What sort of record playing equipment do you already have? You'll need some sort of phono preamp to be able to connect a turntable to the computer; that could simply be an amplifier or receiver with a PHONO input. The output from a phono cartridge is too weak for standard line-level inputs and also requires equalization hence the need for a phono stage.

You should be able to get good results from an add-on sound card. I never got good sound from the on-board sound chips. I recommend an audiophile or pro sound card (like the E-MU 0404 for example), something made with audio quality in mind.

For software I simply use the free Audacity audio software.

If you start with clean records in good condition you should not have to do much if any "clean up" with the audio software. About the only thing I do is use the high pass filter set at 20Hz to reduce subsonic garbage from rumble and warps (this is done in the software after the file has been recorded).

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Erich Loepke
2010 Ford Focus
Currently Benz-less