Turntables with USB audio interface?
Post by: mahood on October 20, 2008, 02:04:23
glad to know you finally bought it !
although our opinions may slightly differ, the technics is for sure a great turntable.
what cartridge do you use ? i empathize about all the time it took to adjust it, whatever it is.

Quote from: japanesebaby on August 13, 2008, 20:54:13
for instance:
Wow and Flutter:       
0.01% WRMS
0.025% WRMS (JIS C5521)
ą0.035% peak (IEC 98A Weighted}

show me a turntable that can beat that! :P

i admit i can't (i won't even try).
but i can show you the records that will ruin this :
http://www.audioh.com/releases/wow.html
http://www.audioh.com/releases/skatelp.html
i have both, and i can tell you they work, in their own twisted way  ;)
Title: Re: Turntables with USB audio interface?
Post by: revolt on October 20, 2008, 11:36:19
Quote from: mahood on October 20, 2008, 02:04:23
glad to know you finally bought it !
although our opinions may slightly differ, the technics is for sure a great turntable.
what cartridge do you use ? i empathize about all the time it took to adjust it, whatever it is.

Quote from: japanesebaby on August 13, 2008, 20:54:13
for instance:
Wow and Flutter:       
0.01% WRMS
0.025% WRMS (JIS C5521)
ą0.035% peak (IEC 98A Weighted}

show me a turntable that can beat that! :P

i admit i can't (i won't even try).
but i can show you the records that will ruin this :
http://www.audioh.com/releases/wow.html
http://www.audioh.com/releases/skatelp.html
i have both, and i can tell you they work, in their own twisted way  ;)


:shock:

Just when you think you've already seen it all there comes a weirder thing out of the blue...  :-D
Title: Re: Turntables with USB audio interface?
Post by: japanesebaby on October 20, 2008, 22:34:48
nice to see you back, mahood.

Quote from: mahood on October 20, 2008, 02:04:23
what cartridge do you use ? i empathize about all the time it took to adjust it, whatever it is.

i've currently one of these:

http://www.needledoctor.com/Shure-M97XE?sc=7&category=917

i've also become curious to try some ortofon cartridges, i've heard some good stuff about them. also audio technica.
i'm also curious of what cartridge do you have?

also, i have find myself thinking of getting one of those external phono pre-amps which offer a better quality RIAA correction. i'm just quite convinced that my current old stereo amplifier's in-built RIAA fix just isn't any good at all.
so something like this, etc.:

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CA640P
or
http://www.project-audio.com/main.php?prod=phonobox&cat=boxes&lang=en

i was interested in the project audio box first because it has direct USB output, but i was pointed out that the USB out is fixed to 16-bit only. a bit weird that they couldn't have made at least a 24-bit digital output available for otherwise such a sophisticated device.

Quote from: mahood on October 20, 2008, 02:04:23
but i can show you the records that will ruin this :
http://www.audioh.com/releases/wow.html
http://www.audioh.com/releases/skatelp.html
i have both, and i can tell you they work, in their own twisted way  ;)

ok you win! :shock:  ;)

Title: Re: Turntables with USB audio interface?
Post by: mahood on October 21, 2008, 17:13:35
Quote from: japanesebaby on October 20, 2008, 22:34:48
nice to see you back, mahood.

i've currently one of these:

http://www.needledoctor.com/Shure-M97XE?sc=7&category=917

i've also become curious to try some ortofon cartridges, i've heard some good stuff about them. also audio technica.
i'm also curious of what cartridge do you have?

also, i have find myself thinking of getting one of those external phono pre-amps which offer a better quality RIAA correction. i'm just quite convinced that my current old stereo amplifier's in-built RIAA fix just isn't any good at all.
so something like this, etc.:

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CA640P
or
http://www.project-audio.com/main.php?prod=phonobox&cat=boxes&lang=en


thanks, japanesebaby ; it's nice to be here again.
the shure cartridge seems quite good, better than the audio technica AT440 in that range (depending on what you're after : i found the latter to be very precise, but almost CD-like sounding, which is not what i'm after for vinyls).
i use a phonosophie chiave (MM), which was included (used) when i bought the systemdek. basically, it's a version of the ortofon VMS20 they did for phonosophie. i think it's a little bit old now, but i really can't afford another new one, it costs around 450 euros (more than what i paid for the entire turntable, actually!). but i like its sound so much that i don't want to buy another model (well, i tried and was disappointed). one advice : stay away from the rega cartridges !

