ION TTUSB Manual Turntable Review And Demonstration
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ต.ค. 2024
- While my Audio Technica AT-LP60 vinyl turntable is still in regular use for transferring my records to digital, I've been finding myself growing increasingly frustrated with the "automatic" aspect it. While it's well-suited for people who like to simply put a record on, have it play, and then have it automatically stop at the end of the record, it really isn't ideal for cuing up individual songs manually, similar to what radio stations and DJs do when playing music from vinyl.
Looking around online would have you believe that the only manual turntables to be had (in working, ready-to-go condition straight out of the box) would end up costing you in excess of $100.
Fortunately, with enough looking, I came across this ION TTUSB turntable. While its main intention is for transferring one's record collection via the USB connection, it can still be used as a standalone manual analog turntable, albeit belt-driven.
Judging by the preliminary tests I've done thus far, the cartridge is of a relatively high quality with audio quality and fidelity comparable to the AT-LP60. The only caveat I've discovered is a lack of proper shielding on some of the components, causing a rather noticeable hum/interference to make its way into the audio. Whatever the component is (probably the power supply), the hum it causes is most noticeable toward the center of the turntable's platter. Respectively, when playing a 45 from the beginning instead of an LP, the hum is more noticeable as the cartridge, stylus, and tonearm are closer to the center of the platter. Additionally, the decision was made to use a plastic platter as opposed to one made of aluminum. Conversely, the Numark branded model of this turntable (which shares the same design, but has a pitch control by alongside the speed selection buttons) has an aluminum platter!
Barring that issue, it's a turntable of mediocre quality. However, It is certainly easier being able to cue up the songs manually without an automatic mechanism bungling up everything.
I have this turntable, it was actually my first turntable, which has since been replaced by a Debut Carbon Esprit. Mine has a pitch slider (It's not the Numark one though - which is odd, because none of my Googling has been able to yield any information about a version of the Ion TTUSB with a pitch slider).
A few observations I made when using it:
- It seemed to run quite fast, between 34 and 35rpm at the 33.33rpm setting. Though mine was a few years old when I got it so it may have been the belt. Either way, luckily I got the version with the pitch adjustment slider, so that was easily fixed.
- Regarding the hum you experienced, this seems to come from the internal preamp. When I switched to not using the internal preamp and instead using an external Behringer PP400, the hum that I was getting vanished.
- The cartridge is okay, but I think even an AT3400 would beat it. I personally replaced it with an AT95e and the difference was pretty astonishing. The turntable went from sounding thin and cheap, to actually sounding half decent.
- Unfortunately the plastic build means there is some resonance etc, but overall for how cheap it is and how many of these things are sitting around on Ebay, I think this is a solid first choice for someone looking to spend less than $100 on their first turntable, who is nervous about buying something older that might need servicing/repairs.
This uses Numark's "Groove Tool" phono cartridge, thus explaining the "GT" logo on it. The recommended tracking force is around 3 grams.
VWestlife I do 2.5 grams of tracking when I use this cartridge
is ok actually sounds great through a good amp
I put an Ortofon M2 Red stylus on this and it sounds pretty darn good. Much better than expected.
This was helpful! One of my Uber passengers tipped me with one of these. I've never owned a record player before but now I know how to operate this!
Ordered the Numark version! I really hope that the cartridge and stylus is ok for brand new vinyls!
Can I connect it to my Akai MPC One Sampler without actually connecting it to my MacBook Pro? & will the Hosa GPR-101 Adapters work with the built in RCA Jacks ?
That turntable is a clone of the Numark TT-200 or similar. My brother bought two when he thought he was going to be a DJ. I can tell you that the Numark original is quite heavy, and it has a small light where the 1/8" Aux input is on this version. I'm not sure if the light is for checking the speed or just as an aid for seeing where you're cuing the record in a dingy club.
Also: Your model M. There is no escape!
GT = Groove Tool. It's a rebrand of the Sanyo-Fisher MG-09 cartridge.
