Anyone here have a particular brand they can rave about?
I'm currently shopping for one, but reviews are so mixed.
I have tons of records I've been wanting to spin, but I'm hoping to save some space in my studio and possibly rip some mp3s before I'm over it.


Thanks in advance!

I've got to throw this out, it's not so much for listening as it is for crate digging, but you can't match the "cool" factor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wCGGWO3 ... _embedded#!

ive always been fascinated by that thing... or the portable handheld record player they make...

This has been my main portable for a while and it tends to get the job done:



This Crosley Revolution is a bootleg of an awesome japanese portable called a soundburger and is bit more stylish:



Mine has been been in storage mostly but when I used it it had decent sound. Handy trax is a bit easier to use and sounds a bit better though.

Heard mixed things about the Ion but the advantage is you can rip via usb:


If you're a real OG:


Overall, I wouldn't use ANY of these if you want it to be your main turntable and especially if you intend to rip anything. They just don't sound that great and will beat up your records a lot faster than a regular turntable. If you want to use it to listen to stuff and not because you're traveling around looking for records, you're better off just buying an inexpensive non-portable. It will likely sound much better overall.

I have a Numark one. it works great. it has a built in speaker and can also hook into a receiver.

If I were you I would get the Numark PT-01USB Portable Vinyl-Archiving Turntable Bundle. Its has everything you need to jam and to rip. hope this helps

hmmm... decisions... decisions....
Numark PT-01USB...
Vestax Handy Trax....
ION portable....

That Numark is essentially the same as the Handytrax and looks like it's pretty cheap too. I'd still hesitate to buy one of these for the purpose of ripping records though unless you really don't care about sound quality...at which point I'd question why you're listening to vinyl.

That being said, these all sound ok and are easy to hook up to a speakers because they don't need a receiver. I just wouldn't recommend a turntable with a plastic tone arm and shitty needle as your main vinyl listening device.

I think I'm going to go with a USB preamp i found.

I still have my good old Turntable. Maybe I should just stick with it.

Thanks for the advice all.

some of these devices scare me, it looks like they would just scratch the shit out of the vinyl.

Thank you for this thread. My record player recently crapped out on me so I need a new one.

They just look so flimsy!

If you are looking to transfer to digital files,,,I would definitely not go with a portable or usb turntable...the results are iffy at best...

portables are cool for novelty value but not for anything more serious...they are best for record hunting at bargain bin shops and flea markets...

My hello-kitty edition Sanyo portable has sourced many great obscure finds at 2nd hand shops and car boot sales through the years

Those little van record players are called vinyl killers for a good reason...they tear the shit out of grooves...pure novelty factor there...

Paul:

Audio Technica ATLP120 USB Direct Drive

Don't let the appearance of looking like an old Technics turntable dissuade you. There is a reason that unit (Technics 1200) sold more than any other on earth. It's not portable but it's a great unit (I rip music on it all the time and I have thousands of old records). Software it comes with is easy to set up but I highly recommend get another program to boost levels.

Just got one a few days ago and it works great. I did switch the needle though, not sure how the original one is. Still figuring out the ripping program, not helped by the fact my amp just crapped on me (only the phono and tuner work now, no cd or aux. Any techies know why that could be?)...

(and yeah, original Vinyl Killer ftw!)