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iPhone audio codec

Hardware geeks are gleefully prying their new iPhones apart to see what's inside them. Given the topic of this blog, I'm naturally most interested in the audio components--how does thing sound?

According to this breakdown by Semiconductor Insight, reported by EE Times, the iPhone uses the same hardware audio codec from Wolfson as the last generation of iPods, meaning it should sound similar. However, Wired's review suggests that the audio doesn't go as loud as most iPods, particularly the Shuffle, which could be a real problem if you listened to a lot of Rushover headphones … Read more

Up close with the Stanton T.90 USB turntable

My review of the Stanton T.90 USB turntable has officially posted on CNET.com, and unfortunately it's time to send the T.90 back. I'll be sad to see it go, but honestly, I'm happy to have some desk space again. It's a very fun turntable, and it surpassed my expectations (though I still want a Numark TTX). When all is said and done, the best thing I gained from this review was the opportunity to archive some of my vinyl collection. I even went the extra step and added album cover art into iTunes. … Read more

Music system looks like our first stereo

Break out those leisure suits--this sound system may be new, but it looks right out of 1974.

The "Gene Sound TAS-100" ("Gene Sound"?) combines digital and analog music in a system that can play and record old LPs and CDs as well as MP3 files, according to Newlaunches. The all-in-one system, made by Seagrand Japan, goes for an affordable $170.

There are a lot of systems that convert old and new recording media, but few have the distinctively retro look of this one, at least from this particular era. Regardless of how it sounds, you'… Read more

The 45 makes a comeback

iPod cases have become such a commodity that we can't even say they're a dime a dozen anymore--that almost seems too high. (Unless we're talking about an iPod trunk, though that's a different story.)

But we had a soft spot for this one, as it brought back old memories from junior high and our first stereo. 45 iPod Cases is an outfit that recycles old 45-rpm records and brings them into the digital age to adorn the iconic music players of the 21st century. Outblush says the cases are fashioned from plexiglass, cork and felt, in … Read more

USB gadget revives those dusty LPs

Those of us who hammered out high school papers on this doodad called a typewriter used to listen to these shiny black things called records. Sometimes we'd even have to hike 10 miles in the snow just to hear a little Joni Mitchell! Times were tough.

Thankfully, our sister site CNET Asia has alerted us to a little gadget that makes it surprisingly easy to transfer those dusty LPs straight to a digital music collection. Just plug the 12-pound Ion USB Turntable into a USB port, fire up the Audacity software for Mac or PC, and start porting in … Read more