: As the turntable/CD Player/dual cassette deck stereo dies (worthless Aiwa
: hunk of junk, the cassette decks died within months..) I find myself
: wishing there were a device that combines these elements with a CD

There exists at least one:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/drives/6908/

I'm not recommending it 'cause if I want a good x-fer I will use an expensive
cassette deck and an expensive converters. But if you're after the convenience,
there you go.

: Recorder. Pop your vinyl on the turntable, press a button, and voila! A
: CD! As easy as making tapes from your albums!

http://www.kabusa.com/frameset.htm?index.htm

Click on record players and look for:
Gemini PDT6000 Digital 3 Speed Turntable

It seems to have S/PDIF out and analog out without a need for pre-amp. Again,
I don't think it's a high end thing.

--Leonid