Audio Technica AT-LP120XUSB a good entry level turntable?

[audioaficionado]

This one came out fairly recently. Specs look good. Previous version was well received and had good reviews. My first upgrade would be a better cartridge.

 

[audioaficionado]

For the money $240, what's a better TT to pick up? I prefer DD platter over belt drive and good low mass arms with detachable shells. I figure spending at least $240 on the cartridge/stylus.

 

[Veke76]

I found these videos very informative in entry level tts

$250-300
YouTube
$400-450
YouTube

 

[Galu]

American Music & Sound (AM&S) are distributors for Reloop turntables.

The RP-2000 USB MK2 is worth looking at as an alternative to the Audio Technica.

Reloop RP-2000 USB MK2 - Reloop

Reloop

 

[audioaficionado]

It looks like a lot of these are being made by the same group of Chinese OEM. Not to say the particular brand doesn't add or refine the features to set them apart or help market the TT.

Some have aluminum, carbon fiber, acrylic parts, etc. I'm thinking 80% to 90% of the sound quality depends on the cartridge/stylus as long as that unit is competently supported by the synergy of the TT system.

More direct drive motor noise might be an issue vs belt driven platters on exceptionally well mastered LPs with subtle low level sound present.

Issues on the AT-LP120XUSB: 1) such as anti skating adjustment didn't work in the previous version. 2) Platter rumble noise: is it fixed yet? (3 Supplied Phono Preamp circuit in deck fully defeable and switched out of the pure signal path of the MM cart to passive RCA outputs for outboard processing. Otherwise I'd have to rewire the phono RIAA output to bypass the active circuit.

 

[Galu]

This video YouTube addresses your concerns re points 1) - ant-skating competely reworked and improved, and 3) - the bypass mode has been improved. In addition, the cartridge is upgradeable simply by substituting a stylus from higher up the cartridge range. As to point 2), the only relevant comment made here is that the "motor offers a smoother playback" compared to the original version.

 

[audioaficionado]

I like the Technics DD TT models that don't have all the DJ sliders, but still have all three speeds. However they want considerably more for them.

 

[audioaficionado]

$250 bux is not a high financial risk. So the AT-LP120XUSB doesn't seem to have a peer in it's price class. I like the Fluance Reference line too. Different category, but they look and play well at this price point.

 

[adason]

For the money $240, what's a better TT to pick up? I prefer DD platter over belt drive and good low mass arms with detachable shells. I figure spending at least $240 on the cartridge/stylus.

Belt driven turntable will beat the dd in sound quality most of the time, given both are well executed.

 

[Kay Pirinha]

Here in Europe Dual DD TT's from the 1980ies come to mind. Despite of their plastic look, they're technically mature and perform flawlessly, once well maintained. And they usually go for much less than 250 bux .
Best regards!