Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB Manual Direct-Drive Turntable (Analogue & USB)

Product Information

And it all sits on four big, extremely compliant, rubbery feet. As such, there’s a welcome degree of “give” should the turntable be leaned upon at any point. The feet also help reject vibration, which can only be a good thing.

So, my plan right now is to spend the time and money needed to get the most performance out of my AT-LP120. After you connect your RCA cables and ground wire, you’ll need to connect the other end to your amplifier. How you do this depends on whether or not you want to use the built in phono preamp of the AT-LP120X. Lastly, I think what’s important to know here is that you get both an analog and digital experience with this record player, which is quite helpful to some potential buyers. So years later, what makes the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB so special? Well, I think it’s a few things. One notable feature of the AT-LP120XUSB is its built-in phono preamplifier, allowing users to connect the turntable directly to powered speakers or amplifiers without the need for an additional preamp. This convenience enhances the overall user experience.So much for my design thoughts. The front left of the plinth provides the usual Technics-like power, start/stop and speed switches. That’s three speeds because 78rpm is catered for.

Of course, one record player looks pretty much like the next in the same way that one car looks broadly like another. So as far as the S-shaped tonearm, stroboscope, stop/start button and pitch control are concerned, at first (and second) glance they’re pretty familiar. The same goes for the die-cast aluminium anti-resonance platter. A felt mat is included – something I much prefer to the terrible moulded rubber options you often see at this price point – plus a hinged lid. Given a choice then between the 120x and the cheaper Lenco, I would try to save my pennies and buy the 120x instead. FLUANCE RT81But I now understand that the AT-LP120 is a very good foundation for a awesome HiFi turntable. If you are willing to spend a bit of time and money on modifying and upgrading it. Now, don’t get me wrong, there are much more robust record players on the market that cost much more money. But I think that’s exactly why I’m impressed with the AT-LP120XUSB. It gives the buyer more than enough quality to justify its price tag. This is quite an extensive list, so let’s move on from Technics for a minute and just reel them off.

Still, going the direct drive route with the AT-LP120XUSB allows for the turntable itself to start up fast and the record speed will be a bit more consistent because it’s not relying on additional parts to spin the platter that can, over time, wear out and need to be replaced. This will confirm that the USB audio is working on your Turntable and Computer. Once you have verified it is working, it is best practise to disable the 'Listen to this device' option again so that you can use the recording software with best effect, however you can re-enable it at any time that you need to hear what is being sent by the turntable through USB. But the higher output level of the VM540ML and the fact that it is an Audio-Technica product that potentially will be easier to fit and align on my AT-LP120 are two small factors that make the VM540ML the one that I will choose. Play a record on your turntable, and this should be playing through your computer speakers or output device. I mentioned that acoustic guitar strum bite and the raft of information around that simple motion. There was much more information around this area from the 120x. The Fluance nodded towards the acoustic guitar strums but never dwelt upon it so it held less importance in the mix. The 120x wanted you to hear it and feel its significance. The same should be said of the later cymbal taps which offered greater delicacy and fragility via the 120x.Examples of that can be found in the remaining Technics-eque design chic. The dual on/off and speed controls, the pitch slider, the tempo range button and the cheap-looking and rather bizarre cueing light. The sound quality for the AT-LP120XUSB is quite good, especially for its price. It’s not necessarily going to sound as good as a more expensive turntable (although the 120XUSB does indeed allow you to bypass the internal preamp and connect this turntable directly to an external preamp, thus being able to better control and improve your sound quality). But it doesn’t have to—sometimes getting good value for your money is enough.