Review submitted by Graham H. Hicks
Author’s Rating:
Now I know why I saved all those old 33 1/3 rpm records. Short of a NASA-quality machine, the Ion USB and associated Audacity software is the answer to the dreams of vinyl-savers. I went for the slightly higher-priced Ion rather than the Numark and was glad I did — the heavy duty dust cover and tone arm lever are well worth it.

The software is awesome, especially to a dummy like me. Though it took me and my computer-wise grandson a few hours to figure it out and get a track recorded, a little fiddling with it will produce your own ritual procedure that will allow you to record tracks and export them as WAV or MP3 files to the desktop, from whence they can easily be dubbed to a CD. The instruction manual, I’m sure, is easily understood by those more in tune with the phrasing, but I found that about three commands do all I need or want. The click and pop removal feature is incredible, and will remove all but the most prominent clicks.

This is a high quality unit with excellent software. I recommend it strongly to any wanting to transfer old records of any speed to CD.

Review submitted by L. Jackson
Author’s Rating:
Having read the conflicting reviews on this product, I have to agree with the happy campers who’ve found this to be a good product.

I haven’t set up a new turntable in about 10 years, but I had no trouble setting up the Ion. (But then I had no missing parts to contend with.) Balancing the tone arm was probably the hardest part of the setup — and that took all of 3 minutes. I found the cartridge totally satisfactory for my needs. The turntable works great with my stereo equipment.

I use a Windows XP laptop together with the Audacity software that’s bundled with the turntable. Although the software documentation could be better, I’ve been able to use it to get many of my favorite songs from vinyl to MP3 format. I’m glad I can now dust off my collection of LPs and 45s and enjoy them anywhere.

Definitely worth the money!

Review submitted by Kevin Daly
Author’s Rating:
I have absolutely no complaints about my purchase. Easy to use and easy to set up. One tip: don’t use the Noise filter; it just cuts out the highs.

Thanks, Kevin Daly

Review submitted by Latimer
Author’s Rating:
Due to other perceived priorities it took me a few days before I assembled this, but it is worth it. My first project was to recover a 50-year old well worn performance of Shostakovitch’s #10 by Mitropoulos. It really works, especially the Audacity clean-up application. Just follow the instructions. And herewith are my only carps. The Quick Start Owner’s Manual is too brief. One discovers more instructions under the pull-down menus in the application, especially what all the different buttons and “graphs” do. The other minor problem is that the hole in the felt platter pad is too small for the spindle. Simply enlarge with a suitably graduated round pointed tool such as a punch.

Review submitted by B. Baker
Author’s Rating:
I was extremely excited to get an “authentic” vinyl sound onto my computer via this tunrtable.

Unfortunately, the platter was warped enough to rub annoyingly (making a nice plastic-on-plastic scraping sound) and cause a nasty fluctuation in the sound of the record.

So, after reporting the problem to ION, I decided to just take matters into my own hands and return it to Sharper Image. They kindly and quickly replaced it with a brand new one.

Excited once again, I put it all together. But only to find that the platter was warped worse than the first one.

People have been making (and listening to) turntables for close to a hundred years. Why can’t ION make one that works properly now?

The idea of the thing is WAY cooler than the actual product. Disappointment overwhelms me.

Review submitted by John Baptiste
Author’s Rating:
So i got the unit and put some records on …

1. Sound

The sound is mediocre.It is reminiscent of the middle 50’s to late 60’s low end phonographs. Tone adjustment is a single pot type that ranges from low to high, bass is questionable.

2. Turntable

This is all plastic, the tone arm has no weight adjustment for the audiophile collectors and is not a quality arm, the speed switch is of low end quality (3 position slider type)

3. Case

It is a good solid wood type looks and feels good, Hardware is mid line quality.

4. USB

The system works as advertised however there is a lag time between the player speakers and play through on the computer which , if the player volume is up will give you an echo, this is not recorded, mearly a time difference between the player and computer. The player tone control does not effect the recording on the computer as it is a direct thru put from the tone arm to USB to computer.

5. questions

why is there no headphone or external speaker jack?

why is there no kickstand to hold the top open, i had to add one.

instead you have to remove it or lay it all the way back down.

Product is worth maybe $100 in todays market

The plus is that you can listen to records without having to patch into a separate audio system, it is a “portable record player” Plug and play!!!

Review submitted by Charlie C. Fan
Author’s Rating:
Let me tell you a story. Recently, I went on a road trip up and down the west coast. In a small city known as San Francisco, I came across a record store, alas, it was the famous Rasputin! Marvelous music abounded everywhere, the earthly delights, it was paradise of rare form.

Since then, I have returned to my humble abode and realized that I do not possess a record player nor have I ever owned one (seeing as my birth was a decade after the 70s). Thus began my holy quest, many retailers have I visited and many forums have I searched for wisdom and an answer.

Well…

One learns soon that the Crosley name is well-spoken of in this trade. One also learns soon that record players are a dying breed. Golly! This is where the Crosley CR249 comes in. This behemoth of a record player also provides a future-proof USB connection, thus allowing one to interface it with a modern age contraption known as the Personal Computer and digitize those wondrously rare LPs that have never seen the laser light of CD form.

