USB Turntable

18/10/2006. First up, this isn't your typical USB knickknack. At US$225 a pop, it's in a league of its own. Now that we've established that, this USB Turntable actually converts your LPs, 12 inches and singles straight into your laptop. Forget about all the step-by-step guides that teach you how to save your vinyls digitally. All you need with this belt-driven USB Turntable is to plug it into the nearest USB port, fire up the idiot-proof Audacity software, and begin converting. No more wire-tangling adapters, special drivers and mismatched software. Even dear old dad could cop a spin on this without breaking into cold sweat. Elementary, my dear Watson.

Price: US$225
Availability: At Firebox
Device: USB turntable
Basic specs: Adjustable gain, anti-skating control, high-speed vinyl recording function, can also be connected to any home stereo with CD or auxiliary inputs, 33.3/45rpm, 78rpm records can be transferred by recording at 33.3/45rpm and using software to restore to original speed, but you will need to buy a special stylus (not included, but available from specialist retailers) to playback 78s, 3.5mm