I love my Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB. I have it running through a pair of Klipsch R-51M speakers. Cork vinyl slip mat. Changed the cartridge with the Ortofon Red 2M. Sounds amazing. Also, for me, the reason they have the led light there is if you're playing vinyl at night with the lights out, it's perfect for placing the tonearm where it needs to be. I have no gripes with my system, at all. Looks and sounds incredible.
@FallingUnknown….I’m new to these modern turntables so I’m unsure how everything works. Do your speakers connect directly to the turntable using the preamp or do you have an external preamp…
@@graham520 if you you have powered speakers then you can connect the turntable straight to the speakers without any external preamp plus amp/receiver because this turntable has a built in preamp. However you can switch the built in preamp off and use an external preamp which is going to sound better! You can also get better speakers for your money if you get passive speakers instead of powered and in that case you would need also a amp/receiver. So you could do these different set ups: 1. Turntable (with turntable preamp turned on) plus powdered speakers. 2. Turntable plus external preamp (internal preamp turned off **going to sound better) and powered speakers. 3. Turntable (with internal preamp turned on) plus amp/receiver and passive speakers (better speakers for the money and you can get a pretty good amp for around $100 and you can still upgrade to external preamp later which will sound better) or 4. Turntable (with internal preamp turned off) plus external preamp, external amp/receiver and passive speakers (best possible sounding version). Does that make sense?
Here's the deal. Just use the LP120X in its stock form, make all of the alignment adjustments, lower the cueing lever height, let it break in and enjoy. If you feel the need to tweak, try different RCA cables before anything else. I've tried different mats, a couple of weights, some will get you more bass thump on certain records but at the expense of other things so I went back to the stock 1/8" felt mat because it gives that warm, fat 70's-style bass and the most stereo "space" and lush warmth. It does have some quirks and a flimsy plastic feel but at that price, don't expect perfection. The platter has a tendency to look warbly which will drive you nuts if you stare at it but you don't hear it. My only big complaint is that I wish it was semi-automatic.
The recessed connectors can be seen as a big advantage, because you can put it closer to the wall and thus it occupies less space. This could mean the difference between getting a new piece of furniture and not having to. And you also don't see the cables protruding from it when it is close to a wall. I don't have a problem with having visible cables, but many people do.
It's a shame that Audio Technica did away with the tonearm height adjustment but otherwise this appears to be a significant upgrade to the previous model for folks who just want to listen to vinyl at home (admittedly on a budget!) rather than DJing, as you say. I personally have no interest in DJing but the platter speed adjustment was one of the main selling points for me as a musician in that one can instantaneously adjust the pitch for playing along with (or working out how to play) the recorded music. Not only invaluable for non-tunable instruments (eg harmonica or a piano or whatever) but also when one is just too darned lazy to re-tune a guitar between changing records. Superb review/comparison with some of it's closest competitors - thanks!
I had purchased a 120x in silver, however on opening it I instantly lusted after the SL1200 mk2 that I had 20+ years ago. I ended up paying the same price for a very good example. Granted if you want to buy new that doesn’t help, and it can be a minefield for used SL1200s, but when the latest versions eg mk7 is £799, the GR is £1200, I do recommend considering it. I can’t think of many other turntables that have lasted 30+years and that can still be serviced today.
I have bought the Audio Technica AT-LP120X and I can confirm it sounds good. It is my first record player, so I can't really compare it to anything. The tonearm (shank, headshell and gimbal) is made of aluminium, even though it looks like plastic on many internet photos and videos because of the finish it has. The anti-skating works, I tested it on a CD. The record player (standing on a wooden cabinet that is on the floor and is full of various items) doesn't pick up vibrations from myself walking next to it or the speaker hanging right above it. If someone was drilling a big hole in the wall I'd probably hear that, but so I would without the record player. The plinth is plastic, but it doesn't feel too cheap, same is true for the buttons. You can use it with the lid closed to no ill effect despite what the manual says. It doesn't resonate when playing, it just makes a sound audible through the speakers when you are closing it. The lack of auto-stop is a bit more annoying than I anticipated it to be though.
I just picked up this turntable last week. I bought an Ortofon 2 M blue, and a very affordable tube based phone preamp at the same time. I have to say it's an outstanding performer with these additions. Also as ugly as that light is, it's incredibly useful and lights up the contact port with the stylus and record perfectly in dark rooms. If I got rid of this table I would miss that ugly terribly. Another thing tge reviewer failed to mention the impression of. The very handy option to swap cartridges on the fly. I bought a second headshell as well. I can swap cartridges in seconds with no tools. A removable heads hell is a must for me. By this table and with your extra cash buy some of the items impact the sound quality the most. A good preamp and cartridge.
@dentman67 - if you don’t mind my asking: which pre-amp did you buy? And… did you feel you needed a better pre-amp than the onboard one that came with the TT?
@@jrh11254 My pleasure. The Fosi is not a great preamp, but it's better than what's in the turntable, my vintage Pioneer SX-780, and my newer Onkyo 2k receiver. Just some perspective for you
@@dentman67 - just bought a Fluance RT-81+ yesterday; expecting delivery late this week. I’ll try it out - first with its built-in Texas Instruments Pre-amp - then I’ll assess whether to upgrade or not. This has been quite a momentous time for me: whether, at age 70, i need to sell/donate/store all my 1000+ LPs…and then what to do with my 1000+ CDs?! I’ve decided to try to get back into both media - see what happens. For the last 15 years or so I’ve listened to streaming-services exclusively. It’s convenient and all but i really miss feeling what those LPs brought to me when i listened: cross-legged on the floor, pouring over liner-notes and cover-art. We’ll see!!
The light on the LP120X works great. It really helps with the needle drop in lower light situations. I am glad it is there over the glitchy pop up/down previous version. If you do not want the light then just pull it out and DONE. If you want it, plug it in. IMO the Audio Technica players are not true DJ machines and never meant to be. They are just great sounding LP players!!
agreed, my buddies keep telling me to scratch on this thing and I tell them all to f off lmfao one of the best turntable I've ever owned and I used to have a very expensive older Technics that stopped working -the lp120 has impressive sound on that stock cartridge especially coming through a $1500 surround sound setup
@@joshs3905 I agree! I have previously owned several older Technics 1200. They all died on me, over time, so I decided to try the Audio Technica LP120X. I could not be happier with the Audio Technica LP120XUSB turntable! IMO it sounds and functions amazingly. I personally have had no issues and the player is in the top tier of vinyl players sound and function wise IMO. I challenge anyone to post a better turntable, in reality, for the price.
@@JB54379 I couldn't agree more man. I spent almost 2 weeks doing research and was about to pull the trigger on a Fluance RT84. The LP120x has better spin consistency with the quartz lock, and realistically the VM540 upgrade is supposed to top the 2m ornofon blue, along with an acrylic platter mat to go with it, and I can't see any reason to go with the Fluance. Plus the 1 up with DD vs belt drive is with good quality direct drives, you get just as good tracking as belt if not better and never have to replace a belt every 3-4 years. Sold me lol
Against your opinions I did jump on the LP120X to replace the RP1, and after having set it up properly (moved over my VMN95ML and changed alignment to Baerwald, from an already slightly unprecise Stevenson-alignment that it came with out of the box), I can't really hear this difference you talk of. I also feel the LP120X did better in some areas.. my slightly offcenter records no longer sound as "sour" as they used to, indicating to me that the Rega's speed is more uneven than the LP120X. Also, the lack of adjustment for the anti-skating turned out to be a larger issue than I imagined. This could be seen in the way the tonarm would just bounce off to outside the record when dropping the needle on the run-in groove sometimes but I also struggled with a slight imbalance between channels on the Rega, and now that I was finally able to adjust the anti-skate rather than the fixed one on the Rega this problem also went away. While this wasn't a huge thing, it was very noticeable when listening to music through a headset. Using speakers I wouldn't notice. Lastly the stylus and pickup that comes with the LP120X runs in circles around the one shipped with the Rega P1, so it's quite a mystery to me how both players out of the box would be producing sound favoring Rega, regardless of how much better the tonearm is. I ditched my Rega Carbon so can't make any direct comparison myself, but did test the VM95E before putting back my VM95ML and what I noticed is that it did not have anywhere near as much sibilance which was the thing that really threw me off on the Carbon. It's there to some extent, but it's more tolerable. My conclusion thus is a bit different than yours. In my personal opinion the LP120X excels over the Rega P1 as a whole. If I were to give Rega a few extra points it would be that it's much easier to set up if you're a beginner, as the LP120X did require some of these fiddly bits to set the counter weight right and you can't really do without a stylus weight. The lowering mechanism also feels much sturdier and is a bit on the flimsy side on the LP120X. If anyone is still wondering two years later like I did, consider your feature set rather than worrying about the sound quality. Properly set up and with proper styli they both sound equally great (again, my opinion :) ).