concerning the preamp, i only know the first phonobox, which i used for a little time, and which is just fine, nothing great. version 2 may be nice, though.
but i have tried this : http://www.needledoctor.com/Creek-OBH-18-MM-Phono-Preamp?sc=2&category=401, and it sounded great ; i could advice this one without any hesitation. version 15 has the MC input, hence its price. but as far as you're concerned, there's no need for it.
now i use my previous harman-kardon amplifier (the creek preamp was a friends'), which has an integrated preamp that sounds as great, if not better, as the creek preamp, strangely.
Title: Re: Turntables with USB audio interface?
Post by: japanesebaby on October 29, 2008, 19:07:00
that creek box looks interesting. only just noticed that it's not available here locally so i'd have to order it from UK/overseas (which means custom hassles etc. extra costs). 
by the way, what harman-kardon amp were you talking about? just curious what model you were comparing the creek unit with.
Title: Re: Turntables with USB audio interface?
Post by: mahood on October 30, 2008, 01:56:36
even for such a small device, you have customs problems ? really stupid.
maybe you can try on ebay, with some patience (and this is the kind of machine you can buy used without any major trouble i think). and with the financial crisis, ebay seems to be very cheap at the moment  ;)

i use this, a HK-630 :
http://www.audioreview.com/mfr/harman-kardon/integrated-amplifiers/hk-630/PRD_115818_2717crx.aspx
http://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/hk630_e.html
this second guy doesn't think it's worth as a phono preamp, but i've been used to read so many comments like this on audiophile's sites, it doesn't bother me that much (and, well, if he ever compared to his 10000 £ preamp there's nothing i can do) ; my ears were here to tell me that it was x1000 times the phonobox, and equalled (the really nice sounding) creek preamp.
Title: Re: Turntables with USB audio interface?
Post by: japanesebaby on October 30, 2008, 07:57:55
thanks for the links.

Quote from: mahood on October 30, 2008, 01:56:36
even for such a small device, you have customs problems ? really stupid.
maybe you can try on ebay, with some patience (and this is the kind of machine you can buy used without any major trouble i think). and with the financial crisis, ebay seems to be very cheap at the moment  ;)

it's not the size of a package but the value of it that causes a package being stuck in the customs. a package worth something like 200 euros will means at least 60-70 euro customs fees/taxes.
perhaps i'll keep an eye on ebay, but currently i don't see any ebay sellers from mainland europe offering this.
Title: Re: Turntables with USB audio interface?
Post by: mahood on October 30, 2008, 10:03:13
Quote from: japanesebaby on October 30, 2008, 07:57:55
a package worth something like 200 euros will means at least 60-70 euro customs fees/taxes.

:shock:

but not if it comes from inland europe, if i understand well (i mean, finland is not that far, so what the hell) ?
because here it is : http://www.phonophono.de/YCreek5.php3?Kennung=
Title: Re: Turntables with USB audio interface?
Post by: japanesebaby on October 30, 2008, 10:16:56
Quote from: mahood on October 30, 2008, 10:03:13
Quote from: japanesebaby on October 30, 2008, 07:57:55
a package worth something like 200 euros will means at least 60-70 euro customs fees/taxes.

:shock:

i don't think it's surprising. i bet it would be the same for you if you ordered something from the US to france, for instance: you'd buy the item tax free and then the customs would collect the tax according to the value of your purchase. only if you buy within EU you don't need to pay the tax at the customs (since it was already included in the price you paid when you made the purchase).
i think this is the same thing all over EU, not just around here.

Quote from: mahood on October 30, 2008, 10:03:13
but not if it comes from inland europe, if i understand well (i mean, finland is not that far, so what the hell) ?
because here it is : http://www.phonophono.de/YCreek5.php3?Kennung=

yes, of course within EU means tax free so the customs wouldn't bother you at all, however expensive the unit was.
so indeed, these links would be something i'd look for.

(but you know, i've made some price comparisons and in this case it looks like if i'd order this from the UK, the price would be around 190-200 euros + those appr. 70 euros tax. from mainland europe it's around 270-80 euros. so there's no difference in the price really. the prices in mainland europe a re already higher because they include the same tax that the customs would squeeze out of you, should you order overseas etc.).

Title: Re: Turntables with USB audio interface?
Post by: mahood on October 30, 2008, 17:06:18
Quote from: japanesebaby on October 30, 2008, 10:16:56
i bet it would be the same for you if you ordered something from the US to france, for instance: you'd buy the item tax free and then the customs would collect the tax according to the value of your purchase. i think this is the same thing all over EU, not just around here.