Just something to consider - you can disable the auto-cue and auto-return features of the LP-60 very easily. Remove the platter. Underneath, you'll see a large plastic gear. Remove the screw in the center of the gear lift the gear out, and set it aside. Reinstall the platter and belt. Voila, a full-manual turntable.
Caveat #1: The platter will still start to rotate when you lift the tone arm over the record.
Caveat #2: *_DO NOT_* use the 'start' button while the gear is removed. With the auto-return feature disabled, the mechanism cannot reset the turntable run switch and the turntable will not shut off.
Hi, just got my ION fired up (identical to this one, found it new from an EBay seller). I put on my very first LP I ever bought some 41 years ago ("Grand Illusion" by Styx). Sounded OK, I have a great receiver, but MAN, it was poppy, I mean real REAL crackly and poppy. Do you think that mostly has to do with how old and dirty the album is, and the fact it was in my basement for years? Do you have any recommendations as far as vinyl cleaning kits are concerned? Thanks so much for the video btw!
Literally just wash the thing in the sink with soap and water.kook it up.we did it as kids and I never had any issue of the label getting damaged. It prob would if submerged for many minutes
You might try a vintage metal bodied phono cartridge. They are designed to reject hum. Moreover, you can buy the Numark aluminum platter aftermarket and replace the plastic platter with that. Sorbothane or similar anti vibration mats, even a heavy wood chopping board, will help with the feedback. There are also aftermarket cueing and auto lift devices available. Finally, get a Dj's cork anti slip mat for the platter.
I've had one of these turntables for about 6 years now and have ripped hundreds of albums,not comparable with a proper hi-fi turntable but one of the best for ripping to your hard drive (especially with a different cartridge) much better than the crappy crossley usb turntables
But *you can* queue up manually with the Audio Technica LP60. Yeah it's an automatic turntable, but you can press the tonearm lift button all the way on the right, lifting the tonearm up, then move the tonearm into place and then press the release button again to lower the tonearm back down to the LP. You can also do it without even pressing the lift button, you can simply move the tonearm into place and put it down with your hand. I do this on nearly every single video I have if it's not the first track on the LP. I always move it into place and then lower it to the track that I want. Granted I'll be upgrading to a more professional turntable soon, but not because of something like this. We'll be keeping our LP60 too because it's a really good turntable.
I have this same model, but have not tried tried it out yet, so don't know if mine has the "hum problem". I am wondering it it would be better to change to a ceramic cartridge to mitigate the hum issue? (But maybe there might be an impedance matching problem if the cartridge type is changed?)
I bought one for a tenner (£10), strapped a brushed to the tone arm and use it to clean any records picked up at car boot sales, works a treat.
There is one on my local CL brand new in the box for 30 been thinking of picking it up. I have an Audio Technica AT-LP60 and it's been giving me speed issues for no good reason at all. My brother has one and his is fine but, for some reason, mine will slowly start speeding up as you keep using it. Now it will not start at normal speed no matter what its always slightly too fast I read some of the AT-60's have an issue with a circuit heating up on the inside that causes this to happen. Of course, Audio Technica wants too much to fix it so I've been wanting to go a different route.
getting one of these in a trade along with a bunch of other free equipment
Thanks so much for the great review man! I found a good deal on one of these locally and your review has affirmed me. I own another Ion turntable, so I understand what you're getting with that brand. They're not bad for the most part. Some records play better/worse than others. Great music selection by the way.
I, have every song that, you played on your record player. It's, on a 90 minute music cassette.
Quaint punctuation! None of the commas are needed. Try "The songs are on a 90 minute music cassette.
How do I higher the volume? Without the speakers.
I'm having difficulty removing the platter, any suggestions?
I have this ION turntable. I found it in my store. It's in completely new condition and I want to sell it. How much should I charge for it
I have the Numark version...the platter is NOT metal! It is plastic.
Well.. With My Numark it is METAL!
