ION Audio Max LP - Vinyl Record Player / Turntable with Built In Speakers, USB Output for Conversion and Three Playback Speeds - Natural Wood Finish

Because I have a lot of records I took a chance on buying this record player as I have been thinking about it for some time but was concerned about the sound quality. I am so pleased I did. It is a really neat, good looking player with a surprisingly good sound quality for the size and the price was incredible. I can now play all my records instead of keeping them in a box. It was well packed and very easy to install and use. I haven't tried the Bluetooth connection yet as haven't felt the need.

This was purchased for one of my boys who is off to college to study music tech. He's a very keen musician and loves using older tech in his compositions. While I appreciate that this is new tech, what it will enable him to do is get the authentic sound that he wants off of the vinyl and into his laptop.Yes, it's a pretty basic deck but it is belt-driven and has enough inputs/outputs to satisfy his needs. So as well as the built-in amp/speakers (which I doubt he will use much, although the sound is both surprisingly loud enough at 1w and of perfectly acceptable quality) there's a 1/8" aux for plugging a tape deck into the thing for example. Then there's the RCA outputs if he wants to rig it up to his amp, a 3.5" headphone socket (so we don't have to suffer too much downstairs) and, of course, the main focus: a USB port so he can record from vinyl to laptop.The recording part is done via the included* EZ Vinyl/Tape Converter software which runs on most flavours of Windows (or Mac OS). I can't comment on how good this is as my lad hasn't started experimenting yet, he's too busy listening to a load of old vinyl :-)I love the look of this, especially in the wood finish, it has a great retro feel but modern at the same time.I bought this as a warehouse deal, said it was in good condition with some minor cosmetic imperfections. Actually it's as new, but missing the software CD, the quickstart guide and both the aux and USB cables. None of which are problematical as I got it at around half the usual Amazon price. Have downloaded the software and guide from the Ion site, and cables are two-a-penny in my office - even USB type B ones like this needed.

Before choosing this I'd looked at turntables half the price but decided this looked more robust, more aesthetically pleasing, and had the closable lid and slipmat that some cheaper models lack. Having had the turntable for a couple of days and played a variety of 12" LPs and 7" singles (some from the 60s and a bit scuffed) I'm really pleased with it. Not tried 78s as we don't have any.It came triple boxed. It actually took me a while to get through all the sticky tape and cardboard but that meant the item was well protected in transit. The power adaptor was hidden in the polystyrene so took a search to locate! Set-up after that was very easy, just a case of removing the needle cover really. It's a solid piece of kit - with the exception of the stylus arm and arm raiser lever which I think will need a gentle touch. Whilst it feels solid it's not too heavy to move around comfortably if one wants to take it to different parts of the house.Sound is very good with the built in speakers and even better with my Sennheiser headphones. I've not tried connecting to external speakers but the instruction booklet seems pretty clear on how to do that. So far I've had no problems with records skipping at all.I haven't tried the software to convert LPs to mp3 but it looks like it'll be straight forward. I'm really enjoying giving my parents' vinyl collection a second lease of life with this turntable and would recommend it.UPDATE: the turntable suddenly stopped working after ten months. ION tech support said it was probably the pre-amp (the records were spinning but no sound was emerging except for at the needle) and advised me to return it to the retailer for repair as it was still within warranty. Amazon sent me a return authorisation, I sent it back and got an immediate refund. I'm ordering a replacement of the same model because, apart from the fact it stopped working, I have been really pleased with the player. I'm hoping I was just unlucky in it developing a fault but have revised my product rating from 5/5 to 4/5..

I have just unpacked my turntable and plugged it in, pressed the power button to find the turntable doesn't turn, when on autoplay or when the arm is lifted. On troubleshooting I found that the belt was undone. It has this website to show you how to redo the belt: http://www.ionaudio.com/downloads/turntable_replacement_guide.pdf but I am quite annoyed that I need to start repairing a new product before I can use it. It looks very flimsily made inside. The belt was stretched in one place and uneven so I don't know how long it will stay in place. I think I will ask for a replacement belt. All very disappointing. At the moment it does play and the turntable looks very nice, also the sound is good without speakers, for in a normal room. If the belt stays in place I shall enjoy this player. Time will tell. If the turntable belt had worked I would be happy with the product. I will write another review later. GracefulSince I wrote this, more things went wrong with my Ion Max record player. I did receive my replacement belt and that seemed fine. It played OK for a while, but then after playing 78 records, all the speeds were too fast.There was nothing I could do to remedy this, even with the Ion support people on e-mail or telephone (which are good), so the only option was to send the machine back to Amazon. This Return service is amazing. Its easy to find and print out a returns label. I brought my package to a Martin shop on Saturday,(at no cost) and on Tuesday my new player was delivered. This time all was well, I had my music playing in no time. I won't tempt fate and play my only 78 record again though. I have changed my 3 star to five for this second player because I really like the look and the sound of the Ion Audio Max.