Yamaha Turntable

Question What type of turntable makes vinyl conversion to MP3, Line input or USB?? Technics, Numark or Yamaha?
Want to buy one but I want the one that reproduces the conversion to MP3 in the best manner or sound.

Best Answer Juan, This might get a bit long-winded, so get comfortable... To transfer vinyl (analog) records to MP3 (digital) there are several steps involved, each contributing to the overall "quality". The process to convert involves playing a record (extracting the analog info from the grooves as accurately as possible), boosting and equalizing the raw / low level signal to get a line-level output, converting the signal to digital format, and capturing it in a file. A "turntable" in the classic sense only plays the record and extracts a phono (low) level signal. Next a preamplifier boosts and equalizes the signal to line (RCA) level. Some recent turntables (Audio Techinica, Numark, Ion) have a built-in "preamp" for this purpose. The Yamaha (and most other vintage turntables) and the best-sounding most expensive audiophile turntables typically do not have integral preamps. For those you have to buy an external preamp, or play through a receiver/amplifier with a "phono" section. Then you take the line-level signal and feed it into your computer for conversion. Your sound card can do the conversion using any of a variety of programs available to do this. This step is limited by the quality of your sound card. If you have a standard off-the-shelf computer with built-in / on-board sound card, you will probably get good but not great results. The inside of a computer is electrically noisy, the sampling rate of most ordinary sound cards is "ordinary" and the results are also "ordinary". For this reason, those looking for higher quality capture / conversion usually buy an external converter. Something like the M-Audio Transit, where the line-level output of the preamp plugs into this, and USB comes out the other side, and plugs into your computer. (Turntables like the Ion and Numark have something like this embedded in them, but not as high a quality.) This is also an ideal solution for a laptop - where you can't upgrade the sound card, or a line level input might not be available. mp3 quality is limited, and is not as good as CD quality or LP quality. So I would recommend capturing first to .WAV format for archival purposes, then down convert to mp3 for portability and higher song capacity. You'll need about 400-500M for each 2-sided 33RPM LP you want to capture, and the results can easily be burned to an Audio CD, then you can rip the mp3s off the CD just like you would on a purchased one. One of the biggest limiting factors that most people overlook is the cartridge. A turntable has a relatively easy job - turn the record at a constant speed, without introducing noise; keep the stylus in contact with the grooves. The cartridge/stylus has to do the hard part. Most cartridges that come pre-installed on turntables are pathetic. You pretty much get what you pay for with phono cartridges. So here are two solutions I would recommend: Higher Quality: Turntable: Project Debut III (w/Ortofon OM5e cartridge) Preamp: Pro-ject Phono Box (or Bellari VP-29) D/A Converter: M-Audio Transit You'll get a very good (near audiophile quality) turntable, with a decent Ortofon cartridge, low mass adjustable tonearm, that will extract a lot of music from your records without introducing noise. Of course the setup will cost about 0, but it will be a noticable improvement over... Good Quality: Turntable: Ion/Numark Turntable with built-in USB. Preamp: built-in D/A: built-in This will only set you back about 0. Not as high quality a setup, but a lot less hassle. You probaby should start with the Numark/Ion (they appear to be practically the same turntable), and see if the results are acceptable to you. If not, return it and save up for the Pro-Ject... Or if you like the setup, but the sound is not quite there, you could always separately upgrade the cartridge.

Question Yamaha PF-800 turntable cartridges?
I have a Yamaha PF-800 turntable with an Audio-Technica AT3482P cartridge. It's a relatively cheap cartridge, and I've had it for a while and thought about getting another. I was wondering what cartridges of higher quality would be compatible with the turntable.

Best Answer Is this your table?... http://www.thevintageknob.org/YAMAHA/PF1000/PF1000.html If so... Yeah, you could do a lot better than the AT3482P on such a nice table. The main thing here will be how much you want to spend... Looks like any 1/2" standard mount cartridge would fit that table and your choices are wide open. Even an inexpensive Audio Technica AT95e would outperform the conical stylus cart you have now. Cleaner tracking and more extended frequency range. The great sounding AT95e can sound even better with the hyperelliptical or Shibata upgrade styli from LP Gear. http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LG&Product_Code=LPGAT95E&Category_Code=LPGCART http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LG&Product_Code=LPGAT95HE&Category_Code=LPGCART http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LG&Product_Code=LPGAT95SA&Category_Code=LPGCART For a little more, the Denon DL-160 high output moving coil stands out in it's price range and it works fine with any standard moving magnet input or phono stage. Although, the stylus on a moving coil can't be replaced by the user. When it's worn, the cartridge must be sent to someone for a retip, replaced or exchanged for a new cartridge at a discount sometimes (not sure about Denon's policy). The Audio Technica AT150MLX sounds excellent for more money with a slight emphasis on detail. The Ortofon 2M Bronze or Black might be preferred by someone who likes a slightly richer sound and has a little more to spend. I don't really care for the lower Red and Black models in the Ortofon 2M series, so I didn't include them. A little too thick in the mids and "technicolor" sounding for my taste. I think the Audio Technicas sound closer to the truth in the lower price ranges. Not crazy about their AT120e or AT440MLa though. They can be a little "thin" or "analytical" sounding. Those are the carts that really stand out to me as being strong values between .00 and 0.00. I may have left out 1 or 2 I like, but I can't think of anything right now. If I do, I'll edit and add them. The Shure M97xE with the JICO stylus made for it is supposed to sound pretty nice without spending too much. But, I don't care for it with the original stylus. It's a little "soft" sounding and I always feel like I'm straining to hear leading edges or detail.