The Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB is a top pick for vinyl enthusiasts thanks to its direct-drive motor that guarantees stable playback and minimal maintenance. You’ll appreciate the built-in phono preamp, which boosts audio quality for vibrant sound. The AT-VM95E cartridge delivers superior clarity and a wide frequency response. Its die-cast aluminum platter reduces vibrations, enhancing sound purity. Versatile connectivity options, including USB output and RCA outputs, support both analog and digital playback. With adjustable tracking force and anti-skate control, you can fine-tune your listening experience. Learn more about how these features combine to offer exceptional performance.
Key Takeaways
- Enhanced Playback Stability: A stronger direct-drive motor ensures consistent speed and minimal maintenance for reliable performance.
- Superior Audio Quality: The improved phono preamp and AT-VM95E cartridge deliver vibrant, high-fidelity sound and wide frequency response.
- Versatile Connectivity: USB and RCA outputs support both analog and digital playback, facilitating easy integration with various audio systems.
- User Customization: Adjustable tracking force, anti-skate control, and compatibility with various cartridges offer tailored playback experiences.
- Competitive Pricing: At approximately £259.00, it provides excellent value for its advanced features and superior performance.
Product Overview and Features
The Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB stands out as a versatile direct-drive turntable, perfect for both analog and USB playback. Its design caters to vinyl enthusiasts who prioritize both traditional analog sound and modern digital convenience.
The turntable features a stronger direct-drive motor, ensuring stable playback, which is essential for maintaining the integrity of your vinyl collection. An improved phono preamp enhances audio quality, providing a clear and vibrant listening experience.
Equipped with the AT-VM95E cartridge, this model delivers superior sound clarity and a wider frequency response, making it ideal for detailed audio reproduction. This is crucial for those who value high-fidelity sound in their vinyl records.
The adjustable tracking force and anti-skate control allow you to customize the performance, ensuring optimal playback and reducing wear on your vinyl, which is a key aspect of turntable maintenance.
The classic design, combined with modern aesthetics, offers both functionality and style. Available in multiple colors, it includes a removable dust cover and a heavy cast aluminum platter, both of which are essential for protecting your turntable and preserving your records.
These features collectively make the AT-LP120XUSB a reliable choice for any vinyl enthusiast.
Key Improvements and Upgrades
Several key improvements and upgrades make the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB a standout choice for vinyl enthusiasts looking for enhanced performance and convenience. One notable enhancement is the stronger direct-drive motor, which not only boosts playback stability but also reduces maintenance needs. This means you can enjoy a more consistent listening experience with less worry about upkeep.
Additionally, the improved motor contributes to low latency, an essential factor for real-time playback and recording synchronization.
The improved phono preamp is another significant upgrade, offering better audio quality and greater versatility for connecting to various sound systems. This makes it easier to integrate the turntable into your existing setup, whether you’re using traditional speakers or more modern audio equipment.
Equipped with the advanced AT-VM95E cartridge, the AT-LP120XUSB provides a wider frequency response, delivering clearer sound reproduction compared to the older AT-95E model. This upgrade enhances your overall listening experience, allowing you to appreciate the finer details in your vinyl collection.
Additionally, the turntable’s enhanced connectivity options, such as USB output for digitizing vinyl records and RCA outputs for traditional setups, improve user experience by offering more flexibility.
The design retains the integral components that made the original LP120 popular, while also improving user-friendliness and overall convenience, making it a top choice for vinyl enthusiasts.
Direct-Drive Motor and Sound Quality
You’ll appreciate the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB‘s robust direct-drive motor, which enhances playback stability and minimizes maintenance.
This turntable’s faster platter speed and reduced playback fluctuations guarantee a consistent listening experience.
Coupled with adjustable tracking force and a built-in phono preamp, it delivers high-fidelity audio reproduction tailored to various vinyl records.
Additionally, for those who are meticulous about audio quality, employing surgical EQ cuts on your digital recordings can also enhance clarity and balance.
The Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB stands out as a versatile and reliable option for vinyl enthusiasts seeking superior sound quality.
Enhanced Playback Stability
One of the standout features of the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB is its robust direct-drive motor, which provides low maintenance and superior playback stability. This motor guarantees consistent speed during playback, leading to exceptional playback precision.
Users have reported highly positive feedback regarding the reliability and performance of this direct-drive system. The adjustable torque settings allow you to minimize playback fluctuations, delivering a more stable and enjoyable listening experience.
The turntable’s electronic braking system enhances this stability by providing quick stop/start functionality. This feature not only adds convenience but also guarantees that your records are handled with care, preventing any unnecessary wear and tear.
Additionally, the adjustable tracking force enables you to fine-tune the performance based on your preferred setup, which can greatly impact the overall sound quality and longevity of your vinyl records.
