Ion ttusb turntable
Posted 10-21-2023 at 12:50 PM by wmromine
Introduction
I purchased a used ION TTUSB Turntable, which was manufactured in 2007. My experience with this turntable has been nothing but positive, and I highly recommend it for anyone who needs an affordable turntable with a quality sound output. I have been using Debian Linux since 2006. This turntable is a great option for Linux users for transferring your record collection to a digital format. Audacity audio processing software was originally included with the TTUSB turntable, and the software is still readily available as a package in Debian Linux.
ION TTUSB Turntable Tonearm Sticking
Before setting up the ION TTUSB turntable, the tonearm had an issue and needed cleaned, lubricated, and adjusted. The tonearm would stick about midway in the vertical position. This issue needed to be resolved before the tonearm balance could be calibrated. To correct the problem, the tonearm needed to be detached at the hinged end. The tonearm is detached by removing the press pin, which also functions as a hinge pin. The press pin is knurled on one end, and the knurled end was installed on the left side. To remove the press pin, I used a ballpoint pen tip to push on the pin from the right side. Once the knurled end has cleared the plastic housing, the press pin can be grabbed by the knurled end on the left side and pulled out. This will release the tonearm. There are wires in the tonearm, so carefully lay the tonearm aside without pulling on the wires.
Once disassembled, the parts were cleaned with isopropyl alcohol on a Qtip. I used a round wood toothpick with alcohol to clean inside the holes. I then lubricated the contact points (metal and plastic) with a syringe with automotive synthetic transmission fluid. Use just enough to wet the surface, but that it does not run. The surface tension of the lubricant will keep it in place. Reassemble the tonearm hinge and make sure the wires are not pinched. Also, DO NOT over-insert the press pin. If the knurled end comes in contact with the steel support, it could cause binding. After completing this procedure, the tonearm vertical movement was very smooth and fluid. Finally, follow the procedures in the ION TTUSB User Manual to balance the tonearm. The tonearm cartridge is the Numark Groove Tool (GT) cartridge and the cartridge is readily available from Amazon. According to ION, the head shell and cartridge assembly requires a minimum of 3 grams and no more than 5 grams for optimum performance. There is also an anti-skate adjustment, which needs to be adjusted as well for proper operation.
Linux Setup
For the most part, the Linux setup is plug and play, but I did run into a few issues. First and foremost, I did not have to install any special drivers. Linux does a good job of finding and identifying the device. The device ID was 08bb:2900, Texas Instruments PCM2900 Audio Codex, and Burr-Brown Subsystem. Sometimes, though, the sound drivers were not loaded properly. I found it worked best to have the turntable turned ON and connected to the computer sound card and the USB port before turning the computer ON. The computer sound card was already installed, so I wanted to play the audio through both the computer sound card and the USB port for comparison. With the computer OFF, I connected the TTUSB turntable to the sound card and to the USB port. On the bottom of the TTUSB turntable, there is a switch to select RCA Line or RCA Phone. Choose the the RCA Line setting for the computer sound card connection. Also, there is a gain adjustment and I left it in the middle position, which gave me a strong signal to the Audacity input meter. Next, turn the computer ON. As a side note, I already had Audacity installed on my computer. When I started Audacity, it saw my sound card, but did not see the USB Audio Codex. With the TTUSB turntable connected, I re-installed Audacity. When I opened up Audacity after re-installing the software, the USB Audio Codex for the TTUSB turntable was available for selection as an input. I found I could select either the USB Codex (TTUSB turntable) or the Default: Line:0 (computer sound card), and I would get nearly the same level and quality of input.
The software monitoring signal for the throughput is low. I had to turn up the output for my external speakers to full volume to hear it well. The audio signal was of good quality and had little detectable noise or record crackle. I suspect the ION TTUSB Turntable audio circuit includes digital filtering to deliver a high quality signal for converting albums to digital format. People have asked how to ground the turntable. When the turntable is connected with the RCA cable or USB cable, the turntable is grounded through the cable to the computer, which has a grounded 120 volt plug. When everything is setup properly and the tonearm is UP, there is no noise signal on the input. I found when the computer drivers did not load properly, there was noise on the output when the tonearm was UP, but this is a computer problem and not a turntable problem.
Recording with Audacity
When transferring records to a digital format, it is important to follow some basic rules:
1. Make sure the equipment and sound drivers are all setup properly. When setup correctly, there is virtually no noise on the recording.
2. Have a quiet room or space for recording. A phono cartridge can act like a microphone.
3. Do not have other applications running on the computer when you are recording.
4. Use a headset for monitoring. External speakers can generate feedback.
5. Set the turntable on a towel or a shelf lining pad to minimize vibration.
6. Clean the record with a Discwasher brush and solution (or equivalent) to remove dirt and static.
7. Make sure the stylus is clean.
8. Vinyl records are delicate. Handle with care.
By following these basic rules, I made high quality recordings of my records. Audacity software has many tools to enhance the recordings. I like to use the Normalization filter to remove the DC offset and provide an output level suitable for Export. There is also a Click filter for removing record pops, but if your albums are in good condition, you probably will not need it. I personally do not mind an occasional record pop because it adds to the authenticity of the classic record sound. I am not going to go into too much detail on the Audacity software because there is an online Audacity manual and Youtube videos that will walk you through all of the details.
Conclusion
I am extremely pleased with the performance of the ION TTUSB Turntable and the recording results. Whether I play the digitized recordings or the albums themselves, I cannot discern any difference. I just wanted to share some issues I experienced in purchasing a used turntable and the process I used to get the equipment setup and ready to go with Linux! Linux had all of the necessary drivers and software to get me up and running! I think the important thing to remember is to ensure the equipment is mechanically working properly and the linux drivers are setup properly before trying to do any recording.
