Ion Turntable and USB Port

Topic

New Reply

Don’t worry: any USB-2 port is backward compatible with USB 1.1 standards.

Reply | Quote

Replies

(Edited by HansV to make URL clickable – see Help 19)

Hi Everybody,

I’ve been looking at the Ion Audio ITTUSB turntable (http://www.ion-audio.com/products/turntables/iTTUSB.html%5B/url%5D) after seeing it featured on HGTV’s “I Want That Tech Toys”. Their specs say it requires “one available USB 1.1 port”.

My Dell system is just over 2 years old and has a bunch of USB ports (attached). I thought they were 2.0. How can I find out whether this “USB 1.1 port” requirement will work on my stuff?

Thanks,

Reply | Quote

Kris,
As kaplinb said. USB 2 is Ok with version 1.1.

Download this System Information utility and it will tell everything you ever wanted to know about your computer. ( including what type of USB ports actually have installed.

SIW

Reply | Quote

WHAT A SAVE

I never thought of looking for a turntable that could hook directly into the computer. After “researching” … apparently not very well

I ended up getting the parts/kit for a small rectifeir and booster to interface the received to the computer. I can record records, tapes and ree to reel, but “Hum” is a problem.

This looks to be the solution

Since the turntable allows for audio input, I can plug tape player directly into the turntable, thus directly nto the computer.

BTB-Could not find any references at the sites ION-Audio mentioned. Performed Google Search iTTUSB and found one listed for ~$110 (USD).

Reply | Quote

Thanks for the conversion, Hans. I knew the instructions were somewhere but couldn’t locate it.

Thanks everyone else for reassuring me that USB 2.0 will run everything less. I kinda sorta thought so, but the last thing I wanted to do was buy this thing and then find out the bad news.

Scott, the picture on your Google site is not the same as the ITTUSB pictured on the Ion site, however the description appears to be the same. The new one is all silver. There is an older model Ion turntable that is black. I found the new one on Amazon for $149.95, no shipping cost, but they don’t have it yet. Do I understand that I can also copy cassette tapes by plugging a cassette player into the turntable? (!) I was not quite grasping their geek-speak until I read your message. Now I’m totally psyched. Ordering immediately!

Reply | Quote

From the Company Website for ION-Audio iTTUSB, look on the right side:
[indent]

---

+ 1/8″ stereo line input so you can digitize music from cassettes or other sources

---

[/indent]

Yes this means you can plug other stereo components into the back of the turn table – thus recording directly into the computer.

[indent]

---

the picture on your Google site is not the same as the ITTUSB pictured on the Ion site, however the description appears to be the same.

---

[/indent]

I looked at eMartInc ION USB TURNTABLE WITH USB OUTPUT for $110.47 and the picture on ION-Audio iTTUSB. To me the pictures are the same except eMart uses a black turn table pad where ION-Audio has a white turn table pad. As long as they function the same, that is all I care about.

The friend I sent this link to already ordered a iTTUSB from eMartInc (they have them in stock). I will let you know if there are any problems from his end.

I too am totally psyched, this is an EXTEMELY better solution then the one we were trying to implement. Also, with “Software allows for 78 RPM conversion” – this means that I can FINALLY convert my old 78 RPM records to CD !!!
YES – I actually have 78 RPM records handed down to me from my parents that actually PURCHASED THEM and I listened to them as a kid.

Reply | Quote

Hi Scott,

I am also interested in how this all turns out and if it is as good as it sounds! And yes, I have a huge stack of 78s that would be great fun to convert to CDs. I’m sure glad Kris brought the question to the Lounge! I have been pondering ideas for conversion of my records for a very long time and this may be just the ticket to success! Kris and Scott!

Reply | Quote

FYI, in the course of the couple hours I was online yesterday, Amazon appeared to have updated their information. They were at last showing the correct picture for this model turntable and offering a much better purchase deal of their own instead of sending me to a drop ship site with added delivery charges. Their customer reviews were pretty good, solid hardware performance but a steep learning curve and nasty software. Sounds pretty normal to me!

