Innovative Technology ITRR-501 Recordable Retro Turntable

I bought one of these for myself at Christmas and am just making my first few CDs now. I had to laugh a reviews I've seen where it was obvious people just weren't reading the directions. No, it's not "fully" automatic... you have to do it "by the book". Play attention to things like setting your recording level, setting the threshold for auto tracking incrementing, and finalizing steps and you'll be fine. Take some time and READ THE DIRECTIONS. Don't expect your finished product to sound like a factory-mastered CD, remember, you're recording a record (or a cassette), but if you have an investment in old vinyl or tapes and want to enjoy them on CD (and Did I mention - read the directions?)there isn't a simpler way to convert your old vinyl or cassettes to CD.

Also - because this unit has an AUX input, you can record just about anything to CD, even things like streaming audio from your computer, music from your iPod, or live audio from a mixer.

This is an easy way to turn those old records into cds. You just put the record on, use the remote to start the recording, and sit back. It will sound just like your records; so if the record isn't in the best shape, don't expect a miracle. I recorded three albums the first night. It is that easy to use. And it is a very attractive piece of cabinetry.

Well,...so far, NOT SO GOOD!. I was SO excited to get one of these "record and casset to CD' recorders - but they are very expensive. When I saw this one at ShopKo on sale for $159.99, I grabbed it. The first one I took back because the arm did not work properly - even before I tried recording anything. The second one I took back because the Radio didn't work. Then I got smart and asked that the box be opened and the unit tested before I took it home. Well, we opened three units, and the arm did not work on any of them - they did not play the record til the end, and/or didn't return.

But, desperate as I was to have the recorder feature, I took one that at least completed the LP record (though it does not return). Neither the clerk nor I could believe the shoddy workings of the unit...She got tired of opening boxes and lifting the heavy unit out! I'll write again after I try to record something!

Well, I recorded something...! It's difficult because the recording picks up the end of the LP - "swish...swish...swish..." - when the arm does not return, but it plays back sounding as good as it did while it was playing. BUT...be sure to read the directions, because with certain CD's, it will not play back in your car or CD player...just plays back on the recorder unit. Am I glad I got it? I'm still thinking about that one....