Having watched this video a few weeks ago, I decided to keep my eye out for a LP7, fortunately one became available at a good price so I bought it. I am now looking forward to the next few months while I A/B test this LP7 against my current TT, a Pro-ject Debut Carbon Esprit, which has had all the mods (Acrylic Platter, Metal Under Platter, Upgraded power supply and record clamp). To keep the test as even as possible, both TT's are sat on identical isolation plinths, both are fitted with a Goldring E4 cartridge (the LP7 has a new one so will need running in), both TT's feed into Musical Fidelity V90 lps phono stages and then into my Musical Fidelity M3Si power amp feeding Q Acoustics Concept 40 floor standing speakers. Hopefully I will have a definitive answer in a couple of months, wether the LP7 is a worthwhile upgrade.
I just discovered your channel in my research for the my first turntable in 40 years. Your videos are extremely professional and informative. Keep it going and you’ll be at 50k subscribers in no time.
I purchased an LP7 about a year ago as a "secondary" table to take the pressure off my 50 year old Thornes 125. My "must have" features were removable (sme-style) headshell and VTA adjustment. I'm a cart-swapper so having those to two features were essential. However the VTA does NOT go high enough to support the "Grado Prestige" series cart. I use an external MM phono-preamp, an AT95 cart with an aftermarket hyper-elliptical nude stylus. The supplied AT-cart is OK but not as good as many of the "AT-95" OEM carts/stylus. The trickiest part to setting up this table is threading the belt. I added a "plain" rubber mat..the only issue with the mat is that I can't see the table turning. I don't like the concept of "built-in" phono stages in higher end tables either.
I have this turntable since 2021. I also have the lp120 - I have noticed an improved wow and flutter on the lp7 on some records that are pressed a little off center vs the LP120. I paid 750 at the time brand new. The only thing I noticed is a whirring of the motor if I am close to it but I don’t hear it at all when sitting in my listening position. I use the stock cartridge and stylus - i agree the cartridge and stylus is 90% of the sound. My only concern is looking for the belt replacement when the time comes. The lp120 is a great turn table for the price. I am using the zen phono preamp with it and not the built in preamp. I never done an ab comparison tho but I also do not have audiophile ears. I think audio technica turntables aren’t spoken of highly because it’s supposedly off the shelf mix and match components from a Chinese turntable manufacturer that also makes some pretty horrible turntables. I think their cartridge and stylus are better received and well regarded. The LP7 was supposedly designed by audio technica from the ground up and not off the shelf. Thanks for the review.
Hey there, came across your video while I was researching an upgrade table from my AT-LP120XUSB, and was trying to decide between this and the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo. I went with this one and I couldn't be happier, it sounds great (and AMAZINGLY quiet.) Good job with the review.
Great that you’re pleased with your turntable, I’m a big fan of Audio Technica myself. There’s a general misconception of what a turntable does and why it matters much more than you think. Spinning at an accurate speed and holding a cartridge at the correct position above a record can be achieved by any turntable from $250 upwards. If that’s the extent of the job then why bother spending more? Changing cartridges will make an obvious difference to the tonal balance, as will changing speakers or even the phono stage. This should not be confused with making the sound better. Beyond the fundamentals, the job of a turntable is to preserve the information extracted by the cartridge from the groove. If the cartridge is moving relative to the record, even at the microscopic level, you are hearing distortion, not musical information. The better the design and engineering on the turntable, the better it will preserve that information held in the groove. If you don’t believe turntables can sound different, I suggest you take yourself off to a Rega dealer and ask them to play a P1 versus a P3 and then a P10. None are anywhere near your $15,000 price point btw. Finally, you did hear a difference between your Fluance and your AT with the same cartridge, so I’m not sure why you don’t believe small incremental changes in turntables aren’t important. Good luck with your vinyl journey.
I’ve owned this turntable for about 4 years now and absolutely love it. I recommend trying the Zazen1 from Isoacoustics. Made a huge difference in my set up cause of my cabinet. Totally agree there’s not enough reviews on this turntable. Tracks like a beast.
That is a beautiful turntable brotha man. I believe I told you at the end of last year that I bought a Audio Technica AT-LP5X and I love it. In general I believe that Audio-Technica has a pretty good product. I want to get that Automatic tone arm lifter though.By the way, I got that Jason Joshua gold record maybe 3, 4 months back and that is a bad ass LP, great latin soul record for sure. Much love brotha man.
