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HydrogenAudio

CD-R and Audio Hardware => Vinyl => Topic started by: Knowzy on 2009-03-01 00:22:37

Title: Samples from USB Turntables: Ion TTUSB05
Post by: Knowzy on 2009-03-01 00:22:37
Turntable Details[blockquote]Ion Audio TTUSB05 (http://www.ionaudio.com/ionttusb05)
Street Price: $90 (US)
Moving Magnet Cartridge
Belt Drive
Semi-Automatic
Wow and Flutter: Not published
S/N: Not published
Platter: Plastic
Tracking force: 3.08g (Measured personally)
More (http://www.knowzy.com/usb-turntable-comparison.htm#LP2CDIonAudio) in turntable guide
[/blockquote]
Photos

(http://www.knowzy.com/images/Ion_Audio-TTUSB05-Photo01-Overview-No_Mat-Sm.jpg) (http://www.knowzy.com/images/Ion_Audio-TTUSB05-Photo01-Overview-No_Mat.jpg) (http://www.knowzy.com/images/Ion_Audio-TTUSB05-Photo02-Detached_Needle_And_Cartridge-Close_Up-Sm.jpg) (http://www.knowzy.com/images/Ion_Audio-TTUSB05-Photo02-Detached_Needle_And_Cartridge-Close_Up.jpg)


(http://www.knowzy.com/images/Ion_Audio-TTUSB05-Photo03-Drive_Belt_Through_Platter-Sm.jpg) (http://www.knowzy.com/images/Ion_Audio-TTUSB05-Photo03-Drive_Belt_Through_Platter.jpg) (http://www.knowzy.com/images/Ion_Audio-TTUSB05-Photo04-Cartridge-Close_Up-Attached-Sm.jpg) (http://www.knowzy.com/images/Ion_Audio-TTUSB05-Photo04-Cartridge-Close_Up-Attached.jpg)


(http://www.knowzy.com/images/Ion_Audio-TTUSB05-Photo05-Overview-Assembled-Sm.jpg) (http://www.knowzy.com/images/Ion_Audio-TTUSB05-Photo05-Overview-Assembled.jpg)


The Sample Clips
For background on the clips, see the "Preparation (http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=69140)" thread.

All samples are FLAC and under 30 seconds.

[blockquote]Music

Test Tracks
[/blockquote]

Musings
  The Ion TTUSB05 gave every indication that it would be a step down from the Audio-Technica USB turntable (http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=69601).  From a plastic platter to not publishing any specs to a generic MM cart  compared to an Audio-Technica cartridge to the cheaper price.

Opening  it only reinforced my doubts: The cartridge had fallen off the head of  the tonearm and the stylus had slid off the cartridge (See photos  below).

After putting it to work, though, it is the better of the two turntables, IMHO.

First  off, the cartridge comes in at 3.08 grams of tracking force. Watching  the meters during the test records, the stereo balance is obviously  much better. Finally, the gain is apparently set lower- I didn't  encounter clipping during any of the music samples.

One more fun thing I found reading an Amazon review: The counterbalance is actually adjustable (http://www.amazon.com/review/REHW1IGY6L4TC/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm)  using a screwdriver. I lowered the tracking force by a half gram - to  2.58 (after creating all of the other samples at the manufacturer's  VTF, of course) and created a new Rhiannon sample (http://www.knowzy.com/Computers/Audio/Digitize_Your_LPs/Samples/Ion_Audio/TTUSB05/Fleetwood_Mac_-_Fleetwood_Mac_-_Rhiannon_%28Clip_from_Ion_Audio-TTUSB05_Turntable_At_2.5_grams_VTF%29.flac). It didn't skip any worse at the lower tracking force.

