Turntables

Ok I'm back into vinyl again and I'm looking at buying a new turntable, I'm looking at buying this one >>>Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB Record Turntable.

You can watch the video here>>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRiQsam3-SM

I have a Pioneer PL-600 which is belt driven and an older turntable. I also have a technics but I had to not use it anymore because of some cartridge issues and instead of buying a new cartridge I want a new one. Both of these models are at least 15+ years old and both are straight arm tracking. I want S-shape tracking and direct drive.

I've looked into a number of new turntables and this is about what I want to pay and to me this is the best turntable for the money. This goes for about $204 on ebay from dealers the price jumps to about $250.

You can read the spects on it below:

.: AT-LP120-USB Direct-Drive Professional Turntable (USB & Analog) :.
MSRP* US$299.95
*Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price.| Actual selling price may vary; please check with an authorized Audio-Technica dealer.

This professional stereo turntable features a high-torque direct-drive motor for quick start-ups and a USB output that connects directly to your computer. Other features include: forward and reverse play capability; cast aluminum platter with slip mat and a start/stop button; three speeds 33/45/78; selectable high-accuracy quartz-controlled pitch lock and pitch change slider control with +/-10% or +/-20% adjustment ranges; and removable hinged dust cover. A selectable internal stereo phono pre-amplifier allows the turntable to plug directly to components with no dedicated turntable input. A USB cable and adapter cables are included along with Mac- and PC-compatible Audacity software to digitize your LPs.

AT-LP120-USB Direct-Drive Professional Turntable

USB output—connects directly to your computer for plug-&-play use

Mac- and PC-compatible Audacity software digitizes your LPs

Direct drive high-torque motor

Selectable 33/45/78 RPM speeds

Professional cast aluminum platter with slip mat

½-inch mount universal headshell with Dual Magnet™ phono cartridge

Balanced tone arm with soft damping control

Switchable built-in pre-amplifier with line-level RCA output cables

Included cables connect to your stereo or powered speakers

Stroboscopic platter speed indicator

Forward and reverse play


Includes

Direct Drive Professional Stereo USB turntable

Mac- and PC-compatible Audacity software

USB cable

Adapter cables


System requirements

PC or Mac with an available USB port (USB1.1 or higher)

CD-R or CD-RW writer for burning CDs & installation

Includes Audacity software for PC & Mac users
Audacity requires Mac running OS X 10.1 or later or PC running Windows (98 and above)


SPECIFICATIONS
Type 3-speed, fully manual operation
Motor DC motor
Drive Method Direct Drive Direct drive
Speeds 33-1/3 RPM, 45 RPM, 78 RPM
Pitch Variation +/-10% or +/-20%
Turntable Platter Die-cast aluminum
Starting Torque >1.6 kgf-cm
Braking System Electronic brake
Wow and Flutter <0.2% WRMS (33 RPM)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio >50 dB
Output Level Pre-amp "PHONO": 2.5 mV nominal at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec
Pre-amp "LINE": 150 mV nominal at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec
Phono Pre-Amp Gain 36 dB nominal, RIAA equalized
USB Function A/D, D/A - 16 bit 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz USB selectable;
Computer interface - USB 1.1 Compliant Windows XP, Vista or MAC OSX
Power Supply Requirements 115/230V AC, 60/50 Hz
Power Consumption 11W
Dimensions 450.0 mm (17.72") W x 352.0 mm (13.86") D x 157.0 mm (6.1") H

Weight 10.7 kg (23.5 lbs.)
Accessories Included Headshell/cartridge (ATP-2); AC line cord; dual RCA (female) to 3.5 mm (1/8") mini-plug (male) stereo adapter cable; dual RCA (female) to 3.5 mm (1/8") mini-plug (female) stereo adapter cable; 45 RPM adapter; USB cable; recording software
Replacement Cartridge ATP-2 (Bonded round shank)


So what do you think, in addition this is capable of converting vinyl to puter which I like because I do have some vinyl that is not on cd.

Wargod52

Wargod - this is the one have I have, it's a GREAT turntable!!!!! I got it from buy.com and they have it for $211 right now. Go for it!!!

http://www.buy.com/prod/audio-technica-at-lp120-usb-record-turntable-direct-drive-1-4-lbf-in/q/loc/111/212802257.html

thejokeriv wrote:

Wargod - this is the one have I have, it's a GREAT turntable!!!!! I got it from buy.com and they have it for $211 right now. Go for it!!!

http://www.buy.com/prod/audio-technica-at-lp120-usb-record-turntable-direct-drive-1-4-lbf-in/q/loc/111/212802257.html

Well I bought it today I didn't find anything else close to it should work out good for me.

