Experience the nostalgic sound of vinyl with this fully automatic belt-driven turntable that supports 33-1/3 and 45 rpm record playback speeds and features a USB output for importing your favorite records' tracks to a PC.
Customer Rating
4
So far, so good
on June 20, 2009
Posted by: dmanning
from Michigan
This is a review on just the sound of the player.
I have not tried to record anything yet. I may amend the review at that time. This is just a review of the sound. Firstly, I am using the phonograph with my Yamaha receiver and surround sound (Polk towers in front, yamahas everywhere else, powered sub).
The player was pretty easy to put together (read the instructions to make sure I got it right) and took ten minutes. Basically it is putting the wheel on and attaching the rubber band that turns the wheel. Someone said something about having to put it on, but think about it- you don't want that band sitting stretched unused at the warehouse, getting brittle. You want it sealed so it is fresh and lasts longer when you open it.
I bought the audiophile edition Appetite For Destruction LP at the same time from BB. I am no audiophile, but I do own a ton of SACDs, DVD-Audios, remasters of classic albums, imports, reg. CDs, iPods, shuffles, tapes, etc. I know what I like and have heard about everything. I still think I am just a guy who likes music. That said, I love what I'm hearing so far. While I will abmit I'm a sucker for surround sound and am blown away by SACD's like Pink Floyd and DTS 5.1 music like Queen that I can hear all around me, for stereo purposes, this sounds fantastic. I can't imagine a higher priced player that I would be able to tell the difference on.
People claim that the music is warmer and If I know what they are saying, I think it might be true. Axel Rose doesn't sound like he is right in my face like he does on CDs. He seems a little more blended, although you can pick out all the instruments w/out a problem.
The crackle in between sounds takes me back to the 1970s listening to my K-Tel records in the basement. The first time I bumped the player and it skipped I waited for my older sister to yell at me. It's nice being older now :)
If you have LPs and no player, why not? You can make use of those LPs and they sound nice and clear. You also have the ability to make them into mp3s, if you so choose.
Thats it. I'm off to ebay to look for my next LP.
What's great about it: Does what you think it will do
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Pretty darn good sounding LP. I just invested in a new phonograph and this is the test LP before I get the collection my sister took from my parents' home. It is a great album (weird hearing it all at once, rather than in pieces like MP3 singles.) I am so used to just listening to one song from an album and moving on. This really warrants a full listen. If you're buyiong this, you already know the music, you are wondering about the LP quality. Personally, I love it. I hear about LPs' "warmth" and if I get what they are intending, I think it is correct in that there seems to really be layers to the music.
The first time I bumped the phonograph, I looked around for my sister to yell at me like she used to 30 years ago when I was a kid. GOOD BUY. Good bye.
What's great about it: Great stereo sound
What's not so great: If I could trade it for an sacd, I would