Audio Technica AT-LP120X - Reviews

(4.8)

83 reviews

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For Audio Technica AT-LP120X, 83 customer reviews collected from 2 e-commerce sites, and the average score is 4.8.

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2.8.2019

I’m a procrastinator so I procrastinated long and hard before purchasing this turntable; I’m glad I did (buy it, that is… I’m gutted I procrastinated for so long).BACKGROUND – I collected a bit of vinyl in the early 2000; mostly 45s because I’m a bit of a completionist and some releases on my favourite labels were only available as vinyl. In order to facilitate playing said vinyl I had to have a turntable and I was given a lovers gift by Our Gert – an ION Audio Profile LP Turntable with USB Conversion. It served me well on the odd occasion I got it out but didn’t get much use.More recently I started putting my meagre vinyl collection to good use, DJing 30 minute slots at local Vinyl Soul /Funk nights. I caught the bug and with my scant DJ earnings decided to start buying vinyl on a more ‘serious’ level. My nomadic USB turntable (which was previously used in random locations, connected to a laptop) was given a permanent home in my Mancave, hooked up to a desktop PC. I soon realised that the sound quality of the turntable was pretty poor – songs sounded much better streamed on YouTube than they did played on my turntable. This wasn’t right.My first priority was coming up with sufficient reason to appease Our Gert when I spent on a new Turntable rather than saving for new windows / repaving the driveway / a holiday to Cuba… with a reason firmly tucked away in my back pocket I researched and found the Audio Technica AT-LP120XUSB to be at the sweetspot of what I wanted to spend, maintaining USB recording functionality and adding the ability to play independent of the PC through dedicated speakers. I bought it.FIRST IMPRESSIONS - Amazon delivery was spot on and upon receipt my first thought was this is a serious piece of kit. It comes in a big box. A heavy box… not too heavy, except for the fact I had it delivered to work and had to lug it home on the train. The weight of the turntable is reassuring – my old turntable must have weighed less than a tenth of this badboy. All component parts are kept separate in the packaging, taped into little cubbyholes in the polystyrene so there is very little chance of any damage in transit.SETUP – The turntable comes with a ‘quickstart’ instruction sheet which is pretty much all you need to get it setup. Installing the platter was as simple as dropping it over the central spindle, then just pop the attractively understated Audio Technica slipmat on top.Cartridge installation was equally easy, there’s only really one way it can fit and whilst its relatively intuitive anyway the instructions make it pretty obvious how its done.The only bit of installation that was a little bit more difficult was the balancing of the tonearm… again the instructions certainly help but if you need the extra reassurance you can also look up a video of the installation online, which is what I did.Whilst I would probably recommend setting up at the turntables final resting place, if that is a relatively small cubbyhole in a mancave (as it was for me) you can just as easily set up elsewhere – just make sure you plug all the wires into the back first as the connections are recessed on the back of the player and therefore not the easiest to access (though equally, they’re very easy to locate provided you afford yourself the necessary room).USE – The sound is exceptional. I caveat this with the fact I’m coming from an incredibly budget system but it’s chalk and cheese compared to the older, cheaper system. I have experience of professional systems and of course it doesn’t match up to a deck ten times the price, attached to an amp and speakers that cost more than my house, but it does a great job in a mancave setting.The highs are high and the lows are low, I can certainly pick out the horns and the bass on records much more than I could previously and they sound far better played through my TV than their YouTube equivalent… completes with the satisfying cracks and pops you get from vinyl.The direct drive motor does a good job of maintaining the correct speed (which my old belt-driven turntable sometimes struggled with) and switching speeds is easy. The stop/start button functions well… it’s not instant stop / start but reverse the record a quarter turn and you’re good to go.There is other functionality (such as 78rpm, pitch shift) which I have yet to test, and most likely won’t ever… but it’s there if you need it and if judging by the quality of the core components / functionality I’ve no doubt these would be more than up to the job.The turntable comes with a built in amp so you can hook it up to passive speakers if you so wish… but in the interest of getting the most out of the turntable I also purchased a pair of Edifier R1280DB Active Remote Control Bookshelf Studio Speakers which pair up with and complement the turntable remarkably well… certainly takes the experience to a whole new level compared with hooking the turntable up to the PC and playing through the relatively tinny internal TV speakers.TL;DR SUMMARY – If you’re after a ‘premium’ ‘budget’ turntable (one person’s idea of premium is another’s idea of budget and vice-versa) you’ll not regret buying this… I’ve had it a matter of 20 hours but it does everything I want it to… at a good price point… it looks and feels quality, and most importantly gives me a warm fuzzy feeling in my loins.UPDATE: I was so impressed I bought a second one, now got two hooked up to a Numark mixer and I can now dial up the volume to 100 (when Our Gert isn't in) and lose myself in the music

