SonyPS-LX300USB Turntable with Diamond Stylus and USB Connection, Black

Very pleased that vinyl has made a comeback and the choice of turntables is ever increasing.I bought this particular one because I have a Sony surround sound system (BDV4100 1000w)I wanted a player that would "fit" with my sound system and did not require an amplifier. I am pleased to say that I chose "wisely".The turntable was unpacked and up and running within 5 minutes. It's very easy to operate, just 4 buttons:1. To switch the speed from 33 to 4 5rpm (Note there is no 78 rpm option)2. Automatically start a record playing - you can set the size of the record on the deck itself.3. Stop button - stops the record and the arm returns to the rest position4. To lift the arm up and down as required.There is some self assembly required for the record turntable itself and the belt but this is very simple and the instructions are very clear.I connected the turntable to my sound system via the internally attached white and red audio cables. Note that these are fairly short - so if you are not stacking then you will require an extension cable.The mains lead is internally connected and is fairly generous in length at about 1.5 meters.The Turntable comes with "Sound Forge Audio Studio" software. More about this later. Sony do supply the unit with a USB cable to connect the Turntable to a PC or Laptop. This is to enable you to convert your vinyl into digital. I have tried to do this in the past via various means but without very much success. There always seems to be a problem with software identifying the Album and individual tracks.Okay, back to the software. I had issues with this. When loading the Audio Studio it seemed to hang the laptop and I had to crash out of the load. I tried again and it said it couldn't load because the software was still loading. I rebooted the laptop and tried again and after quite a bit of time it loaded correctly. Be aware that this generic software that covers not just vinyl but DVD and CD's. Therefore you have to make sure that the settings are correct in the software. Please see page 14 of the instruction manual to set the default playback device.At this stage I can't comment on how the software performs in converting to digital as I have yet to use this convert any vinyl. I will update this post when this has been done.As far as the output of the turntable is concerned I can only comment on how it sounds via my Sony sound system - it is absolutely superb. I have recently started to receive new pressings of The Beatles LP's from DeAgostini. The sound from the White Album is stunning and I am hearing things I've never heard before. I can't wait to dig out some of my old 70's records and albums and really rack up the volume (when the wife's out!)Overall a great purchase and worth every penny!

Does exactly what it says on the tin.Update 17.8.15 I have been using this for a while now. It works perfectly well as a turntable. I bought it primarily to transfer all my vinyl L.P.s to hard disk. I have a pretty new Mac desktop and run Vinyl Studio recording software. The problem I have encountered is that VinylStudio does not have been an input volume control when recording from USB. (I suppose they assume that any modern USB device would have an output gain control which, unfortunately, the Sony does not have.Consequently, there is not a strong enough signal when recording to VinylStudio. It will record something and the input meters show a signal although the levels are quite low. When playing the recording via ITunes this is not a problem as ITunes seems to automatically boost the gain when playing. The problem arises when compiling a list of songs to burn to C.D. All the digital recordings are much MUCH older than the vinyls. I have solved this problem by buying a phono/digital USB converter with its own gain control. This allows enough signal to drive the recording meters into the red if you want and also lets you adjust the gain for vinyl recordings with different output levels. All is now well. I don't know if this is a failing on the pert of VinylStudio or not - but be aware.

I am using this for "one off" transfers of vinyl to digital. It is very easy to set up and use, and the sound seems to me to be as good as any sound system I ever had. The digital playback is through inexpensive Bose speakers via Google Play Music and it sounds good.I followed the Which recommendation for this hardware and used Audacity digital software to record. It takes some getting used to the process, especially naming tracks, but that was me / the software. The casing was more lightweight that I anticipated so you need it on a very firm level surface.

I'm really impressed with this purchase. I'm getting back into vinyl after 20 years of digital only listening and I was toying with the new Rega P3 and pre amp. I realised however that I'm desperate for my kids (9 and 5 years old) to grow up listening to and playing their own records and knew that I'd blow a gasket when they left their dirty fingerprints on £1000 setup! So, I plunged for the nice and easy to use, automatic speed change, automatic arm enter and return Sony PS-LX300USB.I have it plugged into an aux input of an Onkyo receiver (no phono stage/pre amp required) and listen through Harbeth monitors that are famously open speakers allowing the music to sound as close to the intended recording as possible. I've got to say it sounds really good. I have no doubt the Rega would outperform it but for the money I think this is a real treat.I haven't used the USB option and (at least for now) have no intention to, so I can't comment on that function.I opted to go for an open box model from the Amazon Warehouse which I've never tried before and it had over a 50% reduction. Aside from a couple of Amazon Warehouse stickers on the box, I would have no idea that this wasn't a brand new, untouched model and would highly recommend this option for those looking to save a bit of money. All in all it's exactly what I was looking for to re-enter the world of vinyl.Sony PS-LX300USB Turntable with Diamond Stylus and USB Connection