Enjoy your new turntable, but yeah, that cover would annoy me. VWestlife did a video measuing the cover issue. Take it off or close it for best sound. I went with an SL-100C (1500C without the amp and has a cheaper cart) for about the same price. I just like direct drive and wanted auto lift/stop. Upgraded the platter mat, KAB fluid dampner, and currently using an AT-VM750SH. Got a couple other mods I'll do a little later. Completely agree with you about how people review turntables.
Forgot to mention that I agree what constitutes entry level. $1k isn't pocket change. And before upgrading turntables I'd rather put that money towards better phono amps and cartridges. I think you get more ROI.
Simply great video! Fun to watch! I just love this turntable. I saw it on display and it looks so beautiful and also feels very solid, pleasant to the touch and with a great sound - just like you mentioned - at such a level the built-in pre-amp just turn off real audiophiles. so strange. After all, whoever buys a turntable of this level will most likely also buy a high-quality pre-amp. Imo if they had sold it without a cartridge and without the built-in pre-amp - this turntable could have been both cheaper for the customer and an audiophile hit. Too bad. Even so, I think it's an excellent turntable. I decided to seriously invest in my turntable and went the extra mile and bought the Technics 1210gr back when it was made in Japan - and the Technics is simply worth the investment and I'm so happy.
Enjoyable video! I agree - the LP-7 is a sleeper in its price range. Another sleeper sub-$1k TT, with a similar tonearm, is the Pioneer PLX-1000 (a Technics SL-1200 mk2 copy). It also has tonearm height adjustment, which, as you point out, a feature you need to get the best performance out of the more advanced profile stylii (Shibata, MR, FG-70). I look forward to seeing how your system improves in the future!
This is a great review! You’ve gotta dig pretty deep to find the reviews on this one, but everyone seems to love it. So, I’m sold on it, but I’m going to upgrade the stylus to an AT VMN40ML right out of the gate. I think this is really going to pair well with my Rega Fono MM Mk5 as well.
Great video, but did I hear you say that you would have to jump to a 15k turn table to step up? There are a ton of turn tables way before 15k to choose from. Example a Rega planar 8! With a high end Ortofon cartridge. You would be under 10k and sounding pretty dam good!
It is a great table i looked hard at it when i was buying my new table. I just don't care for a pre-amp in a TT. If not for the pre amp i may have went with it. But love my 85
There are two turntables on the Audiophile section of the Audio-Technica website. One is the LP7 (the turntable shown in this review) and the LP 5 X. For various reasons, I prefer the LP 5X. The sound of both turntables is extremely similar if both are using the same cartridge, stylus and speaker system In comparing, otherwise, the two turntables: The LP5X plays 33, 45 and 78 RPM speeds. The LP 7 does not play 78 RPM speed; The LP5X is approximately $250 less expensive than the LP7; The LP5X has a hinged dust cover, the LP7 has a dust cover but not one that can be utilized when a record is being played like The LP5X has. The LP5X dust cover is hinged, the LP7 dust cover is not hinged; The LP5X is direct drive. The LP7 is belt drive.
Thanks for the rundown - I personally wasn't interested in the LP5X - since it was direct drive and if I was going that route I would just Technics - but this is a solid option for sure.
Congratulations man, I have the same TT from 2018, and a ATLP 140Xp All black also, so I have best of both worlds, Direct drive and Belt drive. To me the included cartridge has a Sharp and digital sound I´ve removed it immediately, nowadays I use a Shibata from Audio Technica, no issue wahtsoever, the only thing to report is that with heavy cartriges and/or shells like ortofon blue for example the antiskating need a lot of load to work properly, for example 4 grams to a 2 grams VTA, but if you use a cartridge similar in weight of the one included and the OEM shell there is no problem. Check your ortofon cartridge and shell on that regard, Thanks for the extensive review!!!
You may have touched on something I have been experiencing but was not sure how to "recreate" the issue for the video - and of course every time I tried... I seem to have fixed it - sometimes - when cueing a record right at the beginning it almost pulls in too fast or slips into the first track and kind of makes a "jerk" sound. I think I may have blindly fixed it by upping the tracking, I have only used the Ortoon Carts on this - so that might be exactly the issue. Is that what you are referring to?
