Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB-BK Direct-Drive Turntable (Analog & USB), Fully Manual, Hi-Fi, 3 Speed, Convert Vinyl to Digital, Anti-Skate and Variable Pitch Control Black

10 reviews for Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB-BK Direct-Drive Turntable (Analog & USB), Fully Manual, Hi-Fi, 3 Speed, Convert Vinyl to Digital, Anti-Skate and Variable Pitch Control Black

1. 

   5 out of 5

   papaZ – March 24, 2020

   Wanted to listen to my albums from the mid-70’s in an attempt to recapture a portion of my youth. Bought this turntable, put on a Tower of Power album, and . . . Heard skips, hops, hisses and every other distracting noise from old, abused and over-played vinyl. I give this turntable 5 stars and the condition of my album collection 1 star. Thankfully Amazon granted a full refund on the turntable, but zero credit for my mis-spent youth.

2. 

   5 out of 5

   Jeffrey David BaileyJeffrey David Bailey – April 15, 2020

   This was my first turntable, and I found it pretty straightforward to setup with some help from YouTube. I did miss the switch from phono to the internal preamp at first, but quickly realized the issue when I had no volume from my speakers.The turntable is very quiet and has a quality feel about it. I like how gently the needle is dropped despite the manual action.No complaints so far! Enjoying my dads 70s rock albums!

3. 

   5 out of 5

   Patrick Vosse – May 17, 2020

   Before buying this turntable I researched reviews in the internet and EVERY review recommended this one without qualification. One reviewer said that not only was this turntable the best for beginners at any price, it would likely be the only one the would ever need. I agree 100%. It is heavy and well built, it exudes quality. When I put on the first record I was amazed at the sound. Obviously analog is more sophisticated than digital (smoother sine curve) but because of the price I was expecting some compromise, usually in the base. The sound starts with the cartridge and stylus and they can be expensive. In this case, however, you get a moving magnet cartridge with an elliptical stylus! The base extension will keep up with the best audio system you can afford.

4. 

   5 out of 5

   BENJAMIN MILER – June 26, 2020

   I never owned a Technics SL-1200 due to price, although I’ve heard of the Audio Technica LP-120 for ages as a knockoff of the SL-1200. The reason I never bothered with the LP-120 was due to several flaws: like the pre-amp, uneven platter, motor noise, and anti-skate (which apparently was corrected in 2017). But then in 2019 the LP-120 was being discontinued and in its place is the LP-120X USB. I am happy to report that all the problems that plagued the original 120 is absent here. The anti-skate works beautifully. The platter is completely level. I don’t hear any motor noise. There were a couple features now missing, including reverse and tonearm leveler, neither features I’ve ever encountered on any turntable I’ve ever owned (although the latter feature would be nice). As the 120X is being aimed for home use, not DJ use is likely the reasons those features were being jettisoned. Most people don’t know how to properly level a tonearm to begin with, and with the reverse feature, I never really shown much interest in finding hidden messages to Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” or Judas Priest’s cover of Spooky Tooth’s “Better By You, Better Than Me” (which landed Priest in court in 1990). Besides the standard cartridge like the Audio Technica VMN95E, which comes with the 120X, (or better cartridges like the Audio Technica 440MLa or the Ortofon 2m Blue) weren’t meant for playing records in reverse (you need a DJ stylus for that). Also many have commented the 120x is a couple pounds lighter than the original 120 but again, I never owned the original 120. It’s certainly quite a bit heavier than my 1977 Technics SL-2000 which is way too light and can easily cause the needle to jump even just doing normal footsteps (never mind stomping). I don’t have that problem of the 120x being so sensitive to nearby body motion. Apparently the new LP-140XP is for the DJ crowd as it has those bells and whistles now missing on the new 120X, so if that’s what you want, get the 140XP instead. I also love that turntable has a quartz lock feature so you don’t have to keep fiddling with the speed the way you might with an older direct drive turntable, like the SL-2000, but you can still change speed, for example if the disc is a bit heavy and causes it to slow a bit, or you replaced the felt mat it came with, with a rubber mat. Also I replaced the VMN95E with an Ortofon 2m Blue (on an Ortofon Blue headshell, appropriately), and the discs sound great. I do realize you can replace the VMN95E with any other series of VMN95 styli without needing a new body, meaning if you bought a VMN95SH, you get a stylus with a Shibata tip, which is the same tip used for the Ortofon 2m Black but only a fraction of the price (how it compares to the Ortofon 2m Black, I can’t say as I own neither).I am sure if I was able to get a Technics SL-1200 I would be totally amazed with it, but given my budget, the LP120X still blows me away. And if you got fed up with the Crosley Cruiser, I very highly recommend the LP120X. Also I highly recommend it to anyone getting into turntables. Bypass the Cruiser and go for this instead.

