Ultra Cool Gadgets » Music

Shure M97xE High-Performance Magnetic Phono Cartridge

ashish — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 16:47:20 +0000

The superb-tracking, neutral, smooth-sounding M97xE magnetic phono cartridge is designed to provide hours of undistorted, enjoyable listening without fatiguing the ear or tiring the mind. The cartridge accurately reproduces the most difficult musical packages, particularly in the high-frequency range where audio modulations are the smallest and stylus tip movement is the most rapid. This precise tracking ability is made possible by Shure’s unique Type II low-mass, thin-wall, aluminum-alloy stylus cantilever, in addition to its precision-crafted, finely polished elliptical diamond tip.
Among the M97xE’s most notable features is a viscous-damped dynamic stabilizer, which maintains a uniform distance between the cartridge and the record under difficult playing conditions, such as those caused by warped records or a mismatched tonearm mass. Should the stabilizer prove unnecessary, listeners can lock it in the detent position, which can, under ideal playing conditions, ensure even better sound quality. The cartridge also offers a die-cast-aluminum mounting block for secure, vibration-free attachment to the tonearm, along with a Side-Guard stylus protection system that helps prevent stylus damage if the cartridge accidentally slides across a record. The latter feature responds to side thrusts on the stylus by withdrawing the entire cantilever and tip safely into the stylus housing before the cantilever can be damaged.

The cartridge delivers an essentially flat 20 Hz to 22 kHz frequency response and fits on a standard 1/2-inch tonearm mount. It also comes with mounting hardware, a headshell screwdriver, and a cleaning brush, and carries a one-year warranty against defects.

Technical Details

- High-performance phono cartridge with finely polished elliptical diamond tip.
- Accurately reproduces difficult musical passages, particularly in high-frequency range.
- Viscous-damped dynamic stabilizer maintains uniform distance between cartridge and record.
- Side-Guard system prevents stylus damage if cartridge accidentally slides across LP.
- Die-cast-aluminum mounting block; includes mounting hardware and leaning brush.

Customer Feedback

This is a superb tracking cartridge to transfer your old record albums to digital cd-r format. Take great note that unlike other namebrand cartridges , the Shure plays beautifully straight out of the box and does not require drastic long hours of a “breaking in” sound period.
It’s not as “in-your-face” as many others, and some have said it’s an uninvolving cartridge. It’s true that it has a relaxed sort of presentation, but that’s certainly not a bad thing. This cartridge gets out of the way of the music, and is listenable for long periods with no listening fatigue. It is a shade warmer than some other carts, but the entire frequency range is all there, and totally uncolored. Very nice overall sound quality, and it’s a superb tracker.

Audio Technica AT-PL60USB Fully Automatic Belt Driven Turntable with USB Port

ashish — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 16:37:08 +0000

Digitize your favorite 33-1/3 and 45 RPM records on the Audio Technica AT-PL60USB turntable, which comes equipped with a USB output that allows direct connection to your computer. The system offers Mac- and PC-compatible Audacity software, an integral dual-magnet Audio-Technica Dual Magnet phono cartridge with replaceable stylus, and a USB cable and adapter cables.
With Audacity recording software, you can convert tapes and records into digital recordings or CDs, change the speed or pitch of a recording, and more. The turntable also features a built-in switchable phono/line preamp that allows connection to a stereo system equipped with either a phono or line-level input.

The Audio-Technica AT-LP60 USB makes it easier than ever to transfer your albums to the digital realm with this new recording system. The AT-LP60 USB stereo turntable comes equipped with a USB output that allows direct connection to your computer. The system also offers: state-of-the-art recording software—Audacity (for both MAC and PC), an integral dual-magnet Audio-Technica phono cartridge, a USB cable and adapter cables. The turntable also features a built-in switchable phono/line preamp that allows connection to a stereo system equipped with either a phono or line-level input.

Product Features

- USB output: no special drivers required for direct connection to your computer
- Built-in switchable stereo phono/line level pre-amplifier. Permits use of turntable with stereo systems having either magnetic-phono inputs
- PC & Mac compatible
- Fully automatic operation keeps LPs scratch free
- Two speeds: 33 1/3 rpm and 45 rpm
- 2 speed turntable?33 1/3 and 45 RPM
- 2 speed turntable¿33 1/3 and 45 RPM
- Fully automatic operation
- Integral Dual Magnet stereo cartridge with replacement stylus
- Professional aluminum platter
- Switchable pre-amp

Customer Feedback

The quality is good. The manual for setup of the system and software is well done with step by step pictures. I’m able to listen to the music while recording thru the external speakers and listen to playback of the downloaded music thru head phones on the computer.
The software has lots of options to play with. but the basic ” push the red button to record ” and file save as and file export, get the job done to make your albums digital.