Wargod52

Sometimes simpler is best. When my turntable gives up the ghost, I might try one of those ?

I have had mine since 1976 and am on stylus #4 ! (If memory serves me correct) Still have a couple left in the same bag that has replacement tubes for the tunes. JVC product my cousin got in Japan after shipping out from Nam in 75'.

I've read reviews on the capablities of converting vinyl to mp3 on the turntable alot say that is the one thing that is bad about it. It converts to low, but i have a home audion cd burner that I use to burn vinyl.

I also bought a new Audio Technica cartridge as well, the cartridge that comes with has to high of tracking force which digs into the album this one tracks at around 1.00-1.75.

Not sure many know that track force on your arms is important for the longevity of you album.

Wargod52

Wargod48 wrote:

Not sure many know that track force on your arms is important for the longevity of you album.

Wargod52

I have a counter weight on mine, that needs adjusting from time to time.

Gravity is a bummer

Yes you need that counterweight for your tracking force. The cartridge or right cartridge is essential for correct tracking. some cartridges track anywhere from 1.5-3.0 ideally it should be anywhere from .75-1.75 this is best and helps your longevity of your albums.

Wargod52

Well my new turntable came today along with my other cartridge, so I swapping the one one that came with it and putting on the new. This with will track at around 1.50 right amount of pressure so I won't ruin the album.

Haven't setted it up yet but put it together, I need to make a platform for it. It's to big so it won't fit where I want it to go. This dam thing is heavy the heaviest turntable I've ever had.

Wargod52

James B. wrote:

Sometimes simpler is best. When my turntable gives up the ghost, I might try one of those ?

I have had mine since 1976 and am on stylus #4 ! (If memory serves me correct) Still have a couple left in the same bag that has replacement tubes for the tunes. JVC product my cousin got in Japan after shipping out from Nam in 75'.

I hope mine never "gives up the ghost", LOL. I bought it used way back in the 80's. It is one of the old Sony turntables that the platter slides out. That way other components can stack on top.

Over the years it has been my way to transfer so many vinyl records onto CD.

Hey WG, How's that new turntable working out?

I still have my jeans turntable from way back in the day

chewie wrote:

Hey WG, How's that new turntable working out?

Working out great glad I bought. At first though something wasn't right I could cracking and my low ends were not sounding right. I thought my cartridge was lined up a little off but it was fine. I finally figured out it was my speakers, my tweets went out which sucked. I had another set of pioneers so I hooked them up. I loved those Advents I had much better speaker than the Pioneers.

I thought maybe the the fuse went out so I bought a pack of them put them in and heard them and thought yeah. But after hooking up my old turntable they sounded like chit. Even thru the cd player so then I knew the speakers were shot. I thought I could fix them but I can'y access any of the speakers to change them for new ones. The front cover doesn't come off and now way to get in the pack. Maybe I'll cut the fabric and see that way and mabe just leave it off on both speaks.

Or maybe later this summer buy some new speaks.

Wargod52

WG,
Was that your comment on the Youtube clip about that feller tearing apart his AT-LP120?
He should have bought what he wanted instead of laying waste to that turntable.

Wargod48 wrote:

chewie wrote:

Hey WG, How's that new turntable working out?

Working out great glad I bought. At first though something wasn't right I could cracking and my low ends were not sounding right. I thought my cartridge was lined up a little off but it was fine. I finally figured out it was my speakers, my tweets went out which sucked. I had another set of pioneers so I hooked them up. I loved those Advents I had much better speaker than the Pioneers.

I thought maybe the the fuse went out so I bought a pack of them put them in and heard them and thought yeah. But after hooking up my old turntable they sounded like chit. Even thru the cd player so then I knew the speakers were shot. I thought I could fix them but I can'y access any of the speakers to change them for new ones. The front cover doesn't come off and now way to get in the pack. Maybe I'll cut the fabric and see that way and mabe just leave it off on both speaks.

Or maybe later this summer buy some new speaks.

Wargod52

Cool - I love it and it is the by far the best turntable I have ever owned - better than the JVC I used to have!

chewie wrote:

WG,
Was that your comment on the Youtube clip about that feller tearing apart his AT-LP120?
He should have bought what he wanted instead of laying waste to that turntable.

Yup that was me, I mean come on buy a turntable that is right. Why buy one tear it apart and cut wires, once done there is no bringing it back to what it once was. I mean those turntables usually run about $230 I was lucky when I got mine at $200.

Wargod52

I'm getting this turntable, Kenwood KD-3055, free from a co-worker today. He says it's in good condition. The only thing he didn't check is the stylus, but I'm not gonna complain if it's free, it works and only needs minor maintenance!