Hooray, I yelled at the top of my lungs. And for those desiring a more vintage look, Crosley offers this in tan. If I could trade this in for tan, I would, but I can’t so I won’t but in the end I am still content and extremely pleased with my purchase.

PROS

- case is fully portable with handle, like an oversized briefcase

- dynamic range speakers put out decent sound

- USB interface

- 3 SPEEDS

- cables and software are included

CONS

- lack of outputs (only USB and an AUX IN)

- speakers are not for audiophiles

If you are in the market for a very well made basic record player with USB output that is also SIMPLE to use, then this is wonderful product to start with. If you already have great speaker system and receiver, you may want to choose another record player w/ USB that offers more output options.

Review submitted by Duke M
Author’s Rating:
Very attractive, a great concept…but the product is of poor quality.

This was the first phonograph I’ve purchased in 25 years. I am interested in digitizing some rare 78 RPM recordings made by a family member, and also to listen to some limited release LPs I own from the 80s.

It’s an attractive unit when you first take it out of the box and reminds me of the old Califone turntables. But upon closer inspection, the turntable and tonearm are made of very flimsy plastic. The unit’s cover must be either on (closed) or completely off…it won’t stay partially open as pictured on the web page.

Installation and set up of the software and communication with the computer was a little confusing because of the way the device interacts with Windows audio settings. The instructions aren’t very detailed, but if you persist you can figure it out.

I put on an LP and the sound from the onboard speakers reminded me less of a Califone, and more like the sound you’d hear from the children’s toy record players of the 60s and 70s…faint, tinnish, distorted at higher ranges. I captured some of the audio to my computer and it sounded fine.

The greatest disappointment was when I tried to play a 78. The speed setting is changed using a frail, plastic, sliding lever. After switching to 78, there was no notable change in turntable speed. I looked closer and discovered a snapped circuit board and a number of disconnected wires! It looked as though they hadn’t been properly soldered and had been simply fallen off, or perhaps had been jarred loose. I had never seen a circuit board snapped like that, and can’t imagine how it happened, but it is a good indication about how flimsy this product’s components are.

Fortunately, the distributor “Best in Home” was very professional and prompt. I contacted them the next day via email, described what happened and requested a refund. They quickly approved it and gave me detailed instructions on how to return it. There was no shipping fee and I received a complete refund. I was very pleased (and relieved!) with their service.

Note: The “Crosley 78 RPM Replacement Needle” does not fit this Crosely 78 RPM turntable tonearm, despite the fact that Crosely says “For 78 RPM turntables.”

Review submitted by Scott Sowers
Author’s Rating:
I recently started to collect vinyl and was looking for a way to play my records. I wanted something small (I live in studio) and easy on my wallet. I was also looking for something that looked old, but had more modern technolgy. The Crosley Keepsake Turntable was the answer that I was looking for. I have been using it fairly nonstop for 2 weeks now and it has been a blast! What’s more, I have installed the software and have been ripping some mp3’s! Also, the auxillary jack allows me to play my ipod through the built in speakers (which sound fine for a small, portable record player). Everyone that sees this product asks me about it and they are suprised at how reasonable the price is. I recommend this turntable to anyone looking for a cheap and unique way to enjoy analog music in this digital age.

Review submitted by kindred spirit
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This is a very high quality turntable. The sound of it alone was a shock for being so simple it sounds great! I am making CD’s of all my precious records from the 50’s and 60’s. It is easy after you get all the computer settings done, that is a bit of a challenge but once done making CD’s is a snap. Highly recommend this item. I got it in black so it matches my other modern equipment.

Review submitted by W. H. Jamison, Jr.
Author’s Rating:
Occasionally a piece of equipment comes along that is so well designed, well built and far ahead of the pack that it defines the state of the art and any major improvements are not only unnecessary but impossible. 30 some odd years ago Technics released the first SL1200 direct drive turntables and defined what phono turntables should be; affordable, reliable, excellent. In the 30 years since then there have only been minor revisions to the SL1200.

If you’re like me and you have a vinyl fetish the 1200 MK2 is the turntable to buy, the extra heavy duty construction that made this deck so popular with DJs at clubs serves audiophiles just as well at home. The 1200MK2 is impossibly smooth; turn it on and watch as the platter gets up to speed in a single rotation, the platter speed is incredibly accurate, again, this sets the standard. Combined with a properly installed cartridge (I use a Shure Type 15 VMR) this turntable will give you years of pleasure from your record collection