Well, I ordered it. I’ll be yelling for help if it acts up. Already got down the albums and 45s

Reply | Quote

Fantastic

My friend who ordered his said it came in today – BUT …

Since he had to go out of town today, he won’t be able to “play” with it until he comes back – in TWO WEEKS [

Oh well – on to other things. My friend wanted me to pass some other information, in case anyone would be interested. First, the disclaimer

I am NOT an audio expert – my friend is a musician who has high end stereo equipment with a “picky ear” friends words – not mine.

From the iTTUSB Quick Start Owner

Reply | Quote

kris,
————————————
but a steep learning curve and nasty software.
————————————
I’m wondering if the negative comments were from the type of people that expect a product to just plug in and take off without any settings or forbid the thought, actually have to read the manual to get it running?

You said you have ordered one. Please keep us posted with your thoughts and results. There will be quite a few ( including myself ) who are interested in how you make out.

Reply | Quote

Exactly what I thought. The Amazon review folks did appear to be very pleased with themselves that they could get it up and running so quickly that they couldn’t possibly have had time to, er, . One of them was miffed that they were told by customer support that to solve their issue they should update the software on the website . But there was one guy who said that in a couple hours he was breaking up album tracks and making CDs. Clearly none of them started with an Atari 8-bit!

I guess I too am a picky-eared musician cursed with relative perfect pitch who often spends more time saying eeeyewww that’s flat or that’s the wrong chord than enjoying the music. I’m no audio tech so I’m glad to know that there may be a problem with the heavy-handed stylus. Actually, my plan is to transfer the music to CDs and sell the records/tapes so hopefully the couple times I play the tracks will not cause damage. Your friend does make the point, however, that this isn’t a turntable for repetitive use unless the stylus is replaced. Got it.

Can’t wait!

Reply | Quote

Edited by IMNetUser to correct spelling mistakes

It has been awhile, but my friend and I have completed playing around with the ION Turn Table. First thing was to swap out the cartridge with at Audio Technica AT-90CD Universal Mount Phono Cartridge and adjust the “weight” until it was just riding in the groves (~1.2grams).

We recorded several tracks from records, tapes, and a Reel-To-Reel tape. To my tin ear they were not bad, but needed tweaking. We also tried recording from the 78’s. The included software “Adjusts” the speed of the turntable to simulate the 78 RPM speed. This was the worst recording attempt of them all. With some fiddling, we managed to get the records sounding pretty good.

We then used the included trial version of SoundSoap 2 after viewing the SoundSoap 2 Demo Movie – There is a STEEP Learning curve on this (at least for me). Since My friend was an Audio Technophile, the learning curve was much less. I was impressed with the software and the difference in sound quality. The 78 Recordings were (in my opinion) fairly good. My friend ‘s opinion was they were acceptable – but ” … not yet perfect”.

Since my friend already had Sony SoundForge Audio Studio, we tried that package with SoundSoap 2. SoundSoap 2 can be used as a standalone product OR as an addin to other recording software. We were both impressed with the range of recording software products SoundSoap 2 worked with. Between both products (SoundSoap 2 and SoundForge), the recorded 78’s sounded as if they came from a CD originally. Even my friend was impressed.

SoundSoap 2 has a suggested MRSP of $99 (USA). Internet searches found it for $79.00 (USA) Average. We got lucky and managed to get a New In Box copy from eBay.Com (SoundSoap 2 search) for just under $45.00 (USA) including shipping. Sony SoundForge Audio Studio MSRP is $69.95 (USA) – since my friend already had this software, we did not need to purchase it.

Overall, the turntable with included software works good. With SoundSoap 2, works great for most peoples needs (IMHO). For the Audiophile, you will need a recording software with SoundSoap 2 (or similar program). My friend has embarked on his great journey – he is converting approximately 200 12″ Reel-To-Reel tapes to CD’s. He will be converting about 20 of my 78’s first.

That is all for now. If we (rather my friend) turns up anything new – I will let everyone know.

Reply | Quote