High-Fidelity Audio Reproduction
The Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB excels in high-fidelity audio reproduction, thanks to its robust direct-drive motor and superior sound quality features. This turntable’s direct-drive motor guarantees enhanced playback stability and low maintenance, key factors in achieving consistent sound quality. The result is an authentic analog warmth that’s perfect for the ongoing vinyl resurgence.
The AT-LP120XUSB’s signal-to-noise ratio of 50 dB delivers clearer audio, minimizing background noise and allowing you to fully appreciate the nuances of your vinyl records. Paired with the AT-VM95E cartridge, which offers a wider frequency response, the turntable guarantees superior performance and enhanced sound clarity.
Here’s a quick comparison of key features:
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Direct-Drive Motor | Enhanced playback stability, low maintenance |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio (50 dB) | Clearer audio reproduction |
| AT-VM95E Cartridge | Wider frequency response, superior performance |
Moreover, the built-in phono preamp supports versatile connectivity options, making the AT-LP120XUSB compatible with various cartridges and audio systems. This flexibility allows you to customize your setup and get the most out of your vinyl collection. With these features, the AT-LP120XUSB provides a rich, immersive listening experience that’s hard to beat.
Adjustable Tracking Force
Adjustable tracking force on the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB is a standout feature that lets you fine-tune the pressure applied by the stylus for ideal playback quality. By customizing the stylus pressure, you can enhance playback to suit different vinyl records, guaranteeing that each one sounds its best. This precise control is essential for avoiding excessive wear on both the stylus and your records, thereby prolonging their lifespan.
The turntable’s strong direct-drive motor is another key element that contributes to its superior performance. This motor type requires low maintenance and delivers enhanced playback stability, resulting in a consistent audio experience. With a signal-to-noise ratio of 50 dB, the AT-LP120XUSB excels at reducing unwanted noise, giving you clearer and more accurate sound reproduction.
Additionally, the adjustable anti-skate control improves tracking accuracy, which further enhances sound quality and balance. This feature guarantees that the stylus maintains peak contact with the record groove, reducing distortion and improving overall playback fidelity.
Paired with the high-fidelity AT-VM95E cartridge, which offers a wider frequency response, the result is superior sound clarity and a highly engaging listening experience.
Advanced Cartridge and Tonearm
Delving into the intricacies of the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB, you’ll appreciate the advanced cartridge and tonearm that set this turntable apart. At the heart of its superior audio performance is the AT-VM95E cartridge. This component provides a wider frequency response compared to its predecessor, the AT-95E, resulting in enhanced sound clarity.
The cartridge customization options within the VM95 range allow you to upgrade the stylus, tailoring your listening experience to your specific preferences.
The turntable’s balanced S-shaped tonearm guarantees tonearm precision, delivering accurate tracking and minimizing distortion. This precision is essential for maintaining high audio fidelity during playback. Additionally, the detachable headshell facilitates easy cartridge replacement, further enhancing your customization capabilities.
To maximize performance, the AT-LP120XUSB features an adjustable dynamic anti-skate control. This mechanism maintains ideal tracking force, guaranteeing balanced audio reproduction while reducing wear on your vinyl records.
The combination of these advanced components guarantees that you get the most out of your vinyl collection.
Whether you’re a seasoned audiophile or a newcomer to vinyl, the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB’s advanced cartridge and tonearm provide the precision and flexibility needed for an exceptional listening experience.
Design and User Experience
Building on the exceptional cartridge and tonearm, you’ll find that the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB‘s design and user experience are just as meticulously crafted. The turntable features a sturdy die-cast aluminum platter, which enhances stability and reduces vibrations, guaranteeing optimal sound quality.
This robust design contributes to the overall aesthetic appeal of the unit, making it a centerpiece in any audio setup.
The S-shaped tonearm is engineered for precise tracking, providing accurate sound reproduction. It includes a detachable headshell, a user-friendly feature that allows for easy cartridge replacement. This is particularly beneficial for those who enjoy experimenting with different cartridges to fine-tune their listening experience.
A removable hinged dust cover protects the turntable from dust and debris while maintaining user convenience. The inclusion of a stroboscopic platter with a speed indicator guarantees that you can easily monitor and maintain accurate RPM readings, which is essential for consistent playback speed.
Inspired by the iconic Technics SL1200, the AT-LP120XUSB boasts a sleek design that appeals to both DJs and vinyl enthusiasts. This combination of functionality and aesthetic appeal guarantees that it not only performs exceptionally well but also looks great in any setting.
Connectivity Options
When it comes to connectivity options, the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB offers a USB output that lets you easily digitize your vinyl records by connecting directly to your computer.