It actually sounds pretty good though tight with treble I have to admit
They do sound good as long as you don't play loud with plenty of bass because they do feedback easily, for headphone listening I cannot fault it.
got 2 ion the same model had to add a earth wire to both cured phono hum but not the center hum, when i opened it up, there is a power supply right by the center i think the hum may be coming from that major problem, the only cure would be to isolate the power supply, or adapt it to use a external power supply as im 80 percent sure this is the center hum problem
How do you hook this up to a pair of speakers? I didn't see a speaker jack at all. Saw one of these at a Garage Sale this morning and was going to buy it, but got confused by the USB cord. Do I have to hook it up to the USB port on my computer to get sound out of it?
The RCA outputs hooks up to a stereo's phono inputs. If you don't have a stereo you could always hook it up to your computer through the USB port and listen to it that way.
I saw the Numark version of this turntable in the thrift store today for $19.99. I passed.
VWestlife the Numark was my first turntable proper. One thing that it had to its credit is that it was probably the earliest turntable to hit the market that had a built-in USB preamp... which facilitated vinyl digitization years before I delved deep into all of the technical stuff. When used on a hi-fi system, however, its flaws rear their ugly end... the aluminum platter was hollow, horrendously resonant (really became apparent when the BBE Sonic Maximizer became a part of my rig) - no better than the plastic on the Ion version - the antiskating was totally messed up, and the motor speed slowly increased by a total of 3/4 of a semitone over the 7 years that I owned it...meaning that I had to crank down the pitch slider to get it to play on-speed. Seeing it play on-speed with the pitch slider off centre looked rather awkward. The pitch was fine at first when I got it in 2007, but it started increasing rather early on.
Granted, it was a *good* experience while I had it, and using an AT CN5625AL on it was a decent sonic upgrade, but the awful resonant platter really stood out in comparison to other turntables that I used, including a Nexxtech LAB1100 (essentially the AT-LP60 but with a plastic platter) and, better yet, vintage Akai and Dual decks.
I ended up selling the Numark.
VWestlife in my opinion this design turntable is just a cheep technics 1200 Nick off
I have the same record player. It picked hum when the tone arm goes near the center of the record and also a minute vibration was picked up by the MM cartridge. I moved out the transformer of this ION TTUSB record player to an external box and solved the above problems. Now the quality of audio is so good. The poor hum added audio performance is due to the internal power transformer.
do you think you could elaborate on this process? does this mean the internal components getting placed outside and exposed?
@@Thasokay yes remove the internal transformer, put it in a box keep it outside. just bring the secondary connection (~15V AC) inside the record player. do not keep the removed transformer on the same table as it makes too much vibration. Originally you are not picking the AC hum. The cartridge is vibrating and creating a 120HZ sound. by keeping transformer out you are removing the vibration which eliminates the 120 Hz sound from the cartridge pickup. My ION TTUSB has now very
clear sound.
@@kj4daq thanks for sharing
What is the output voltage of that transformer?
Oh I see 15 volts AC. Are the components run at 12 volts DC?
GT = Groove Tool ... aka Chuo Denshi aka Sanyo. Either way you'd be so much better with Audio Technica 3600 ... you can grab a brand new one, complete cartridge with the stylus for under $10
$10? Uh no, try $35-45
@@xavierrose8208 there was a time before Covid when you could grab the whole 3600 cartridge from China for $10 or under
This turntable is the biggest copy of the NumarkTTUSB. The difference is, this is shit. And the Numark TTUSB Is great.
GT - "Groovetool"
What kind of speaker with an AUD in AUD out input are you using with it?
Awesome Turotial. Not to Mention the Muzak. Lol. im licking one of these goday from an OfferUp seller. Brand New never used. Can't wait to try it out. TFS :O)
great video! I have one of these myself, however mine seems to spin a good 1-2 rpm faster on both settings. The Internet hasn't been much help, so if you have any suggestions I'd love to hear them!
again, great video!
Very good review. I guess you get what you pay for. I think if you care about sound quality you would be better off picking up an entry level Pro-Ject turntable with USB.
my old technics does the same thing when u turn it off but it still works. i wish i had an s arm rather then a straight arm or t4p or p-mount arm
I see these at my local 2nd hand store often, I would never personally own one, but its interesting to hear them perform.
