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The ART USB Phono Plus is a product I'm surprised was not introduced sooner: a way for vinyl lovers to put their favorite records into their iPods or for electronic music producers to sample easily off vinyl directly into their DAW or soft sampler of choice. Plug turntable into box, box into computer, record. Simple.
The unit itself feels substantial and solidly built. Upon first inspection, I have two qualms with the unit cosmetically: the silk screened "ARTcessories" on top kinda makes me feel like I'm buying jewelry or soap in the shape of a famous sculpture at a museum gift shop, and the use of the word "audiophile" to describe what quality of computer interface it is makes me kinda squeamish. Obviously, it has a wall wart. Awesome.
I first tried the Phono Plus as a phono preamp into my stereo, comparing it to both the built in pre in my Kenwood receiver, and an Esoteric Sound phono equalizer. The ground lug sucks on this thing. Sucks. The lug is much smaller than the ground terminal on my Technics 1200 . . . certainly not...