I have this turntable. I have no interest in the USB function. I would have liked to buy one without it because it would probably be even more affordable.
EXCELLENT review and in my case, perfectly contextual, since I was in the midst of deciding between the 120X and the RT81. This made me solidly land on the 120X. (will be keeping your preamp suggestion under my belt as well.)
Another good one Paul. I've been using the Audio Technica AT-LP120X for about a year now. It's a great table. If your new to the sport, It's a good start. More features than many and it won't break the bank.
I find the stylus light to be functional and a nice accessory on my 120x. I normally listen to my albums in low light, so the light is very helpful when starting to play, or looking to see the location of the stylus on an album.
As a budding high school audiophile in the late 70's/early 80's...those strobe markers on the platter were THE thing. I love those. I don't run vinyl at at...but this could be an easy re-entry table. Great video. (you're right though, that light is ugly)
I bought my 120x a couple of months ago, (got it for £195 from AO yeah me! it went back up 2 days after I ordered it Phew). I would never describe myself as an audiophile, but I love spinning my LP's and CD's. It sounds perfectly ok to this peasants ears. Loved your review thanks
Excellent review! Since you made this the price of this unit has gone up, doubtless due to inflation, to $350 US. I was lucky enough to get this a few years ago for $299. For that price I was still very impressed with the sound quality, which was improved a good deal by switching from the internal preamp to a Schiit Mani II and upgrading the cartridge to a VM95SH. those two upgrades gave a much wider, more spacious soundstage to my ears. ... and of course, ditching those cheap pack-in RCA cables for something better.
i like the At-Lp120 I had mine for at least three years and no problems! I like that you can adjust the tonearm height to the right level if using different thickness mats!
I love my rega but the only feature I miss is the auto-stop. But if you don't mind the little extra involvement with your turntable it sounds and looks beautiful.
@@TheAudiophileMan Pro-ject does seem to be priced better in the US. Do you know if they are sister companies with Rega? Just curious if Rega has some reason to try not to compete with Pro-ject in the US?
The 120X is pretty nice IMO. I've got the nude version of the cartridge (AT-VM95EN) and run it through a fairly inexpensive tube pre-amp (not bottom end, but lower) and it sounds incredibly good for the investment. Quite happy with it the setup.
@@Idkwihta It's a pretty simple little one. Tube buffered rather than a full tube implementation, but I think it sounds pretty decent overall. It's the Ampapa A1. Like I said, not top of the line, but for the price, it's very nice, and has some nice side-features as well. I'm just running it straight out to some powered monitors and a Martin Logan sub. Simple, but very effective for the space it's in. (general purpose living room arrangement rather than a listening room)
Thanks for reviewing. I have been very successful and pleased with this table. Dead silent operation when mounted correctly. I guess I'm a ripper now. Here is what I'm currently using for phono playback/ ripping. I have a nice digital rig brings things over transparent with a nice DAC as good as a lp listen. Its all there @ HD. Equipment: Audio Technica - LP120 XUSB > (Tonearm o'ring bands mod) Alchemist - Record Weight, Stabilizer, Stroboscope, Gradienter AT-HS6 Headshell AT-VM95ML Cartridge Hudson Hifi - Clear Acrylic Mat > Gotham GAC-4/1 & Amphenol RCA ifi - Audio Zen Phono ifi - Audio iPower - Low Noise DC Silent Power Supply AudioQuest - Tower (2×) Volbox - Attenuator Tascam - DR-05X > 2ch Stereo > HiQuick - Charger & AA rechargeable battery power > Captured > 24bit /96khz WAV > SanDisk - Micro Extreme Pro SD Record Cleaning: Record Doctor V Record Doctor Clean Sweep - (3) Distilled water -1% Liquinox - pre wash -2% Ilfotol - wash -2.5% USP 99.9% IPA - rinse - final pure distilled water rinse. (Verified by a chemist)
A very nice review, thank you Sir. If the main difference from the Rega rp1 is the tone arm, can the arm on the 120 x be upgraded? And if so should the first upgrade of the 120x be the arm or a cartridge/stylus?? Or what order would you recommend, pre-amp, arm then cartridge?
Not needed, to be fair. It comes with a great cartridge, and unlike the older version, the cartridge has stylus upgrades available for it that don't require arm height adjustment.
Just put the AT 1/8" felt mat on the Fluance and it should be more on par with the LP120X. I figured this out because I bought a rubber mat made by Decogear to safely play 45's on the LP120X and it's exactly the same as the Fluance stock rubber mat with a different logo. It's a heavy slab of rubber so of course it will muck up all the warm airiness and big wooly bass that made the LP120X sound so great. Also, they're not the same stylus/cartridge.
Great review. My friend has a Audio Technica LP3 and a Audio Technica LP60. The Tonearm on the LP60 does not have a catch to keep the arm in place. He accidently switched it on and the Tonearm went onto the rubber mat ruining the stylus and he was unaware of this. Surely Audio Technica could charge a little more and include a catch. I wonder how many other people have done the same.
Actually this is one of my pet peeves. I’ve seen this on occasion from other companies too. it’s so easy to fix but smacks of slapdash design. And thank you :)
@@TheAudiophileMan Especially when Aldi or Lidl did a generic turntable that was a little flimsy in build at £89 and was a bargain for they money. They managed to include one.
@@TheAudiophileMan Did you find it hard to track down a classic LP120 ?, I can tell you the horrid BI preamp bottlenecks the treble, there is filters just before the patch cord, like a second order woofer crossover
Thank you, just what I needed. I'm from México and used to own an acrylic turntable made from an independent builder. It was beautiful, sounded great but the speed was awful. Now Im getting my money back, I was thinking the Pro-ject debut evo. But since I haven't been doing so well economicaly I think the audio technica is the best option. (Here in México the Rega, Pro-ject are more expensive)
I decided to get a new made DD turntable so i took in consideration Audio Technica, but when seeing the cheaply made cueing light system i made my mind about the 120x and i look forward to 140XP! ☺️
they don't supply a 78 rpm cartridge for the 120X, which i got the black version. Can you let us know which cartridge for 78 to get.The only con is that it does not stop and lift at the end of the record [like the Dual 505].
You don't need a "cartridge" for it, just the 78 rpm stylus, which is the AT-VMN95SP stylus. Remove the green stylus that comes with the 120x, and put the AT-VMN95SP in place. You can now play 78s (I bought my 120x to play 78s BTW).
Thank You for the review. When we change the phono cartridge, I would expect the tone arm height at the BASE has to be adjusted so that the tone arm will be parallel to the record surface. How come all these turntables do not have this feature ?? I find that hard to believe the design of a turntable can ignore this capability. I can see many expensive turntable tone arm failed to provide this capability. REGA claimed that if REGA cartridges are installed, there is no need for such an adjustment. I accept this. At least REGA offers a 2 mm shim to raise the tone arm height at its rear but many tone arms do not have this option . This capability is simply ignored in turntable design.