Additionally, its RCA output guarantees compatibility with traditional audio systems, supporting a wide array of speakers and amplifiers.
This turntable’s USB and RCA connections provide versatile solutions for both analog and digital playback needs.
USB Output Benefits
The Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB offers a significant advantage with its USB output, facilitating easy connectivity to computers for digitizing vinyl records. This feature makes digital archiving straightforward, guaranteeing a seamless integration of your analog collection into a digital format.
By supporting A/D and D/A conversion at 16-bit/44.1 kHz or 48 kHz, the turntable ensures high-quality audio transfer, preserving the integrity of your music during digitization.
With USB connectivity, you have the flexibility to choose between analog and digital playback, catering to various audio setups and preferences. You can effortlessly record your vinyl directly into digital audio workstations (DAWs) or simple recording software without needing any additional equipment.
The included USB cable simplifies the setup, making it a plug-and-play experience, perfect for both novice and experienced users.
Consider these key benefits:
- High-Quality Conversion: Enjoy pristine audio transfer with 16-bit/44.1 kHz or 48 kHz support.
- Versatile Playback: Easily switch between analog and digital setups to suit your needs.
- User-Friendly Setup: The provided USB cable guarantees quick and easy connection to your computer.
The USB output of the AT-LP120XUSB transforms how you archive and enjoy your vinyl records.
Versatile RCA Connections
Among the myriad of connectivity options, the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB’s versatile RCA connections stand out, offering seamless integration with various audio systems. These RCA outputs provide essential RCA compatibility, allowing you to connect effortlessly to different audio setups.
Whether you prefer powered speakers or traditional amplifiers, the turntable’s built-in selectable phono preamp eliminates the need for additional equipment, streamlining your audio setup.
The AT-LP120XUSB supports both analog and digital playback, making it highly adaptable for a range of audio systems, including computers via its USB output. This dual functionality guarantees that you can enjoy your vinyl collection in various formats, enhancing your overall listening experience.
Switching between different audio sources is straightforward, thanks to the multiple connectivity options designed to cater to evolving consumer needs.
The turntable’s RCA output facilitates a simple plug-and-play setup, guaranteeing a hassle-free connection to home audio systems or professional setups. This ease of audio integration means less time spent on complicated installations and more time enjoying your vinyl records.
With these versatile RCA connections, the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB guarantees that you have the flexibility to connect to virtually any audio system effortlessly.
Price and Value
Many vinyl enthusiasts find the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB to be a compelling option due to its competitive pricing at approximately £259.00, a notable reduction from its original price of £299.00. This makes it an attractive choice among affordable options for those mindful of budget considerations.
The turntable’s high-quality features, such as the strong direct-drive motor and advanced AT-VM95E cartridge, offer excellent value for money when compared to similar models. The inclusion of a USB output for digitizing vinyl records adds versatility, making it even more appealing for users wanting to preserve their collection in digital format.
Additionally, the turntable’s solid construction and user-friendly design contribute to a superior listening experience, reinforcing its reputation as a worthwhile investment. Whether you’re a casual listener or a dedicated audiophile, this model delivers on multiple fronts without breaking the bank.
- High-quality features: Direct-drive motor, AT-VM95E cartridge.
- Versatility: USB output for digitizing records.
- Superior construction: Solid build and user-friendly design.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Audio Technica Good Vinyl Player?
Yes, Audio-Technica turntables are excellent for vinyl sound. They feature high-quality cartridges, built-in phono preamps, and durable, low-vibration construction. Their turntable features, like multiple record speeds and direct-drive motors, guarantee superior audio fidelity and versatility.
Is the Audio Technica LP120 Discontinued?
Yes, the Audio-Technica LP120 is discontinued. However, the newer model, AT-LP120XUSB, offers improved turntable features and better cartridge options, ensuring a superior listening experience while maintaining the core elements of the original design.
Does the Audio Technica at LP120XUSB Need a Preamp?
You don’t need an external preamp for the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB since it has a built-in selectable preamp. This feature offers preamp advantages like easy setup and decent audio quality, but upgrading can enhance performance.
Does the Audio Technica Lp120x Need Speakers?
Yes, you need external speakers for the Audio-Technica LP120X. The turntable setup includes RCA outputs and a built-in phono preamp, ensuring compatibility with various audio systems, essential for experiencing high-quality vinyl sound.
Conclusion
You won’t regret choosing the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB. Its direct-drive motor guarantees impeccable sound quality, while the advanced cartridge and tonearm enhance your listening experience. The user-friendly design and extensive connectivity options, including USB, make it versatile for any setup. With significant upgrades over its predecessor, this turntable offers excellent value for its price. It’s clear why vinyl enthusiasts consider it a top choice for both audiophiles and casual listeners alike.