5. 

   5 out of 5

   Tom C – August 1, 2020

   This unit is a SIGNIFICANT improvement to the previous unit but lacks in features, some possibly required such as the height adjustment feature for larger cartridges. It has less torque than the original model without a reverse feature. These two factors make this model unable to support DJ and light commercial use as in the predecessor however AT just released a much more expensive model that is designed for DJ use making this model designed for audiophile use only. The previous model combined both markets with compromises. The anti-skating issue with the earlier model was enough to compel me to get this turntable immediately and I am so glad I did.I must say Audio-Technica with this upgrade eliminated all sources of upper-end frequency loss and interference with the newer, although weaker motor. It is difficult to say whether there is any turntable that can offer both the audiophile and DJ experience without exerting some compromise. For me, the serious music listener, this model compromises nothing and is a welcome upgrade for the audiophile ear.

6. 

   5 out of 5

   Ken S. – August 24, 2020

   So far, I’ve been using this turntable for about 2 days now and for the most part, it seems to be a good, sturdy Turntable with a lot of features for the price. There have been some reports of the motor and PC board burning up in the previous model so hopefully AT has addressed that problem in this model. Only time will tell. To help combat this, I have the unit’s power hooked up to my Receivers switched power source so it’s not on internally 24/7.The speed is dead-on which is obviously hugely important and the tonearm appears to be of good smooth quality and allows for precision tracking weight and anti-skating adjustment. Don’t have much of use for 78 RPM, but you never know. The USB-out feature turned out to be something I wasn’t sure I was going to use but after dialing in Audacity (Which took some time to set up), I will definitely be transferring some of my rare vinyl to digital. It would’ve been helpful to have the owners manual as I didn’t know you have to switch the output to Pre-amp out which also includes USB out. However there’s an annoying mid/high frequency buzz coming from the USB feature. I’m hoping a better quality cable will resolve it. Fortunately, the manual was available on line.The only reason I’m not giving this product a full 5 stars (As of now) is because the included AT-VM95E Cartridge/stylus (although Elliptical) seems to generate a large amount of Low-Frequency feedback when I attempt to reach higher volume levels. Something that doesn’t happen with my AT-216EP Cartridge and Stylus mounted on an Ortofon SH-4 head shell. Not sure why. My sub is on the opposite side of the room and not set to high gain. Perhaps it’s a lack of decent shielding within this entry-level cartridge. I like that it has a storage hole on the deck to store the primary or secondary head shell as I’ll be regularly swapping these heads depending on my mood.As with any new unit added to your system, some tweaking will need to be done and I’m lucky I had a back-up quality stylus to add to the unit. I’d definitely recommend swapping out this starter Cartridge with something better. Other than that, it appears to be a good Turntable for the money.Update: Audio Technica was able to assist me in finding the cause of the buzzing I was encountering while Digital transferring. Apparently, if you have the RCA cables still hooked up when using the USB feature, that causes the buzz. Although it’s a hassle to have to disconnect the RCA lines every time you want to use the USB, it did solve the problem so I’ve increased my rating. So far, so good!

7. 