Review submitted by Jay L. Rudko
Author’s Rating:
I am a vinyl junkie.There; I’ve said it. And for years I was in search of the perfect turntable on which to indulge my passion. This turntable is analog nirvana. Clearly, this turntable was intended for both the professional and home markets. The direct drive motor keeps the platter precisely on speed thanks to the quartz-locked control, or varied with the pitch control slider. A green light lets you know when you’re locked right on speed. In addition, the strobe on the outer rim of the platter helps you gauge where you are when you adjust the pitch. The S-shaped tonearm offers adjustments for tracking force, anti-skate, AND vertical tracking angle. The importance of VTA is often downplayed, but I can tell you it matters! When it’s right, you’ll know. I have no fewer than 16 cartridges on headshells that can be used on this turntable, and all sound excellent. But my strongest recommendation for the best cartridge to use with the 1200for home use is the Denon DL-160 high output moving coil.My records have never sounded better, and this cartridge, like the turntable, is a bargain. I’ve been using this combination for transferring some of my favorite LP’s to CD so I can play them in my car. In many cases, the sound was so good it was hard to tell this was an analog transfer. This is definitely the finest turntable ever built, regardless of price. Even the snooty high end audiophiles should take a good look at this table if they want great sound at a bare-bones price (compared to most high end turntables that don’t do anything this one does). There’s something to be said as to why this turntable has been available for so long. I’ve had mine for nearly 20 years, and I’ll never let go!

Review submitted by Know What I Mean? Nudge Nudge
Author’s Rating:
Hello Everyone,

There is a reason this turntable has sold thousands (millions?). The Technics is simply the best turntable you can get period for a grand or under. Yes it became popular as a DJ table, but it was originally designed as a professional level audiophile home turntable. You need only to spend a few hours with the 1200 to realize this. This is what I’ve been using it for and it has blown my socks off. I’ve been very impressed not only with its unparralled build quality, but especially with it’s great sound quality as well as its perfectly accurate speed and pitch control.

This turntable is a legend for a reason. I’ve been an audiophile for 34 years, and I can tell you confidently that this is a superb turntable for home audiophile use. You can spend more money on more expensive “boutique turntables”, but you’re wasting your money unless you spend three to four times as much. Keep the coin and get some great LPs instead.

The Audio Technica 1200 is a good turntable (speaking from several months of ownership) but the Technics blows it out of the water on all fronts. The AT is mostly plastic and very loosely assembled and poorly manufactured in China. Mine started having issues after the first week. The Technics is still hand assembled in Japan, as it has been for the last thirty odd years, and is made of high grade METAL parts. This turntable will probably outlive me!!! I highly recommend this turntable, and I’m a jaded audiophile. They just don’t build them like this anymore. Cheers to Technics for continuing to manufacture this turntable in Japan, to the highest quality standards and built from the highest quality components. This will be the last turntable I’ll ever have to buy.

Review submitted by Steven A. Fisher
Author’s Rating:
The SL-1200MK2 turntable represents an amazing value for audiophiles that want to get back into the fun and charm of spinning vinyl. I paired mine with a Denon DL-160 cartridge. It sounds nice, really nice. Warm, many times better than many CDs.

The fact is, there are a lot of good turntables. When you consider how relatively small the market it, there is an amazing amount of offerings. The problem is, the industry likes to complicate matters. If you read enough audiophile blogs, getting the sound right is almost impossible.

I have never seen such a nice piece of equipment, not matter the price. The quality to everything on the Technics SL-1200MK2 is outstanding.

What you want in a turntable is what the SL-1200MK2 has. It’s heavy duty, I almost dropped to my knees when the Fedex guy handed me the box. You want the platter to spin at a very accurate rate, and thanks to the silent DC motor and heft of the turntable, you can place the Technics right next to a subwoofer and the cartridge is still isolated from any rumble. Now, I wouldn’t suggest doing it, but it just illustrates how well designed this piece of equipment is.

Simply put, for thirty years this turntable has spun records at a constant speed, period. The tonearm is fine, just match it with the best cartridge you can afford,follow the installation instructions carefully, then sit back and enjoy.

Just a DJ turntable? No way. It spins the record at incredible accurate speed. Thats any turntables main task, simple as that. Check the wow and flutter specs, they’re excellent.

The other question is, are there better turntables? Sure, but who wants to pay thousands of dollars to listen to used records that you’re picking up for 1-3 bucks a piece at a dusty record store? Pair the Technics with a decent Shure cartridge and you’ll be satisfied. There’s no better turntable at this price. Yes, you can spend $64,000 for a turntable (there was one at a just concluded Consumer Electronics Show, it had four tonearms and looked really cool) but that’s just foolish. There are audiophiles, and then there are people who will never be happy with what they hear, not matter what they spend. And once they have spent lots of money, they have to justify the purchase.

I wish all makers of equipment offered this kind of value. Technics should be lauded for keeping this model in production.

My girlfriend and I are having lots of fun buying old records, then sitting and listening to music instead of hearing all the negaholic banter on television. A record player is a great, inexpensive way to have fun during this recession. You will get hours of fun with this turntable.

Review submitted by S. Lewis
Author’s Rating:
THis is the first new 1200 that I have purchased, but not the first I have owned. Funny thing is, this wasn’t even for me. Was a gift to a great friend. Either way, the 1200s are great turntables. They are very versitile & can take the abuse of spinning, or just run on doing mundane vinyl playback.

Setup is a relatively easy process & you can keep it simple & have it work well forever, or tweek out over things to make minute changes to get the abosolute best possible sound.

Anyway, these things are reliable, tanks, will last forever, & though it seems pricey, will provide for you for years…probably until you sell it to someone else who can use it too!