I am having a similar problem.
I just recently bought the ADS Tech Instant Music.
I bought it because I hope to convert my vinyl record collection (which includes both my singles or 45rpms and my LP albums, or 33 & 1/3rpms) into a format that will allow me to burn it onto CDs or MP3 disks.
However, it is no good to me when it refuses to make it easy for technically challenged individuals, like myself, to understand what it is talking about.
It merely suggests that I can use the L/R RCA input or the Optical input (S/PDIF input) to connect to my music source (Cassette, CD Player or LP). Again it merely suggests that if I have both connections (S/PDIF and L/R RCA) at the same time, the Optical input (S/PDIF input) will be selected as the input strea. This is gibberish to me.
Then it proceeds to tell me what to do after I have made the proper connections.
Let me describe what I have.
My amplifier is the STR-D590 Sony FM Stereo/FM-AM Receiver. It has 18 standard sized jack holes: 2 for Phono, 2 for CD, 4 for Tape/DAT (i.e., 2 for Rec Out and 2 for In), 3 for Video2 LD (i.e., 1 yellow, 1 white, and 1 red), 6 for Video 1 (i.e., 3 for Video Out and 3 for Video In), and 1 for Monitor/TV (i.e., yellow Video Out only). It has one headphone jack hole (much larger than any standard one). It has 4 wire-clamping units for 2 rear speakers and 8 for 4 front speakers. It has 2 wire-clamping units for an FM antenna and 2 for an AM antenna. Finally, it has a unit that will hold a ground wire for a record player (or turntable).
My turntable is the Pioneer PL-600. It was not designed to be connected to anything other than an amplifier. So, I cannot plug or wire anything into it. Its AC cord is hardwired into it and so is its only 2-pronged jack (which plugs into the Phono holes at the back of my amplifier). Finally it has a ground wire, which attaches to the place on my amplifier that holds it.
My Stereo Cassette deck is Sony's TC-W490/WR590/WR521. It has 4 jack holes: 2 for Line In and 2 for Line Out. The jacks that come from them plug into the Tape/DAT holes at the back of my amplifier.
My biggest problem is this. I cannot figure out how to connect my tape deck and my turntable to my computer through the ADS Tech Instant Music device that I bought a couple of days ago from Staples Business Depot.
I don't know what I need to do. Do I need to buy some extra cable/jacks/adapters. If so, I will need some advice on what to look for.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
The smartest people are never too shy or proud to seek advice from others, no matter how inferior others amay be.