scarlettears Yep. I find hearing surface noise to be satisfying, especially because it reminds me that I am listening to glorious vinyl, and not cassettes, CDs, or digital files.
+scarlettears I found an original Dark Side of the Moon for 5$ at my local store and (having never heard the album before) was in love with the pops and crackles that played throughout the whole thing
ThePeggler Interesting. I have the 2015 reissue of Moving Pictures (I'm a huge Rush fan), and though I have not played the actual vinyl, apparently the pressing was mastered in a way that had minimal surface noise, though even on the digital files from the download card (which happen to be ripped from the actual vinyl), you could still occasionally hear a few pops. :D
Anthony Martin Pretty much if you're hearing it at all. I have heard perfectly clean and functional records and they have absolutely no noise at all. :D
Audio equipment set-ups are traditionally tested with Steely Dan albums...you'll find out why when you do it.
9 лет назад
Mesmerizing. Sounds amazing, even through RU-vid. Thanks for making this video, I think once I'm really determined to buy LP's I'am not going below this player.
Do you clean your new records before playing them? If you don't, you will be surprised at how much better they will sound by cleaning them. You might think new records are already clean but they are not. Often residue from the pressing is still in the grooves and that produces noise as I'm sure you know. I also own the AT LP-120 and very much enjoy it's sound. I have considered upgrading the stylus but the ATP 2 sounds so good I haven't bothered to upgrade. Over the years, I have heard other turntables and styluses and I would say the AT LP-120 ATP 2 is comparable to the better ones I've heard. For cleaning your records, I suggest the comparably inexpensive SpinClean record cleaner. I have used the SpinClean extensively and have always been pleased with the results.
Excellent review video. I just purchased this exact model online last night and it will be delivered tomorrow. I can't wait to check it out. I haven't listened to vinyl since I was a kid (about 35 years). I still have my vinyl but I didn't take very good care of it, again, I was a kid lol. But I have been buying quite a bit over the last couple of weeks and am excited to get back into it.
I actually like the fact that the turntable is completely manual Lot's of records that I have (and some bands) have some hidden songs or little pieces of things at the very end of the vinyl and automatic turntables don't get that far in the record to be able to hear it
Rush's Fly By Night has chimes that continue to ring even after the end of By-Tor & The Snow Dog which loops forever in the run-out groove until you stop playing that side. That little bit isn't on any other medium that album was released on.
"professional" - means that this turn table is made for dj-ing purposes first as it comes with some functions (like pitch adjustments and backplay) that is not really needed for average consumer who only wants to listen and don't want to do the "scratching". but because it has cartridge and tracking adjustments it can achieve avery good sound quality when properly calibrated with decent cart.
Hi, excellent review, thank you! I'm looking for a turntable to resuscitate my old vinyl collection, and your review helped me in deciding for the AT-LP120. Thanks again!
Thanks for the review! Have you upgraded the cartridge recently? I'm was amazed at how the Toto album sounds. I'm looking to upgrade my Sony turntable, and I didn't even think about the Audio Technica.
I wish it had manual cueing and auto return. Been thinking of upgrading my old Technics with the AT LP120 USB but those are hard features to give up. Thanks for the review. Cleaning an album directly before use will greatly reduce static electricity, which IMO is wear most of the noise was coming from in your system.
When I tried one of these, it came with the previous cartridge. The key difference was that the previous cartridge was a true DJ model that was heavy duty, could take abuse(such as backwards play and cuing) but did not have the audiophile grade fidelity (heavy bass, lesser treble quality). This cartridge is a nice entry level audiophile cartridge. It costs less and is more suited for what most buyers purchase this model for... playing records at home on a turntable of respectable performance.
My ears are "drooling". I had a Technics SL 1200 but had to sell it. i still have my record collection. Oh, how I miss this. I will be buying mine soon.
I just set up this T.T. You played some cool stuff. The old Toto is killer. Underrated group. It all sounded great through my system. I am stoked to get rolling on my old records. !st up Iron Maiden, Number of the beast. Then maybe a Beethoven box set I got when I was a kid. Or Journey, Escape. Dang I cant make up my mind!!!. Cool Vid, Thanks.
Great review! Good photography, and really nice and USEFUL to have someone finally provide real sampled clips direct off the record rather than most who just wave the camera around between speakers and claim that it sounds great!! :-D No problems with sound off this deck, and through the USB it sounds good quality, so, a decent deck at a decent price! Even comes with a good cartridge that is well aligned already. Thanks for taking the time to make this a quality review! :-)
Steve's Stuff Thank you for the complement. It drives me crazy as well when people use camera mics for "sound quality" reviews; it's why I made this, as I had difficulty getting a sample before purchasing the turntable.