4.7.2020

I was planning to order an AT-LP5x which is about £100 more, when I came across this - same key specs, same headshell and cartridge. I'd guess it has the same direct drive motor, based on the identical spec. Both will produce digital files from vinyl records. The AT-LP5x will cater for a moving coil cartridge which this turntable does not - this would be an unusual requirement for a turntable in this mid-entry level and certainly not anything I will need.Whilst the AT-LP5x has been very well reviewed, I have been unable to find any authoritative reviews of this AT-LP120xUSB. It's possible, likely even, that to anybody with the special hearing accorded to hifi reviewers they do not sound the same,but I didn't think my 67 year old lugs would know the difference anyway.I really went for this one because of the appearance that made me smile - it looks almost exactly like a 1970's Technics SL1200, a legendary record deck,recently relaunched and much beloved of DJs (I'm not one). Happily, the Audio Technica, although more cheaply engineered, works fine. The platter runs true, and there's zero detectable (to me) noise from a clean lead-in groove. I haven't tried it through it's pre-amp ('line' setting) as I have a decent integrated amplifier with a phono input.The sound is very pleasing to me - I lost my hifi in a fire over a year ago and I have been listening all this time to a smart speaker - Amazon Echo Plus actually - it's a clever little device that makes a plausible sound but unsurprisingly not one that is much like listening to a proper CD or record playing system. This deck has made me very happy - some familiar records sound superb to me. I'm convinced I like the sound better than CD (I gave in and bought a replacement CD player at the same time). I positively beamed when I tested it with Steely Dan's 'Aja'.The deck features a pitch/tempo control (ranges of +/- 8% and +/- 16%), a cueing light, and a red glow that illuminates the strobe markings on the edge of the aluminium platter. It will also play 78's as well as LP's and 45's. You would need a different stylus for 78's (not supplied). None of these things do I need, but the result is a pleasingly retro comparison with the minimalist styling that now predominates.If it bothers you, the plinth is a plastic moulding that sounds a little hollow when tapped, but it doesn't seem to hurt the functionality.I've given 4 stars for sound, on the basis that neither this deck nor my earholes are high end but I am delighted with the sound and not unhappy that I didn't buy the five-star-reviewed LP5x, and bought 5 LP's with the difference in price.3 stars for ease of use simply reflects the fact that this is a totally manual deck - you press a button to start the turntable, lift the tonearm with a lever, move the stylus to the start of the record, and lower it with the lever. At the end of the record you must reverse the procedure in full - it does not even lift the tonearm at the end and switch off like my late, lamented, Dual CS-504.5 stars for value from me, though some may debate whether we need to listen to vinyl records at all!EDIT & update: I checked the set up using a test record. After a few adjustments, I concluded that the anti-skate force on my example was too strong at the recommended setting. The manual states that this should be set to the same number as the vertical tracking force in grams, i.e. 2 at the recommended tracking force. I have found the best compromise to be a setting of about 1. I can however say that the anti-skate does appear more or less to do what it says - increasing the setting with the tonearm 'floating' does result in it moving nearer to the rest. This seems an odd thing to say but the predecessor product had a reputation for having an ineffective anti-skate adjustment.Using a printable alignment protractor downloaded from the manufacturer's website, while I was tinkering I also checked the alignment of the cartridge/stylus, which are installed into the detachable headshell at the factory. The alignment was satisfactory.So far, so good.

30.5.2020

Very easy to set up, excellent packaging, very solid product and well constructed. Has a real quality feel. Manufacturer has a series of explanatory videos to get you started and when I posted a pre-purchase question on Amazon I received a reply direct from the manufacturer - always a good sign.The real challenge is getting to understand the excellent Audacity recording and editing software which is a free download and available from the Microsoft Store. Very fully featured app and requires some study to get the best from it but has a searchable online user guide / manual which far exceeds the detail given with many expensive software apps that then expect you to purchase an instruction book.

2.6.2020

For nearly 10 years, and up to the release of its' successor, the AT-LP120 (no 'x') was THE benchmark for high-end Direct Drive record players within a reasonable budget. This new (2019) and improved version (AT-LP120X) truly is its successor on all fronts. The motor is more efficient, it produces more torque with less power meaning that it reaches exact rpms nearly immediately without producing any noticeable noise or vibration. The cartridge has been improved to one that has stronger output and a wider frequency response. The power converter is now an external adaptor, the audio output cables are removable, the built-in pre-amp has seen significant improvement and the build quality is better.

