ART USBPhonoPlus v2 - USB Audio Interface with Stand-Alone Phono Preamplifier

Comments about ART USBPhonoPlus v2 Audio Interface and Phono Preamplifier:

This product was very easy to install with my laptop and I was up and running in minutes. I am using this device with my turntable to transfer vinyl to digital.

Comments about ART USBPhonoPlus v2 Audio Interface and Phono Preamplifier:

I use it to capture tracks from my collection of old LPs and casettes.

Comments about ART USBPhonoPlus v2 Audio Interface and Phono Preamplifier:

I purchased the The ART USBPhonoPlus v2 to replace "broadcast" preamps (one for each channel) that I had purchase several years ago. The broadcast preamps, even at full gain, produced a weak and anemic signal with frequency response that made everything sound like a bad AM radio. Apparently broadcast preamps don't have RIAA frequency modelling.

The USBPhonoPlus v2 arrived. I read the instructions and started a test: Converting an LP to digital via my DR-07 digital recorder instead of direct USB input to Audition.

The result: Tracks with all signal and no noise and the kind of frequency response I had been hoping for.

Comments about ART USBPhonoPlus v2 Audio Interface and Phono Preamplifier:

How used:-

1. Directly recording church services on a local computer. The USBPhonoPlus v2 is the interface between the stereo mixer analog outputs and the PC. Audacity is the audio software interface. A version of Audacity is supplied with the product and later versions can be freely downloaded from the Web.

2. Transfer of analog cassette tape archive to PC files.

3. Transfer of LP vinyl record archive to PC files.

Things that are great about it:-

A truly comprehensive and thoughtful design with regard to user-features and I/O versatility.

Things not so great:-

The requisite USB-PC interface cable should be supplied with the unit.

Comments about ART USBPhonoPlus v2 Audio Interface and Phono Preamplifier:

Nothing simpler for transferring my LP collection to my Mac. I got Audio Hijack to use with it and couldn't be happier!

Comments about ART USBPhonoPlus v2 Audio Interface and Phono Preamplifier:

I bought one of these two years ago because I wanted to digitize some of my rarer vinyl records and needed an external USB sound card for my laptop computer. In addition to making excellent 16/44 stereo digital recordings, it worked so well as an outboard RIAA compliant phono preamp that I ended up using it permanently in lieu of the integrated phono stage of my Sony ES receiver.Recently I bought a new Technics SL-1200MK2 turntable for a second audio system and decided to "splurge" for another ART USB PhonoPlus v2 when I found it on sale at a ridiculously low price [...] here at B&H Photo.What else can I say? If you have any use for this device at all, BUY IT! I'd have given it a 10-star rating if they would have let me!

Comments about ART USBPhonoPlus v2 Audio Interface and Phono Preamplifier:

I use to send samples to software program, NI Maschine. Also, I bought this to eliminate turntable mixer, simplicity! I can go directly to DM24 or RME audio card. Great product.

Comments about ART USBPhonoPlus v2 Audio Interface and Phono Preamplifier:

I've used this product to connect both turntables and line-level sources (tape deck, tuner) to my computer. The set up is simple and reliable. The built-in gain control helps set levels quickly to avoid clipping. The headphone jack is also a great feature; it allows instant monitoring of the signal. Another great feature is the included wall wart power supply. The unit can be powered through the USB connection, but the wall wart allows external power to be used which prolongs laptop battery life.

So far I really haven't found much that I don't like with this unit.

Comments about ART USBPhonoPlus v2 Audio Interface and Phono Preamplifier:

The ART USB Phone Plus is ideal for my needs - uncomplicated and performs well. For Mac OS X users, I would recommend Rogue Amoeba's Audio HiJack Pro to capture the devices output. Audacity is okay for editing the files.

Comments about ART USBPhonoPlus v2 Audio Interface and Phono Preamplifier:

The ART USB V2 Phono Preamp is agreat idea and device. It works perfectly with a PC to easily transfer vinyl to digital audio. I've only had the device a few weeks and I have already transfered 6 LP's to my computer. Just one bit of advice. Please don't just stick with Audacity software. You'd be wise to invest in a great software program that can really clean up your vinyl. A great shareware program called Spin It Again from [@] It really shines with this device.

Comments about ART USBPhonoPlus v2 Audio Interface and Phono Preamplifier:

Phono input seems at a good level at 0db. Sound quality is good (though I ignored a couple of momentary clips.)

Documentation is incomplete, especially concerning the level/clip light.

Comments about ART USBPhonoPlus v2 Audio Interface and Phono Preamplifier:

Bought this to convert phono out turntable signal to line out signal into computer. I'm finally getting around to converting my old albums to digital and this device is an economical bridge from my 30 year old turntable to the present. Very easy to install and use. I coupled it with free Goldwave software and it works like a charm. B&H pricing was 2/3 less than local store for same preamp!

