Crosley CR6249A-BK Keepsake Portable USB Turntable (Black)

• USB enabled for connection to Windows equipped PC and Mac
• Software suite for ripping and editing audio content
• Three speed belt driven turntable mechanism
• RCA outputs with headphone jack
• Dynamic full range stereo speakers

My teen daughter wanted a simple player for Vinyl. I bought this, as it also comes with a USB CONNECTOR and Audacity software to load the vinyl records into a laptop as mp3. Also, this new unit has line out for speakers and also headphone connectors. Beach Audio sent it immediately.

The sound is very decent. The volume is also very very good for a portable unit. But the unit (unpacked according to directions) was initially showing definite signs of warped speed (significant slowdown at one point in each revolution). Also, the turntable was tilted to one side.

We checked under the turntable. There are four (1 inch) springs that 'float' the turntable off the platform. Each of these were stuffed with foam bits presumably to stabilize and protect them during shipping. So we removed the foam with tweezers (easy to do). But even then the problem was still there. Then we noticed one of the springs was considerably more compressed than the others. We simply removed that spring (again, easy to do). We stretched it out a bit, put it back in, and the turntable finally looked flat, and the speed issues were resolved.

So, if you have an issue like this, I suggest looking at the springs before you send it back. Once this issue was resolved it has been a great new (old) way to experience music. My teen loves it.

Crosley you need to sort this issue out. This is a fine casual player. But it is marred by poor design of the simplest elements ... springs and the packaging to protect them. If (Crosley) don't want a lot of returns, they need to do something new to ensure all 4 springs arrive according to spec. In the meantime, the issue is easily fixed, if you know where to look.

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I originally bought this at an Urban Outfitters because i wanted it in one of the colors that was exclusive to their store. I was hesitant about buying this record player simply because it did not have the outputs to connect to better speakers should i chose to do so. I finally found out that this new model came with them and it was quickly the selling point for me. I had always loved the way this thing looked and was happy that crosley had upgraded the outputs for it. The first unit i got played 45s a little too quickly. This was almost not noticeable up until when a singer would reach a high note or a guitar solo would come up in the music, the sound would just sound very high pitched and squeaky. This probably had something to do with the screw at the top right that you are supposed to screw in before you begin playing would NOT screw all the way in... Decided to take it back and exchange it for a new unit and the second one was much better. The screw at the top right went in nice and clean and my 45s stopped sounding squeaky. I was enjoying it for a couple days once i realized that the design of this record player was simply not going to work for me. The sound that comes out of this thing is pretty decent. Good enough to fill a small bedroom. The sound QUALITY on the other hand, thats a different story. If your an audiophile, you're gonna hate this. If you just want to listen to your records, this will be good enough for you. I also tried record with the USB and i thought it worked great..but i'll come back to this a little later. The one thing i will say right now is that Audacity software is extremely complicated and overwhelming the first time you use it. I thought it was a special software that came for this player, btu it turns out that it is a free software ANYONE can download online from their website. Once you get the hang of the basics, recording is easy. But it takes a lot of research and digging through their website for manuals, instructions, and settings because none of that comes with the cd.

As much as i LOVED the way it looked, it was just too bulky and couldnt find anywhere to put it comfortable in my tiny room. I started realizing that a lot of the construction looked really cheap and the needle and tone arm were probably cheap as well. This was my first record player, so im new to all this, but even I could tell that this was pretty cheap. I realized that this record player is nice and cute, but definitely not worth $160, so i returned it. I quickly found the Audio-Technica AT-LP60-USB on amazon for $95! Clearly a MUCH better player than this one for half the cost. Sure, you need to get speakers for it, but at least you dont need to get an expensive preamp or something! You can hook it up to simple computer speakers or any sort of powered speakers for now and save up for nicer speakers a little further down the road. I have mine connected to Klipsch Pro-Media 2.1 and it sounds fantastic. The record player is also smaller and much easier to find a spot for if you're living quarters are small like mine. Another thing to note is what i have mentioned about the USB before. I was acutally very impressed when i recorded my first 45 using the crossly player. I decided to record the exact same 45 using the Audio Technica to see if there was a difference and boy was a blown away. I couldnt beleive the difference in sound. The crosley recording came out a little louder, but it had A LOT of extra white noise. The Audio Technica recording was a MUCH cleaner sounding recording. You could still hear the subtle crackling from the vinyl, but not the kind of noise that gets in the way of the music like the crosley recording had. The Audio Technica seemed to record a little lower in volume though, but this can be fixed in the editing process easily.

If all you want this player for is to listen to the vinyl youve got with a sort of vintage sound/feel to it, then this one is cool for you. Also, if you dont care about paying for overpriced items and have enough money to throw away on things you find cute, this record player is good for you. However, if you are like me, a person who wanted to start getting into vinyl and have the option to record those LPs onto mp3, then you should probably look towards the Audio Technica as your first record player. Also, If you are like me and wanted to get the BEST CHEAPEST record player set up, the Audio Technica is the player for you. It sounds much nicer, it looks good, and its cheaper. Dont let the price tag fool you, it is MUCH better built than the crossly. I also feel that it protect your records even more since the record plate is about the size of a 12" record, unlike the crosley plate that is about 7", which leaves your records hanging off the edge. The AT player also has a dustcover, and is also fully automatic. This is great if you are someone who doesnt have steady hands. It moves the needle and drops it in the correct spot every time all on its own. The dustcover might sound like its not big deal, but my records were collecting A LOT of dust when i played them on the crossly, which would then get picked up by the needle. The stylus would be filthy by the end of the record!

I also want to note that if you are an audiophile or have been into record players for a long time, then neither of these two option would be for you. Go straight to the Audio Technica LP 120 (which starts to get expensive.) These two record players are not upgradeable. You cant change the cartridge or the needles or anything. These two are strictly beginner record players or players for a person who just wants an inexpensive, extra player somewhere in the house.

All in all,

Crosley-good, fun beginning record player

Audio TechnicaBEST beginning record player

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I absolutely love this record player. I have a vintage record console that I have spent hundreds of dollars to fix over the years and all I wanted to do was listen to my records again! It's a heavy/stout little suitcase so it needs it's own table/space, but it's still small and sturdy enough to travel with. Easy to find replacement needles and parts. Built in speakers and AUX port to hook up to surround sound if you wish. Decent sound quality on it's own unless you like to blast your jams.

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I ordered this for my son as a birthday gift. He was delighted and he's searching out records all over the place now. A good quality sound and links into other devices. All in all, a good buy.

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My son chose this because many of his vinyl albums are not digital.He is transferring as we speak!He said the sound was great.