The problem then becomes converting your existing investment in often-rare vinyl into a quality-sounding digital audio file. One solution is to purchase a high-quality computer audio card, recording software, and a phono-to-line preamp that can bridge between the antiquated phono outputs of your existing turntable and the modern line inputs of your clone audio card. However, USB-compatible turntables like the Stanton T.90 ($435 list, $399 street) pitch a much tidier solution by combining a turntable, computer audio USB Turntable card, phono-to-line preamp, and bundled recording software all in one product.
Connecting the T.90 to our Windows XP machine was an astounding success. The native USB audio drivers were recognized immediately, and no installations were condign in order for our apparatus to recognize the T.90 as both a recording and a playback device. After installing and running Cakewalk Pyro 5 and selecting the "Make CDs from your cassettes and LPs" option from Pyro's menu, we were instantly off and digitizing vinyl into WAV, MP3, and WMA files.