Featured USB Turntable: Audio Technica AT-LP120 USB Turntable Review

Audio Technica ATLP120 Professional Turntable

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Total Customer Reviews: (124)

Sale Price: $206.89

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Over the years there has been a surge in the amount of USB turntables released that allow you to archive or convert your record collection to digital files, including the Audio Technica AT-LP120. Most of these turntables either force you to make a choice between features that are missing in the less expensive models or a higher price for the ones with the features. The Audio Technica AT-LP120 is a unique USB turntable that eliminates the need for compromise and still delivers an amazing value for its reasonable price.

The Audio Technica AT-LP120 is positioned as a professional model and really lives up to this billing. For starters, it features a heavy duty, direct drive motor with very high torque. This ensures a consistent speed while still providing for a very quick start and stop of the record.

The Audio Technica AT-LP120 also provides the ability to start and stop the turntable remotely which makes recording easier as well. The platter used on the Audio Technica ATLP120 is aluminum and very substantial which helps it reduce the wow and flutter found on less expensive models.

This turntable also features both a 33 and 45 RPM setting as well as a 78 RPM setting for playing your older records. This is a major distinction from many of the other turntables on the market and can help you eliminate the need for an additional turntable to play these records.

The cartridge featured in the Audio Technica AT-LP120 is a very good magnetic model and will work fine for most users. Here again, many of the other less expensive models will include a ceramic cartridge that unlike the Audio Technica AT-LP120, won’t allow you to replace it with a better cartridge. Since the Audio Technica AT-LP120 uses standard mounting for its cartridge, you can easily upgrade it to any of the other magnetic cartridges available.

The turntable also provides a digital preamplifier to allow you to use it on various stereo receivers as a regular turntable when you’re not converting your record collection. By having this pre-amplifier included, you can use it on a lot of the newer stereo’s that only feature a “Line In” connection and have eliminated the older “Phono” connection of years past. Even though the Audio Technica AT-LP120 is really being marketed as a USB turntable, its nice to be able to use it on your stereo as well.

The folks that designed the Audio Technica AT-LP120 spent a lot of time on the tone arm construction and provide a wide variety of adjustments for tracking weight as well as anti-skid protection. This is critical so that you can find the perfect adjustments to play your records without causing the undue wear of tracking too heavy.

The Audio Technica AT-LP120 also includes the Audacity recording software suite that will make recording your records a snap. This software allows you to make adjustments to the audio being recorded and will also help you organize your collection for playback.

Considering all the features the Audio Technica AT-LP120 packs into a moderately priced USB turntable, it is an amazing value even when compared to turntables costing twice as much. This USB turntable will help you preserve your record collection today and enjoy your music for years to come.