Hum could be a grounding issue. Check your plugs and power strips. Also, on mine I noticed there there is no grounding wire to connect to your amp. If you track it to there you can slightly loosen one of the screws on the back panel, hook a thin wire around it and connect that wire to a grounding screw on your pre-amp. Finally, I'd suggest some hacks. Aftermarket Sorbothane replacement feet and record mats can cut feedback. Look at a Shure M44 and a Supex headshell for better performance and an aftermarket cue device. Get those from S.A.M. or FFYX on ebay.
I was surprised to hear how good that sounded after the focus on the noise. Remember it's EXCELLECT performance for a completely non studio table. Some aluminum tape would prob fix the shielding
Dude, clean your records!! Those clicks and pops are WAY more noticeable than the noise when moving the tonearm. :|
what was the song that played after the jackson 5?
+Samuel Nevilles Little River Band - Reminsicing
I would like to ask some questions about this very same model, if you could send a link to your podcast, if that is possible?…
Technics 2000 series also has 33 as the default speed when switched on, I also have this deck which is very prone to feed back because of its flimsy build, but it sounds good when played with headphones.
ABC..YOU CANT GO WRONG WITH THAT
This looks exactly like the Numark TTUSB that I have, except that the Numark has an aluminium platter.
Gabriel Androczky numark leased the design to other companies I have a numark also
May sound like a dumb question, but could u switch out the plastic platter with an alluminum one?
aj snipe yes you can
If you can afford it you should really buy yourself a better turntable and cartridge. It will be like night and day.
The GT on the cartridge means its a groovetool very popular on numark tt1650
I found one and idk how to use this tbh
Simple, just connect it with a 2 RCA to 2 RCA cable to the input of ANY amplifier or active (powered) speakers. Or you could use a 2 RCA to 3.5mm cable to connect to the AUX input of a bluetooth speaker.
If your speakers have a built-in amplifier...yes. If they are the an old pair that just happen to have RCA jacks as connectors the answer is no (you would not hear anything). You should be able to tell if they have an onboard amplifier as they will have control knobs as well as the RCA jacks.
@Megan R - Ignore my previous answer, I will leave that here to guide others. You said your speakers have an 'AUX' input. This suggests to me that these are 'active' speakers (they have a built-in amp) so connecting directly to your turntable will work providing it has a built-in pre-amp. Which make/model of turntable do you have?
HI I picked up one of these used but new in the box.. that is to say that it was preowned but never used.. my problem is that all of the extras are missing including the software.. are their any suggestions for replacement software compatible with this turntable.. I do have some 78s that I would like to convert also so a recommendation for a 78 cartridge would be much appreciated as well.. hopefully I will be able to get the items I need to make this work.
justafan marvel I,for one, use Audacity, which is free online.
I have one but I was disappointed it didn't come with a dust cover
I have the Numark TTUSB which is pretty much the same thing with just different colors and a Numark logo :) HOWEVER, my platter is full metal... maybe you can replace the plastic platter with a metal one from a Numark model?
Hahh and you just said it in the video :)) ok, nevermind :D
The strobe bars on the platter are useless unless you're in Europe. They were made for environments with 50 Hz line frequencies, so if you want to adjust the speed properly just by looking at the platter then you better have a 50 Hz strobe light on hand!
GT stands for "GrooveTool" by the way. Surprised they never clarified that on the packaging.
Unless it was an aftermarket addition.....
George Price if you're talking about the strobe bars then no, they are not third-party tweaks. The strobe bars were that way to begin with. I know because I used to own the Numark version of this same turntable. I also recall seeing some videos of the Numark that were shot in a 50 Hz environment, at 25 fps, and the framerate caused the strobe bars to appear as if they stood still.
Hey there. Will an Audio Technica phono cartridge work on an Ion TTUSB 10? :)
Yes it will work and it will sound much better.
I just ordered one with a new headshell can't wait
@@sammy61187 Hey DarkSpawn. :) Please let me know how it works after you get done trying it out. :) Thank you! :)
@@markcovington8159 I will unfortunately China post is taking longer than expected
@@sammy61187it's been 5 years. Did you get it?
I have plugged the RCA cables into the subwoofer of the speakers - but no sound is coming out. It is connected on RCA line. Do I need an amp? Is this connected correctly?
You need to clarify how this turntable is hooked up to speakers. Do you have powered speakers or you hooking the rca cables directly into a powered subwoofer? If so that's the wrong way to do it.
Does this model have an autostop function?
Paul Gowler no the ion don't have autostop but you can connect direct to your amplifier and play your records
the GT on cartridge is for Groove Tool, from numark brand audio
Really poor quality stylus. This will cause more problems than anything else for audio quality.
That, is hogwash I, have this hooked, up to my stereo system.
Also it will knock your socks off !!
@@solidworkstrainingIt is a rebrand of a magnetic Sanyo-Fisher Mg09 Cartridge. It is just about as good as an at3600
Regardless of what some say, this is as good a way to get into vinyl as any. It won't harm your records and you can always upgrade to something better later on.
What’s the biggest record this can hold ?
12 inch and possibly a 14 inch. It’ll play pretty much any record every made so long as it’s not a 78 rpm or 16 rpm but those are old and uncommon
I own this turntable and my platter is warped sucks because I thought a new hole album was warped .
I looked on eBay for the platter new
Please provide an English translation.
Trouble with the ION....computers recognize it as a Microphone... and it will not record in stereo , even if you go in and change properties in windows to stereo , it reverts back to mono by itself...even before you can try and record in stereo...just try it on audacity both channels are identical....
Does AUDACITY actually TELL you it's a MONO recording? Frankly, I find it hard to believe. Try going into AUDACITY settings and change them so the microphone is stereo.
@@Locomotore99 no it does not ... but both channel waveforms are identical no variations in either of them...and looking at the properties of the device... it says mono... it is windows that is my problem
Or you could just connect it to line in.
I own this one of these and I love it.
This may sound like a really stupid question, but if I use this just to play records through an RCA connection to my receiver, is the audio output going to be converted to digital? Basically, I don't want to be listening to records with digital audio output, that would kind of defeat the purpose.
Paul Gowler no it wouldn't defeat the pouropse becausethe USB is a gimic on mine I removed the inturnal preamp witch gives me better audio quality and removed the USB feature
GuItAr you removed the preamp...? Don't you need that? Anyway I don't use this tt anymore as it is absolute shite.
@@paulgowler5181 You don't need to have a preamp built into the turntable, you just need to have one in general. The ones built in with new turntables are usually low quality and often wired in a way that the signal unnecessarily passes through the preamp even with it turned off causing some sound degradation. Most older receivers have preamps in them, aka the "phono" stage, and can vary in quality. I personally run an external preamp that is it's own separate device and not built into anything. Im running a Cambridge Audio Solo preamp with a Technics SL-5100 turntable.
Anyone have ideas on how to get rid of the hum when the pickup reaches towards the end of a record (very noticeable). Thanx.
GED REEK yea, simple noise canceling vst, don't use audacity, use a decent daw
Dear GED, A half a year late.....Having seen a video showing inside.... As the tonearm travels toward the centre it gets closer to the little mains transformer which is 3 or 4 inches from the spindle. If you are not 100% happy with working near mains - stop and forget messing inside. The transformer has an electromagnetic field built up around it radiating that 50/60hz mains. Some adjacent wiring may also pick it up. You could try moving the wiring away to see if this affects hum, but the transformer ideally needs to be shielded with an earthed metallic case - any little box that fits around, or half around even, the transformer should suffice with a wire bolted on taken to an earth point. This probably doesn't have a mains earth inside it, so either find a good earthing point (a steel radiator) or connect to return path on a circuit board. This should also prevent any nearby wiring re-radiating noise. This is a guess - I do not and never will own one of these, but don't think anything else could cause this issue.
