Customer Reviews

Sony PS-LX300USB USB Stereo Turntable (Black)

5 star:		(65)
4 star:		(60)
3 star:		(19)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(28)

 

 

The reason that I'm writing this review is because this product is new and I could not find a single review on this turntable before I purchased it. I had been shopping for a turntable for quite awhile, reading reviews and product specs until I finally decided on the PS-LX300USB mostly for its appearance, price, USB capabilities and the Sony name. I've had this turntable for two weeks now and so far I am very pleased with its performance.

Here's what I like about this turntable:
Great sound that surpasses a number of CD recordings of the same music; USB connection that easily allows conversion of analog music to digital files; Even the MP3s that I made sound better than some of the CD versions of the same music; It is black and blends in well with my other stereo equipment and doesn't look like a bloated silver flying saucer (like some other USB turntables); Easy to operate; Price is great; Software works very good once you figure out how it operates.

As for my opinion of its shortcomings:
The plastic construction has a light cheap look. The software instructions in the manual will lead you to select a "record" option that will prevent you from hearing the audio as you record it. This was a little annoying until I found the "Vinyl Recording" feature under one of the drop down menus at the top of the screen.

Conclusion:
If you simply want to enjoy the great sound of vinyl, and if you want to easily make your own mp3s, and if you don't feel the need to brag about spending $300 + on a turntable and $80 on RCA cables like the audiophiles would have you think is necessary, then this might be the turntable for you. I recommend this turntable and I've been listening to vinyl records for over fifty years.

Additional Note: You can select a variety of digital formats to record to including those that are not compressed.

I would have given this 5 stars with a little better instructions on set up. It assumes a knowledge of stereo components that I don't have. But as it is I've fumbled along by trial and error and I'm getting incredible results.

My LP collection has been in the basement for the last 23 years. Frankly I assumed those records were ruined. I never had good stereo equipment or fresh needles, and I never treated them with more than casual care. However, I dragged them up to make a list of what MP3 tracks I'd like to buy and to my amazement I found that I had huge collections with songs that have never been digitalized. I also found that some of these old LPs are only available at astronomical prices. So I decided to try digitalizing my old LPs using the Sony PS-LX300 USB.

Before playing my first record, I spent a day on-line looking at the options for cleaning vinyl records. Spending hundreds of dollars on a disc cleaning system for records that I assumed were about ruined was out of the question. I settled for the RCA Discwasher for $14.95, even though reviews claimed it was vastly inferior to the old product (which sells at auction for well over $50.00). I also looked at the DIY options of washing vinyl records, but what I read indicated that drying was as important as getting a cleaner into the grooves and the RCA Discwasher brush was supposed to serve this function of both cleaning and drying.

I hooked the Sony turntable up to my Dell Laptop so I could keep working on my desktop computer while recording. The Sony turntable comes with a USB connection and also RCA cables (which are very short). The turntable comes with a switch to choose either Line or Phono. I presume from the combo offered above that you could also attach the RCA cables to speakers purchased separately to listen while recording through the USB option. I have a DAK Mixer Interface (which I never figured out) so I hooked the RCA cables into that and tried plugging their stereo mini plug into my laptop input line, but my first pass did not produce sound on the final recording -- no doubt I had to change some settings on my input line. So instead I just plugged headphones into the DAK mixer to listen while recording using the USB option.

For USB recording, I had to go into my control panel and change my Sound|Recording options, but that those steps were well spelled out on page 11 of the Sony turntable manual. I'm sure with more fiddling around I can figure out how to get sound through my laptop while recording, but it's working just fine for me with headphones.

Then I thoroughly cleaned my first LP -- an old favorite I purchsed in 1961 and played to death over the next 20 years. I cleaned it a total of three separate times, assuming it was very dirty, following the directions carefully. As I pushed the start button on the Sony, I was amazed at the quality of sound coming through the headphones. I expected to hear mostly hisses and pops with a little music thrown in. I couldn't believe the quality of that old LP after cleaning. There was some cracking but mainly it was noticeable between tracks.

I used the default settings on the SoundForce Audio Studio for "Vinyl Recording and Restoration" and these pops and crackles were almost eliminated in the final product.

Right now my recordings are coming through as one track (which they mention can happen with some old LPs) but the software has a good help section which includes how to go back and separate the tracks. I'll be working through that later this morning. But right now I have my first two records digitilized with a sound quality I never believed possible. I am thrilled beyond belief and looking forward to listening to hours more of my old treasures as I compile them into a digitilized collection.

As a final note, I always scoffed at those who said that records had a warmth that is missing from CDs. I figured that only audio snobs with expensive equipment could tell a difference since I was quite pleased with my CDs and iPod music. But as I listen to my old LPs I am aware of exactly what they mean. There is an intimacy and depth of sound that is missing from CDs. Amazing to think that such an old technology can hold up so well, even on ill-used records that are over 45 years old.

