Without sacrificing on style or sound quality, that is.
By Cameron Sherrill Published: Aug 25, 2021 Save Article
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There are few things more romantic than sipping a glass of whiskey in a smoking jacket while listening to the sweet, crackly musings of spinning vinyl. To be clear, I have never done this, but it seems very cool, or very pretentious. Either way, there’s something special about records, whether it’s absorbing the true sound, removed of the digital buzz of digitized music, or aesthetically appreciating how this relic of the past remains a crucial medium for music. But what happens when you want your vinyl collection on the go? Well then, throw everything I just said out of the window and invest in a USB turntable to help digitize your collection.
So, what’s special about a USB turntable? In addition to working like a normal record player, you can also rip the audio from the vinyl, run it to a computer, and store the music file digitally. While this process may seem silly to those of us with Spotify, there’s always something to be said for preservation, especially since some vinyls contain music you can’t stream or buy digitally. And I’ve always had a soft spot for those who curate their digital music library.
As with any piece of tech and its performance, the sound quality of a USB turntable and the sound quality of the ripped files depend on how much dough you are willing to spend. But luckily (or unluckily), there aren't many USB turntables out there to begin with. In fact, you don't need to look past these three models, from Audio-Technica, Sony, and Plus Audio.
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The Best USB Turntable Features
Audio-Technica lets you rip those sweet PCMs and wrap them nicely into an MP3 format for your portable enjoyment with this record player. The AT-LP60XBT-USB also has Bluetooth capabilities. Sure, some argue that sending an audio signal through to a Bluetooth speaker ruins the authenticity of a record, but it’s damn nice if you’re trying to spread that record's sound through a large area or a whole house. The AT-LP60XBT-USB is efficient and affordable, arguably the most basic way to start vinyl ripping, and you're still getting a reliably great record player in addition. Simply, it does everything it is designed to do to a fantastic T.
The Most Stylish USB Turntable
The difference between Audio-Technica and Sony’s models really comes down to vanity and brand. Like Audio-Technica's, this USB turntable plays records, rips music, and has Bluetooth capabilities. However, with the PS-L you also get a sleek, thinner design and connection to the Sony ecosystem—the Sony line of receivers and speakers—which makes it a little easier to navigate accessories. Personally, this is how I like my record players to look, too, with that understated design that blends into any media station, nothing overly lavish. Coming in at just under 200 bucks, it’s a top-to-bottom package for a smallish price tag.
The Best USB Turntable for Audiophiles
(Ships free to the U.S.)
This is the holy grail, the cream of the crop, the USB turntable for someone who loves their records, with every last feature dressed to the nines. The Plus Audio record player has nearly unparalleled sound quality, and a plethora of menu and input/output options, all in a package that operates seamlessly. Listening to vinyls on this turntable is a different kind of experience altogether, and truthfully, it’s hard to go back to anything less. And with that superior tech, the ripping quality is a serious upgrade. Sure, this turntable isn’t for the average Joe, but if you're looking to dive in hard and fast, you can do no wrong. It is an exceptional listening and ripping machine.