So I did a long in-home tryout with this unit and the Technics SL-100C (when it was $999) and man the direct drive (without all the DJ pizazz) Technics just clicked with my ears, but the LP7 was shockingly good, especially with my predisposed dislike of belts. I ended up building a big fat hardwood + camera gyro stablizers, mostly because it was fun and looks very steampunk. :D Counting down the days (years..) until I get manic enough to pull the trigger on the SP-10RE-S, which (barring the Powerball) should be my retirement turntable. I wish I had the Schiit Skoll when I did the A/B, because it has halted my (solid state) phono stage for now, it's absolutely outrageous.
@@stpierreorama I think the SL-100C is great - its a direct drive TT - so that is a bg difference - if you like that then go with that. The ATLP7 is a little cheaper - that might help too! I think either would be very cool.
@@PiecesofVinyl I appreciated your reply. I haven't had a record player in over a decade but have tried both direct and belt drive but don't see a big difference from my experience. I know in theory the belt drive is better for isolation but the Technics has amazing specs. I was hoping you could clarify any sound difference as well as durability?
I actually do - sometimes when filming it blocks other stuff - I have been pulling them out about 4-5 feet whenever I listen - I call it "super pursuit mode" - (knight rider reference). Thanks for watching!
@PiecesofVinyl lol! Super pursuit mode, I like that! We'll at least you know then, that's good, would hate for you to miss out. You're welcome, keep making great videos!
If you're using that little Douk Audio amp, have you tried *tube rolling* yet? Swapping out those little beasties for other matched pairs of compatible tubes will give you some very interesting explorations.
@@PiecesofVinyl The Douk Audio website says this: "default 6K4 vacuum tubes, can be replaced by 6J1, 6J2, 6J3, 6J4, 6J5, 6"1N, 6*4N, 6*5N, 5654/5654W, 5725, 6AK5, EF95, 6BA6, 403B, etc." So long as you source a pair of tubes that are confirmed in-spec & properly matched by their seller, they should get the job done well. Since all tubes add their individual flavor by introducing some level of distortion to the audio signal (teeeeensy little variations like softer or crisper elements within any given portion of highs/mids/lows) it's just a question of finding whichever ones that sound best to you. This pair of GE 5654W's looks like a great candidate (but be sure to wear gloves when swapping tubes, of course, so that you don't add any oils that might cause uneven heating) www.amazon.com/Riverstone-Audio-Matched-Fully-Tested-Replacement/dp/B01BFJDTW0
Nice video of a nice looking turntable! However, nowadays you can buy a Technics SL-100C for under $1000, which has much better specs, especially wow & flutter which is below 0.025%. I have the Technics SL-1500C and i measured 0.02%.
They are very good - I wanted to get away from a Direct Drive turntable - and this was still cheaper - but love Technics stuff I have an Technics fully auto table that I use a lot still.
The arm and bearing has to be capable of getting the best out of your cartridge. If you go to higher end cartridges, you need a table and arm that can get the best out of those cartridges.
I agree with you about what is entry level. As has been mentioned in the comments, there are many tables that are between $1000 and $15,000 that would be a big jump from this one, from a Rega P3 to tables in the $2000- $3000 and up range.
I dont think Im getting THAT much of a better experience in that range - I might not ever go into that range - at this point Im def. focusing on the speakers and amp. Thanks for watching!
Get a 1998 Technics sl 1200 MK5 and be done with it. Built like a tank and check out the specs for rumble, woe and flutter. Better tonearm wiring than the more popular MK2. Probably can get one around $450 to $550. Get a separate phono preamp. I use project tube box s phono preamp with audioquest green interconnects. Cartridge is Ortofon LVB250 mounted in sumiko headshell. Cartridge was the most expensive item but well worth it. I also own Ortofon 2m black and audio Technica at440mlb. Audio-Technica give a lot of bang for the dollar and are superb at tracking. Also virtually eliminate all sibilance but they are a little bright and analytical. 2m black is very detailed yet warm and has a huge soundstage. The lvb 250 was like getting a new high-powered amplifier, I could not believe the difference between it and the original 2M black.