I haven't had any problems with the turntable, it's being very kind to my old albums. I'm pretty impressed with the quality and am glad I chose the Sony over several other brands I researched. I would definitely recommend this one.
Like several other reviewers I've had a not so fun time trying to figure out the software. I do have sound through my computer. To make a long story short, here's what I ended up with for my settings: click "Tools" then "vinyl recording and restoration", be sure "monitor recording level" is checked. My Device Properties on the Audio tab is: Sound Playback: Realtek HD Audio Output
Sound Recording: USB Audio CODEC
MIDI Music Playback: Miscrosoft GS Wavetable SW Synth
I can listen to an album even if I don't want to record it by opening up the vinyl recording and restoration window and just letting it run in the background.
Hope this helps.

I received this from my wife as a Christmas present yesterday so I cannot vouch for its reliability. I can, however, describe how to get past the sound through the PC problem.

As someone previously described the process I will use their process except change the order because that is important:

Under Control Panel (Windows XP) and Sounds and Audio Device Properties:

Sound Playback: [enter your default sound card as Audio Output] Note that the installation software for Audio Studio LE changed this so that when you plug in the USB cable it will default to USB Audio CODEC. This is WHY your PC sound quits working.

Make sure Sound Recording is set to: USB Audio CODEC

MIDI Music Playback: Miscrosoft GS Wavetable SW Synth [I don't think this one makes any difference but it is where mine is at and it is working]

On Audio Studio LE; Click "Tools" then "vinyl recording and restoration" AND be sure "monitor recording level" is checked.

Make sure that the Sound and Audio Device properties are done BEFORE you call up the Sony software because it seems to NOT recognize changes in Windows once you have activated it.

I only gave this a 3 rating because the instructions are so poorly written. Those of you who have a working turntable and a sound card with a line in input do not need this device. All you need is a set of patch cords that will go to the line in from your stereo. (Note that you can NOT run it directly from the turntable to the line in because you need a higher voltage input (at least a pre-amp level). You also need a program that has "line in" as an option for recording. Windows Media Player does not have this option.

Update May: On reliability so far not a single problem.

Update October 2010: The auto function on the turntable has broken such that the tone arms will settle on the record and then immediately lift up, return to the holder, and then the unit shuts down. If you have this problem once it does that use the lift button for the tone arm to lift it. Then move the tone arm to the starting point on the album and gently lower it with the button. As you move the tone arm to the start point the turntable should start rotating via the "manual" start.

On the software dividing the songs issue I have found that it is better that the software didn't divide the songs automatically. In some cases it divides them incorrectly and you have pieces of songs. It is much easier to divide the songs manually than it is to go in and edit the transcription by cutting and pasting pieces of songs. This is another major ding against the software.

This is a great product for its price. It works equally well with both
PCs and Macs, i.e. once you download Audacity for the Mac. The Audacity
software allows audio play-thru without using the RCA connections,
thus only the USB connection is required. Sony should provide Mac
compatibility by including Audacity or indicating Mac compatibility
by its use via a free Audacity download.

Other than a couple of minor changes, i.e. RCA jacks in the rear versus
a hardwired cable and an arm clip to hold the cartridge securely, the
unit is well designed. The provided software works well on the PC,
but the Audacity software is preferred. The unit is very easy to setup,
taking only minutes. The controls, start, stop and arm up/down, make
for a simple/easy operation.

The Sony PS-LX300USB is a great record player for those who don't know where to start on record players, either that or a great replacement for their old players.
I had LPs as mainly collectors pieces for years but lost them all due to moving around from Mass to SC back to Mass to SC to FL. Then in August of 2006, I started working at an independent record store in Port Saint Lucie, FL and realized vinyl wasn't dead. In fact, it's making a major resurrection! Then I started playing vinyl at work when I couldn't find the CD counterpart to play and realized how warm and better many of the older albums sounded (I usually looked for first pressings to play as they were better sounding). Also as part of my job, if we got in records and had more than one copy for sale of, we either threw them out or salvaged some (I managed to save a few Genesis, Beatles (the Red and Blue albums) and Styx (Pieces of Eight and Paradise Theatre) LPs from the trash heap).
Then I was on a quest to look for a great record player. Crosley record player with CD burner wasn't what I wanted (though it looked great, reviews weren't great and was a no-name brand which meant system would have died in a short space of time) and then when I saw this Sony record player, I was like HMMM looks good but is it good? I checked reviews here and 4 out of 5 meant very good so I bought one and it works very well and was well worth my money.
To make sure it worked and sounded great, I tested the turntable with the 180 Gram reissue of Led Zeppelin's The Song Remains the Same Soundtrack (which I initially bought to sell but I was like keep it and see if it sounds better than the CD) and the sound from this turntable was warm, clean and played all of the notes in right pitch (unlike some turntables where it sounded like Alvin and the Chipmunks pitch) and now am on a quest for more vinyl to play every now and again.
What I also like about this system is it comes with a software to digitalize your old vinyl albums to either MP3s for the MP3 players or (in my case) CDs and can take out all of the crackling and feedback noises.
This is a great record player for those who want to either rediscover vinyl or convert to digital to preserve classic recordings.
RECOMMENDED!

