A couple of years ago I got all set up to rip my vinyl to CDs. I got a record washing kit, recording and cleaning (gets rid of that hiss and those clicks and pops) software, and borrowed a turntable from a friend. All started going well until I noticed a background humm in the recordings. It turned out my friend's turntable had a broken ground wire from the cartridge and it was too thin to solder. I would have to send it off to get it repaired. I didn't want to do that. I have an old turntable and so does Zoe (she has a lot of vinyl) but both turntables are in need of repair, too. Zoe just found one of these in a catalog.

The Ion iTTUSB, a turntable with a USB connection. Plug it directly into your computer and record. It can also plug into the CD or Aux connections on your stereo receiver. I've been searching and haven't found a confirmation but it appears that it must have a built in preamp with RIAA curve that the Phono connector usually provides. They can be had for around $140. Search the web, a lot of outlets have it. I've got a brand new Grado cartridge waiting.

Ion’s new ITTUSB is exactly what it says it is.