+Steve's Stuff Steve, if you want to stop your player from just going and going if you fall asleep, you can put a timer on the outlet before you plug it in. They are super cheap and you can set it for whatever time you want it to kill. Kind of like a sleep timer on your television set.
Thanks for the every comprehensive review. I've just ordered mine :-) I too need to play 78's and I'd appreciate any advice on an appropriate cartridge/stylus to use. Many thanks, John
Rick Bruce Haven't purchased one yet, but this one seems to have the best reviews: www.needledoctor.com/Grado-78C-Cartridge?sc=2&category=237 There is an "E" model for $60 more, but I can't really see much of a difference. Nevertheless, it will be either of the two when I purchase one, will make sure I post the results of that too.
The picture doesn't seem to have made it, the 78rpm needle is red, not green and an original Audio Technica product. A few manufacturers have dedicated mono 78rpm carts available. Most of them are not cheap so perhaps another AT95e with a red 78 wired for mono (in a separate head shell) does the trick for you at as low as possible costs.
How does this player function and how is the sound quality compared to the Sony PS-LX310BT? I am really debating between the 2 of these players. They both get great reviews!
well I know the hipsters like the vinyl better because it is more "simple" I guess, but who gives a shit. I agree with you though, I prefer listening on vinyl because especially on non digitally remastered tracks or albums, (so the original analog recording) you are hearing exactly what the artists heard when they first set it onto their turntable. Just my opinion andwhy i like it.
I get this a lot from my buddy.. He's like why buy this stuff when you can stream... I say well.. I love the sounds that come out of records honestly..
Charango123quena. I like vinyl for 2 reasons . 1 it sounds better. And 2 if you have lets say a frank sinatra album from the 60's then that is the physical audio waves of frank sinatra ( though somewhat compressed) but still its something nice
You can quiet down the crackles on the record with Linda Mujer on it (or any other record with mild static) You need a velvet brush and dampen it with distilled water.
Fantastic review. I just ordered a refurbished one off Amazon after spending about six months of research on my own. It really was the most affordable for in terms of pricing, but also quality. Can you explain a bit about your speaker set up? What receiver are you using? I'm new to this style of record set up. I used to own my grandma's old JC Penny automatic record player, which was good, but not what I wanted to use for the rest of time. I wanted to upgrade. Her player already had everything set up in it. It also had speakers.
Nice video! I have a beginners question. Can you play music directly from the turntable or du you have to plug it in some were? And can you plug in the LP120USB directly into a speaker or do you have to go by a computer? I'm new to this. :)
+Kristian Bengtsson For any turntable of this type you will need an amplifier that is equipped with a phono preamp input. The USB port is for capturing audio via a computer with audio recording software.
I've been looking at one. This was an interesting demo. Most people wouldn't be smart enough to do a demo inline. Well how are you suppose to hear what it sounds like on speakers if you don't. So thanks for doing a proper demo.
I've just posted a problem video of my AT 120 (well I think it's an issue) just wondered if you could try the same on your deck and see how yours responds.
+kvfive Any turntable will do that. The cartridge picks up vibrations especially strong ones vibrating through the frame. That is why the turntable is on rubber feet.
Own this turntable for bout a year now. Indeed, it is a low budget, entry level, equipment. Even if I had some difficulties of adjusting the skating, now it's just plays perfect. Changing the cartridge, it my improve the quality of the sound. I am thinking to replace it in the near future with the TD309. Great video.
NotOrdinaryInGames The factory cartridge is fine. I have a very high-end cartridge for my 78s on this machine, but only use the factory cartridge for LPs and 45sz
I used to sell Hi-Fi back in the 70's to early 80's. I really hated DG and learned to love RCA Red Seal. This after a LOT of comparison of the recordings on some of our more exotic gear. I've found some really sweet live "jazz trio" and "dance band" albums from the late 50's to early 60's at estate sales for less than a dime a piece. After a good cleaning, some of those have become among my favorites. You can almost see and smell the cigarette smoke in the room. Think of the scene in "That Thing you Do" where he meets Dell Paxton. I've found that I can close my eyes and get so immersed in the music that it feels like if I open my eyes I'll be at a small table in the front of the room, surrounded by a small crowd of couples at the tables around me, waitresses weaving their way through with trays of highballs. i.e. it feels like I've traveled back in time.
