Phono CD Recorder rips vinyl the old-fashioned way

Just in time for Father's Day, we've got the perfect gift for your dad — if he's an aging ex-hipster with a huge record collection and a distrust of computers, that is. The Phono CD Recorder is an all-in-one turntable, AM/FM radio and CD burner in a retro-style wooden cabinet. At $499, it's a lot more expensive than hooking a turntable up to your PC to do the burns, but for the Luddite looking to convert that record collection, it could be a much better deal than buying new CDs of music you already own. (Of course, the sound quality is probably mediocre, especially when dealing with old vinyl, but if dad's hearing has mellowed a little with age, he'll never know the difference!)

[Via TRFJ]

[TZK @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Nice! I guess adter the PLUSDECK I and II, anything is possible. So, when is the 8-Track version coming out? Sweeeeeeeeet.

[Ed @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

But Phono is so much more rich sounding... :P

[Whiplash @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

What's funny is that these so called "audiophiles" will swear that vinyl does sound better... when you have a $10,000, perfectly balanced turntable, a $1000 needle and the perfect listening room. :p

They fail to take into account the fact that the audio signal was altered to even be able to record it on vinyl in the first place.

Hey but check this out... http://www.elpj.com/

[Ely @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

does it really burn the cd upside down

[Hal O'Brien @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

The option isn't always between ripping or buying new CDs. There are a great many titles in the backlist that never have been released in CD format. So it's entirely possible Dad has been clinging to vinyl because that was the only format his favorite music was in.

Of course, record labels could release the CDs themselves, and actually sell some... But that would require them being interested in making money, and not their power control mind fuck games about "intellectual property".

[narco @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Sometimes it's such a hassle to rip vinyl, that I'd almost want to just buy something like this. Thanks to Garageband, it made it a lot easier to rip my old vinyl -- the biggest problem is having multiple records sound the same as my other mp3's. I just wish some of my favorite record labels from the late 70's and 80's would just re-release their entire catalog on iTunes. Then maybe I'd be tempted to actually buy something from there.

Fishes,
narco.

[rye&ginger @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

RIpping vinyl is a hassle? Dunno man. A good turntable, soundcard, and wave recorder are all that is needed. Any muscian with a computer has these allready. Find a friend!

[Henrik Larsen @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

A good turntable, soundcard, and wave recorder are all that is needed. Any muscian with a computer has these allready.

[Huy Tran @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Vinyl sounds better than CDs, if you have the right equipment, room and pressing. Not all vinyl is the same, there are audiphile grade pressings (of the same albums) that are much heavier and do not scratch as easily.

[kathybb @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

So... are you guys saying this product is good, bad or dunno? I get it can be done via the computer, but I'd rather use this product if the sound is good.