   5 out of 5

   Rob – August 24, 2020

   I purchased this turntable in January 2020, in the US (I live in Brazil). I was fortunate to escape the pandemia, just in time. The box with the product was delivered to the hotel where I was, in perfect conditions. I did not open it. I travelled with the closed box back to Brazil. It fits inside the compartments for personal luggage in the airplane.At home, I assembled the turntable very easily. The instructions are crystal clear, easy to follow.One sad thing: my receiver doesn’t has a proper turntable input (usually phono). Thus, I connected to the tape input, and selected the mono mode playing. Very sad I can’t hear in stereo, but this was the best choice to listen the records.Even though, the turntable works beautifully, with a great sound. I have very old records I inherited from my grandfather, some real precious LPs, classical music and jazz. I am astonished with the sound quality of the records. I should mention that my grandfather took great care of his LPs, so no one of them was damaged. I am very much enjoying original records played by Arthur Rubinstein, Karajan, Serkin and Ormandy, Bernstein, Dave Brubeck, among many other. I had many other that belong to me as well, including the original 1969 Abbey Road, some Cat Stevens, Santana, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, All Things Must Pass, John Lennon’s Rock and Roll Music, I haven’t listened for decades.This was a great acquisition. I reccomend.

8. 

   5 out of 5

   Brandon O’Neill – August 24, 2020

   The media could not be loaded.  A few years ago, my record player died on me but I had a spare I found at a thrift store. I had been using that for a while but it was also starting to have issues (it was only $10 so whatever). I did a ton of research and decided on this one.I work from home and play a lot of vinyl. All I can really say is wow! If I had any idea of the absolute difference in quality I would have bought this years ago. I didn’t even think that my old player sounded bad but this just blows it out of the water.This thing is absolutely heavy duty, the base is sturdy, the feet allow you to twist them so that you can perfectly level the unit (you can see the weight/leveling accessory I purchased in my video).It is easy to set up, the lights are very nice, the cover is crystal clear and it just looks awesome overall.I can’t say I’ve found any cons in about a month of use and I think it’s pretty much a steal for the price.

9. 