Yes, with you all the way here but I suspect the build budget is the dominant issue here. To implement that feature would cost. Budget turntables are built with next to no lee way. More expensive designs don't have that excuse, that's true. On average, and I emphasise that word, you shouldn't have an issue because most budget carts for budget decks and they are - generally - of a similar height. Ish. Saying that, if it bothers you then that could be an early symptom of an upcoming upgrade that's approaching at high speed! :)
Audio Technica have done what REGA do. This Audio Technica turntable comes with an Audio Technica cartridge, which, unlike REGA's cartridges, has a range of interchangeable styli - conical, bonded elliptical, nude elliptical, microlinear, and shibata. There is also a stylus for 78rpm discs. This is an upgradeable plug and play solution that removes the need to change cartridges.
Thank you for all your input. Like lot of people on here I'm new to this. my wife and I have wanted a turn table for a while so I'm getting a early start on Christmas shopping. By what I'm finding and deciding on I need to get everything. Turntable, speakers, and everything else I need. Enough with my story on with my question. Can you replace the tonearm from the at120x with one from the Rega RP1 and have a really good turn table? Or does it make make more sense to just buy a turntable in a more higher price range? If so which ones should I start looking at. Thanks for taking time to answer mine and everyone else questions and all your insight.
Tonearm replacement on this one is a bit of a no-no, I'm afraid. Besides, if this is your first turntable, installing tonearms can be a little daunting. I'd go for a good package but that depends on your budget.
Great review. It's unfortunate that since your review the price here in the U.S. has gone up an additional $50 or 40£. I guess it'll have to be the Fluance RT81 for me.
You mean because I hang a turntable around my neck and strap speakers to my arms? :) Its money thing. This is why I stared Patreon, to help me upgrade my hardware. We aren't all rich TH-camrs y'know :) Actually, I've been looking at a new mic system (the one I have ain't exactly cheap, let me tell ya!) so when my ship rolls in I might go for that.
A very interesting video thank you for sharing. For £250 you could pick up a much better vintage turntable but I do fancy a couple of the features such as the USB and the easy to swap head shell.
I'm surprised and slightly disappointed that you forgot to compare 120x against previously featured 140XP, which is a true successor to the old LP120. The 120X actually came in later, to help bridge the gap and offer something cheaper which resembles that all familiar SL1200 look.
I wanted to compare and contrast the 120 to other designs around its price point. If I had looked at the 140 then I would have had to look at the LP5x and the Planar 2 and...things would have got out of hand :)
I've had my Audio Technica Lp120X for almost 1 year and I like it and after 1 year I think I'm ready to do some upgrades ... I just ordered one ifi zen phono preamp and Nagaoka Mp-110 cartridge. I'm really curious how exactly the design of the tonearm affects the quality of the sound if the cartridge and the preamp are doing pretty much all the job..... Thank you for all the great videos!!!
Many thanks for your kind words - the tonearm provides a support structure, connecting the cart to the plinth. The war is won and lost via the tonearm, in terms of sound quality. It's essential for good sonic performance. A poorly designed arm can induce its own vibrations or it can do a bad job at draining or rejecting high frequency noise - all of which mask fine detail.
If you enjoy playing 78’s the X turntable would be your clear choice out of the three. If I wanted an audiophile turntable I would pitch a higher price range.
I just bought the LP 120 X USB and love it. Are there any upgrades that I can make to it to get more when my budget will allow. eg platter, platter mat, stylus, or as you mentioned maybe the tone arm. As I'm new to this any help would be awesome. Thanks in advance.
Cheap upgrades include a cork/rubber mat from Pro-Ject while adding sorbothane sheets (eBay) under the platter (they're sticky sheets that you can cut to size) will help damp it. Make sure the application is evenly applied so that any added weight doesn't cause running issues. The cartridge is fine. Put the turntable on a decent hifi shelving system too to isolate the turntable from noise and vibration around the house. Also think about an external phono amplifier such as the Pro-Ject MM Phono for around £69.
@@TheAudiophileMan Thank you so much for the reply. I had the same thought with the sorbothane but wasn't sure if it was the right move or not, so good to hear. That platter rings like a church bell. LOL Thanks again. 😁👍
Quick question. My stylus( lp120 ) is off center to right the white line ever so slightly. Is that normal if you know? It came out of the box like that. I just set it up last night
My main criterion is 78 rpm playback for my small collection. I already have a vintage Yamaha battleship for standard LPs. The Super OEMs are a reasonable choice, for me.
I just purchased this turntable and hooking it up tonight. In your opinion, what sounds better? Using the Phono out? or line out? I have the option to use either one to my Yamaha receiver.
Thanks Paul , I have asked you long ago and bought Project phono for £69 from Amazon, just a question here if I buy Rega Phono can I hear significant difference? From my AT LP120x . Also as always I love watching your videos and on Facebook how our group interacts with each other is also a big help Thanks again
Hi will you be reviewing the Audio Technica 120xBT-USB? im looking for my first turntable and i like the additional features included with the BT however concerned if the sound quality is poor
Now I've sorted the 120x, Lewis? Probably not. I would expect the built-in Bluetooth receiver not to be of great help in general sonic terms (quite the opposite, in fact) although, of course, the off-set is the enhanced Bluetooth feature is is very handy to have.
Was just about to order one when I read on here you can no longer adjust the arm height, that’s a completely ridiculous to exclude from a turntable, especially with multiple cartridges so just lost them a sale.
Great review. Love your channel. I am more of a middle budget guy and I have bought one of these 120X. Would you recommend any upgrades such as a mat or better cartridge? Thank you in advance
Hello! Thanks for the great review. I am looking into getting an external preamp for my 120x very soon. I know you mentioned the pro-ject mm in the video. Would that be your top recommendation? Also, I know a lot of people were recommending to remove and bypass the built-in preamp before adding an external. It seems like maybe that was for the older models of the 120lp as it had a greater impact than the built-in has on the 120x. Is that correct? I’m really not sure I want to tear into the built-in and risk messing something up. I’m also needing to replace my cartridge. I’m leaning towards the VM540ML. Would you recommend a different one more that is in the same (ish) price range? Thanks for any additional help!
The 540 is overkill for the 120x. Go to £100 max (Ortofon 2M Red or, even better, Goldring E3) and then, if you have the extra cash, put that towards a superior phono amp (which will serve you well if you upgrade the turntable). The surgery you mentioned was aimed at the older model. As for my top phono amp? That depends on your budget.
Forget 2m Red. Upgrade to the ML VM95ML for the existing cart. Its leaps and bounds better. Grab a ifi Zen for sound 10× the cost. You will get a overperformer for a budget cost. I have my rips on my channel. If you want to hear the combination with short low capacitance cables. Everything ripped via Tascam 24/96. Tried to minimize loss to video. You can get a jist of what I'm talking.
Please Mister I would like to buy Audio Technica .I love deeper bass and more aggresive treable tones. I listen italo disco from the 80's. Do I go with 120 or 140?
Great video and review!You really should review something vintage like the Duals. That would be very interesting, and I dare say a challenge. Try a record changer from their lineup.
Vintage is in my sights but I don't currently have the budget for that class of hifi and I'd need the right type - in good working order, everything working, ship shape, etc. Saying that, it's in my head so I hope to look at vintage in the future.
@@TheAudiophileMan Wonderful, thanks Paul. Appreciate your time and value your advice. Your channel is my “go to” for all that’s good in audio content.
I've been searching for my very first turntable, but where i live, many of the recommendations (like the lenco, fluance or the rega) are either way too expensive or unavailable and the shipping costs can make them way too expensive for what i'm willing to spend on an "entry level" player. At the same time, you have mentioned that sound could be improved by using a phono-amp and i was wondering, is there a way to improve it further? perhaps changing the needle/capsule for another brand? is there a way to reeplace/modify the tone arm to make it sound better or perhaps add things inside the shell to reduce vibration or noise? How could one improve the most a budget turntable for it to sound it's very best?
