ION Photon LP 3-Speed Lighted Turntable Quickstart Guide
- June 12, 2024
- ION
Table of Contents
ION Photon LP 3-Speed Lighted Turntable
Introduction
Box Contents
- Photon LP USB Cable
- Power Adapter Software Download Card
- RCA Stereo Cable Quickstart Guide
- 45 RPM Adapter Safety & Warranty Manual
Support
For the latest information about this product (system requirements, compatibility information, etc.) and product registration, visit ionaudio.com.
Setup
Items not listed under Introduction > Box Contents are sold separately.
Features
Top Panel
Important: Remove the plastic cartridge cover (needle cover) before operating the turntable.
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Platter: Place your record here.
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45 RPM Adapter Holder: Holds the included 45 RPM adapter. When not using the adapter, please place it in this holder.
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33/45/78 Switch: This switch controls the RPM of the turntable platter.
Note: For best results when playing 78 RPM vinyl records, use a 78 stylus (sold separately). Only use a 78-stylus with 78 RPM vinyl records. Purchase a 78 RPM stylus at ionaudio.com.
Note: If needed, you may adjust the speed of the turntable platter. On the underside of Photon LP, remove the rubber plugs and tighten/loosen the appropriate screw with a screwdriver. -
Autostop Switch: This switch turns autostop on or off. When the autostop is on, the platter will start spinning when the tonearm is placed over the record and stop spinning when the record has reached the end. (When the autostop is off, the platter will always spin regardless of the position of the tonearm.)
Note: If your vinyl record stops before it reaches the end of the music, turn Autostop to the off position for this particular record. This is generally recommended for 45 RPM records. -
Tonearm: The tonearm can be raised and lowered by hand.
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Arm Clip: This specially designed arm clip secures the tonearm while at rest or when not in use. The arm clip has been designed to remain in the up position while unlocked.
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Pre-Mounted Cartridge: This is a replaceable cartridge with a stylus. To purchase a replacement cartridge and stylus, find the page for Photon LP at ionaudio.com.
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LEDs: 48 multi-colored LEDs.
Rear Panel
- Power Cable Input: Use the included adapter to connect to wall power.
- Power Button: Press this button to turn Photon LP on/off.
- USB Audio Output: Use the included USB cable to connect your turntable to your computer. The USB connection will send audio from the turntable to your computer. Please see the Using Photon LP with Your Computer section of this manual for information.
- RCA Output: The audio from a playing vinyl record is sent to this line-level coaxial audio output. This must not be connected to phono-level devices.
Warning: The RCA outputs are line-level. Please only connect these to line-level inputs. You may damage your receiver if you plug in a line-level device into a phono-level input.
Using Photon LP with Your Computer
Recording
To record music on your computer, you can use EZ Vinyl/Tape Converter. EZ Vinyl/Tape Converter conveniently saves your recordings to your computer. After you finish converting your vinyl, you can then burn it to CD or load it onto portable media devices. Use the included software download card to download and install the software, and follow the on-screen instructions. See Setting Photon LP as the Default Recording Device before starting to record.
To record music on your computer:
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With EZ Vinyl/Tape Converter installed on your computer, use the included USB cable to connect Photon LP’s USB port to an available USB port on your computer.
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On your computer, you can open EZ Vinyl/Tape Converter by going to Start Menu > All Programs (Windows) or the Applications menu (Mac OS X).
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Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your recording. When prompted to play your music, move Photon LP’s tonearm over the record to start playback.
Note: To listen to a record while it’s playing, listen through your computer’s speakers, or connect Photon LP’s RCA outputs to a stereo system or powered speakers. Do not connect them to phono-level inputs; Photon LP’s RCA outputs are line-level and could damage a device with phono-level inputs. -
When you have finished recording, raise Photon LP’s tonearm from the record and return it to its arm clip.
Visit ionaudio.com/computer-optimization for more information on optimizing your computer for audio.
Setting Photon LP as the Default Recording Device
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Windows XP
Click Start Menu > Control Panel (or Settings > Control Panel in Classic View)Sound and Audio Devices. Click the Audio tab and under Sound Recording, select Photon LP as the default device.
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Windows Vista
Click Start Menu > Control Panel (or Settings > Control Panel in Classic View)Hardware and Sound > Sound. Click the Recording tab and select Photon LP as the default device.
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Windows 7/Windows 8/Windows 10
Click Start Menu > Control Panel > Sound. Click the Recording tab and select Photon LP as the default device. -
Mac OS X
Click the upper-left “apple” icon then click System Preferences > Sound. Click the Input tab. From the menu, select Photon LP as the device.
Playback
You can listen to the music on your computer through its internal speakers or through headphones connected to it. (Photon LP cannot be used as a playback device for your computer’s audio.) See Setting Your Computer’s Soundcard as the Default Playback Device before playing back your computer music. To listen to a record while it’s playing, listen through your (connected) computer’s speakers, or connect Photon LP’s RCA outputs to a stereo system or powered speakers. Do not connect them to phono-level inputs; Photon LP’s RCA outputs are line-level and could damage a device with phono-level inputs.
