This is a slightly smaller unit than the offering I reviewed last summer, as a more basic version it lacks a few of the features but for anyone without something to play and or transfer their LPs on this is certainly well worth consideration.
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It is 37x31.5x11cm and unlike the previous unit the deck on this unit is totally covered.
All the controls and connections are on the back. A volume knob to allow you to monitor what you are playing or transferring. A USB socket and two hard wired leads one for mains and the other for phono Sockets.
If you have a phono plugs to 3.5mm lead – cheaply available – you can plug the 3.5mm end into the microphone input on a PC or notebook. Alternately you can use the supplied USB lead to connect using USB sound. Either way make the connection before installing the supplied Audacity software this is far more recent than that supplied with the other unit and is in fact only .01 earlier than that available on the WWW however do be aware that any Freely available software also has versions available that are not what they seem and unless you download from the correct site you could be importing a virus or worse. So unless you are sure I suggest you stick with the version available on the provided CD-ROM.
Also unlike the previous version the description available in the 24 page Operating Manual is helpful and should even get the novice up and running as although Audacity is easy to use it is also extremely powerful. I would say once you understand it you are unlikely to want to use anything else.
This unit also comes with a full size turntable rather than the 10inch version on the other unit however it does not have a mechanism to lift the arm off the deck to pause between tracks, you either need to return the arm to the rest position manually or record the whole side and then split it using the software.
This deck can play 33 or 45RPM records a simple switch is beside the deck to change the speed. It also comes with a spindle widener for those 45RPM that have no centre.
Just like the other model this has an internal speaker which is fine for monitoring sound but at only 1watt total hardly what you would use to fill a room with sound. It is possible to output sound through Audacity but unless you get it right there is a possibility of echo on your recordings.
The volume knob on the back is also on/off and this unit does lack features found with the other unit.
I liked the union jack that is on the base of the deck not garish and quite tasteful.
Any record deck at a reasonable price is hard to find, some are USB only this unit gives you the choice and having the internal monitor means recordings do not run the risk of having echo, so anyone with LPs that they want to make into CDs or even MP3 files can use the software to do so.
The GPO JAM is available from the link below for £89.99
http://www.gporetro.com/Products/32/65/GPO-Jam
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