Hi paul. I keep looking at this type of deck to play my 78 records on , which I was gifted well over a year ago . I just can’t make my mind up , I know Rega do a dedicated deck for 78 playback which for nothing else would be in keeping with the rest of my rega setup . Trouble is I feel duty bound to give them the honour of being played rather than been stuck in the attic . Anyway I might just get some pleasure from listening to these old relics from the past . As in Being a bit of a relic myself as they say 🤣👍👍👍. Best wishes as always.
I have been using the LP120X for over a year now and use it to play 78's. It's probably the best out there for doing that. Careful though! It's very delicate and I found myself adding more tracking force to keep the stylus on the records at this high speed. I had to get used to it. Good luck!
@@Extremesam43 hi Sam I don’t know if you will pick this comment up , but ha it’s worth a try . I have now got the deck with the 79 cartridge to match , I’m finding when the record finishes it just jumps back and will not stop in the runout grove . Have increased tracking force but to no avail , any surgestuns would be most welcome. Best wishes and kind regards to your good self
@@1x3dil Most automatic/semi-auto turntables have adjustment screws located either inside or underneath to fine-tune the tonearm travel. Refer to your manuals or search the web for more info.
Assuming you have a stylus and headshell (needle) and computer with speakers or a home audio system nothing else is needed. TT → USB → computer ♪ TT → RCA → Receiver ♪ Really just a headshell and stylus if you don't already have that. If you need help with a stylus or headshell do a bit of reading on the types and their purposes so you buy the right kind for your usage needs. DJ needles are not so good for audio quality usually but they are very durable. Listening stylus' often have good sound quality but they are more fragile. Different stylus shapes and materials make a difference as well. Like I said, do some reading and make your choice if you need a stylus. You don't need to spend much to get a decent stylus to begin with. Any cheapo version will work. But like anything else generally the more you pay the better they get. Be sure to learn how to align a stylus correctly or you may damage your records over time and experience sub par sound quality. You can find videos here on yt to help you with that.
Why do you prefer a flimsy felth mat over a thick rubber mat. A good thick rubber mat dampens the platter much better than the flimsy felth mat that is supplied.
A vinyl record is a very primitive battery, it's good at storing energy. You can hear this for yourself if you remove a record from a sleeve and you hear the crackles of static. Alternatively, you can hear the pops of static during play. In addition, during play, a record will receive and hold vibrations from the action of the platter and the stylus wobbling inside its grooves. These vibrations will mask sonic detail - it's subtle, I know but it's there and you notice it when it's gone. A good platter mat acts as a drain point for this vibration. A bad platter mat won't do that. It will reflect the vibrations back up into the record again. That's what cheap rubber mats do. The best rubber in a mat is butyl but that's relatively expensive. Felt is good, cork too. There's other specialist mats out there that also do well from people like Origin Live, Funk Firm and Hexmat.
Hello. Someone could help me out on a specific topic about this turntable please? I do need an amplifier to connect a pair of headphones to this turntable ? Thank you very much, I love this kind of reviews, very precise and rich.
Just bought the LP120X love the lights for night listening, richer sounds actually put me off buying an external phono preamp saying it won’t make much difference, instead they advised I spend the money on a better stylus?
Hi Mike. Two things. Those phono amp comments? Complete and utter rubbish. The cartridge point (you meant cartridge)? Sure, you can do that and it will enhance the sound quality. Both are good points of upgrade. Go for both if you can. The priority, which one to focus on first, depends on your current system and budget.
@@TheAudiophileMan thanks for your reply John darko wouldn’t deign himself to reply like you have so thumbs up, I have the at-lp120xbt with q acoustic m20’s, I’m trying the at-vm95sh but to be honest there’s not too much improvement on the supplied green 95e, so I’m going to try the 95ml, I’d value your opinion on these choices and also a decent budget preamp many thanks
@@kkjrees That's a decent little set up - so are you using the 120's phono amp? I would look at that *first*, before you change the cart. The built-in phono is ...ok. Usable. Not amazing. It's stuffed in there using bargain basement parts. Cheap as chips. Well, I've seen better quality chips, to be frank. Use your cash for an external model: better parts quality, lower high-frequency noise level, more delicate detail coming through. All good stuff, frankly.
@@TheAudiophileMan I believe AT upgraded the internal preamp what would you recommend with a 95ML stylus? Many thanks for your advice love your channel
@@kkjrees There's upgrades and there's 'upgrades'. It remains no great shakes and its internal fitted which is not ideal. That's your priority, not a cart. After the phono upgrade, take another listen to the VM, that should sound a lot better. If you want to move on from there, go as high as £100 in general terms. Say an Ortofon 2M Red or, better, a Goldring E3. No higher, the tonearm will be a bottle beck. It's ok but not wonderful.
I was uncertain between the 120x and lp5x , and looking your review i decide for the lp5x, now i'm wondering if the extra cash i paid was justified in terms of sound quality....
First thank you for your very informative channel. I completely build my son's turntable setup based on your advice and it sounds great (AT LP120x, Onkyo A9110 (the A9010 isn't available anymore), Q Accoustic 3020i, project phonoamp mm and some qed speaker and audiocables to complete the set). But since you infected me with the upgrade bug with all your cool videos I was wondering the following. First about a rubber mat update. Do you know if this model is any good and make a difference on the lp120x : Oyaide br-one turntable mat (made of butyl rubber). And do you think a stylus upgrade from the original AT-VM95E elliptical to a AT-VM95ML Microlinear or AT-VM95SH Shibata will be a usefull upgrade on this turntable ? And if yes which of the two do you prefer ?
Thanks Dave :) Yes, the Oyaide mat will work well - I did review it in the past and loved it. The Sibata would be my choice of the carts but I wonder if the 120x's arm is worth it, to be honest. I personally would go for a Goldring E3 and then looking at your your rack shelving (where is the turntable situated?) I have yet to try a stabiliser on the 120x but that might be worthy of investigation too, to calm any vibrations around the bearing.
@@TheAudiophileMan Ok thanks I'll start with buying the Oyaide mat and check out the Goldring E3. As where the turntable is situated, it is on the Onkyo. I know it isn't ideal but I had to set it up this way because of the lack of space (I had to squeeze it all on a little cupboard in his bedroom). But maybe a stabiliser is also something I should invest in. Thanks for all your advice, you've been a great help.
I'd go for the 120x just because it's current - the TEAC has been retired, so I hear. I've only had minimal experience with the TEAC but still prefer the 120x (the latter has a better cartridge, for example).
@@TheAudiophileMan I saw that they recent brought out a newer "a3" version.. either way I'm inclined to get the Bluetooth version of the 120. Seems an arounder with good reviews.
The fact that the 120 has 78 speed is it's selling feature Add a 78 cartridge and its a shellac collectors dream... well unless you can afford Regardless 78 $700,it's Pro-Ject Evo $600 or Clearaudio's new 78 tt @ $1,695.
how have you found the Fluance RT81 since? hope you don't mind me jumping on here and asking - I'm weighing up my options and the auto stop on the Fluance is kind of pushing me that way...
@@bethalexandrapotterhey, I bought RT81 but the cue lever failed to stay in up position. Returning it and ordered a LP120X. You can turn off auto stop on RT81
Just check in on your video and I have a question. The tonal difference you describe is caused by: 1. The cartridge 2. Electronics in the turntable With all things being equal - record spinning, same tone arm, same cartridge, how does one unit sound different than the other?
@Taco actually, I did have a Rega and I had send it back because it was too fast. The vendor of course treated me like like ignorant fool and insisted that it was not possible even when I heard the difference and a technician confirmed it with a simple check and a strobe light. And this is my trouble with these kinds of evaluations, they seem totally subjective. I can respect experience and I can totally agree that adding gimmicks to a product may substract money from quality, but on the final analysis what we audiophiles and consumers want to know is how this product compares with similar priced others. Which, by the way, the author does address, only that a Rega in the US costs almost twice of what it does in Britain.
Not sure what you mean by wobble. Side to side? I have this TT, and the platter itself doesn't wobble. In the video, the felt mat was wobbly, but for my TT I replaced it with an acrylic mat, and it's way better.
am planing to buy one on amazon but there is an option for a wireless version and a wired version can someone exoplanet to me the difference and if the wireless version can still be wired?
