Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB

Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB

A three-speed manual direct-drive turntable with a switchable phono stage, USB recording, adjustable tonearm setup and Audio-Technica's upgradeable AT-VM95E cartridge.

The AT-LP120XUSB sits in a useful middle ground. It is much more adjustable than Audio-Technica's automatic entry-level turntables, but it still includes the conveniences that make a first proper vinyl system easy to assemble. You can connect it to a conventional phono input, switch its internal phono stage on and feed a normal line input, or connect it to a computer by USB to digitise records.

The important part is that those conveniences do not remove the traditional turntable controls. The deck is fully manual, with adjustable tracking force and dynamic anti-skate, a removable headshell and a cartridge that can be upgraded without replacing the whole cartridge body.

Direct Drive, Three Speeds and Manual Control

A practical deck for listeners who want to be involved in playback.

The DC servo direct-drive motor supports 33-1/3, 45 and 78 RPM. Quartz speed lock, a stroboscopic platter and selectable +/-8% or +/-16% pitch adjustment give the LP120XUSB a level of speed control that is unusual on a normal domestic turntable.

For most hi-fi owners the pitch slider will spend its life locked at the correct speed. The more useful point is that the deck starts quickly, supports 78 RPM records and gives you a clear way to confirm platter speed. It is a very different ownership experience from a fully automatic belt-drive model.

AT-VM95E Cartridge and a Sensible Upgrade Path

The supplied cartridge is a better long-term feature than the USB socket.

Audio-Technica fits the AT-VM95E moving-magnet cartridge to an AT-HS6 universal 1/2-inch headshell. The supplied 0.3 x 0.7 mil elliptical stylus is a solid starting point, but the real advantage is compatibility with the wider VM95 stylus family. That gives an owner a straightforward future upgrade without immediately changing the cartridge body and rethinking the whole front end.

The removable headshell also makes cartridge changes and maintenance easier. If you want to explore different cartridges later, the LP120XUSB gives you a much better platform for doing it than a fixed-cartridge automatic deck.

Built-In Phono Stage or External Phono Stage

Useful flexibility when the amplifier changes.

The switchable phono preamplifier provides both phono-level and line-level output. That means the turntable can feed an amplifier with a dedicated phono input, a normal AUX or line input, or many powered speakers without a separate phono box.

For a first system, the internal stage keeps the setup simple. If the rest of the system becomes more ambitious later, switching to a better external phono stage is an easy upgrade rather than a reason to replace the turntable.

USB Recording Is Handy, With Clear Limits

Useful for archiving a collection rather than a high-resolution recording front end.

The USB interface supports 16-bit audio at 44.1kHz or 48kHz. That is perfectly practical for transferring records to a computer and creating convenient digital copies, but buyers should understand the specification rather than assume the USB connection is a high-resolution studio interface.

If digitising vinyl is important, record condition, cartridge setup and recording level will matter at least as much as the presence of the USB socket.

Setup Still Matters

It is approachable, but it is still a real manual turntable.

The balanced S-shaped tonearm uses adjustable tracking force, adjustable anti-skate and a hydraulically damped lift. Take the time to level the deck, balance the arm correctly and set the cartridge tracking force rather than treating it like a plug-and-play record player.

The damped base and external AC adapter help keep unwanted vibration and power conversion away from the signal path, but the turntable still deserves a stable piece of furniture away from strong speaker or subwoofer vibration.

Key Features

• DC servo direct-drive motor
• Fully manual operation
• 33-1/3, 45 and 78 RPM playback
• Quartz speed lock with +/-8% or +/-16% pitch adjustment
• AT-VM95E moving-magnet cartridge with elliptical stylus
• AT-HS6 removable 1/2-inch headshell
• Adjustable tracking force and dynamic anti-skate
• Switchable built-in phono preamplifier
• USB output at 16-bit/44.1kHz or 48kHz
• Die-cast aluminium platter and removable dust cover

Specifications

Detailed Technical Specifications

For those who like to drag out all the useful bits

Important Notes

• This is a fully manual turntable. The arm does not automatically return at the end of a record.
• Correct tracking force, anti-skate and level setup are important for cartridge performance and record wear.
• The USB interface is limited to 16-bit/44.1kHz or 48kHz.
• 78 RPM playback may require a stylus suited to the record being played.

The Audio Experts Take

The AT-LP120XUSB is easy to recommend to someone who wants to learn the mechanics of vinyl rather than have the turntable do everything for them. It gives you proper adjustment, a removable headshell, three speeds and the VM95 cartridge platform, yet the switchable phono stage means it can still be connected to a very simple amplifier or pair of powered speakers. The USB output is useful for archiving records, but it is a convenience feature rather than the reason we would choose the deck. Its real strength is flexibility: start with the supplied VM95E, set the turntable up properly, then upgrade the stylus or phono stage later if the rest of the system justifies it.