You should be able to align the cartridge perfectly with both of the null points of the protractor. This way you are guaranteed to have the proper alignment according to the chosen protractor. You should move the cartridge forward and backward in the head shell and if you again can't achieve perfect alignment on the both null points you can twist the cartridge in the shell to change the offset angle a little bit.
I just love my old Dual tables. a simple model1216 (still running) has been protecting my records since 1979. Records played over and over still sound great. I use Shure and higher end Grado cartridges. Yes, I now have many Duals just for the fun of it. But , For 78 speed records I have a stylus for the Shure. Just slide the everyday stylus out and slide in the 78 stylus. I did have them all professionally serviced a few years back. I am sure they will outlast me.
@@RoboTHUG2 whenever you digitize music you'll lose some analogueness. I've got one of those TTs and the audio you get from the USB is the purest you could get.
I would suggest that if you own one of these like I do then you need to take out the preamp and wire the tonearm directly to the rca outs. then make sure to wire in a ground.
the preamp that is in these units is terrible. It makes the records sound so flat at times. I know it still has the switch that let's you turn off the preamp yet the music is still going through the capacitors on the preamp board. there are a few videos on RU-vid that get into way better details on why this is the case. you can also compare it to a similar turntable and you should be able to pick out the difference quite easily. If you're not that picky on the sound then it shouldn't matter. yet if that is the case then stick with cds.
Amazing review. Seriously. Thanks so much for the thorough overview. I bought the AT LP1240 and returned it not because of the sound (the sound was fantastic), but because of a platter that wasn’t spinning quite level. I noticed that most AT LP120’s as well have this issue, yours included. I guess my question is, is this an issue for you? I’m very tempted to buy the at LP120 as it’s on sale at a great price and I love its technics 1200 look and feel. I’m just hesitant because of some of the issues I’ve read about (anti-skate that doesn’t work, flat sound, wobbly platters, tone arm that sits too high). So what do you think? Should I go for it or buy something a bit ‘higher end’? I trust your opinion as you quite obviously know your stuff. Thanks Brian
Well, my turntable was fine as far as being level. This is a "knockoff" of a Technics model that isn't manufactured anymore. It works for me in a broadcast environment on a radio station that I do weekly shows on. The station has old Technics 1200 machines, but they're toast. My anti-skate works and you can adjust the height of the tone arm manually. There are certainly higher end turntables you can purchase, but for me this was at least something I could fully adjust and customize (especially for 78 RPM records). It was the best mix for me. There is no harm in giving this model a try, especially if you can return it.
Thanks for the demo. You sold me on this. I have a huge stack of Edison Diamond Disks from the 1910s to the 20s. I've never heard them as the spring broke on my Edison phono. Have you played any 78s on this machine and how do they sound?
+robb21572 I have just purchased a Grado 78 RPM cartridge for it and am so pleased with the results, I'm planning to post a video. I will make sure to put a link on this page for you to hear the results!
A lot of the static that we're hearing coming off of those records can be significantly reduced or eliminated all together why discharging static electricity and wet cleaning the record.
I own a Technics SL-150 with a Rega RB300 Tonearm / Ortofon Vivo blue moving coil cartridge and I still want to get one of these as they look rather excellent.
I just purchased this turntable and i cant get it to work with my computer...i thought it would be pretty straight forward with the usb but just figuring the settings on the recording program im stuck..what programs are easty to use ??
It is a wonderful good looking turntable and expensive too but it for sure lacks one feature and that is it is not fully automatic, it should have the tone arm moving by itself and retreating back automatically, someone also pointed out this thing....I wonder why does it lack this feature.....what are you thoughts on it please .
I'm like you and WANT that tone arm to retreat automatically!! I listen to music while falling asleep many times/napping/ect I'm a boomer;-)..then I'm reading about this unit more and more, it's not designed for us casual home listeners!LOL..which really made me stop and reflect. This unit is designed for PROFESSIONAL DEEJAYING/scratching/cueing/ect. for audio listening pleasure, I've been advised to get a BELT driven deck. Better sound quality/less expensive(no motor) and the deejay bells and whistles are gone. DEEJAYS do not want automatic tonearms!!! So i've been doing some thinking....maybe I need to sell this unit....it's still in a box/shrinkwrap/ from 2014 with the receipt!..take the the proceeds and purchase a belt driven quality unit. I have a used Technics SL D202 recently taken out of storage since 2014 and that's semi automatic. One has to take a screw driver and make adjustments under the cartridge to get that tone arm to return automatically. But you are preaching to the choir about automatic tone arm return!! That's almost a deal killer for me!:-)
Excellent review with some very excellent information. Several things I was not aware of were brought to my attention, so thank you for posting this very useful demonstration of this machine. You mention having 78s in your collection. I was a bit disappointed to find that you did not demonstrate how those play on this machine. Of course 78s vary the most widely of all record speeds (both in groove size which can affect tracking, and speed in some cases being far slower or faster than 78). You mention you plan to post more samples from your collection. I would be very interested to see it playing some 78s with the standard stylus. I think you state you have opted not to get another stylus specifically for 78s. How is that working for you? I am specifically interested in converting (using the USB feature) a number of my mother's 78s both for preservation and because I have a number of people that are interested in hearing them that do not have or want a record player.