I purchased a used ION TTUSB Turntable, which was manufactured in 2007. My experience with this turntable has been nothing but positive, and I highly recommend it for anyone who needs an affordable turntable with a quality sound output. I have been using Debian Linux since 2006. This turntable is a great option for Linux users for transferring your record collection to a digital format. Audacity audio processing software was originally included with the TTUSB turntable, and the software is still readily available as a package in Debian Linux.
ION TTUSB Turntable Tonearm Sticking
Before setting up the ION TTUSB turntable, the tonearm had an issue and needed cleaned, lubricated, and adjusted. The tonearm would stick about midway in the vertical position. This issue needed to be resolved before the tonearm balance could be calibrated. To correct the problem, the tonearm needed to be detached at the hinged end. The tonearm is detached by removing the press pin, which also functions as a hinge pin. The press pin is knurled on one end, and the knurled end was installed on the left side. To remove the press pin, I used a ballpoint pen tip to push on the pin from the right side. Once the knurled end has cleared the plastic housing, the press pin can be grabbed by the knurled end on the left side and pulled out. This will release the tonearm. There are wires in the tonearm, so carefully lay the tonearm aside without pulling on the wires.
Once disassembled, the parts were cleaned with isopropyl alcohol on a Qtip. I used a round wood toothpick with alcohol to clean inside the holes. I then lubricated the contact points (metal and plastic) with a syringe with automotive synthetic transmission fluid. Use just enough to wet the surface, but that it does not run. The surface tension of the lubricant will keep it in place. Reassemble the tonearm hinge and make sure the wires are not pinched. Also, DO NOT over-insert the press pin. If the knurled end comes in contact with the steel support, it could cause binding. After completing this procedure, the tonearm vertical movement was very smooth and fluid. Finally, follow the procedures in the ION TTUSB User Manual to balance the tonearm. The tonearm cartridge is the Numark Groove Tool (GT) cartridge and the cartridge is readily available from Amazon. According to ION, the head shell and cartridge assembly requires a minimum of 3 grams and no more than 5 grams for optimum performance. There is also an anti-skate adjustment, which needs to be adjusted as well for proper operation.
Linux Setup
For the most part, the Linux setup is plug and play, but I did run into a few issues. First and foremost, I did not have to install any special drivers. Linux does a good job of finding and identifying the device. The device ID was 08bb:2900, Texas Instruments PCM2900 Audio Codex, and Burr-Brown Subsystem. Sometimes, though, the sound drivers were not loaded properly. I found it worked best to have the turntable turned ON and connected to the computer sound card and the USB port before turning the computer ON. The computer sound card was already installed, so I wanted to play the audio through both the computer sound card and the USB port for comparison. With the computer OFF, I connected the TTUSB turntable to the sound card and to the USB port. On the bottom of the TTUSB turntable, there is a switch to select RCA Line or RCA Phone. Choose the the RCA Line setting for the computer sound card connection. Also, there is a gain adjustment and I left it in the middle position, which gave me a strong signal to the Audacity input meter. Next, turn the computer ON. As a side note, I already had Audacity installed on my computer. When I started Audacity, it saw my sound card, but did not see the USB Audio Codex. With the TTUSB turntable connected, I re-installed Audacity. When I opened up Audacity after re-installing the software, the USB Audio Codex for the TTUSB turntable was available for selection as an input. I found I could select either the USB Codex (TTUSB turntable) or the Default: Line:0 (computer sound card), and I would get nearly the same level and quality of input.
The software monitoring signal for the throughput is low. I had to turn up the output for my external speakers to full volume to hear it well. The audio signal was of good quality and had little detectable noise or record crackle. I suspect the ION TTUSB Turntable audio circuit includes digital filtering to deliver a high quality signal for converting albums to digital format. People have asked how to ground the turntable. When the turntable is connected with the RCA cable or USB cable, the turntable is grounded through the cable to the computer, which has a grounded 120 volt plug. When everything is setup properly and the tonearm is UP, there is no noise signal on the input. I found when the computer drivers did not load properly, there was noise on the output when the tonearm was UP, but this is a computer problem and not a turntable problem.
Recording with Audacity
When transferring records to a digital format, it is important to follow some basic rules:
1. Make sure the equipment and sound drivers are all setup properly. When setup correctly, there is virtually no noise on the recording.
2. Have a quiet room or space for recording. A phono cartridge can act like a microphone.
3. Do not have other applications running on the computer when you are recording.
4. Use a headset for monitoring. External speakers can generate feedback.
5. Set the turntable on a towel or a shelf lining pad to minimize vibration.
6. Clean the record with a Discwasher brush and solution (or equivalent) to remove dirt and static.
7. Make sure the stylus is clean.
8. Vinyl records are delicate. Handle with care.
By following these basic rules, I made high quality recordings of my records. Audacity software has many tools to enhance the recordings. I like to use the Normalization filter to remove the DC offset and provide an output level suitable for Export. There is also a Click filter for removing record pops, but if your albums are in good condition, you probably will not need it. I personally do not mind an occasional record pop because it adds to the authenticity of the classic record sound. I am not going to go into too much detail on the Audacity software because there is an online Audacity manual and Youtube videos that will walk you through all of the details.
Conclusion
I am extremely pleased with the performance of the ION TTUSB Turntable and the recording results. Whether I play the digitized recordings or the albums themselves, I cannot discern any difference. I just wanted to share some issues I experienced in purchasing a used turntable and the process I used to get the equipment setup and ready to go with Linux! Linux had all of the necessary drivers and software to get me up and running! I think the important thing to remember is to ensure the equipment is mechanically working properly and the linux drivers are setup properly before trying to do any recording.
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