The record player market homes lots of choices, every carrying totally different options and appeals. The competitors ranges from low-cost $50 suitcase-style tables to Hello-Fi tools I can solely dream of proudly owning. In fact, there are turntables for each area of interest, from these extra targeted on the purity of Hello-Fi listening to others filled with devices for the fashionable shopper that seeks ‘linked’ gadgets for a smart home.
As a vinyl-head myself, I believe the LP120 is an “everyman” desk.
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With over 60 years within the enterprise, Audio-Technica has established its presence in nearly each area of interest — from the final word entry-level desk to audiophile permitted gear. As a vinyl-head myself, I believe the LP120 is an “everyman” desk. It is capable of carry out crucial capabilities you’d need out of a document participant whereas providing some fashionable connectivity choices like Bluetooth, and even some DJ-friendly options do you have to be seeking to spin and scratch some information.
Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB
The AT-LP120 is a well-rounded document participant at a value level the place issues begin to get extra aggressive. It brings sufficient options to the desk to be compelling for its value, and its simply upgraded cartridge means it may well keep related for years by means of quite a few upgrades. The AT-LP120 delivers on sound high quality and flexibility.
- Adjustable counterweight
- Full of options
- Bluetooth supported on $400 mannequin
- Aesthetics are a weak spot in comparison with friends
Design, model, and look
A contemporary construct that sacrifices magnificence for versatility
The LP120 shouldn’t be what I would name conventionally “fairly.” Its black and chrome plinth is affected by buttons, knobs, LED lights, and sliders. I’ve come to assume the desk was seemingly designed with none specific aesthetic in thoughts, and would match extra naturally in a DJ sales space than in a tastefully adorned front room.
Finally, I’ve discovered the design of the LP120 prioritizes perform over kind.
Whereas many turntables at this time function stable wooden or composite wooden plinths in numerous attractive pure wooden colours, the LP120 plinth is constructed of plastic, with some fiberboard or metals possible getting used inside for added heft. Finally, I’ve discovered the design of the LP120 prioritizes perform over kind.
Perform and user-experience
Prioritizes “need” options over want
The AT-LP120XBT-USB (boy, that is a mouthful) blends the previous and the brand new with help for Bluetooth, USB, and analog connections. This mannequin document participant can be appropriate with nearly any setup as it may be performed straight to Bluetooth speakers, linked to a pc or different USB machine, or linked to an exterior pre-amp, receiver, or amplifier through RCA.
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For audiophiles preferring utilizing their very own high-quality exterior pre-amp, the built-in pre-amp could be simply bypassed, providing much more flexibility in customizing the audio setup. It turns into a theme that this desk from Audio-Technica leaves you with no scarcity of choices in a lot of conditions. Whereas the assorted options definitely add as much as the sticker value, many of those are extras you’d reasonably have and never want, than want and never have.
Whereas the assorted options definitely add up within the sticker value, many of those are extras you’d reasonably have and never want, than want and never have.
Persevering with on the posh theme, this document participant gives help for 33 1/3, 45, and 78 RPM playback, chosen utilizing buttons on the participant’s plinth. Whereas nearly each desk on the market helps 33 1/3 and 45 RPM, mostly wanted for traditional 12-inch and 7-inch information, 78 RPM is a captivating further function.
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This variety of rpms is required largely to play pre-Fifties information. These previous information had been often made out of shellac and could be largely discovered with pressings of operas and different classical music.
Taking part in 78 RPM information requires a unique form of cartridge than the everyday stylus used to your PVC vinyl information performed at 33 1/3 and 45 RPM.
Help for this rarer playback pace little doubt broadens the attraction of this mannequin to vinyl fanatics whose collections embody older and vintage information.
Extra bonus options
Makes my audiophile coronary heart pleased
One in all my favourite options of the AT-LP120 is its adjustable counterweight and common connector headshell, which secures the cartridge, which in flip homes the stylus. The counterweight, located on the different finish of the tonearm, ensures the stylus applies a exact power on the document, generally known as its ‘monitoring power,’ measured in grams.
This might come in useful for anybody desirous to digitize and protect any uncommon information of their assortment.
This meeting, mounted through the common headshell connector, requires rebalancing every time a element is modified to take care of the proper monitoring power. Too little weight will compromise sound high quality and improve the danger of the stylus skipping. An excessive amount of weight can degrade sound high quality and trigger untimely put on or harm to each your information and your stylus.
Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB
- Model
- Audio-Technica
- Constructed-in Pre-amp
- Sure
- Drive
- Direct Drive Motor
- Bluetooth
- On LP120XB Mannequin
- Speeds (RPM)
- 33 1/3, 45, 78
- Connections
- USB and RCA
- Dimensions
- 17.80″ W x 13.86″ D x 5.57″ H
- Weight
- 17.6 lbs
The LP120’s adjustable counterweight makes swapping these items simpler, a function not out there on many price range turntables as they usually have mounted counterweights. A key benefit right here is the flexibility to improve the cartridge and rebalance the tonearm accordingly, which might considerably improve general sound high quality.
I upgraded from the inventory VM95-E elliptical stylus to the Audio-Technica VM540-ML MicroLine stylus, which was an enormous leap in audio high quality from the inventory stylus.
A couple of different devices price mentioning are the manually adjustable pace slider, used largely for DJ purposes, and the USB output that enables customers to document vinyl information straight onto digital recordsdata on their PC or Mac. This might come in useful for anybody desirous to digitize and protect any uncommon information of their assortment.
Sound high quality stays stable over time
Nice with room to develop
The AT-LP120 produces a wealthy, heat sound straight out of the field. The drum break on Phil Collins’ In The Air Tonight feels punchy and full, because the VM95-E that comes normal with the desk faithfully reproduces the lows and mids of hallmark 80s synth and percussion-heavy pop.
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Audio-Technica’s extra inexpensive studio headphones nonetheless maintain up years later.
The VM95-E is a decidedly entry-level elliptical cartridge, and so some lack of definition on the larger finish of the frequency vary is to be anticipated. I do not see this as a weak point, because it permits me to tell apart and admire the instrument separation together with the total phono soundstage.
The soundstage is spectacular, and makes for simple listening throughout quite a lot of genres, from the highly effective horns within the Star Wars essential theme, to the ethereal voice of Stevie Nicks on Goals by Fleetwood Mac.
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The S-shaped tonearm is a good discover at this value level. S-shaped tonearms higher mimic the pure arc of document grooves, which improves monitoring accuracy because the needle stays straighter throughout the grooves, leading to fewer monitoring errors and distortion, all resulting in improved sound high quality. The direct drive motor on the LP120 ensures a gradual and steady pace, avoiding the variance that may come over time with belt-driven motors because the belts ultimately start to wear down and warrant substitute.
Verdict: A balanced strategy to an upper-entry-level desk
Compared to different tables at this value level, the AT-LP120 strikes a steadiness between value and efficiency, and delivers a fantastic sound alongside an eclectic array of options. The convenience with which the cartridge could be upgraded and the range in audio output choices make this a document participant that may develop with the customers’ hobbies and ambitions.
Solely now after three years have I even begun to consider upgrading the desk, and actually, it is going to be some time longer earlier than I’ve reached the ceiling of what this desk can obtain.
I’ve had this desk by means of two pre-amps, three units of audio system, and two cartridge upgrades, and it nonetheless impresses. Solely now after three years have I even begun to consider upgrading the desk, and actually, it is going to be some time longer earlier than I’ve reached the ceiling of what this desk can obtain.
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