TEAC GF-350 Turntable / CD-Recorder Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Here's a new electronic wonder that could have been truly great, but isn't.

On the plus side, it's great looking and very easy to use. Put in an Audio CDR or Audio CDRW (it won't take blank computer discs), adjust the recording volume, push a button and voila... you have a CDR of your old favorite record album or cassette. It can automatically insert track breaks as well, but it is probably better to use the manual track break insertion method (as recommended by the instruction manual), as many original musical sources have quiet spots that can "trick" the Teac into adding one where you don't want it.

Now for the negative... as previous reviewers have stated, the playback sound is disappointment, and by this I am referring to what you get when you put your newly created CDR into your stereo system. The bass response is not adequate. This is the result of Teac chosing to use a ceramic cartridge for the tonearm. This otherwise great machine would have been better served with a magnetic cartridge. Yes, it would have cost more, but would have been worth it.

A few lesser negative points include the fact that Teac chose to include an AM/FM radio rather than a cassette player. My guess is most people would buy this machine to transcribe their old collection of LPs and cassettes that have not been received official release in compact disc format. So why the radio instead of a cassette player? You can record cassettes using the input jacks and provided cables, but you also have to "tie" the Teac to your stereo system in order to do so. Also, what's the story with having input jacks, but no output jacks? You have to listen to the records on the okay, but small speakers provided in the unit, but you cannot listen directly through your stereo system.

In summary, this is a fine machine for those who are not audiophiles. Again, it is easy to use and after a couple of "practice" recordings, you can burn CDRs as fast as it takes the records to play. But if you're expecting CD-quality results, you'll have to use the input jacks to connect to your old magnetic cartridge turntable. This could have been best electronic invention since the advent of the CD, but it falls a little short.

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Product Description:
Finally, there's a way to burn vinyl to CD that doesn't require a computer or an engineering degree. With Teac's GF-350 turntable and CD recorder combo system, you simply load a blank CD-R or CD-RW, put on your LP, press "record," lower the tone arm, and press "play." You can record the entire album or simply pull select favorites from your entire collection to make your own unique compilations. Monitor your recording through the systems amplifier (3.5 watts per channel x 2) and twin 3-inch speakers, or avail yourself of the convenient front-panel .125-inch headphone jack.
The system is finished in black with a handsome woodgrain texture. Level meters and other CD feedback is visible from the system's backlit LCD. Please note that the GF-350 records only with CDs designated as "music" or "digital audio" (also CD-DA); computer-grade data CD-Rs are incompatible.
The GF-350 also offers features like automatic or manual track increment options (with 2 different level thresholds to choose from), manual record-level control, and an auxiliary set of RCA stereo analog audio inputs for recording from external sources like cassette, reel-to-reel tape, or even another CD player or MP3 player. Playback features include shuffle play, repeat play (1/all), and 32-track programming.
Tune in your favorite swing or big-band station on the rotary analog AM/FM tuner. The turntable supports 33-1/3, 45, or 78 rpm records, so you can play your entire collection--it even comes with a handy center-hole adapter for your 7-inch/45 rpm singles. A remote lets you operate everything from the comfort of your easy chair (but remember, you still have to get up to flip the records!).
What's in the Box
GF-350 system, 7-inch record adapter, a remote control, remote batteries, a user's manual, and warranty information.

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Crosley Radio CR2413A-BK Memory Master II CD Recorder/USB (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I took a shot in the dark buying this without there being any other reviews, and so far I am not disappointing. Information that I couldn't find was that YES it does have speaker outputs so that you aren't restricted to the built-ins, although they sound pretty good. Recording system appears to work, unit looks great. Of all the other recording turntables, I highly recommend this one.

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Product Description:
Finally, a way to record vinyl and cassette to CD without tangled wires, confusing hookups or extensive computer expertise. With Crosley's Memory Master II - the sleek, redesigned version of the popular Memory Master CD recorder -- simply put on your LP or pop in a cassette, load a blank CD and press "record." With its handsome cabinet, this system harkens back to the golden days while still nodding to technology of the 21st century. Users will appreciate its three speeds (33-1/3, 45 and 78 rpm) so they can play and record their entire collection. The Memory Master II is USB enabled for connection to PC and Mac and includes a software suite for ripping and editing audio content. This Crosley also allows you to simply spin records, play cassettes and CDs, or tune in to your favorite station on the analog AM/FM tuner for hours of nostalgic enjoyment.

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Crosley CR247-CH Composer CD Recorder (Cherry) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The Crosley Composer is bit pricey, but it is possible to find a decent deal online.I bought this rather than the Songwriter because it has a few more bells and whistles for the same price.

Who will like the Composer:If you are MP3-literate, or you have a decent stereo and your computer is up to date, chances are you will not need the Composer as you can just get the software to run on your PC.If you are an audiophile interested in cleaning up and restoring/recording your LP's to perfection, this probably isn't for you either, as the "cleanup" is limited to a pre-set equalizer with five options (flat, classical, pop, jazz, rock). BUT - if you are, like me, someone who doesn't want to shell out for a whole new computer and/or needed a new turntable anyway, I can't recommend the Composer highly enough.It is easy to use, and in my opinion the results are extremely satisfying.

