The Vinyl Transformation

There’s a stack of LPs in the corner and an iPod in your pocket, and you’re wondering how to get the tunes from A to B. A slew of turntables can convert vinyl records to MP3s by plugging directly into your computer, but that’s the only common denominator. I tested three popular turntables to determine which work best. One album down, 4,999 more to go.

by RJD2

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About our expert:
RJD2, known to his mom as Ramble John Krohn, received his first turntable at age 18. Now 32, he has released four acclaimed solo albums and seen his tracks used for various projects, including the intro music to Mad Men. His next album, still untitled, arrives this summer from XL Recordings. [rjd2site.com]

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Ion LP 2 CD

Extra features (dustcover, headphone jack, and the ability to burn MP3s to a built-in CD drive) give the Ion some bragging rights, and like all the models in this test, it offers playback speed options for 33s, 45s, and 78s (though, frankly, 78s are for weirdos who like crackly Dixieland jazz records and Elvis collectibles). But it takes match point as a vinyl converter for being the only option here with a dedicated gain control (click for translation). If you want the best-sounding MP3s on your computer, this is the choice. [$399; ionaudio.com]

RATING:

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Crosley Keepsake USB

Built-in speakers make the Crosley a portable record player, which seems superfluous only if you’ve never gone vintage–LP hunting at a flea market. Its classy cover and sturdy build are welcome, but where’s the gain control? The lone volume knob only controls the loudness of the speaker, not the USB output. Worse, the Keepsake only comes with Audacity, a much more complicated conversion program (click for translation) than the software bundled with other models. And the tone arm sits so close to the platter that you miss the first five seconds of an album. [$150; crosleyradio.com]

RATING:

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Stanton T.90 USB

The Stanton is the closest thing to a DJ-worthy turntable, with a stop/start button, pitch control, an adjustable-weighted tone arm, a DJ cartridge, and reverse mode (so you can finally get to the bottom of that Sabbath mystery). Plus, it’s the only option here with a direct-drive motor (click for translation) rather than the frailer belt drive. As a vinyl converter, though, it’s not as polished, with no gain control knob, a power button located in back, and intuitive conversion software that works only on a PC. Mac owners are stuck with Audacity. [$299; stantondj.com]

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