Setting Your Computer’s Soundcard as the Default Playback Device
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Windows XP
Click Start Menu > Control Panel (or Settings > Control Panel in Classic View)Sound and Audio Devices. Click the Audio tab and under Sound Playback, select your computer’s soundcard as the default device.
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Windows Vista
Click Start Menu > Control Panel (or Settings > Control Panel in Classic View)Hardware and Sound > Sound. Click the Playback tab and select your computer’s soundcard as the default device.
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Windows 7/Windows 8/Windows 10
Click Start Menu > Control Panel > Sound. Click the Playback tab and select your computer’s soundcard as the default device. -
Mac OS X
Click the upper-left “apple” icon then click System Preferences > Sound. Click the Output tab. From the menu, select Internal Speakers if you are using the computer’s internal speakers or select Headphones if you are using speakers or headphones attached to the computer’s 1/8” (3.5 mm) headphone output.
Troubleshooting
If you experience any difficulties, please refer to the troubleshooting steps below as well as those in the EZ Vinyl/Tape Converter manual included with this product.
If you are recording to a computer:
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Make sure that Photon LP is powered on and that the needle is on the record.
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Make Photon LP is selected as your computer’s default recording device (see the instructions below).
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If you are listening through your computer’s speakers, make sure those speakers are selected as your computer’s default playback device (see the instructions below). Alternatively, you could connect Photon LP’s RCA outputs to a stereo system or powered speakers. Do not connect them to phono-level inputs; Photon LP’s RCA outputs are line-level and could damage a device with phono-level inputs.
Note: The RCA outputs monitor the signal coming out of the turntable, not the signal coming from your computer. -
Disconnect then reconnect the USB cable connecting Photon LP to your computer.
I’m not hearing any audio when playing music:
- If you are playing music from vinyl:
- Make sure that Photon LP is powered on and that the needle is on the record.
- Connect Photon LP’s RCA outputs to a stereo system or powered speakers. (Do not connect them to phono-level inputs; Photon LP’s RCA outputs are line-level and could damage a device with phono-level inputs.)
- If you are playing music from your computer:
- Make sure your software music player’s volume is turned up.
- Make sure your computer’s volume is turned up.
- Make sure your computer’s speakers are selected as your computer’s default playback device (see the instructions below). (Photon LP cannot be used as a playback device for your computer’s audio.)
I am hearing a hum through my speaker or laptop when using the turntable:
- If you are recording to a laptop, please connect the laptop to a grounded power supply (3-prong).
- If you are playing through a speaker, please connect to a grounded (3-prong) power supply.
My record is not playing at the correct speed; its pitch is too high or too low:
- Ensure the 33/45/78 switch is set to the correct speed for your record.
- If the 33/45/78 switch is set correctly and the speed is still slightly off, do the following:
- On the underside of Photon LP, find the rubber pad with the RPM speed you want to adjust, and gently lift up the rubber pad to remove it.
- Push through the rubber seal, and tighten/loosen the screw using a Phillips-head screwdriver to fine-tune the RPM speed.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the ION Photon LP 3-Speed Lighted Turntable?
The ION Photon LP is a turntable that plays vinyl records and features built- in multicolor LED lighting effects.
What are the different speed settings on the Photon LP turntable?
The turntable supports three different speed settings: 33 1/3 RPM, 45 RPM, and 78 RPM.
Can I connect external speakers to the Photon LP turntable?
Yes, the turntable has RCA outputs that allow you to connect external speakers or audio systems.
Does the Photon LP turntable have a built-in amplifier?
Yes, the turntable has a built-in amplifier, allowing you to connect it directly to powered speakers or headphones.
How do I power the LED lighting effects on the Photon LP turntable?
The LED lighting effects are powered through the turntable itself, and they change colors and patterns as the record plays.
Can I adjust the lighting effects on the turntable?
Yes, you can typically adjust the lighting effects to suit your preferences using controls on the turntable.
Does the Photon LP turntable have a USB port for digitizing records?
Yes, many versions of the Photon LP turntable have a USB port that allows you to connect it to a computer for digitizing your vinyl records.
What software is recommended for digitizing records from the Photon LP turntable?
ION often provides their EZ Vinyl/Tape Converter software for digitization purposes.
Can I play 78 RPM records on this turntable?
Yes, the Photon LP turntable supports 78 RPM playback, making it compatible with older shellac records.
Is there a lid or cover for the turntable?
The availability of a lid or cover may vary depending on the specific model or version of the turntable.
Does the Photon LP turntable have a headphone jack?
Yes, the turntable usually includes a headphone jack for private listening.
Is the turntable belt-driven or direct-drive?
The Photon LP turntable is usually belt-driven, which is common for entry- level turntable models.
What types of records can I play on the Photon LP turntable?
You can play 7-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch vinyl records on the Photon LP turntable.
How do I change the stylus/cartridge on the turntable?
Details for stylus/cartridge replacement can be found in the user manual. Typically, it involves careful removal and installation.
Can I connect the turntable to a Bluetooth speaker?
The Photon LP turntable might not have built-in Bluetooth, so you may need an external Bluetooth transmitter to connect to Bluetooth speakers.
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