Its a good buy as you can plug it directly into a pc because it has a pre-amp. You can also plug it into your ordinary stereo amp. But its even better, you can plug it in to even a new home theater or stereo amp that doesn’t have a TT input. (most new ones) And DSE will have replacement cart and stylii. Might not be a high end audiophools delight but then I’m guessing your old Souixsie Soux singles aren’t in pristine condition anyway.

The Optimus LAB 1100 turntable is a fully automatic belt-driven turntable with a built-in pre-amp so it can be directly connected to a PC.

To enable a user to record from the turntable a PC, the PC needs to have a CD burner, a sound card, and appropriate software. The RCA cable that is included with the turntable can be connected into the sound card of the PC, although some PCs may require a RCA to 3.5 stereo plug adaptor.(P 6572)The Turntable has 2 male RCA leads built onto the turntable.

It will play both 33 and 45 RPM records. It operates automatically with the tone arm moving to the beginning of the record when the START button is pressed and the tone arm automatically returns when the end of the record is reached.

The turntable can also be used with a conventional hi-fi system.

Theres a few places that sell good enough stylii – if you are not a high end audiophool there are a few good cheapish options for TTs and also converting to CDs. Second hand TTs are often given away at garage sales or I know a few second hand shops. Check out OpShops – in the non groovey suburbs.

Although unless album is exceedingly rare it’s usually better (better simply because it can be a bit time consuming to transfer) to find a mate with a CD of same and copy it.

DSE has cheap turntables that plug into PC and come with software. Shauney from LP – RnR Damnation etc was thinking of doing it.

I’ve done it – but not with the new TTs that plug straight into PC.

I myself am seriously LP-challenged since my last turntable died. It’s the enormously expensive and hard-to-find styli that did me in. I have a whole box of stuff I can’t play, something I’d meant to blog about.

Why can’t someone provide a remaster-your LPs-to-CD service?

try here http://crazybrave.blogspot.com/2005/03/ipod-schmipod.html

That said, More than a feeling ROCKS. And if you want to know the kind of thing that gets a guernsey at my place, I have .

And I definitely prefer Spicks and Specks, where all are equal, whereas Rockwiz is in danger of getting a bit hero-centric, if only because Julia Zemiro is a bit too ‘look at me’. I do like Dougal, though, especially since he started pulling faces when he shows the scores.