29.4.2020

I use my PC running Linux and pulseaudio as an amp (I have a good speaker system connected), and having had a JAM turntable running with only some minor issues (such as a whine when idle - fixed with a toggle script) it has been working well.I swapped out the JAM for this, and had a horrible feedback, that just got worse and worse, whilst no audio from what was playing, but reconfiguring pulseaudio, back to where it started after changing stuff fixed it, and I have clean clear audio.Even better, there is no idle whine with this unit at all (better grounding?) renedering my previous fix redundant.The sound is clearer and crisper, and the dynamic range is improved.And to make up for everything,

13.5.2020

So I upgraded from a Crosley Cruiser (I know...) to a Sony PS-LX300USB and couldn't believe the difference. Had that for two years and upgraded to this and honestly I'm blown away. I went through loads of reviews and this thing really lives up to the hype. It's so sturdy and feels incredibly well built. My old Sony was a hunk of plastic compared to this.It really is incredible. I had to give it four stars for being easy to use but that's when compared to the simple "plug in and play" style of my previous turntables. You have to manually set up the tone arm on this but it's worth that little bit of work.Sounds incredible, looks professional and I still can't believe I paid under £200 for it.

3.3.2020

I got this to replace a ghastly cheaper turntable which was a mistake and a waste of time. (They sell a lot on Amazon) Though not tricky to put together, I did notice that you have to screw the cartridge in just right in order for the pins to connect properly - if at first you get no response, either loosen or tighten the cartridge ring. Take some time with the anti-skid mechanism too. Make sure it is set down on a shock absorbent surface. It feels and looks a bit plasticky.That said, for the money this is very good. I think it does a competent job, but will look at going for a better cartridge in the future.

19.4.2020

Well this was my treat to me. If you want a quality player the brand speaks for itself.There are a number of thing i would suggest before you buy. How serious do you want a player. Setting up is a little complicated (for beginner) thank on line video on youtube helped me understand tbe settings for the stylus.It is a special sound listening to records and this has allowed me to go back in time.I read all tbe comments ans searched the web for this as my final choice. Im mire than happy to recommend this system. I bought Edifier R1700BT (after reading reviews) speakers to go with it and it sounds amazing.

11.5.2020

I’ve had a “bog-standard” turntable as part of a stacked separates system for years - finally got round to upgrading the turntable after a YEAR of trawling the internet reviews.Really happy with this - can genuinely hear the improvement in sound quality and fidelity (something I regularly dismissed of the cheaper end of the market product reviews).Supplied by third-party seller Richer Sounds. I actually live 7 miles from their nearest outlet, but obviously can’t access it at the moment. Thank you so much for your prompt service and delivery - much appreciated.

22.4.2020

Been debating buying a turntable (Previous LP120) for couple of years now and finally decided to get the LP120X as its the NEW updated model. Delighted with my decision. From opening the box you can tell all components are good quality and once its all set up and paired with some speakers, You will not regret it. Set up is pretty straight forward,adds to nostalgic experience.Instruction wise, information easy to follow with plenty of set up videos on You Tube should you require any help. 5 Stars

8.4.2020

I have a reasonable vinyl record collection but some new records aren’t pressed with the same precision as the old school ones I have. My old turntable used to slide across some of them due to their warped shape.I opted for this one - the best in its price range I thought and I was right, it’s easy to set up sounds great through my matching silver vintage stacking system. Haven’t had any records jump or skate using this turntable.Hope this is helpful

2.6.2020

Excellent performance and features from this turntable which replaces the LP120USB and is an improvement on that model. Improvements include the target light which is now replaceable and alsothe antiskate feature which never worked on the earlier model has been modified, as has speed stability. The AT95E cartridge gives a smooth performance which I can't faultOverall a very good turntable which I woud highly recommend.

2.3.2020

This is a great little turntable for the money. Connections are simple to make and the turntable is simple to setup. However, I forgot to switch the button on the back of the turntable from Phono to Line which is why there was a feeble volume initially. Once the button was switched, the volume was fine. For the money, this is good value and if I had to do it all over again, I'd be happy purchasing the item.

13.2.2020

This is an excellent turntable . Very easy to use and wonderful sound.. It plays all my LP's from the late 1960's and my ever growing collection of new Albums perfectly. Looks very expensive and well made. The only slight problem was the set-up instructions when attaching the speakers. Not easy to follow but we got there in the end and the result was amazing. Thankyou!

11.5.2020

Niiiiice. Looks great and sounds great. Especially if you take the stylus guard off lol, (oops). Find it easy to use and set up, (need to have amplifier as no built in speakers). Love the guides to make sure record set to right speed angle self set up to balance arm.Only thing as I wish arm would return to rest at end of record. But still great value.

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