I hope to one day try out the LVB250 - probably when I go to change out the stylus on the black. I like Technics and they are built like tanks - but I want something belt drive and not as TANK(y) looking. However - I would LOVE to one day get a full on Dual TT Technics setup - DJ Style - for the main purpose of A/B comparisons on pressings - for me - I dont know how people listen to a record - then take it off - put it away - and then pull out another - dust it off and play it - and they can make accurate comparisons - I would like to BLINDLY switch between the two using a mixer and see which one I like better.
@@PiecesofVinyl I would like to try one of the soundsmith zephyr moving iron cartridges, the cost of getting it re tipped versus Orton replacement is quite a bit less. The initial cost for the soundsmith cartridge is around $2,000 but it can get retipped for 200.00 or 300.00 if I remember correctly. That is a huge savings over Ortofon replacement. Financial situation has been horrible the past couple of years, luckily I have a lot of CDs I can listen to until I can afford to replace a cartridge. Had to put the brakes on purchasing vinyl albums also.
Great video! Just Audio is located just a few minutes from my childhood home. I live an hour north of the shop now but I'm visiting one of these day. Question for you. You might have mentioned this in an earlier video but I wanted to ask where you picked up your record storage furniture? I like those four section storage slots and that you can have equipment on top of it. Thanks! :)
These are IKEA Kallax Shelves and they come in all different colors - if you want to put stuff on top and have them (2 up and 4 across) you need to get 2 sets of the 2X2's. Otherwise the cross shelf for each cubbie is only held in with little dowels. You can also put feet on them which I would like to do at some point.
@@PiecesofVinyl Thank you for the reply! I had a feeling they were IKEA but I saw some four quad storage cabinets at Walmart that look similar. Probably not as sturdy though.
These are Ikea Kallax Shelves - 2x2 - next to each other. Gotta be careful about the cross shelf if you want a low shelf unit - usually when they are 2x4 horizontal - the cross shelves are held in with little dowels - on the 2x2 (from Ikea) the cross shelf goes through 2 cubbies - and prevents a huge problem later on when the shelves are full!
Hello, m8. I actually went the Technics SL-1500C route just under 1000 euros. Like yourself exchanged a cartridge upon unpacking. What do you think is a better deal? And you are right AT-LP7 is kind of a unicorn in shops in Croatia.. I think everybody thinks you get so little for so much money..
There is a series of button pushes you can do to make the unit stop when the auto lift engages and it will also turn off after 20 minutes. I don't remember how to do it though, you'll have to Google.
@@bgroovin1343 Allready done that, you can also choose from two depths when the countdown of lifting occurs. What a shitshow with button combos. AT-LP7 has in my opinion one thing 1500 doesn't have and that's a delrin platter... The rest.... I'm not so convinced.
Can you actually buy a PL7 in Croatia? It was never officially available in any European store. Maybe by side import. Not from any AT official dealer. By the way, the SL 1500 isn't a real technics brand worthy turntable in my eyes. It's produced in Malaysia and not in Japan. The quality is just so so. It's nothing better than the AT-LP5X for half the money. You pay way too much for the brand name.
I am not sure - I woould imagine it would, it handles anything I have thrown at it - and that art is made by Audiio Technica - so you would think it would work!
If you want a direct drive table - and if you want a table that looks like a DJ - but they are built like tanks - as long as your cool with having a TANK in your living room - go for it!
Pretty sure you never had a 1200 in your hands, but if you want a toy in your living room that won’t last more than 3 years then yeah go for this Audio Technica!
Maybe - a lot of times to get a quality vintage table you need to spend a good buck or two - and then also worry about fixing/maintening it - but I would def. take a mint vintage wood turntable (for cheap) any day.
I am one of those few that cares about the look of turntable....and I don't like the look of this one. It hurts my eyes just looking at it. If I don't like the look of turntable I don't even care how it sounds like. I know this will be crazy to some but that's me.
@@PiecesofVinyl I don't mind the all black look...when there's lack of hinges that just signals me "they taking shortcuts and wanna give as little as possible " and then advertise it as something good. And that happens everywhere now and people are so used to it. There are some turntables that kinda have ________ _________________ | ii _______I_______ II (the bottom part is platter and i's are tonearm(not accurate just to represent tonearm)...top part is cover) this look going on as cover and I hate it. I don't even wanna look at it nor do I care how great it sounds.
Oh for Chrissakes turn the bloody music off. Just let us listen to you talking about the turntable without the distracting background noise. Alternatively, play the music without your intrusive ramblings. Thanks.