Aside from the PC/turntable issues, my LP collection is extensive and eclectic enough that it would have cost a fortune to replace it on CD's and 75% of the stuff is not, and probably never will be, available on CD; hence the Composer came out as the most practical & affordable option. A friend has this unit so I was able to hear a sample before buying. I'm not a high-end audiophile but I wanted proper stereo recording, good clean sound quality & easy operation.The turntable accommodates 33, 45 ad 78 speeds.

The sound quality of the CDR's is as good as, if not slightly better, than that of the albums.Let me be clear: if you treated your LP's badly or your cassettes are starting to sound muddy, their faults will not be erased, but they won't sound any worse, and the results may pleasantly surprise you.The pre-set equalizer settings do a nice job of adjusting the sound for the requirements of each style.There is a "track skip" button to make the machine recognize the breaks between songs so you can have a separate track for each one, or you can just let the whole album side record as one track. If you use the skip feature, you will definitely need to practice with it to get the hang of the timing and when to push the button so you don't cut off the end or beginning of a song.When recording LPs I found that the "track skip" delay matched the gap on the album 8 times out of 10, so I usually stay nearby and lift the tone arm just a little and just for a second, to give the CDR recorder time to adjust.If you have two songs that blend together with no break, it's best to let them record as one track.You can also stop the unit to turn over an album or cassette and resume recording in a new track.Lastly, there is a simple "Finalize" button which completes the writing of the file to the CDR (don't forget this step!).

The Composer model also records from cassettes via a built-in unit.Some reviews warn that this component "breaks after a few uses"; I have done about 40 cassettes so far with no problem.My experience is that the open/close mechanism is a mediocre plastic door and it does stick a little sometimes (no worse than other cassette players I've had), but with a minimal amount of patience and finesse rather than force, you can resolve this problem when it happens.Even so, since the unit has an AUX input, you can probably plug in an external tape deck so it really isn't an issue.

As with LP's, if you are transferring a commercially pre-recorded cassette, there may be ample time between tracks for the "track skip" to register.If not you can either stop the tape for a second or just let Side 1 be Track 1 and Side 2 be Track 2.If you made a few favorite old "road mix" tapes and crammed every available mm of tape with sound, chances are you did not leave enough time for "track skip" to work, so let the side run.

I strongly urge you to get a few cheap CDR's with which to practice using the unit and its features - at least practice two or three times with the timing on the "track skip" with both an LP and a cassette before you attempt a recording on an archive-quality CDR.It will take about four minutes to read the user's manual.Replacement parts are also available from Crosley.Once you get the hang of using this unit, you will have an absolute blast getting reacquainted with your LP's. Enjoy.

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Product Description:
Crosley's Composer makes it easy to save old music from LPs or cassette tapes onto CD with the press of a button--and it plays all your music, too.Now you can easily record your albums onto CD with the push of a button. The CD recorder records LPs and cassette tapes to CD.If you still prefer listening to your records and tapes old style, just use the three-speed record player, AM/FM radio, programmable CD player or cassette deck. The CD player has a programmable 20-track memory, and plays MP3 and WAV files.Includes remote control.The Composer supports CD-R/RW discs. The belt-drive record turntable with diamond stylus has three speeds--plays 33 1/3, 45 and 78 RPM for 7-, 10- or 12-inch records. The Composer also features a digital tuner with EQ presets and built-in full-range speakers.

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Victoria GDI-TW3USB 7-in-One Stereo Entertainment Center with Built-In Download to USB/PC or Mac Review

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(More customer reviews)Being a babyboomer, I came along during the fabulous music of the 50s and 60s. I have a large collection of records and cassettes, but I was running out of ways to play them with the change in technology. With the Grace Digital Audio Tunewriter I can now play the records and cassettes and even cds. As an added bonus, I can copy both records and cassettes to cds and take fresh copies of my music with me in cd format. I love this machine! It took a while to figure out how to copy and convert to cd, but now it's a snap.

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Product Description:
DIGITIZE YOUR ENTIRE VINYL & CASSETTE COLLECTION The Victoria Tunewriter III is a multi-functioning music system equipped with a unique recording feature allowing you to record your music from VINYL, CASSETTE or AUX directly to your PC or Mac. Edit your digitally recorded audio tracks with the FREE included Audacity Cross-Platform Sound Editor. Burn your entire album to CD, convert your songs to MP3 for use on your iPod and add all your recorded files to your computer's music library. The Tunewriter III is the solution for your irreplaceable vinyl or cassette tap collection, stored away for years, gathering dust in your attic, stacked at the back of your closet or forgotten on book shelves. Record your music collection to CD's and forever modernize your collection of records and tapes for personal use and to share with friends and family. The retro-style recordable turntable is a beautifully designed system that combines the most modern USB technology and LCD display with "old school" look and feel. The system has all the components to play your vinyl albums, cassette tapes, compact disks and your favorite AM/FM radio.

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