Sensing the growing popularity of vinyl records in certain circles, Audio-Technica is showing off its new USB turntable, the AT-LP2D-USB. For $229, you get the turntable, a cartridge, and a USB cable and software for recording records onto your computer and turning them into MP3s, CDs, or audio samples.
A few key features differentiate this unit from competing lower-end models. First, the turntable appears to be well-made, with "a balanced aluminium platter, precision Dual Magnet stereo cartridge with replaceable stylus, and a pickup arm with soft damping control." And although the free, open-source Audacity software can be used with Linux, Mac, or Windows, users of Microsoft's OS have the option of using the included Cakewalk PYRO software for removing clicks and noise from vinyl recordings.
Finally, the AT-LP2D-USB includes a Phono preamp -- an important feature, since most sound systems sold today lack a Phono input, and would otherwise require an outboard preamp. You can connect this turntable to any regular input on your system using only RCA cables -- or, if you already have a nice preamp or a stereo that accepts a Phono signal, you can switch off the AT-LP2D-USB's preamp and use that instead.
