The record player market homes numerous choices, every carrying totally different options and appeals. The competitors ranges from low-cost $50 suitcase-style tables to Hello-Fi gear 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 full of devices for the fashionable shopper that seeks ‘related’ gadgets for a smart home.
As a vinyl-head myself, I feel 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 last word entry-level desk to audiophile authorized gear. As a vinyl-head myself, I feel the LP120 is an “everyman” desk. It is in a position to carry out crucial features you’d need out of a document participant whereas providing some trendy connectivity choices like Bluetooth, and even some DJ-friendly options do you have to be trying to spin and scratch some data.
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 possibly keep related for years by 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 suffering from buttons, knobs, LED lights, and sliders. I’ve come to suppose 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 embellished front room.
In the end, I’ve discovered the design of the LP120 prioritizes operate over type.
Whereas many turntables at this time characteristic stable wooden or composite wooden plinths in varied attractive pure wooden colours, the LP120 plinth is constructed of plastic, with some fiberboard or metals doubtless getting used inside for added heft. In the end, I’ve discovered the design of the LP120 prioritizes operate over type.
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 assist for Bluetooth, USB, and analog connections. This mannequin document participant can be appropriate with virtually any setup as it may be performed straight to Bluetooth speakers, related to a pc or different USB gadget, or related to an exterior pre-amp, receiver, or amplifier by way of RCA.
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For audiophiles preferring utilizing their very own high-quality exterior pre-amp, the built-in pre-amp will 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 variety of conditions. Whereas the varied options actually add as much as the sticker value, many of those are extras you’d fairly have and never want, than want and never have.
Whereas the varied options actually add up within the sticker value, many of those are extras you’d fairly have and never want, than want and never have.
Persevering with on the luxurious theme, this document participant presents assist for 33 1/3, 45, and 78 RPM playback, chosen utilizing buttons on the participant’s plinth. Whereas virtually each desk on the market helps 33 1/3 and 45 RPM, mostly wanted for normal 12-inch and 7-inch data, 78 RPM is an enchanting additional characteristic.
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This variety of rpms is required largely to play pre-Nineteen Fifties data. These previous data had been normally made out of shellac and will be largely discovered with pressings of operas and different classical music.
Taking part in 78 RPM data requires a distinct form of cartridge than the everyday stylus used on your PVC vinyl data performed at 33 1/3 and 45 RPM.
Assist for this rarer playback pace little question broadens the enchantment of this mannequin to vinyl fans whose collections embody older and vintage data.
Extra bonus options
Makes my audiophile coronary heart completely happy
One among 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 pressure on the document, often called its ‘monitoring pressure,’ measured in grams.
This might turn out to be useful for anybody desirous to digitize and protect any uncommon data of their assortment.
This meeting, mounted by way of the common headshell connector, requires rebalancing every time a element is modified to take care of the proper monitoring pressure. Too little weight will compromise sound high quality and improve the chance of the stylus skipping. An excessive amount of weight can degrade sound high quality and trigger untimely put on or injury to each your data 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 characteristic not out there on many price range turntables as they usually have fastened counterweights. A key benefit right here is the flexibility to improve the cartridge and rebalance the tonearm accordingly, which may considerably improve total 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 number of different devices price mentioning are the manually adjustable pace slider, used largely for DJ functions, and the USB output that permits customers to document vinyl data straight onto digital information on their PC or Mac. This might turn out to be useful for anybody desirous to digitize and protect any uncommon data 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 commonplace 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 increased finish of the frequency vary is to be anticipated. I do not see this as a weak point, because it permits me to differentiate and admire the instrument separation together with the total phono soundstage.
The soundstage is spectacular, and makes for straightforward listening throughout a wide range of genres, from the highly effective horns within the Star Wars primary theme, to the ethereal voice of Stevie Nicks on Desires 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 secure pace, avoiding the variance that may come over time with belt-driven motors because the belts finally start to wear down and warrant alternative.
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 an ideal sound alongside an eclectic array of options. The benefit with which the cartridge will be upgraded and the variability 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 will likely be some time longer earlier than I’ve reached the ceiling of what this desk can obtain.
I’ve had this desk by 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 will likely be some time longer earlier than I’ve reached the ceiling of what this desk can obtain.
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