Wargod wrote:

I've read reviews on the capablities of converting vinyl to mp3 on the turntable alot say that is the one thing that is bad about it. It converts to low, but i have a home audion cd burner that I use to burn vinyl.

I also bought a new Audio Technica cartridge as well, the cartridge that comes with has to high of tracking force which digs into the album this one tracks at around 1.00-1.75.

Not sure many know that track force on your arms is important for the longevity of you album.

Wargod52

Hey Wargod, I'm seriously considering upgrading my Pioneer PL-990 turntable to the AT LP 120. After living with the AT LP 120 for a couple of months now, how do you like it? (I wonder if the sound quality would really be superior to my Pioneer.)

Also I've read that the track force on the pre-installed stylus is 3.0 to 5.0, but that recommendation is for DJ's. It can actually be reduced to 2.0 and play great.

Thoughts?

I just bought a Audio Technica PEQ3 Phono Preamp for my "new" free turntable.


I just pulled a picture off of the net.

Mine is a Kenwood KD-3055 with a Grado GF3 Cartridge and Stylus(which is a Grado Blue now).

JBall_Z wrote:

Wargod wrote:

I've read reviews on the capablities of converting vinyl to mp3 on the turntable alot say that is the one thing that is bad about it. It converts to low, but i have a home audion cd burner that I use to burn vinyl.

I also bought a new Audio Technica cartridge as well, the cartridge that comes with has to high of tracking force which digs into the album this one tracks at around 1.00-1.75.

Not sure many know that track force on your arms is important for the longevity of you album.

Wargod52

Hey Wargod, I'm seriously considering upgrading my Pioneer PL-990 turntable to the AT LP 120. After living with the AT LP 120 for a couple of months now, how do you like it? (I wonder if the sound quality would really be superior to my Pioneer.)

Also I've read that the track force on the pre-installed stylus is 3.0 to 5.0, but that recommendation is for DJ's. It can actually be reduced to 2.0 and play great.

Thoughts?

Well my new Audio Technica is far superior to my Technics in all areas, the sound is incrediable especially when dealing with direct drive. My thoughts on the cartridge that comes with the turntable is I'd buy and new one for it if you want the tracking force of 1.50 - 2.0 I'd recommend that in order to save groove wear on your albums. The heavier the tracking force lets say 3 - 5 is not recommend if your playing vinyl.
It's up to you of course but lower track force is much better and I think sound wise it's better than heavier. I also think lighter track IMO you won't get much skipping at least with mine and the way it's set up.
Pioneer is good but I really like my Audio Technica.

Wargod

Wargod wrote:

JBall_Z wrote:

Wargod wrote:

I've read reviews on the capablities of converting vinyl to mp3 on the turntable alot say that is the one thing that is bad about it. It converts to low, but i have a home audion cd burner that I use to burn vinyl.

I also bought a new Audio Technica cartridge as well, the cartridge that comes with has to high of tracking force which digs into the album this one tracks at around 1.00-1.75.

Not sure many know that track force on your arms is important for the longevity of you album.

Wargod52

Hey Wargod, I'm seriously considering upgrading my Pioneer PL-990 turntable to the AT LP 120. After living with the AT LP 120 for a couple of months now, how do you like it? (I wonder if the sound quality would really be superior to my Pioneer.)

Also I've read that the track force on the pre-installed stylus is 3.0 to 5.0, but that recommendation is for DJ's. It can actually be reduced to 2.0 and play great.

Thoughts?

Well my new Audio Technica is far superior to my Technics in all areas, the sound is incrediable especially when dealing with direct drive. My thoughts on the cartridge that comes with the turntable is I'd buy and new one for it if you want the tracking force of 1.50 - 2.0 I'd recommend that in order to save groove wear on your albums. The heavier the tracking force lets say 3 - 5 is not recommend if your playing vinyl.
It's up to you of course but lower track force is much better and I think sound wise it's better than heavier. I also think lighter track IMO you won't get much skipping at least with mine and the way it's set up.
Pioneer is good but I really like my Audio Technica.

Wargod

I have to agree with you since I have the same turntable and it sounds awesome and better than any one I have ever had in the past!!!!!

thejokeriv wrote:

Wargod wrote:

JBall_Z wrote:

Wargod wrote:

I've read reviews on the capablities of converting vinyl to mp3 on the turntable alot say that is the one thing that is bad about it. It converts to low, but i have a home audion cd burner that I use to burn vinyl.

I also bought a new Audio Technica cartridge as well, the cartridge that comes with has to high of tracking force which digs into the album this one tracks at around 1.00-1.75.

Not sure many know that track force on your arms is important for the longevity of you album.