   5 out of 5

   Joe TeddJoe Tedd – August 24, 2020

   I just received my new AT-LP120XUSB-BK turntable, after realize a purchase I made of an Eonsix crappy bare bones device which was literally a piece of junk, in spit of the initial thought I bought it just to easily transfer some lp’s to a memory stick was all I needed, but the renewed audiophile in me, along with just some basisc standard requirements, like actually having the product I purchase, work as expected (which the Eonsix DID NOT, but this AT-LP120XUSB-BK MOST CERTAINLY DOES! !, made eating the cost of that other piece of junk a little more palatable for me.First off, to say this turntable is a good entry level TT for beginners I would have to say, eh? maybe a beginner who has an idea of what setting up turntable up and knows how to balance a tone arm, set anti-skating & such up, if your not really familiar with those tasks, or afraid you may send your needle crashing to the platter & screwing up the stylus, then you may want to steer clear of this item.For those who absolutely know the difference (and can hear it) between a decent TT, with better than average stylus, this is for you! The item came packaged new, and well. Took me all of about 10 minutes to unbox & set it up, & start playing some vintage 45’s and albums from my collection. Symbolically – the first 45 I chose to place on my new TT was Eric Clapton’s “Hello Old Friend”, because it’s truly nice to hear vinyl again!The build of this turntable, everything from how it’s packaged and the accessories provided, wreaks of quality & thoughtful’ness for the end user to enjoy a quality listening experience. Years ago, I owned a Techniques SL-1200 Mark 2 TT which was the pride of my listening experience, coupled with a stanton 500EEE cartridge (considered to be pretty decent/broadcase standards at the time), so when I realized that piece of junk Eonsix TT wasn’t going to cut it for me from a feature or performance standard, I realized I’d have to up the budget & go for something that was familiar to me from a standards & performance spec, and with a heritage name that I felt I could trust, & that’s what lead me to purchase the AT-LP120XUSB.What I have learned in life and hold true for this purchase, you get what you pay for! This unit will put a small dent in your wallet, but you’re getting a fine piece of machinery with a solid build, a very decent, reasonable stylus that sports some decent spec’s, the added bonus of being able to play records (if you needed to) at 78-rpm, which (to be honest, I’d have gladly forgone if they provided a better (read as higher quality) 45-rpm adapter, the -ONLY- downfall of this AT-LP120XUSB-BK I can find, is the plastic 45-rpm spindle that came packaged with the unit, I mean really, which when you consider all the other features packed into this unit, is almost insulting, because everything else just wreaks of quality, so I’m sure if Audio Technica ordered a couple hundred thousand quality metal 45-rpm adapters, the price they could have received to ensure every accessory that came packaged with this device would be 100% up to spec, would have had more of an impact than say, including the ability to play 78 rpm records, because seriously, in this, the 21st century, & for the demo this turntable is targeted to, who’s really going to utilize that feature.In an earlier iteration of this device, my understanding from researching the turntable, they have a reverse play feature. Really?.. like, were they expecting devil worshiping anthrax or beatle fans to be desiring to play their platters backwards and risk screwing up their needles ? or was it an ingenious marketing ploy to get people to order new styli when the ones that came with the device broke from playing their albums backwards?Well anyway, the reproduction of sound from the AT-LP120XUSB-BK is AMAZING!, I’m utilizing a new set of PreSonus monitor speakers, the Eris E3. 5 and they sound GREAT with this turntable, I utilize the turntables line out setting which drives the signal for the speakers wonderfully, & the audio quality is really warm, rich & wonderful.I would highly recommend this turntable (and even those speakers for that matter) if you’re looking to dive head first into the ankle deep waters of enjoying vintage vinyl, -OR- (like me) desired to revisit your vinyl collection and utilize a worthy turntable which will spotlight the sonic excellent of your audio collection, and do justice to it.If the AT-LP120XUSB turntable lasts as long as my old SL-1200 Mark 2 did (which easily had to be 20 years, and being heavily used at that, I think I replaced the stylus on that TT about three or four times, and only 1 cartridge change out when you couldn’t but just the 500EEE styli separately any longer, I’m hoping at my age now – this will be the last turntable I’ll wind up buying, which will bring me at least as many (and hopefully more!) years of enjoyable audible pleasure.

10. 

    5 out of 5

    Average Joe – September 29, 2020

    I retired recently and had some time on my hands. This led to the inspired decision to buy a poker table–I like to gamble some, shoot me–and that led to feelings of nostalgia, which in turn drove me to choices made with regard to music. Then I went back over 50 years to the world of vinyl LP’s. The first music I listened and took to were the albums of my father: Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bennett, and Nancy Wilson. Then the sounds of my youth: Motown, the Eagles, James Taylor, James Ingram, Chicago, the Doobie Brothers, and so on. My son, actually, knows the current technology, I told him my plan, my music, my budget, and we decided upon this AT-120 turntable to get the ball rolling (just in case you’re interested, I also bought a pair of Klipsch 51PM bookshelf speakers: sweet! Hell, even I knew who they were). This turntable is very, very good, and I would honestly tell you the best choice in this price range. Okay, I have no real experience with other choices in this price range, but I’d bet real money on ’em. Very easy to set up, took less than 30 minutes from unpacking to listening. And the sound, I’ll tell ya, brought me back over half a century. Man I’m old. But with age comes a knowledge of who you are and defines what you like. I more than like this turntable. How many purchases can you make that reaches a part of you from long ago? To happy memories and some of the best times? It is like buying a little romance. This was a great buy for me, and if there’s a part of you that is looking for something similar, your search is over. Just put it in the cart and then move on to the speakers (remember, Klipsch). You’ll be happy. And if you’re up to lose or win a few bucks with the sound of smooth jazz filling the room, just lower your window and drive through my neighborhood. Follow the music, it’ll take you right to me.