I'm not a DJ, Fred. I know a few but I'm personally a full-time journalist. The only wheels I spin are attached to the hatchback outside the front door. Even so, I'd look at Reloop.
I'm a DJ. I can recommend buying a good second-hand pair of Technics Sl1200's If you're going to buy new, then yes, I would also recommend the Reloop RP-7000 MK2's
@@fredjoseph3151 One thing to note about the Reloop RP-7000 MK2, and any other Modern OEM turntable, is that they use digital pitch controls in their turntables, as with the older Technics, they use analogue pitch controllers which happened to be more accurate and forgiving than digital pitch faders. If you can find a pair of Technics Sl-1200 Mk5's in good condition, then I would recommend those over any other turntable for Deejaying. The MK5's are honestly the best DJ turntable that Technics ever made. And don't be worried about buying second-hand technics. They're solid as a rock and have stood the test of time. BTW what type of music do you intend to DJ?
How primitive, pull the belt to another notch.... sounds like something Fred Flinstone would use.... I wonder if you have to wound up a spring on the rega to ensure it would keep a constant angular speed on the platter
Is this at least 50% automatic? with the tone arm returning to its resting spot after playing an LP? Heaven forbid AT would sell you a full 100% automatic.
@@manjacovus5342 Do they think everybody that wants a record player works in a DJ night club!?? Pardon me, but I'm sorry, I'm a senior grew up in the 50's and my first experience with record players were they were all fully automatic. Now somehow I have to FORGET auto and somehow ENJOY regressing to manual?? I thought technology was suppose to progress and simplify the experience? Guess it's like comparing going to the moon in the 60's, and here we are 2024 and we could not get to the moon if our LIVES depended on it. They claim we destroyed all the technology for it!! ....LOL.....yea, did we really go?? Amazing how many so called conspiracy's end up being TRUTH. Thanks sorry for my ranting.
I bought an Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB. I sold it after a few months and replaced it with a 1982 JVC TT. The AT was poorly made, and the tracking was useless.
I love my Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB. I have it running through a pair of Klipsch R-51M speakers. Cork vinyl slip mat. Changed the cartridge with the Ortofon Red 2M. Sounds amazing. Also, for me, the reason they have the led light there is if you're playing vinyl at night with the lights out, it's perfect for placing the tonearm where it needs to be. I have no gripes with my system, at all. Looks and sounds incredible.
Have the same turntable mate 2 years now. Is the ortofon red 2m a good recommended upgrade
@FallingUnknown….I’m new to these modern turntables so I’m unsure how everything works. Do your speakers connect directly to the turntable using the preamp or do you have an external preamp…
@@graham520 if you you have powered speakers then you can connect the turntable straight to the speakers without any external preamp plus amp/receiver because this turntable has a built in preamp. However you can switch the built in preamp off and use an external preamp which is going to sound better! You can also get better speakers for your money if you get passive speakers instead of powered and in that case you would need also a amp/receiver. So you could do these different set ups: 1. Turntable (with turntable preamp turned on) plus powdered speakers. 2. Turntable plus external preamp (internal preamp turned off **going to sound better) and powered speakers. 3. Turntable (with internal preamp turned on) plus amp/receiver and passive speakers (better speakers for the money and you can get a pretty good amp for around $100 and you can still upgrade to external preamp later which will sound better) or 4. Turntable (with internal preamp turned off) plus external preamp, external amp/receiver and passive speakers (best possible sounding version). Does that make sense?
Here's the deal. Just use the LP120X in its stock form, make all of the alignment adjustments, lower the cueing lever height, let it break in and enjoy. If you feel the need to tweak, try different RCA cables before anything else. I've tried different mats, a couple of weights, some will get you more bass thump on certain records but at the expense of other things so I went back to the stock 1/8" felt mat because it gives that warm, fat 70's-style bass and the most stereo "space" and lush warmth. It does have some quirks and a flimsy plastic feel but at that price, don't expect perfection. The platter has a tendency to look warbly which will drive you nuts if you stare at it but you don't hear it. My only big complaint is that I wish it was semi-automatic.
The recessed connectors can be seen as a big advantage, because you can put it closer to the wall and thus it occupies less space. This could mean the difference between getting a new piece of furniture and not having to. And you also don't see the cables protruding from it when it is close to a wall. I don't have a problem with having visible cables, but many people do.
Another thorough and thoughtful comparative review without any audio snob hysterics. Well done!
It's a shame that Audio Technica did away with the tonearm height adjustment but otherwise this appears to be a significant upgrade to the previous model for folks who just want to listen to vinyl at home (admittedly on a budget!) rather than DJing, as you say. I personally have no interest in DJing but the platter speed adjustment was one of the main selling points for me as a musician in that one can instantaneously adjust the pitch for playing along with (or working out how to play) the recorded music. Not only invaluable for non-tunable instruments (eg harmonica or a piano or whatever) but also when one is just too darned lazy to re-tune a guitar between changing records. Superb review/comparison with some of it's closest competitors - thanks!
Well said!
I had purchased a 120x in silver, however on opening it I instantly lusted after the SL1200 mk2 that I had 20+ years ago. I ended up paying the same price for a very good example. Granted if you want to buy new that doesn’t help, and it can be a minefield for used SL1200s, but when the latest versions eg mk7 is £799, the GR is £1200, I do recommend considering it. I can’t think of many other turntables that have lasted 30+years and that can still be serviced today.
I have bought the Audio Technica AT-LP120X and I can confirm it sounds good. It is my first record player, so I can't really compare it to anything. The tonearm (shank, headshell and gimbal) is made of aluminium, even though it looks like plastic on many internet photos and videos because of the finish it has. The anti-skating works, I tested it on a CD. The record player (standing on a wooden cabinet that is on the floor and is full of various items) doesn't pick up vibrations from myself walking next to it or the speaker hanging right above it. If someone was drilling a big hole in the wall I'd probably hear that, but so I would without the record player. The plinth is plastic, but it doesn't feel too cheap, same is true for the buttons. You can use it with the lid closed to no ill effect despite what the manual says. It doesn't resonate when playing, it just makes a sound audible through the speakers when you are closing it. The lack of auto-stop is a bit more annoying than I anticipated it to be though.
I just picked up this turntable last week. I bought an Ortofon 2 M blue, and a very affordable tube based phone preamp at the same time.
I have to say it's an outstanding performer with these additions. Also as ugly as that light is, it's incredibly useful and lights up the contact port with the stylus and record perfectly in dark rooms. If I got rid of this table I would miss that ugly terribly.
Another thing tge reviewer failed to mention the impression of. The very handy option to swap cartridges on the fly. I bought a second headshell as well. I can swap cartridges in seconds with no tools. A removable heads hell is a must for me.
By this table and with your extra cash buy some of the items impact the sound quality the most. A good preamp and cartridge.
@dentman67 - if you don’t mind my asking: which pre-amp did you buy? And… did you feel you needed a better pre-amp than the onboard one that came with the TT?
@jrh11254 Yes, if money isn't an issue pick up a preamp. I got the cheap tube based one from Amazon. It's made by Fosi Audio.
@@dentman67 - Thank You.
@@jrh11254 My pleasure. The Fosi is not a great preamp, but it's better than what's in the turntable, my vintage Pioneer SX-780, and my newer Onkyo 2k receiver. Just some perspective for you
@@dentman67 - just bought a Fluance RT-81+ yesterday; expecting delivery late this week. I’ll try it out - first with its built-in Texas Instruments Pre-amp - then I’ll assess whether to upgrade or not. This has been quite a momentous time for me: whether, at age 70, i need to sell/donate/store all my 1000+ LPs…and then what to do with my 1000+ CDs?! I’ve decided to try to get back into both media - see what happens. For the last 15 years or so I’ve listened to streaming-services exclusively. It’s convenient and all but i really miss feeling what those LPs brought to me when i listened: cross-legged on the floor, pouring over liner-notes and cover-art. We’ll see!!
