So there i was picking the carcass at the vulture feeding frenzy that was the closing of the Circuit City store (i actually used to work at a decade or so ago)...

i saw an ION USB Turntable for a decent price (~ $90 IIRC). MIC (made in china - so you know it's of the highest caliber...)

It sounds okay.

Features:
Built-in pre amp (pretty shabby - i used my old NAD pre amp until it expired. I could really tell the difference)

El cheapo cartridge... First upgrade! Stand BY. I plan on getting a Shure V15s if i can scrounge one up...

Does allow balancing of the tone arm - but it is of the slip-shoddiest of precision.

Comes with USB cable and s/w to burn to computer (relies on iTune s/w you download for free). Can even handle 75RPM with provided s/w when recorded at 33.3 RPM...

Gripes:
- s/w won't let you easily burn a double record - it really only records one side of LP at a time. You have to go through the whole HokeyPokey again for each side. Gets old fast i gotta' tell ya'...

- No ground wire - i have to gin one up to take care of some low level hum...

- no auto feature or tone arm damped/soft drop.


BUT i can burn some old/rare vinyl that won't be found on a CD... Status Quo Live anyone?

Summary:
Don't buy. Listen to the previous forum discussions & just get a good turntable and download the better software that exists (MUST exist)...