Wargod52

Hey Wargod, I'm seriously considering upgrading my Pioneer PL-990 turntable to the AT LP 120. After living with the AT LP 120 for a couple of months now, how do you like it? (I wonder if the sound quality would really be superior to my Pioneer.)

Also I've read that the track force on the pre-installed stylus is 3.0 to 5.0, but that recommendation is for DJ's. It can actually be reduced to 2.0 and play great.

Thoughts?

Well my new Audio Technica is far superior to my Technics in all areas, the sound is incrediable especially when dealing with direct drive. My thoughts on the cartridge that comes with the turntable is I'd buy and new one for it if you want the tracking force of 1.50 - 2.0 I'd recommend that in order to save groove wear on your albums. The heavier the tracking force lets say 3 - 5 is not recommend if your playing vinyl.
It's up to you of course but lower track force is much better and I think sound wise it's better than heavier. I also think lighter track IMO you won't get much skipping at least with mine and the way it's set up.
Pioneer is good but I really like my Audio Technica.

Wargod

I have to agree with you since I have the same turntable and it sounds awesome and better than any one I have ever had in the past!!!!!

Excellent. Thanks for the advice. lpgear.com is selling an improved AT LP120 turntable for $309 plus s/h. It includes an AT95SE phono cartridge and a noise-isolating Z Mat. Both upgrades are lovingly pre-installed and calibrated by the experts at lpgear. I'm thinking this would be good choice for me since I've never installed a phono cartridge in my life. Or I can just go with stock for now, it's cheaper, and upgrade the stylus to say an ATN-3. Regardless, I've got to convince my wife that I really need this turntable.

JBall_Z wrote:

thejokeriv wrote:

Wargod wrote:

JBall_Z wrote:

Wargod wrote:

I've read reviews on the capablities of converting vinyl to mp3 on the turntable alot say that is the one thing that is bad about it. It converts to low, but i have a home audion cd burner that I use to burn vinyl.

I also bought a new Audio Technica cartridge as well, the cartridge that comes with has to high of tracking force which digs into the album this one tracks at around 1.00-1.75.

Not sure many know that track force on your arms is important for the longevity of you album.

Wargod52

Hey Wargod, I'm seriously considering upgrading my Pioneer PL-990 turntable to the AT LP 120. After living with the AT LP 120 for a couple of months now, how do you like it? (I wonder if the sound quality would really be superior to my Pioneer.)

Also I've read that the track force on the pre-installed stylus is 3.0 to 5.0, but that recommendation is for DJ's. It can actually be reduced to 2.0 and play great.

Thoughts?

Well my new Audio Technica is far superior to my Technics in all areas, the sound is incrediable especially when dealing with direct drive. My thoughts on the cartridge that comes with the turntable is I'd buy and new one for it if you want the tracking force of 1.50 - 2.0 I'd recommend that in order to save groove wear on your albums. The heavier the tracking force lets say 3 - 5 is not recommend if your playing vinyl.
It's up to you of course but lower track force is much better and I think sound wise it's better than heavier. I also think lighter track IMO you won't get much skipping at least with mine and the way it's set up.
Pioneer is good but I really like my Audio Technica.

Wargod

I have to agree with you since I have the same turntable and it sounds awesome and better than any one I have ever had in the past!!!!!

Excellent. Thanks for the advice. lpgear.com is selling an improved AT LP120 turntable for $309 plus s/h. It includes an AT95SE phono cartridge and a noise-isolating Z Mat. Both upgrades are lovingly pre-installed and calibrated by the experts at lpgear. I'm thinking this would be good choice for me since I've never installed a phono cartridge in my life. Or I can just go with stock for now, it's cheaper, and upgrade the stylus to say an ATN-3. Regardless, I've got to convince my wife that I really need this turntable.

Installing new cartridges on the headshell is actually quite easy directions are there for you. The tricky part is connecting the colored wires right, I usually write those down. It is nice though to have an extra cartridge just in case for some reason the other one goes bad.

Wargod

Here's my "new" portable phonograph. It's bitchin'!!!! Playing Traffic - John Barleycorn Must Die in that pic.

chewie wrote:

Here's my "new" portable phonograph. It's bitchin'!!!! Playing Traffic - John Barleycorn Must Die in that pic.

THAT looks like the exact record player I had until I was 13 or 14. It was left behind by my older brothers, along with a bunch of 45 rpm 7" singles from the 1950s/60s.

Beautiful!

I'm still using the same turntable I've had since the late 90's. It's a Technics 1800, no idea when it was made, I bought it used originally. It's similar to the 1200 but doesn't have the pitch control slider (it has a pitch wheel on the front instead).

here's a stock picture I found online: