Ion iPTUSB USB Turntable
Manufacturer: ION Audio Part number: iPTUSB
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The Ion iPTUSB is as useful as it is adorable, with sound quality that defies its small size.
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Where to buy
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PREMIER SOURCE of cutting edge electronics since 1973. | ![]() | In stock Ships in 24hr! Top Rated Auth. Ion Dealer w/Warranty | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 12/04/2009 |
| Amazon.com Marketplace | ![]() | In stock | as of 12/04/2009 |
CNET editors' review
Ion iPTUSB USB Turntable price range: $129.95 - $189.95
- Reviewed by: Donald Bell
- Reviewed on: 02/07/2008
- Released on: 10/07/2008
The good: The Ion iPTUSB turntable is light, portable, and includes a USB output for recording directly to your computer.
The bad: The recording software included with the Ion iPTUSB could be better, and the plastic tone arm feels flimsy.
The bottom line: The Ion iPTUSB is as useful as it is adorable, with sound quality that defies its small size.
The Ion iPTUSB ($149) is a portable turntable with an impressive amount of features, including a direct USB output for archiving your vinyl to your PC. Whether you're a seasoned crate-digger or a vinyl holdout looking to downsize your hi-fi, the Ion iPTUSB strikes a great balance of portability, features, and sound quality.
Design
In the world of USB-enabled turntables, the Ion iPTUSB is one of the coolest kids in town. Sure, we've seen portable turntables that are smaller, and USB turntables that offer better audio quality, but not until the Ion iPTUSB has there been such an affordable, and attractive compromise.
The Ion iPTUSB measures 12 inches long by 4 inches thick by 12 inches wide with its lid on (3.5 inches high with lid off). It is constructed almost entirely of plastic (the handle is metal). If you feel like you've seen the Ion iPTUSB somewhere before, you're not crazy. Ion's parent company, Numark, released a turntable called the PT-01 back in 2006 (see our review). The PT-01 is cosmetically identical to the Ion iPTUSB, but lacks the capability to connect with USB, or record using a line-input jack. If you're not thrilled about the Ion iPTUSB's USB integration, the Numark PT-01 is still available, and a great value.

The Ion iPTUSB is designed for two groups of people: those who don't have the space to permanently set up a full-size turntable, and record-shop junkies looking for a portable way to demo (and possibly record) vinyl on-the-go. If you're looking for the highest-quality means to archive your beloved collection of vinyl, we recommend steering clear of USB turntable solutions altogether, and going the high road of investing in a phono preamp, audio card, and recording software.
Our favorite design feature of the Ion iPTUSB is probably the easiest one to overlook. Through some marvel of engineering, the Ion iPTUSB measures only 12 inches square, allowing it to fit perfectly alongside your dusty record collection.
Features
With its small size and impressive list of features, it's not a stretch to call the Ion iPTUSB the Swiss Army knife of turntables. Most of the Ion iPTUSB's features are the same great features found on the less-expensive Numark PT-01: a built-in speaker; battery power (or AC adapter); 33, 45, and 78rpm modes; RCA line output; pitch control; tone control; dual headphone jacks; a replaceable needle; and an adapter for 7-inch records. The Ion iPTUSB distinguishes itself from its Numark ancestor by including a USB output, a 3.5mm stereo line input with adjustable gain, a USB cable, and Mac and PC recording software.
The Ion iPTUSB is missing a few features that will make phonograph purists turn up their noses in disgust. For example, the Ion iPTUSB's fragile, all-plastic tone arm lacks counterbalance, needle alignment, or antiskate controls. Also, the base of the turntable is woefully lacking in shock absorption.
Performance
With a turntable as small and light as the Ion iPTUSB, we weren't expecting much in the way of sound quality. While the Ion iPTUSB's built-in speaker won't blow you away, its sound quality over the headphone or the RCA output is remarkable. If you're the kind of person who drags out their record crate only a few times a year to rekindle the analog nostalgia, the Ion iPTUSB offers an ideal combination of convenience and quality.
The Ion iPTUSB's USB recording quality was well above our expectations. Getting started was a snap, since our PC recognized the Ion iPTUSB the moment we connected it over USB. We were frustrated to find the two pieces of included recording software were either too basic (EZ Vinyl Converter), or too complicated (Audacity) for what we wanted to accomplish. Whichever tool you choose (we recommend grabbing Cakewalk's Pyro software) you'll be pleasantly surprised by the Ion iPTUSB's recording quality. We also made several recordings using the Ion iPTUSB's 3.5mm line-input, and achieved good results recording music from an MP3 player to our PC (a cassette deck, CD player, or MiniDisc would also work).
