Stanton T.92 USB Turntable

Most Liked Positive Review

Performs well, with some upgrades.

I purchased this turntable because it is the only one in its price range that has three speeds and direct drive with quartz lock. Attaching the platter and adjusting the tonearm couldn't be easier. The unit is solidly constructed and suitably heavy, and the chassis is made of metal instead of plastic. I wasn't expecting to be blown away, but after using it for about a week, I am impressed by transfers I've done with it so far - but I had to "soup it up" before it sounded impressive. First thing: get a better cartridge with an elliptical stylus. The supplied 500 V.3 is an update of the old Stanton 500AL, a limited-fidelity cartridge. It has a conical stylus and requires a minimum of 3 grams of tracking force, but doesn't work properly until you get up around 5 grams. This will ruin your records over time. If you have 78 RPM records, save the 500, get a 78 stylus for it and use it for that. I have three other cartridges, for which I've ordered spare headshells. Second thing: get a better turntable mat. I am using a dense rubber Platter Matter, which does much to reduce transmission of motor vibration to the stylus during play. I can hear the motor working in this turntable, which is odd, but it doesn't show up in recordings, due in part to the rubber mat. The best thing I can say about the internal line level preamp is that it works. I found it to be noisy and lacking in definition, with limited frequency response. I am using the phono out path instead, and have connected to an expensive dedicated phono preamp. I installed a top-of-the-line Stanton 881S cartridge (not made anymore, but revered by enthusiasts and collectors) and now I get great sound and can track at 1.25 grams. I would recommend that you plug this turntable into your stereo receiver with phono input, DJ mixer or an outboard preamp, and bypass the internal preamp altogether. I have not used the SPDIF or USB outputs, and I can't see myself ever wanting to play records backwards. The feature that lets you increase or decrease the tempo of a record without changing its pitch is novel, but I won't be using it, either. Nor will I be using the supplied recording software, as it can't hold a candle to Adobe Audition for recording and restoration. Stanton could do well to make a turntable just like this one without the preamp and reverse and tempo adjustment and probably shave $100 off the price. The only similar turntable on the market near this price point is an Audio Technica LP120, but it is plagued by poor workmanship - many customers received them with warped platters, only one channel working, missing parts etc. The Stanton T.92 has no such problems. It is a decent turntable that, with some upgrades to cartridge and mat that you can make yourself, will meet or exceed your expectations. It is not only a good entry-level turntable for those who want to transfer their records to digital with a quality machine, but also for experienced users. It is light years ahead of those plastic units from other companies. You can pay $150 for a turntable, but why? You get what you pay for. For twice that, you can get this one and be happy with the results. The next level of turntable increases in price by $300. I've given this turntable four stars because it works as advertised, but it has no cue lever to lift the tonearm off the record, or plastic dust cover, just a cloth one.