Audacity Forum

Just bought the ION TTUSB turntable, and it has RCA cable to plug into your home stereo. But for the life of me I don't know how to do this...and the instructions are not clear.

Can anyone help me?

I do know about the switch...at the base of the turntable that has to be switched over.

Thanks!

I don't have an Ion, but my understanding is that it comes with two cables attached -- a USB, to run directly to computer, and RCA plugs for your stereo. I'm assuming you're just trying to operate the TT as a stereo component, similar to a CD player or cassette deck (i.e., to play LPs thru your stereo's speakers). To play the TT via your stereo, the stereo has to be equipped with a "Phono In" input among the various inputs in back of the unit. (Some stereos were made without phono inputs, because it was believed that no one needed them any longer.) Turntables generate a very weak signal, much weaker than other components, so that it needs a pre-amp (essentially, a small amplifier to amp up the phono signal to a stronger level). The one thing I don't know is whether both the USB and the RCA signals are already "pre-amped" by the Ion (I'd doubt it, but don't know for sure). I know it has a pre-amp built in for the computer connection; not sure whether the signal coming thru the RCA cables is also pre-amped. If it is, then you should not use your stereo's "phono in" input, but the "Aux" input, if one's available.

Perhaps you can explain more specifically the problem you're having, and I (or an Ion owner) can give your more specific advice.

From the "ION TTUSB" manual: http://www.payphone.com/shop/instructions/ION_TTUSB.pdf

RCA Audio Output Cables:
These cables should be plugged into the audio inputs of your home stereo system.
(Please note: you can still copy records to your computer, even if the audio outputs of the turntable are not connected to a stereo system).

IMPORTANT: There is a switch on the bottom panel, next to the RCA cables, that selects between PHONO/LINE.
Use PHONO level for plugging into a turntable input on a home stereo.
Use the LINE level for plugging into CD/AUX/TAPE inputs.

WARNING: You may damage your receiver if you plug in a LINE level into
a PHONO input.

If you have a "turntable" input on your stereo, it may be marked "Phono In".

USB Audio Output:
Use the included USB Cable to connect your turntable to your computer.
For transferring your vinyl records to your computer, we have provided two different software packages on the included CD.
EZ Vinyl Converter is the easiest and quickest way to transfer your vinyl records and should be used if you are a beginner. Alternatively, if you are an advanced user you may wish to install and use the Audacity software, which allows you to take
advantage of advanced audio editing features, such as audio normalization, noise removal and automatic track separation.