The light on the LP120X works great. It really helps with the needle drop in lower light situations. I am glad it is there over the glitchy pop up/down previous version. If you do not want the light then just pull it out and DONE. If you want it, plug it in.
IMO the Audio Technica players are not true DJ machines and never meant to be. They are just great sounding LP players!!
agreed, my buddies keep telling me to scratch on this thing and I tell them all to f off lmfao
one of the best turntable I've ever owned and I used to have a very expensive older Technics that stopped working -the lp120 has impressive sound on that stock cartridge especially coming through a $1500 surround sound setup
@@joshs3905 I agree! I have previously owned several older Technics 1200. They all died on me, over time, so I decided to try the Audio Technica LP120X.
I could not be happier with the Audio Technica LP120XUSB turntable! IMO it sounds and functions amazingly.
I personally have had no issues and the player is in the top tier of vinyl players sound and function wise IMO.
I challenge anyone to post a better turntable, in reality, for the price.
@@JB54379 I couldn't agree more man. I spent almost 2 weeks doing research and was about to pull the trigger on a Fluance RT84. The LP120x has better spin consistency with the quartz lock, and realistically the VM540 upgrade is supposed to top the 2m ornofon blue, along with an acrylic platter mat to go with it, and I can't see any reason to go with the Fluance. Plus the 1 up with DD vs belt drive is with good quality direct drives, you get just as good tracking as belt if not better and never have to replace a belt every 3-4 years. Sold me lol
Against your opinions I did jump on the LP120X to replace the RP1, and after having set it up properly (moved over my VMN95ML and changed alignment to Baerwald, from an already slightly unprecise Stevenson-alignment that it came with out of the box), I can't really hear this difference you talk of. I also feel the LP120X did better in some areas.. my slightly offcenter records no longer sound as "sour" as they used to, indicating to me that the Rega's speed is more uneven than the LP120X.
Also, the lack of adjustment for the anti-skating turned out to be a larger issue than I imagined. This could be seen in the way the tonarm would just bounce off to outside the record when dropping the needle on the run-in groove sometimes but I also struggled with a slight imbalance between channels on the Rega, and now that I was finally able to adjust the anti-skate rather than the fixed one on the Rega this problem also went away. While this wasn't a huge thing, it was very noticeable when listening to music through a headset. Using speakers I wouldn't notice.
Lastly the stylus and pickup that comes with the LP120X runs in circles around the one shipped with the Rega P1, so it's quite a mystery to me how both players out of the box would be producing sound favoring Rega, regardless of how much better the tonearm is. I ditched my Rega Carbon so can't make any direct comparison myself, but did test the VM95E before putting back my VM95ML and what I noticed is that it did not have anywhere near as much sibilance which was the thing that really threw me off on the Carbon. It's there to some extent, but it's more tolerable.
My conclusion thus is a bit different than yours. In my personal opinion the LP120X excels over the Rega P1 as a whole. If I were to give Rega a few extra points it would be that it's much easier to set up if you're a beginner, as the LP120X did require some of these fiddly bits to set the counter weight right and you can't really do without a stylus weight. The lowering mechanism also feels much sturdier and is a bit on the flimsy side on the LP120X.
If anyone is still wondering two years later like I did, consider your feature set rather than worrying about the sound quality. Properly set up and with proper styli they both sound equally great (again, my opinion :) ).
I have this turntable. I have no interest in the USB function. I would have liked to buy one without it because it would probably be even more affordable.
EXCELLENT review and in my case, perfectly contextual, since I was in the midst of deciding between the 120X and the RT81. This made me solidly land on the 120X. (will be keeping your preamp suggestion under my belt as well.)
Another good one Paul. I've been using the Audio Technica AT-LP120X for about a year now. It's a great table. If your new to the sport, It's a good start. More features than many and it won't break the bank.
I find the stylus light to be functional and a nice accessory on my 120x. I normally listen to my albums in low light, so the light is very helpful when starting to play, or looking to see the location of the stylus on an album.
Great review, I just happened to order the AT yesterday, not having seen this review and I feel glad I made this choice for a budget turntable.
As a budding high school audiophile in the late 70's/early 80's...those strobe markers on the platter were THE thing. I love those. I don't run vinyl at at...but this could be an easy re-entry table. Great video. (you're right though, that light is ugly)
I bought my 120x a couple of months ago, (got it for £195 from AO yeah me! it went back up 2 days after I ordered it Phew). I would never describe myself as an audiophile, but I love spinning my LP's and CD's. It sounds perfectly ok to this peasants ears. Loved your review thanks
And thank you :)
Still enjoying my Pioneer 518, receiver & speakers after decades of use
Excellent review! Since you made this the price of this unit has gone up, doubtless due to inflation, to $350 US. I was lucky enough to get this a few years ago for $299. For that price I was still very impressed with the sound quality, which was improved a good deal by switching from the internal preamp to a Schiit Mani II and upgrading the cartridge to a VM95SH. those two upgrades gave a much wider, more spacious soundstage to my ears.
... and of course, ditching those cheap pack-in RCA cables for something better.
i like the At-Lp120 I had mine for at least three years and no problems! I like that you can adjust the tonearm height to the right level if using different thickness mats!
Thanks for another great review, Paul. Nice to see old school Ultravox in the backround.............great memories! Have to dig up my copy!
happy to see you do a good teardown of my daily turntable, love your videos cheers from canada 🇨🇦
I love my rega but the only feature I miss is the auto-stop. But if you don't mind the little extra involvement with your turntable it sounds and looks beautiful.
The whole changng the belt thing for speed put me off the rega thus reason i went for the 120x
Great review! Unfortunately, all Rega turntables are much more expensive in the U.S. I wonder why they can't get their prices down?
Because Rega wants you to pay for its shipping costs in the USA. Pro-Ject, as one example, offers better value.
@@TheAudiophileMan Pro-ject does seem to be priced better in the US. Do you know if they are sister companies with Rega? Just curious if Rega has some reason to try not to compete with Pro-ject in the US?
No, the two are wholly different outfits.
Great review that validates my recent purchase of this lovely AT deck.
The 120X is pretty nice IMO. I've got the nude version of the cartridge (AT-VM95EN) and run it through a fairly inexpensive tube pre-amp (not bottom end, but lower) and it sounds incredibly good for the investment. Quite happy with it the setup.
Would you mind sharing what pre-amp you got. In the process of building a setup
@@Idkwihta It's a pretty simple little one. Tube buffered rather than a full tube implementation, but I think it sounds pretty decent overall. It's the Ampapa A1. Like I said, not top of the line, but for the price, it's very nice, and has some nice side-features as well. I'm just running it straight out to some powered monitors and a Martin Logan sub. Simple, but very effective for the space it's in. (general purpose living room arrangement rather than a listening room)
Thanks for reviewing. I have been very successful and pleased with this table. Dead silent operation when mounted correctly. I guess I'm a ripper now.
Here is what I'm currently using for phono playback/ ripping. I have a nice digital rig brings things over transparent with a nice DAC as good as a lp listen. Its all there @ HD.
Equipment:
Audio Technica - LP120 XUSB >
(Tonearm o'ring bands mod)
Alchemist - Record Weight, Stabilizer, Stroboscope, Gradienter
AT-HS6 Headshell
AT-VM95ML Cartridge
Hudson Hifi - Clear Acrylic Mat >
Gotham GAC-4/1 & Amphenol RCA
ifi - Audio Zen Phono
ifi - Audio iPower - Low Noise DC Silent Power Supply
AudioQuest - Tower (2×)
Volbox - Attenuator
Tascam - DR-05X > 2ch Stereo >
HiQuick - Charger & AA rechargeable battery power >
Captured > 24bit /96khz WAV >
SanDisk - Micro Extreme Pro SD
Record Cleaning:
Record Doctor V
Record Doctor Clean Sweep - (3)
Distilled water
-1% Liquinox - pre wash
-2% Ilfotol - wash
-2.5% USP 99.9% IPA - rinse
- final pure distilled water rinse.