After failing to resurrect my old, unused Philips turntable, I bought this turntable. Plugged it in to my Mac and it works fine.... I used both Audio HiJack and CD Spin Doctor... I also tried out Final Vinyl and it works fine too. So, even though Sony doesn't pack any Mac software with this, it does indeed work with a mac (OS 10.5.6 ... Unibody MacBook Pro). Make sure the Audio Input is set to the USB Audio Codec which will be present when the turntable is plugged in to the Mac. I am very pleased with the sound... Created some MP3's with it and have renewed my interest in the thousand or so LP's I had stashed away... A great turntable. Listened to some of the mp3's on my Ipod while running this afternoon... couldn't be happier!

I have had the turntable for a couple weeks, as of 12/26/08. It was easy to physically install via the USB cable to my PC. The software installed easily enough. I would recommend following the instructions carefully and then do a reboot before attempting to record. I have recorded about 12 albums so far. My biggest issue is that the software defaults to saving as a "wav" file, which is huge. Every time I use the software I have to remember to change to saving as an "mp3", which is a pain. You can record the whole side of an album and then the S/W detects the tracks. This works about 80% of the time. On live albums there is no quiet period between the tracks so it can't autodetect them, so you get one giant track. You can then manually cut it into tracks using the S/W, but it is a pain. I now just save as one track, import into iTunes, and use the Get Info to list the track names in the comments. Overall I'd give this an A+ for value.

Some reviewers have commented on the "plasticky" appearance of this unit. No doubt, it isn't the kind of equipment you would have expected to be sitting next to an expensive amp, receiver and huge speakers twenty years ago, but it doesn't serve the same purpose.

The way I look at it, once I have copied my 100 or so LPs to a hard drive, I'll just put this puppy on eBay and get most of my money back. Frankly, for what I spent on it, I could throw it in the trash and come out ahead b/c I didn't have to go out and replace my (some irreplaceable) vinyl with CDs.

Let's make it plain, however, that converting your LPs to digital (even with the pretty good scratch removing software included) won't render the clean, clear quality of the identical recording which was later released on CD. In other words, this USB player works just fine and the software will allow you to disguise the defects of your old, used records somewhat, but it isn't going to make them new or even come close to a new CD. As for the reasons, lets just say that so much new recording technology has come down the road since you bought your old records that they didn't sound as good as you thought they did when they were brand new.

Now that we're over those few hurdles, let's talk about the turntable and software. The TT will play 33s and 45s, but not 78s. Well, really - do you care? Maybe. I have about as many 78s as LPs. My wife has a slew of 45s. So, yeah, it might be an issue.

The TT works just fine with as little "wow" as you used to have on much more expensive units. The stylus seems to be up to the task, also. The software can be a little daunting at first, unless you have already played with similar apps. Actually, once you get over the hump, it's pretty much a matter of play and record. You'll probably just stick with one scratch removal setting and copy all of your records w/o changing it.

This unit does have a switch which allows you to turn on or off the preamp, which is handy if you decide to use it as a part of your home entertainment system instead of putting it on eBay.

Incidentally, my unit is hooked up to an XP equipped Dell laptop. Like others, I was surprised and disappointed to discover that I could not monitor the sound through the laptop's speakers while it was being recorded. Other than that, getting it set up and operational was fairly easy (but I do have a background with computers and A/V stuff).

I recently had the opportunity to set up another brand of unit for a friend. It had a few more features, such as a fancier mechanism for dropping the stylus on a track in the middle of the record and it would play records backwards(!?) But, it cost more money.

The Sony works well enough that I recommended it (and Amazon, too) to an older friend. She immediately purchased it, but I'm pretty sure her techno savvy son had to set it up for her!

After reading the reviews about my top choices for an afforable USB turntable, I came to the conclusion that unless it had some major flaw that made it unusable or introduced some intollerable noise, one turntable at this price was just about the same as any other. I chose the Sony because it came with software that you couldn't just download for free. Sound Forge Audio Studio is quite easy to use and the the fact that it supports .wma so I can edit clips recorded from other sources.

I did download Audacity and like it too. In fact, I switch back and forth, depending on the project. What suprised me was that the sofware wouldn't detect the breaks between songs very well while using the USB interface. I think the gain is just too high and can't be adjusted down that I can tell. Luckily, this unit has it's own preamp and allows me to hook it up at line level to the computer's sound card input. Now the software will detect the individual songs and treat them accordingly.
I don't know if this is a flaw with this particular unit or all USB input. The other benefit of using line level over USB is that you can hear what is being recorded. With the USB input, you can't (unless I'm missing something).

All in all, I'm pleased with my purchase and even more pleased that my decision to go with the Sony model got me two choices of recording software.