+vancouverizer The standard stylus included is not designed for use with 78 RPM records, nor should it be used to do so. The stylus and any stylus not specifically designed for shellac (78RPM) records is too small for the 78 RPM groove. They are only to be used with the smaller groove 33/45 albums. Any attempt to playback a 78RPM album with a standard stylus would result in an excessively noisy playback and maybe even damage to the stylus and record. 78 RPM records should only be played back with a stylus specifically designed for their larger grooves, hence a larger stylus for better quality playback. It is for this reason that I have not produced a video yet with my 78 RPM albums. I have, however, selected a cartridge that I plan to buy and I do look forward to posting a review on that as well, should I be pleased with the end result, so keep an eye out for other installments.
I own a pair of KRK rokit 6's and i was wondering what i would need to do if i was to setup these with this turntable? i heard this turntable has a built in amplifier?
hi.I got the AT-LP120-USB at the weekend, but only until this evening I began to notice a really annoying buzzing sound (almost like the sound of crickets) coming through the speakers... Do you have any advice/ideas? Thanks in advance
Sounds like you need to ground your connection better. All turntables need to be grounded to the amplifier. If there is a buzzing sound, you need to ensure it is grounded. You're probably hearing ground hum.
guildj thanks for your response. It actually turned out to be from a lamp on the other side of the wall that was causing interference! 🤦🏼♂️ sometimes it’s the most ridiculously simple, and just plain totally ridiculous....
Wow, I may have to consider this turntable. So many audiophile gurus will detract from such a table but this video proves otherwise that cheap doesn't equate to bad quality especially for what you pay... What kind of stylus do you recommend with this table? Now the decision is whether to get a silve/black or an all black turntable, lol. Thanks~
+chgofirefighter The stylus it came with is perfectly great; it's the one used in the video. Audio Technica initially didn't have such a great stylus/cartridge on this model, but later included a better stylus/cartridge. This is the improved model and it can be identified by the green stylus casing. Perhaps someday I may choose a new one, but I am completely happy with the factory supplied parts.
I just watched another video on a similar Audio Technica turntable review topic of a guy on a shag carpet, and now you sporting a mullet.. Thanks for the time traveling guys ;0) For this test are we listening to audio you captured through its USB ? I'm looking to digitize some vinyls...
+synapticrelease For the record, it's not a mullet, I have a fauxhawk/mohawk, but for professional reasons I have to keep it so that it can be combed over like in the video; you just happened to see it combed to the side on a casual day at home. The audio was indeed captured through the built in USB output from the Turntable. I captured it directly into a Mac using Logic Pro with no alterations or plugins. What you hear is what came straight off the USB cable.
Thanks HawkMan :0) I think I may very well get one of those soon, sounds very good already compressed in your video.. so I imagine it would do really well with some digitizing tweaking software.
just bought a Queen New Of the World album (and I was tempted to buy like three other queen vinyls lol) and I guess I jumped the shark because I don't have a record player yet but im definitely thinking about buying this one. Also, that Toto album was stellar!
I've heard that the LP120 has trouble picking up lower frequencies. Im curious if for the same money there are any substantial reasons not to take the simplified route and get the Pro-ject essential ii with an OM5E Cartridge? Thank you
Hi just bought one like that but ive found that the antiskating (AS) has one issue. When i put it on posicion 0 the tone arm still goes to rest posicion. Does it should be like that? Can u inlight me on AS issues?
nuno alexandre Rodrigues I cannot. All I can do is to quote the manual and say that your anti-skate should be set to the same number as the tracking force for best performance. For any technical support, I suggest your best move is to contact the manufacturer; they would be able to diagnose any defective parts.
Hi 👋🏿 I have a problem with the lp120 audio. When i conect it to my mixer or my active speakers the music is very low, even in phono or in line. Do u know what could be the problem?