(Verified by a chemist)
Ready, say no more! ... I'm selling my LP120 right now and I'm going for the Rega P1. This is the video I was hoping to see.
Always enjoy your videos. Hopefully there are more turntable reviews coming in the 1 to 2 thousand dollar mark.
A very nice review, thank you Sir. If the main difference from the Rega rp1 is the tone arm, can the arm on the 120 x be upgraded? And if so should the first upgrade of the 120x be the arm or a cartridge/stylus?? Or what order would you recommend, pre-amp, arm then cartridge?
I wonder why they discontinued the arm-height adjustment on this version?
Not needed, to be fair. It comes with a great cartridge, and unlike the older version, the cartridge has stylus upgrades available for it that don't require arm height adjustment.
Just put the AT 1/8" felt mat on the Fluance and it should be more on par with the LP120X. I figured this out because I bought a rubber mat made by Decogear to safely play 45's on the LP120X and it's exactly the same as the Fluance stock rubber mat with a different logo. It's a heavy slab of rubber so of course it will muck up all the warm airiness and big wooly bass that made the LP120X sound so great. Also, they're not the same stylus/cartridge.
Great review. My friend has a Audio Technica LP3 and a Audio Technica LP60. The Tonearm on the LP60 does not have a catch to keep the arm in place. He accidently switched it on and the Tonearm went onto the rubber mat ruining the stylus and he was unaware of this. Surely Audio Technica could charge a little more and include a catch. I wonder how many other people have done the same.
Actually this is one of my pet peeves. I’ve seen this on occasion from other companies too. it’s so easy to fix but smacks of slapdash design. And thank you :)
@@TheAudiophileMan Especially when Aldi or Lidl did a generic turntable that was a little flimsy in build at £89 and was a bargain for they money. They managed to include one.
@@TheAudiophileMan Did you find it hard to track down a classic LP120 ?, I can tell you the horrid BI preamp bottlenecks the treble, there is filters just before the patch cord, like a second order woofer crossover
Thank you, just what I needed. I'm from México and used to own an acrylic turntable made from an independent builder. It was beautiful, sounded great but the speed was awful. Now Im getting my money back, I was thinking the Pro-ject debut evo. But since I haven't been doing so well economicaly I think the audio technica is the best option. (Here in México the Rega, Pro-ject are more expensive)
I decided to get a new made DD turntable so i took in consideration Audio Technica, but when seeing the cheaply made cueing light system i made my mind about the 120x and i look forward to 140XP! ☺️
This or LP50 or Fluance 82?
Any similar like this which also plays CD? Japanese brand.
they don't supply a 78 rpm cartridge for the 120X, which i got the black version. Can you let us know which cartridge for 78 to get.The only con is that it does not stop and lift at the end of the record [like the Dual 505].
You don't need a "cartridge" for it, just the 78 rpm stylus, which is the AT-VMN95SP stylus. Remove the green stylus that comes with the 120x, and put the AT-VMN95SP in place. You can now play 78s (I bought my 120x to play 78s BTW).
Thank You for the review. When we change the phono cartridge, I would expect the tone arm height at the BASE has to be adjusted so that the tone arm will be parallel to the record surface. How come all these turntables do not have this feature ?? I find that hard to believe the design of a turntable can ignore this capability. I can see many expensive turntable tone arm failed to provide this capability. REGA claimed that if REGA cartridges are installed, there is no need for such an adjustment. I accept this. At least REGA offers a 2 mm shim to raise the tone arm height at its rear but many tone arms do not have this option . This capability is simply ignored in turntable design.
Yes, with you all the way here but I suspect the build budget is the dominant issue here. To implement that feature would cost. Budget turntables are built with next to no lee way. More expensive designs don't have that excuse, that's true. On average, and I emphasise that word, you shouldn't have an issue because most budget carts for budget decks and they are - generally - of a similar height. Ish. Saying that, if it bothers you then that could be an early symptom of an upcoming upgrade that's approaching at high speed! :)
Audio Technica have done what REGA do. This Audio Technica turntable comes with an Audio Technica cartridge, which, unlike REGA's cartridges, has a range of interchangeable styli - conical, bonded elliptical, nude elliptical, microlinear, and shibata. There is also a stylus for 78rpm discs. This is an upgradeable plug and play solution that removes the need to change cartridges.
Thank you for all your input. Like lot of people on here I'm new to this. my wife and I have wanted a turn table for a while so I'm getting a early start on Christmas shopping. By what I'm finding and deciding on I need to get everything. Turntable, speakers, and everything else I need. Enough with my story on with my question. Can you replace the tonearm from the at120x with one from the Rega RP1 and have a really good turn table? Or does it make make more sense to just buy a turntable in a more higher price range? If so which ones should I start looking at. Thanks for taking time to answer mine and everyone else questions and all your insight.
Tonearm replacement on this one is a bit of a no-no, I'm afraid. Besides, if this is your first turntable, installing tonearms can be a little daunting. I'd go for a good package but that depends on your budget.
@@TheAudiophileMan thank you very much
Great review. It's unfortunate that since your review the price here in the U.S. has gone up an additional $50 or 40£. I guess it'll have to be the Fluance RT81 for me.
The 81 is a fine machine.
For someone who reviews Hi-Fi, your audio is slightly off. It's very sibilant. And my choice would be Rega every time.
You mean because I hang a turntable around my neck and strap speakers to my arms? :) Its money thing. This is why I stared Patreon, to help me upgrade my hardware. We aren't all rich TH-camrs y'know :) Actually, I've been looking at a new mic system (the one I have ain't exactly cheap, let me tell ya!) so when my ship rolls in I might go for that.
A very interesting video thank you for sharing. For £250 you could pick up a much better vintage turntable but I do fancy a couple of the features such as the USB and the easy to swap head shell.
I'm surprised and slightly disappointed that you forgot to compare 120x against previously featured 140XP, which is a true successor to the old LP120. The 120X actually came in later, to help bridge the gap and offer something cheaper which resembles that all familiar SL1200 look.
I wanted to compare and contrast the 120 to other designs around its price point. If I had looked at the 140 then I would have had to look at the LP5x and the Planar 2 and...things would have got out of hand :)
Excellent budget turntable if not a little Technics 1210 wannabe.....great review.
I love Audio Technics cartridges but never had the pleasure of owning one of their turntable!
I've had my Audio Technica Lp120X for almost 1 year and I like it and after 1 year I think I'm ready to do some upgrades ... I just ordered one ifi zen phono preamp and Nagaoka Mp-110 cartridge.
I'm really curious how exactly the design of the tonearm affects the quality of the sound if the cartridge and the preamp are doing pretty much all the job.....
Thank you for all the great videos!!!
Many thanks for your kind words - the tonearm provides a support structure, connecting the cart to the plinth. The war is won and lost via the tonearm, in terms of sound quality. It's essential for good sonic performance. A poorly designed arm can induce its own vibrations or it can do a bad job at draining or rejecting high frequency noise - all of which mask fine detail.
If you enjoy playing 78’s the X turntable would be your clear choice out of the three. If I wanted an audiophile turntable I would pitch a higher price range.
I just bought the LP 120 X USB and love it. Are there any upgrades that I can make to it to get more when my budget will allow. eg platter, platter mat, stylus, or as you mentioned maybe the tone arm. As I'm new to this any help would be awesome. Thanks in advance.
Cheap upgrades include a cork/rubber mat from Pro-Ject while adding sorbothane sheets (eBay) under the platter (they're sticky sheets that you can cut to size) will help damp it. Make sure the application is evenly applied so that any added weight doesn't cause running issues. The cartridge is fine. Put the turntable on a decent hifi shelving system too to isolate the turntable from noise and vibration around the house. Also think about an external phono amplifier such as the Pro-Ject MM Phono for around £69.