yes, of course.
but i meant that, with small or not so expensive items (so to speak), the seller might indicate it's a gift on the package, which afaik prevents you to pay extra customs fees. even when ordering from the USA, i think.
whatever i bought from there, the "gift" option was always checked.
although i never ordered a car, a boat or weapons. so i wouldn't tell for sure.
Title: Re: Turntables with USB audio interface?
Post by: japanesebaby on October 31, 2008, 19:47:21
Quote from: mahood on October 30, 2008, 17:06:18
but i meant that, with small or not so expensive items (so to speak), the seller might indicate it's a gift on the package, which afaik prevents you to pay extra customs fees. even when ordering from the USA, i think.
whatever i bought from there, the "gift" option was always checked.
although i never ordered a car, a boat or weapons. so i wouldn't tell for sure.

yes i know what you mean. but official stores always tend to send with the official invoice/value visible on the package, and i have an experience that they don't often like it if they are asked not to include this and don't like being asked to check the "gift" option. i've asked this some US stores sometimes but they've always clearly told me that they simply must include the customs invoice with the value on the package and that the customs at this end are my problem, not something they want to help me with (this is also often mentioned in advance on many overseas stores' FAQ pages, so that people wouldn't even ask about it).
strange if they always did it (=checked the "gift" option) for you. but of course i don't know what sellers you are referring to.

so unless i purchased from an individual person selling his own personal unit, i don't think this trick easily works with overseas purchases.
in those cases (individual seller) it might work for a very small item but even though this amp isn't very big, the unit still weights about 3 kilograms so it's not exactly something very tiny and it might easily catch attention anyway. 

Quote from: mahood on October 30, 2008, 17:06:18
although i never ordered a car, a boat or weapons.

would be nice to try and order a car from ebay US. "how much shipping costs for this item??" :lol:

Title: Re: Turntables with USB audio interface?
Post by: japanesebaby on November 28, 2008, 20:15:08
Quote from: mahood on October 21, 2008, 17:13:35
but i have tried this : http://www.needledoctor.com/Creek-OBH-18-MM-Phono-Preamp?sc=2&category=401, and it sounded great

i found a german online store that had a quite decent price for this unit:
http://www.dienadel.de/cgi-bin/cosmoshop/lshop.cgi?action=showdetail&wkid=15413&ls=d&nc=1227899528-15730&rubnum=&artnum=29114&file=4&gesamt_zeilen=0Tsuche--creek

i just received my unit yesterday and i've just been setting it up - and i think i'm quite pleased indeed.    :D :smth020

blows away my old amp for sure!  :eek:

so forget the USB!: i really like it that i can plug my edirol directly to the creek amp and i get 48/24 transfers of my vinyls! (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/dance017.gif)

thanks a lot for this tip mahood  :smth023
Title: Re: Turntables with USB audio interface?
Post by: japanesebaby on November 29, 2008, 18:10:39
...only it looks like this amp just doesn't work with my technics or something: i'm getting constant buzzing interference sound which i cannot eliminate. i've tried switching all cables (twice), tried it with two different amps too - always the same. 
i just don't understand the reason behind that problem, an amp this pricey should really work with any quality turntable, otherwise it makes absolutely no sense. but i've tried everything to eliminate the problem and nothing works.  

looks like i need to send the unit back and just hope that i'll get a refund (otherwise it's a bit of disaster indeed).
too bad because otherwise the sound was really really good.
really disappointed now. :( :( :(

Title: Re: Turntables with USB audio interface?
Post by: MAtT on December 04, 2008, 21:01:54
I've just bought a cheap USB-enabled deck - a SoundLAB GO56C for £80 - and can't believe the difference between the FLACs I've ripped from it compared the ones I've ripped from CDs.

I've always known that CDs are lossy and remember moaning about it when they were first around, but I guess I just forgot the difference!

So... having FLACd my entire CD collection, I'm now effectively starting again and going through some 100 or so records to replace them... a pain in the ass but worth it. Pity some tracks aren't recoverable becuase of scrathes.

I know what'll happen next; I'll decide I need a better deck and a phono stage for my amp, and have to the lot again!

Title: Re: Turntables with USB audio interface?
Post by: hifigear on February 15, 2012, 18:00:57
I have been very happy with the Project essential USB turntablehttp://www.hifigear.co.uk/project-essential-usb-turntable.html (http://www.hifigear.co.uk/project-essential-usb-turntable.html) I got for Christmas. :smth023
Title: Re: Turntables with USB audio interface?
Post by: MeltingMan on April 25, 2015, 11:51:45
Quote from: lostflower4 on July 22, 2008, 16:16:13
I don't think I have a vinyl collection that warrants purchasing a turntable, but I've always had the idea in the back of my mind just in case I ever need one.
Me too.I used a solid record player from Sherwood with belt drive for a couple of years.
I discharged him because I was unable to adjust the correct speed even with pitch control.
Now I'm looking for a model with direct drive,but I won't spend a fortune.I'm not under pressure.
Time and the web will tell... ;)