Ion rates the battery life of the iPTUSB turntable at 16 hours, which means you may have to confront the irony that your turntable's battery performance is better than that of your MP3 player.
User reviews
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Pretty straightforward to use but not perfect
by sculldog on February 8, 2008
Pros: Better results than looping record player through the sound card
Cons: Lousy beginner software, advanced software takes time to learn
Summary: I have been dragging around over 100 rock albums. Got this for my B-Day. Don't bother with the simple software, use the advanced software. Click/pop removal tool works ...
Summary: I have been dragging around over 100 rock albums. Got this for my B-Day. Don't bother with the simple software, use the advanced software. Click/pop removal tool works well, but it takes time. You must download your own mp3.dll file but you can rip to WAV, OOg and other formats. Overall good bang for the buck.
5 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Very easy to use, sound quality surprisingly good
by phillieg on February 24, 2009
Pros: I was surprised by the quality of this product and the ease of setting it up. It took about 5-10 minutes. I have not run into any problems at all with the speed varying like another used stated.
Cons: I have no major cons about this product. I don't really see the reason for batteries of for the internal speaker. The advanced editing software is a little complicated. I have stuck with the basic software and it has been just fine.
Summary: Overall, it's a great product. I got it NEW on woot.com for $49 and it is totally worth it. If you are looking to have it exactly like ...
Summary: Overall, it's a great product. I got it NEW on woot.com for $49 and it is totally worth it. If you are looking to have it exactly like an mp3 then I suggest you but the music on CDs or spend $300 for another converter. If you have a collection of LPs that you want to convert some of them for listening enjoyment, then this product works great. It exceeded my expectations.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great Idea, POORLY manufactured
by el_dj99 on February 20, 2009
Pros: It's great to transfer vinyl to mp3, who can argue with that. Also great is the line input so that one can transfer any media format, be it audio cassette, 8-track or whatever.
Cons: Speed fluctuates considerably upon playback.
Summary: This item is filled with gratuitous functions that should be removed to improve the model overall. For example, battery operation? Is that really necessary? How many people are actually going ...
Summary: This item is filled with gratuitous functions that should be removed to improve the model overall. For example, battery operation? Is that really necessary? How many people are actually going to take this to the park and play records. To me it was designed only to transfer vinyl to digital format. That's it. With that said it really doesn't need a built-in speaker either. Finally, my biggest complaint is that the unit tends to fluctuate in pitch. This is terrible for djs that want to go digital as it is essential to maintain a constant pitch in order to mix another song. That problem REALLY needs to be addressed by Numark and until they do so I would advise against purchasing this model.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: ION Audio
- Part number: iPTUSB
- Description: The easiest way to bring your record collection into the digital age! With the iPTUSB, ION has created a revolutionary battery operated portable USB turntable enabling you to convert your old vinyl collection to CD or MP3 using included recording software (no special drivers needed). The iPTUSB turntable also has a line level output for connecting to any home stereo with an AUX input and a built-in speaker for stand-alone operation. EZ Vinyl Converter by MixMeister is included free with the iPTUSB and provides the easiest way to convert your records to your computer's digital music library. Simply plug in your iPTUSB turntable, specify track information and in a few mouse clicks you're done! EZ Vinyl Converter automatically imports your songs directly into your iTunes library. Once digitally converted, you can sort your music, make custom playlists, and easily take songs with you on an iPod or play them directly from your computer. Finally your record collection can be available wherever you are.
General
- Product Type Turntable
Audio System
- Sound Output Mode Stereo
Connectors
- Headphone Jack Yes
Speaker System
- Speaker(s) 1 x Speaker - Built-in
Turntable
- Type Turntable
- Speeds Supported 45 rpm, 78 rpm, 33.3 rpm
- Drive Type Belt drive
- Features Pitch control, Built-in USB audio adapter
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x Audio line-out ( RCA phono x 2 ), 1 x USB, 1 x Audio line-in, 1 x Headphones
Power
- Power Device Power adapter - External
Miscellaneous
- Included Accessories Software kit
- Cables Included USB cable
Manufacturer info
- ION Audio
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse ION Audio products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.ion-audio.com/