Audio Technica AT-LP60 Fully Automatic Belt Driven Turntable

ashish — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 06:43:02 +0000

Play your favorite 33-1/3 and 45 RPM records on the Audio Technica AT-PL60–an affordable, fully automatic belt-drive workhorse. With its built-in switchable phono preamp, the AT-LP60 may be connected directly to your computer, home stereo and to other components that have no dedicated turntable input. The turntable is supplied with an integral Audio-Technica Dual Magnet phono cartridge with replaceable stylus.

Specifications :

- Motor: DC servo-controlled.
- Speeds: 33-1/3 RPM, 45 RPM.
- Turntable Platter: Aluminum.
- Wow and Flutter: Less than 0.25% (WTD) @ 3 kHz (JIS).
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: greater than 50 dB (DIN-B).
- Output Level : Pre-amp “PHONO”: 2.5 mV nominal at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec.
- Pre-amp “LINE”: 150 mV nominal at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec.
- Phono Pre-Amp Gain: 36 dB nominal, RIAA equalized.
- Power Supply Requirements: 120V AC, 60 Hz, 3W.

Technical Details

- Fully automatic operation
- 2 speeds – 33-1/3 and 45 RPM
- Professional aluminum platter
- Switchable pre-amp
- Integral Dual Magnet stereo cartridge with replaceable stylus
- 2 speed turntable?33 1/3 and 45 RPM
- Integral Dual Magnet stereo cartridge with replacement stylus

Customer Feedback

It sounds and looks great. It is easy to use. I love my vinyl and i would much rather listen to it in its original form rather than transferring it into my computer. This player meets all my needs. it plugs directly into a set of speakers, no stereo needed. It sounds way better than my Sony which cost three times as much. It took two minutes to set up to my system and my vinyl came to life again! Family, Love and the Electric Prunes never sounded so good!

Denon DRW-585 – Dual cassette deck – black

ashish — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 06:23:01 +0000

The DRW-585 is an affordable dual auto reverse cassette deck offering a host of convenient, easy-to-use tape editing functions, such as memory stop, which lets you automatically stop the tape at any desired location, and high-speed dubbing to copy tapes from deck A to deck B at twice the normal speed. The DRW-585 also provides a backlight so you can easily monitor the remaining amount of tape. In addition, the audio circuit includes a bias fine tuning feature to ensure that each tape type performs at its maximum potential. Of course, the DRW-585 is also equipped with Dolby B and Dolby C noise reduction systems, as well as Dolby HX Pro headroom extension to minimize noise from the tape and eliminate distortion in the high frequency range, providing crystal clear recording and playback.

Features:

- Both sides auto-reverse.
- One side record/play.
- Normal and high-speed dubbing.
- Dolby B and C noise reduction systems.
- Dolby Hx Pro headroom extension system.
- Dual tape counters.
- MPX filter switch for recording off FM.
- Manual bias adjustment.
- Infrared front panel remote sensor equipped.

Technical Details

- For use with a home audio component system.
- Both sides auto-reverse.
- One side record/play.
- Normal and high speed dubbing.
- Dolby B & C noise reduction systems.

Customer Feedback

This deck provided a clean and clear smooth sound along with the warm sound of analog. Music actually sounded realistic and the way it was originally intended. The harshness and forcefulness of CD’s was gone. I never thought that cassettes could sound this good!
Aside from the sound, this cassette deck has it’s set of features. The Dolby Noise Reduction (B & C) is key to eliminating hiss and other annoying disturbances during playback. Also, the deck is equipped with Dolby HX Pro which further improves the dynamic range. The Dubbing system is vital for recording cassette to cassette. This system was very useful as I had tapes that I feared of losing due to tape length that I could recapture on shorter length tapes. The deck has a convienant Rec Pause button which is great for making mix tapes. The deck is also equipped with an Music Search System, MPX Filter, Relay and Auto Reverse.