Is The New Model At Lp60usb Worth The Extra Money

Are y'all in the market place for a shiny new turntable? If so, that makes you a very lucky individual, equally there's never been a ameliorate time to be in the market for a tape player. I'll assume that if you lot're this far along in your search, y'all're already familiar with the demand to know minutia of buying a new deck.

And if y'all've come this far, yous've almost certainly encountered the Audio-Technica name. There'due south good reason for that—they've been making turntables for decades. Only Sound-Technica understands that, sadly, not everyone tin afford to drop $1,000 on a beautiful new turntable.

Below, compare the AT-LP60 USB to the normal LP-lx, the LP-120 USB, and a variety of other affordable turntables:

Photo	Model	Feature
	Audio-Technica AT-LP60X	An update of the popular AT-LP60 turntable
	Marantz TT-15S1	Solid Plinth Belt-Drive Pattern
	Rega Planar i	RB110 tonearm
	Audio Technica AT-LP120XUSB	USB Direct Drive
	Denon DP-400	Supports MM and MC cartridges
	Rega Planar 2	10mm Float-Glass Platter
	Yamaha MusicCast Vinyl 500	Stream music services with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, airplay or Spotify connect
	Fluance RT85	Acrylic Platter, Ortofon 2M Blue Cartridge
	Technics SL-1210MK2	Pitch Reset Push

And and then, at just $129, none of the decks in the Audio-Technica family fit the bill better than their fully automatic AT-LP60-USB (we've already reviewed the regular AT-LP60 here). Simply at that price, the question is simple—tin yous really get genuine Audio-Technica quality?

That's exactly what we're going to observe out, as we review the Audio-Techica AT-LP60 USB turntable.

The Details of the AT-LP60 USB

First and foremost, you lot need to understand that at this price range, you are going to have to make sacrifices in quality. Audio-Technica may be happy to put a reasonably priced deck on the market, but they're not giving away elevation-shelf features with this turntable.

Therefore, allow's examine closely what you get for your money when yous open up the box:

Tonearm – Every bit I mentioned, the AT-LP60-USB is a fully automatic turntable, pregnant the tonearm will position itself at the beginning of the record as shortly equally you printing start. There's a super-easy switch to move between 12" and 7" records, as well (for those that don't know, 12" records spin at 33 RPM, while 7" records spin at 45 RPM. On the AT-LP60-USB, there'south a simple button you can press that switches the speed of the turntable to either play 12" records or seven" records accurately). And truthfully, this is a swell feature for the casual listener who doesn't want likewise much fuss in their spin-fourth dimension.

But, if yous're a seasoned pro and a collector of 10" records, you even so have the option to operate the tonearm manually.The tonearm itself is quite simple. It'due south made of aluminum and is straight (not curved like tonearms on other tables), just does not offering features like counterweight, anti-skate or meridian adjustment.

All that means is that you'll have little control over how much pressure is on your favorite records, and fifty-fifty less command over skipping—which can lead to scratches.And simply on a knit-picky note from me—there's no clip to agree the tonearm in place. That makes moving your deck a potentially dicey proffer.

Cartridge & Stylus – In your search, you have likely noticed that many turntables at this price-bespeak have ceramic cartridges that you cannot upgrade. The AT-LP60-USB sets itself apart by including an dual-magnet cartridge, which is pretty great.Only while magnetic cartridges offer ameliorate audio point, they also produce a depression-level signal and are hyper-sensitive to vibration. You lot'll want to exist conscientious and position your deck in a low-traffic surface area.

The skillful news is that the cartridge is manufactured past Audio-Techinica, and they have a solid reputation for building solid cartridges. The bad news is that without weight/skate control, you will not exist able to conform the tracking force—and then yous may not become as much out of the cartridge as you lot'd like.Farther bad news is that you cannot upgrade the cartridge.

But you tin upgrade the stylus. And while the spherical-diamond tip stylus that comes pre-fitted is better than well-nigh, you'll likely want to upgrade if you're looking for a fuller audio.

Best Selling Turntables
1) Audio-Technica AT-LP60X
ii) Fluance RT81
3) Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB

Platter & Motor – One of the cardinal selling points for the AT-LP60-USB is that it includes an aluminum platter. That's a huge upgrade over the cheap, plastic models that come with most turntables in this price-range. That's important for one very large reason—aluminum is heavier than plastic. A heavier platter equals less vibration. Less vibration translates to less skipping. And less skipping means purer tracking and depthThe AT-LP60-USB operates with a belt-driven motor.

And while the motor runs relatively tranquility, it is noticeable in quieter musical moments—and so keep that in heed.Now to my favorite feature on this record histrion—the button speed irresolute (as I mentioned earlier). Like nearly turntables, the AT-LP60-USB runs at either 33 RPM or 45 RPM. Unlike certain higher end decks, you do non have to elevator the platter to change speeds. All you demand to practice is push a button. If you're looking for ease-of-use, you will not find a deck on the market more friendly to its users.