Comments about ART USBPhonoPlus v2 Audio Interface and Phono Preamplifier:

I was looking for a quality device to archive my vinyl collection in WAV format. In addition to archiving I wanted to convert to MP3 format for my MP3 player.

I already have a good quality turntable and did not want to purchase a USB turntable. The advantage of the USB PhonoPlus is that you can switch between line input and phono input. You can transfer tape or any other line device. Don't waste your time trying to record through the line in on your sound card. You won't get the quality using a sound card that you will with the USB PhonoPlus. 0.01% THD and a frequency response beyond the range of the human ear will satisfy the audiophile.

At first I used the Audacity software that was bundled with the unit. Immediately, I noticed a strange distortion when converting to MP3. The distortion was very noticable and unacceptable.

I ended up using GoldWave, another audio editing software package. The results were much better, the distortion was gone. You get what you pay for. Spend the extra money for a better audio software package. The ART unit is a quality device and deserves much better than the Audacity software.

I have been very happy with unit. It's nice to be able to listen to my old albums on my MP3 player.

Comments about ART USBPhonoPlus v2 Audio Interface and Phono Preamplifier:

More than 150 albums that I had recorded on cassette-tape are transformed into digital files without any problems. It was plug and play and now I am creating my own cd's from these files. Great stuff![...]

Comments about ART USBPhonoPlus v2 Audio Interface and Phono Preamplifier:

I have the first generation of this and this one, the v2, is even better.

If you have records to rip, this is the item to
do it!

Comments about ART USBPhonoPlus v2 Audio Interface and Phono Preamplifier:

The USBPhonoPlus is a handy preamp, with digital audio out to USB from any preamp or line level input. It even accepts digital audio input from TOSlink or coax, which is nice if your computer doesn't have a digital audio input.

Input level gain is adjustable, as is the monitor headphone level, a nice and not often-seen touch.

Performance is excellent. In my configuration, I had a cleaner signal with less noise using the USBPhonoPlus than using the built-in preamp and a Griffin iMic USB.

Why can't I give it 5 stars? One limitation that prevented me from using it in my original intended application. Although the USBPhonoPlus offers digital audio output (TOSlink or coax), these are *passthrough* from a digital audio input - they don't output from the analog inputs. Only the USB will output the analog or digital input.

Comments about ART USBPhonoPlus v2 Audio Interface and Phono Preamplifier:

I am finally getting around to moving my vinyl onto the computer. The first step of course is to get the wav files onto the system.

This is clean and quiet, I am using my USB but supposedly the Phone Jakcs are cleaner - not sure, more of a convenience for me to use the usb on the front of the system. The gain and led level indicators do an excellent job of getting the signal just to the proper level for the machine.

I am using the included software for recoding and saving off the files, but will switch to some other Audio Cleaning SW as soon as I figure out which one.

I also like that this could be used as a pre-amp for other aduio gear. All in all easy to install, easy to adjust and easy to use.

Comments about ART USBPhonoPlus v2 Audio Interface and Phono Preamplifier:

Easy to set up but I keep having a recurring problem with an almost overmodulating-sounding buzzing. Still in the process of attempting to isolate it but so far it's pretty annoying.

Comments about ART USBPhonoPlus v2 Audio Interface and Phono Preamplifier:

I used the original version as a line amp (I had a separate phono preamp) for recording lps to a laptop hard drive. What sets this unit apart is the volume control on the front of the unit instead of a "software" volume control. The software I used was a shareware program called WaveRepair [$]. I have recorded hundreds of lps and this combination was the easiest to use. The sound quality is acceptably good, and the unit is quiet enough to use with high end gear (again, I used it with a separate high-end phono preamp). Don't be attracted by anything cheaper than this if you plan to do a lot of lp recording. (note, I never tried the internal phono section, but my guess is that it is satisfactory.) I have sold all my analog lp gear, but kept this unit which serves as a computer-stereo system interface (my daughter plugs her laptop into the USB port and plays MP3s through the sound system). regards, mk

Comments about ART USBPhonoPlus v2 Audio Interface and Phono Preamplifier:

Having an excellent turntable and not wanting to spend extra bucks on a USB turntable just for the purpose of recording LP's to MP3, I went to the USB Phono Plus. It does exactly what you would expect it to do and more. Plug in the turntable set it up for phono on the front switch, plug it into a USB port on your PC, let it detect the USB Audio Codec, grab your favorite software and start recording. You can listen via the phone jack on the unit that is adjustable. It lets you know when you start to clip. Just adjust the output correctly and you can be sure to have perfectly recorded albums with no distortion. I run mine via USB power but you have the option to go external (if you are using a laptop on battery). I am extremely pleased with the quality and ease of use.