Actually the USB part would only be preferred and not absolutely essential as it would mainly be for playing through a good stereo system.

I'm kind getting sick of the 40 minute commute across the city to play vinyl at the university library and my card expires in 5 months anyway so I need something at home.

I don't have much money though - $150 to spend perhaps?

Hit me with some model numbers.

For that price, I'd suggest looking for a used Technics direct drive table. They tend to be durable and trouble-free and sound pretty good. I tried out a bunch of lower priced tables for a few years and a few a bit more pricey, but I finally grabbed an SL-Q3 for like 50 bucks and slapped on a new cartridge and I've been content ever since. Just a good reliable table and I like all the automatic features like the shut off at the end and the repeat function. I have heard of a problem with a tiny belt breaking and ruining the automation on some of the other models, particularly the automatic ones in the SL-1X00 series tables. So, if you find one of those, make sure it all works before you grab it. Not USB, but you said that wasn't strictly necessary. And you can always grab a cheap component burner if you wanna convert stuff to CDs.

I'd do like Nobody said and keep my eyes open on ebay or local garage (or is that "boot") sales. I bought a SL1700 MkII for about $150.00 and I'm quite pleased with it.

For the vinyl to HD conversion you can pick up one of these

i have a numark USB turntable that i bought for about 100. it's not top of the line but its affordable and does the job i need it to

I own a technics SL-BD3D for at least 15 years now and it works without any complaints.
I think I paid something like 150 DM, which is about 75€.

Bump for further suggestions. I'm treating myself to one of these and need some ideas.

USB? I wouldn't.

Well I'm planning on getting some vinyl and wasn't looking strictly for USB but thought it would be nice to have the option.

Not sure what "one of these" refers to (USB?) but if you just mean a tt - Im more than happy with the NAD 533 which you can find for $200-$300 or so used.

OR the MusicHall 2.2

I want a turntable and thought having the capability of digital transfer would be a nice option.

Most of the mass-market usb turntables are shit- as in real shit. I wouldn't consider any of them below this minimum:

http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/4724.asp#

Still a mass-market entry, but Denon has been making quality tt's for along time (I have 2 or 3 around here, I think), and I'd be less inclined to think you would be damaging the vinyl just by playing it on this unit.

The convenience would be cool, just depends on what your aim is.

It would be if the USB tt's didnt suck. You can either choose convenience (USB) or quality... or pay a ~$150 premium (e.g. Pro-Ject Debut III USB list $499) - which is supposedly a decent tt with USB. Same tt without the USB lists for $350.

I've been very happy with my Music Hall mmf 5.1. It ran me about $500. Not sure how much the 2.2 costs.

I wasn't even aware of that Pro-ject- I imagine that would be nice.

Yeah, I bought a cheapo usb turntable for $100 a year or two ago. Not my primary unit, but it hooks into my pc when I need it, and was great for quickly capturing audio.

For your price range, like the others are saying, I'm sure you can dig up a nice, used tt on the cheap. I don't know how things are in your part of the globe, but here in the states, you can find decent ones at Goodwill stores for like $15.

On this topic, I just recently picked up a new phono stage with a USB output. It's a Bellari VP530 and it also features a tubed output stage and a headphone jack. Found one on special for about 200 bucks. If you've already got a turntable and just looking to get it into your computer, I think it's a great option.

Interesting piece of kit -

Does it come with its own software, or how does it rip to files? I'm still doing it the old fashioned way by using a standalone CD recorder and then ripping from the recorded CD-RW.

Tis the way I still do it - I dont do it that often anymore. IMO, best cost/quality solution especially if you already have decent audio equipment.

I have this one, but haven't been using the USB Function much and paid under $100 for it...

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Numark-TTUSB-BeltDrive-Turntable-with-USB-Audio-Interface?sku=801258

That's how I get my vinyl on hard disc too - it adds a step , (and another component) but I haven't seen much reason to change - though I bet that Bellari is a good little phono stage.

On a related note - I am often left in amazement when I load a freshly burned disc (sourced from vinyl) in my cd drive and it figures what album I just burned. Pretty cool!

Yeah, the extra step isn't really so bad. I just wanted something new to play with. It does come with its own software, but I use Goldwave and have never tried the software comes with it.

Audioadvisor has a couple of tt's on clearance (demos)

NAD PP-2 phono preamp $109

Rega P1 for $345

Music Hall 2.2LE for $381

Rega P2 - $548

You could probably find each cheaper used somewhere, but I thought fyi.

This works then, by just plugging the TT into the back of the recorder? You don't need a preamp?

No - either amp has built-in phono pre or else a standalone pp before the tt goes into the amp. You might be able to get a sound straight into the amp, but the levels would be quite low.