Turntable

Denon announced on Tuesday that its special-edition Anniversary Product Collection (A100) is now available at select Special Anniversary Denon dealers. Go to www.denon100.com/dealerlocator to find a location near you.

Denon's A100 products include:

• PMA-A100 Integrated Amplifier ($2,499)
• DCD-A100 CD/SACD Player ($2,499)
• DP-A100 Direct-Drive Turntable ($2,499)
• DL-A100 Cartridge ($499)
• AVR-A100 9.2 Channel A/V Receiver ($2,499)
• DBP-A100 Universal Blu-ray Player ($2,499)
• AH-A100 Over-Ear Headphones ($499)

All Denon A100 anniversary products come in a special carton with, for the first time in Denon's history, a five-year warranty and signed certificate of authenticity from the chief Denon production engineer who handcrafted the product. Also included is a Denon "brand book" that explores the company's history.Read more

Believe it or not, people still listen to records (yes, as in those old 33 1/3 or 45's you may have lying around). If your ancient turntable is on its last leg (or already dead), check this out. The new Crosley Radio Revolution is a portable two-speed turntable that…get this…is battery powered. But it's more than that. It also has an integrated wireless transmitter that allows you to stream music to any FM radio. You can even connect your computer (both PC and Mac) for analog-to-digital transfer thanks to its USB hookup and digitizer software.

The Crosley Revolution also includes a built-in stereo speaker and a headphone jack. It runs on six AA batteries, is made of durable ABS construction and has a built-in handle, for true portability. Read more

Denon Electronics has been manufacturing home entertainment gear for 100 years, and to celebrate, the company announced they will be releasing a Special Edition product line that will be available in limited quantities for a limited time beginning in November.

Dubbed the A100 line, the Special Edition line is being released to just 40 dealers. The limited special-edition Denon Anniversary Product Collection includes the PMA-A100 Integrated Amplifier (SRP: $2,499); DCD-A100 CD/SACD Player (SRP: $2,499); DP-A100 Direct-Drive Turntable (SRP: $2,499); DL-A100 Cartridge (SRP: $499); AVR-A100 9.2 Channel A/V Receiver (SRP: $2,499); DBP-A100 Universal Blu-ray Player (SRP: $2,499); and AH-A100 Over-Ear Headphones (SRP: $499).

All A100 products will include a certificate of authenticity, a Denon "brand book" on the company's history, and an extended five-year warranty. The A100 line will be available in November 2010 at select Special Anniversary Denon dealers, who can be found at www.Denon100.com.Read more

Audio-Technica has a new LP-to-Digital Turntable system available, the AT-LP60-USB. This USB turntable and software package makes it easy to not only listen to records, but transfer vinyl records to digital media files.

The AT-LP60-USB includes a turntable and phono cartridge, PC- and Mac-compatible software, a USB cable that connects the turntable directly to a computer, and a built-in phono preamp.

The AT-LP60-USB has a 33-1/3 and 45 RPM speed selector to play both 12-inch albums and 7-inch singles. The turntable features a Dual Magnet stereo cartridge with replaceable stylus and a pickup arm with soft damping control. Its built-in switchable phono preamp allows you to connect to music and home entertainment systems, powered speakers, and to A/V receivers that do not include a dedicated phono input. It comes with RCA output cables, 3.5mm-to-RCA adapter cables, and a removable dustcover. Read more

In case you haven't noticed, vinyl records are making a comeback. In fact, 2009 LP sales have topped two million, and are on target to be the highest since SoundScan began tracking.

Turntables like the Audio-Technica AT-LP2D-USB LP-to-Digital Recording System with USB connector put a spin on the standard record player by allowing you to easily transfer vinyl records to digital files.

The turntable has a 33-1/3 and 45 RPM speed selector, a balanced aluminum platter, Dual Magnet stereo cartridge with replaceable stylus and a tone arm with soft damping control. It includes a USB cable for connection to a computer, as well as a built-in switchable phono preamp for connection to stereo systems.

The AT-LP2D-USB LP-to-digital recording system includes a turntable and phono cartridge, PC- and Mac-compatible software, a USB cable, and other accessories. It is available now for $229.

My Production Manager was in my office this week, and we were discussing the missed nuances of technology from yesteryear. What he missed most was his music from the turntable. Not just the music quality was missed but the sound produced between songs on his vinyl records. Sure, he has an MP3 player and several classic albums. What he wants to hear is the “intermission noise” between songs. I searched for a sound bite with no success. If you have some old vinyl and you want to convert to digital then the ION LP 2 CD has an MSRP of $399 and can deliver rendered files for your MP3 player. This is a great in depth review from Everything USB.

For more info and products check out ION Audio: www.ionaudio.com/lp2cd