I just on screwed the base and hooked a wire to to outside screws on the back plate. You need to take out about 8 screws and make sure the tonearm is locked and on the outside if the table it's set on.
So I'm not good with words due to having head trauma.. my wife wants to know what the point is of having this versus the fact that you can just play a record on a normal record player or get a CD/download from the internet with the same music... How do I explain to her the benefits?.. and how it makes sense
some stuff may never end up on cd or mp3.. it is mostly redundant solving only a niche problem but these are still around in abundance for super cheap so good for inexpensive way to get vinyl into a bigger receiver unit like the old days :)
Open it up and ground it to something that is ground to a circuit box or too the metal screw on the inside of the electrical outlet.
Thanks for this.
I, have one of these, & turn down the screws on each side.
Is the turntable completely manual. Does it return to cue after last track ?
shawn thomas totally manual
what camera was this filmed with?
these are pure junk!!!
Why such a scratched and beat up record to use as a demo though??
Does it have to be hooked up to speakers or a computer? I can't get any sound when using AUX
An amplifier for sound. Computer for recording.
@@grizzlyaddams3606 what type of amplifier would work on this?
@@donnasnow5179anything with an RCA input--- Mostly for a stereo receiver like the old days when we would plug the radio, record player, tv vcr and speakers into :)
Limpia el disco
From my experience with my ion it would benefit from a new styles I've just done done and the difference for a couple of pounds is shocking
Hey man I was wandering, which stylus did you go for
mthw get a audio technica ATN3600L
I put an ortofon 2m red on this and it sounds great.
Do you need a pre-amp with this?
No, it has one built-in.
Thank you for this! I have had Mine, manufactured March 2007...and Have Never Used It Until Today!! I Did open the box at some point, and Can't find the instructions or the turntable mat!! Oh, well....at least it Works!
What song is at 17:00
Little River Band - Reminiscing
What were the songs in this video?
+BasedNerdThug In order of appearance: Jackson 5 - ABC, Little River Band - Reminisicing, Steve Miller Band - Abracadabra, The Doobie Brothers - What A Fool Believes, John Waite - Missing You.
thank you :^]
BasedNerdThug You're welcome.
The guy with the USD turn tsp turntable is the humming is coming from some Connection in your equipment I don't know your name but you get my comment it's coming from your connection in your output of your stereo you just have the thing to your mixer and you just run it through to the auxilary you should have just fine soon as I find out what your name I'll actually try to help you with it but that humming is coming from the sound mixer to interference because I've had before my stereos too when I made it come in clearly just a large Rex and I own I was able to wire and please run a sound sea feeder you would get it going through loud and clearly how my voice Tech is kind of fuzzy too but it'll go away so I'll try to get ahold of you and let you know your your turntable is pretty cool I got an ion turntable to
I am trying to listen to a record but no matter what I do it's not playing. I've been plugging the white and red cables into my TV but still no sound. I can hear the songs playing very faintly coming off the vinyl itself, but nothing is working. maybe I need to have it hooked up to a computer with a CD drive to run the software. I'm so frustrated with this thing.
Tom O'Daniel are you using external preamplifier or the internal one? If you don't know what I'm talking about , chances are you have your turntable set to "phono" and you have it hooked up to a computer or modern HiFi. In which case simply flip the switch to other position. Most commonly says "line"
junk
For a starter turntable they actually sound quite good, much better than the straight arm ceramic cartridge type, they run quietly good stop and start, and this is coming from someone who also owns a techniques 1210
this is gonna be shit i just know it is, Crossly springs to mind how to fuck up your records the Audio Technica is a million miles from this in quality!
Magnetic cartridge and you can determine the weight, so how will it fuck up your records,,, twit.
Buy you an external preamp with rca inputs and outputs plus a mini Jack output..
GT = garbage turntable.
Corey Polite It isn’t garbage at all.
@@TheGreenDoggoOfWisdom yea .I know it's not. That was just my poor attempt at being humorous at the time.
Corey Polite ah ok no worries lol