At  around 2.35 grams, the weight becomes a bit unstable in its plastic  casing and at less than 2.2 grams, it rests on the casing.
Title: Samples from USB Turntables: Ion TTUSB05
Post by: Knowzy on 2009-03-04 04:24:01
Quote from: Knowzy on
One more fun thing I found reading an Amazon review: The counterbalance is actually adjustable (http://www.amazon.com/review/REHW1IGY6L4TC/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm) using a screwdriver.

It occurred to me that adjusting the counterbalance and setting anti-skate go hand-in-hand. Since the TTUSB05 doesn't have an anti-skate adjustment, maybe easing up the stylus pressure isn't such a good idea after all.

With that in mind, I created two more samples using the 12db and 18dB anti-skate tracks from HFN002, in case anyone is interested in comparing. The first is at 2.58g VTF (http://www.knowzy.com/Computers/Audio/Digitize_Your_LPs/Samples/Ion_Audio/TTUSB05/Hi-Fi_News_002_Test_LP-Side_A-T6_And_9-Played_On_Ion_Audio-TTUSB05_Turntable_At_2.58_Grams.flac) and the second is a remake back at 3.08g (http://www.knowzy.com/Computers/Audio/Digitize_Your_LPs/Samples/Ion_Audio/TTUSB05/Hi-Fi_News_002_Test_LP-Side_A-T6_And_9-Played_On_Ion_Audio-TTUSB05_Turntable_At_3.08_Grams_Redo.flac), the way I found it originally.
Title: Samples from USB Turntables: Ion TTUSB05
Post by: prayer86 on 2009-07-11 15:33:50
I apologize for bringing up an old thread, but I'm new to vinyl and have a few question. I have an ion turntable as well. I have some problems with distortion on some of the louder records I have during regular playback and through a line-in recording (my computer won't support the USB software). Would adjusting the counterbalance help with this at all, or is it the record itself that is distorting (and would that be something that's typical of vinyl)?

Thanks!

Moderation: Removed useless quotation of the previous post.
Title: Samples from USB Turntables: Ion TTUSB05
Post by: uart on 2009-07-11 18:22:07
Quote from: prayer86 on
I have some problems with distortion on some of the louder records I have during regular playback and through a line-in recording (my computer won't support the USB software).


The most important thing to check here is that you have the line-in levels adjusted correctly during recording. It is pointless to even consider any other possibilities until you are certain that this part is correct.
Title: Samples from USB Turntables: Ion TTUSB05
Post by: Knowzy on 2009-07-13 05:10:38
Quote from: uart on
The most important thing to check here is that you have the line-in levels adjusted correctly during recording.

There are two important takeaways in this statement:

The obvious one is setting the recording volume through Windows Mixer.

The second is more subtle- you need a "line level" signal to run the turntable to your computer.

You didn't mention which Ion turntable model you have. But 4 out of 7 (http://www.knowzy.com/Computers/Audio/Digitize_Your_LPs/USB_Record_Player_Turntable_Comparison.htm#LP2CDChart2) of them have a switchable pre-amp. You need to make sure that switch is set to "Line" and not "Phono."

Quote from: prayer86 on
Would adjusting the counterbalance help with this at all?

If some play albums play fine and "louder" albums are distorted, the counterbalance is not likely the problem.

You also don't want to adjust the counterbalance haphazardly. It should be adjusted in conjuction with the anti-skate if your model has it (the manual will discuss it.)

The TTUSB05 doesn't have anti-skate and you're not really supposed to adjust the counterbalance. There are no markings on the weight, so if you were to attempt it, you really should have a tracking force scale to make sure you're in the cartridge's range: 2 - 5 grams.

Title: Samples from USB Turntables: Ion TTUSB05
Post by: audioapprentice on 2009-07-23 01:47:27
Had a listen to the Steely Dan samples of this tt versus the AT and the CD.

I agree that it sounds better than the AT, and sounds high-enough-fi for my ears, but man is it ugly!

Personally, I need good looks with my sound.

I do give the built in phono stage and usb interface a tick each for convenience.
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