Amp – And now for some dandy news—the AT-LP60-USB comes with a built-in switchable phono pre-amp. This allows you to connect direct to a rack stereo system, your home computer or powered speakers. No split pre-amp or fancy cables required. Just plug in and spin.Not only will this selection salve y'all the minor headache of sorting out how to hook into a pre-amp, information technology volition also save you a off-white corporeality of cash. This is an invaluable selection for price conscious veterans in the vinyl scene, as well as those completely make new to the hobby.

And finally, let's move onto Software.

Software – Aye, the AT-LP60-USB features USB connectivity that allows y'all to digitize your vinyl drove—which may or may not matter to you lot. Just remember, if you're buying a lot of new records, they probably include a digital download anyway. That being said, I practise have a few records in my drove that I would like to be able to bear with me, then I sympathise the draw of digitizing.

Beyond that, the power to be able to transfer your records to computer or CD is really important if your record is rare. If your record is invaluable to yous, and you know it would cost you lot an arm and a leg to replace it, it might exist worth it to copy the record to CD.On top of that, there are still tons of records that were never converted to CD or MP3 files. There are also a ton of 45s (or 7" records) that were released by unheralded artists decades ago that take never seen a second life on whatever other musical medium beyond records.

So if y'all have a re-create of Yvonne Carroll's "Gee What a Guy" or "A Footling Chip of Soap" on a 45, it would be a proficient idea to digitize it rather than rely on a streaming service like Spotify to maintain it in their vast (and ever changing) music library.If you practice cull to convert your vinyl to CD or MP3, the laurels-winning Audacity software that Sound-Technica has paired with the AT-LP60-USB is equally good as your going to get. And it can be downloaded to your PC at no cost also.

The Sound & The Beauty

With all that said, the most important question however looms—how does this turntable it audio? The short reply is pretty darn solid.

Look, yous're non going to become a true audiophile experience out of any deck at this toll range. That's just the honest truth. The AT-LP60-USB is a starter turntable—a great tape player for a beginner that wants to dip his or her toes into the vinyl waters to run across whether or not this hobby is for them.

Just the AT-LP60-USB does have enough quality in its bones—the platter/cartridge/pre-amp, etc)—to give y'all the pure, warm sound y'all're looking for out of your favorite records.

Merely simply like with any sound device, it'southward only as good as the components you lot use it with. If you don't already accept a system to plug into, yous'll want to take some actress time looking into speakers for your deck. Since you're saving and then much money on this turntable, y'all should think about reinvesting that money on your speakers and ensure you're getting the about out of your audio experience.

That existence said, you'll also want to consider where you place your turntable. Not purely for logistic reasons—low traffic to avert vibration, located to best project sound, etc. No, wherever yous put you lot're deck, it volition get the focal indicate of that room.

People volition run across it.

And you lot will be judged on its looks. That's not likely to be a problem with the AT-LP60-USB, as it has make clean lines and a minimalistic design—but it'southward something to consider.

The Contest

So, how's the AT-LP60-USB stack up to the competition?

To that I would merely respond that, at under $150, at that place really isn't as well much contest.

Of course, you tin can scoop upward the not-USB version of the AT-LP60 for just under $100, and if USB is not a make or break feature, you really should consider that option. It'south literally the exact same histrion—but without that USB characteristic.

At present, if you lot're finding yourself less than impressed with this stripped back version of Audio-Technica quality—and yous've got a few extra bucks to spare—y'all might want to accept a wait at the AT-LP60-USB's sleek second cousin, the AT-LP120-USB.

It's built tougher that the LP60-USB and boasts upgrades aplenty. Yeah, the AT-LP120-USB features the same USB connectivity, an internal phono pre-amp and an aluminum platter. But for the actress money, the LP120 comes equipped with a S-Shaped tonearm complete with counterweight, anti-skating command and even tonearm height adjustment (not many audiophile tables offer this tonearm selection).

For that extra money, y'all as well go a pro-graded, fully upgradeable cartridge and head shell and a quiet high-torque, direct-bulldoze motor (no belts needed!!). If that weren't enough, the Sound-Technica has added quartz-driven high accuracy pitch control so you tin fine-tune your listening experience. And you can control information technology all with the same push efficiency of the LP60-USB.

Of class, with all those fancy bells and whistles, the LP120-USB is missing one cardinal feature that its little buddy boasts—automated function. If yous want the needle to driblet on your LP120-USB, y'all'll have do driblet it yourself. Some newcomers to the vinyl scene may non be ready to accept that task upon themselves.

Call up information technology over.

For that affair, think about whether you really need all those bells and whistles. General dominion of pollex is this—if you don't know what those features actually do, yous probably don't need them—at to the lowest degree non right now. Y'all can, afterward all, always upgrade to a higher quality (and more than avant-garde) turntable in the futurity.

The Verdict

**** out of *****

All things considered, the Audio-Technica AT-LP60-USB comes highly recommended. With a blend of quality components and convenient design, it's only the best deck y'all'll find at this toll point. Of course, if you lot're looking for a true audiophile experience, you'll need to wait elsewhere. But if y'all're looking for a solid, everyday player that's perfect for people make new to collecting and playing vinyl records, look no farther than the LP60-USB from Sound Technica.