Audio-technica's latest deck cuts the cables without cutting the sound quality vinyl lovers expect.
Let’s face it, those online streaming services certainly offer a huge range of music at the press of a button, but what they don’t include is the feeling, the soul, the raw emotion, that can only come from dropping a record onto the platter, panning the tone arm across, and lowering the cartridge into a groove.
So, the question is, why aren’t you all listening to your favourite music on vinyl?
If it’s a case of not having the right turntable to suit your needs, well, come on… that’s a poor excuse. And Audio Technica are going to sort that out once and for all!
Let me introduce you all to the AT-LP120XBT-USB Direct Drive Turntable, your new vehicle to a better listening experience. All the other letters delineate the additional connectivity that is on offer, which is considerable.
But before we dig into all that, let’s have a look at what’s on offer.
Audio-Technica – LP120XBT-USB Direct Drive Turntable
- Plays vinyl three ways — Phono, USB, or Bluetooth
- DJ-grade deck, home-friendly design
- Wireless range up to 10 metres, no cables required
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The LP120XBT-USB has been touted as a modern-looking turntable, and that may be so when you focus on the finer details.
But, at its very essence is the look and style of some of the greatest DJ turntables of all time, and a silhouette that is instantly recognisable by any DJ from the past five decades! Its classic chassis, button placement, tone arm mount and platter illumination are absolute standards for any vinyl DJ and will be warmly welcomed by users new and old. The Black option gives off a stealthy, classic feel.
If you’re after something a little more kitsch, the White/Bronze option screams out for attention, and is sure to be a popular addition to home hi-fi setups, as it looks so luscious on a wooden benchtop.
Now, the standard features are all there. 33, 45, and 78 RPM options with the two buttons found next to the On/Off, and a pop-up light to illuminate the edge of the stroboscopic platter.
There’s a 45 RPM adaptor up in the top left corner where you’d expect to find it, and a variable pitch control fader offset by a quartz pitch lock. A classic S-bend tone arm, with a height-adjustable mount and counterweights to perfectly balance your cartridge. Speaking of which, the LP120XBT-USB comes kitted out with an AT-VM95E cartridge and elliptical stylus on the headshell.
It’s a plug-and-play beauty that is ready to deliver pristine audio however you want it to. Because the options are plentiful.
That leads us to ponder, how will you be setting up YOUR LP120XBT-USB?
Unlike the DJ turntable of old that required a Phono preamp and a load of stuffing around to get them operating, this is ready to go.
Audio Technica have a built-in Phono preamp inside the unit’s housing, so a line level signal can be sent from the RCA outputs if you want to connect to a line level input such as a mixer, amplifier or powered speakers.
So, that’s the analogue connection covered, but there’s more options designed to allow this turntable to be a more ‘home listener’ friendly.
A USB output is compliant with Windows 7 or Mac OSX or above. This offers USB 2.0 audio transfer into your device for playing through a media player, DAW, or recording software, allowing you to back up your favourite record in a digital format for future posterity.
However, the real beauty of the LP120XBT-USB is in its Bluetooth Version 5 capabilities. Now, you don’t even need to worry about Phono outputs, USB connections or finding an RCA cable that is long enough to reach halfway across the room, you can go wireless with your record collection.
The system allows for a line-of-sight signal to be transferred up to ten meters without a hitch. But it doesn’t stop there. If you want to fully immerse yourself in the blissful sound of vinyl, and hear every nuance, then it’s only a matter of connecting your favourite Bluetooth headphones and sitting back to ignore the world.
This way, it’s just you and the music.
The AT-LP120XBT-USB direct drive turntable is more than a DJ tool; it’s a home listening immersion into your music library.
So, if you’re vinyl curious, simply own a few records, or you have a serious vinyl collection, this turntable has the power to change how you listen to, hear, and feel your favourite music.
Get into an Audio Technica dealer today and give one a test run.
Because better listening makes for a better world!
For more information, head here.
This article was made in partnership with Audio-Technica.