@@TheAudiophileMan Thank you so much for the reply. I had the same thought with the sorbothane but wasn't sure if it was the right move or not, so good to hear. That platter rings like a church bell. LOL Thanks again. 😁👍
The light is great for spotting dust and song breaks if you listen in lower light
Quick question. My stylus( lp120 ) is off center to right the white line ever so slightly. Is that normal if you know? It came out of the box like that. I just set it up last night
My main criterion is 78 rpm playback for my small collection. I already have a vintage Yamaha battleship for standard LPs. The Super OEMs are a reasonable choice, for me.
The original popup design of the light makes it difficult to repair without seriously pulling the turntable apart to get to the under bits.
Nice informative review, but I think I’ll stick with my 1977 technics sl1800 👍🏻
Yeah, I miss my 1800 also.. I dj'ed with it too. I would go against a 1200 dj any day.
Is this better than the sony bluetooth turntable... i find the sony tone arm skips about way too easy.. is the AT better?
I just purchased this turntable and hooking it up tonight. In your opinion, what sounds better? Using the Phono out? or line out? I have the option to use either one to my Yamaha receiver.
An external phono amp is best.
Top notch Paul! If I got the pro ject pre amp am I able to still use my active speakers they are
Edifier R1280T
Thanks keep up the great work
Sure, the 120x would plug into the phono amp and the phono amp would plug into the speakers.
Thanks Paul , I have asked you long ago and bought Project phono for £69 from Amazon, just a question here if I buy Rega Phono can I hear significant difference? From my AT LP120x . Also as always I love watching your videos and on Facebook how our group interacts with each other is also a big help
Thanks again
Which Rega phono? And thanks for your kind comments.
Hi Paul it’s Rega Fono MM Phono Stage
£199.00, .
Hi will you be reviewing the Audio Technica 120xBT-USB? im looking for my first turntable and i like the additional features included with the BT however concerned if the sound quality is poor
Now I've sorted the 120x, Lewis? Probably not. I would expect the built-in Bluetooth receiver not to be of great help in general sonic terms (quite the opposite, in fact) although, of course, the off-set is the enhanced Bluetooth feature is is very handy to have.
Was just about to order one when I read on here you can no longer adjust the arm height, that’s a completely ridiculous to exclude from a turntable, especially with multiple cartridges so just lost them a sale.
Great review. Love your channel. I am more of a middle budget guy and I have bought one of these 120X. Would you recommend any upgrades such as a mat or better cartridge?
Thank you in advance
The mat, sure - a cork mat or cork/rubber mix would be ideal. A Goldring E3 would work well too.
Hello! Thanks for the great review. I am looking into getting an external preamp for my 120x very soon. I know you mentioned the pro-ject mm in the video. Would that be your top recommendation? Also, I know a lot of people were recommending to remove and bypass the built-in preamp before adding an external. It seems like maybe that was for the older models of the 120lp as it had a greater impact than the built-in has on the 120x. Is that correct? I’m really not sure I want to tear into the built-in and risk messing something up.
I’m also needing to replace my cartridge. I’m leaning towards the VM540ML. Would you recommend a different one more that is in the same (ish) price range? Thanks for any additional help!
The 540 is overkill for the 120x. Go to £100 max (Ortofon 2M Red or, even better, Goldring E3) and then, if you have the extra cash, put that towards a superior phono amp (which will serve you well if you upgrade the turntable). The surgery you mentioned was aimed at the older model. As for my top phono amp? That depends on your budget.
Forget 2m Red.
Upgrade to the ML VM95ML for the existing cart. Its leaps and bounds better.
Grab a ifi Zen for sound 10× the cost. You will get a overperformer for a budget cost.
I have my rips on my channel. If you want to hear the combination with short low capacitance cables. Everything ripped via Tascam 24/96. Tried to minimize loss to video. You can get a jist of what I'm talking.
Please Mister I would like to buy Audio Technica .I love deeper bass and more aggresive treable tones. I listen italo disco from the 80's.
Do I go with 120 or 140?
140
Great video and review!You really should review something vintage like the Duals. That would be very interesting, and I dare say a challenge. Try a record changer from their lineup.
Vintage is in my sights but I don't currently have the budget for that class of hifi and I'd need the right type - in good working order, everything working, ship shape, etc. Saying that, it's in my head so I hope to look at vintage in the future.
With the Rega you also have to actually remove the plater and then reposition the belt.
What’s the alternatives
Hi Paul as a first turntable for my son LP3 or LP120x? Is there much difference in sound quality? Great reviews and I enjoy your channel.
120 - and yes, there is a difference in sound quality. And thank you.
@@TheAudiophileMan Wonderful, thanks Paul. Appreciate your time and value your advice. Your channel is my “go to” for all that’s good in audio content.
Excellent review and look at comparative offering strategy. Fit for a marketing 101 course!
Can this be used with a scarlet 18i20?
I've been searching for my very first turntable, but where i live, many of the recommendations (like the lenco, fluance or the rega) are either way too expensive or unavailable and the shipping costs can make them way too expensive for what i'm willing to spend on an "entry level" player.
At the same time, you have mentioned that sound could be improved by using a phono-amp and i was wondering, is there a way to improve it further? perhaps changing the needle/capsule for another brand? is there a way to reeplace/modify the tone arm to make it sound better or perhaps add things inside the shell to reduce vibration or noise?
How could one improve the most a budget turntable for it to sound it's very best?
I've read the cable situation on your note section and take note, but is there anything more that could be improved?
What’s your budget and can you list the rest of your hifi please?
Hi paul. I keep looking at this type of deck to play my 78 records on , which I was gifted well over a year ago . I just can’t make my mind up , I know Rega do a dedicated deck for 78 playback which for nothing else would be in keeping with the rest of my rega setup . Trouble is I feel duty bound to give them the honour of being played rather than been stuck in the attic . Anyway I might just get some pleasure from listening to these old relics from the past . As in Being a bit of a relic myself as they say 🤣👍👍👍. Best wishes as always.
@Taco hi sir is this the rega 78 deck you mean ? Best wishes and kind regards. 😀
I have been using the LP120X for over a year now and use it to play 78's. It's probably the best out there for doing that. Careful though! It's very delicate and I found myself adding more tracking force to keep the stylus on the records at this high speed. I had to get used to it. Good luck!
@@Extremesam43 hi Sam I don’t know if you will pick this comment up , but ha it’s worth a try . I have now got the deck with the 79 cartridge to match , I’m finding when the record finishes it just jumps back and will not stop in the runout grove . Have increased tracking force but to no avail , any surgestuns would be most welcome. Best wishes and kind regards to your good self
@@1x3dil Most automatic/semi-auto turntables have adjustment screws located either inside or underneath to fine-tune the tonearm travel. Refer to your manuals or search the web for more info.
How do they dodge the blatant copying of the you know what? Even the LP120 is only a '0' short of the other TT.
Hi, as a complete newbie… with this turntables, what else would I need to play vinyls. please add part numbers)
Assuming you have a stylus and headshell (needle) and computer with speakers or a home audio system nothing else is needed.
TT → USB → computer ♪
TT → RCA → Receiver ♪
Really just a headshell and stylus if you don't already have that. If you need help with a stylus or headshell do a bit of reading on the types and their purposes so you buy the right kind for your usage needs. DJ needles are not so good for audio quality usually but they are very durable. Listening stylus' often have good sound quality but they are more fragile. Different stylus shapes and materials make a difference as well. Like I said, do some reading and make your choice if you need a stylus. You don't need to spend much to get a decent stylus to begin with. Any cheapo version will work. But like anything else generally the more you pay the better they get.
Be sure to learn how to align a stylus correctly or you may damage your records over time and experience sub par sound quality. You can find videos here on yt to help you with that.
Hello Audiophile Man. Can you connect headphones to this turntable?
Why do you prefer a flimsy felth mat over a thick rubber mat. A good thick rubber mat dampens the platter much better than the flimsy felth mat that is supplied.
A vinyl record is a very primitive battery, it's good at storing energy. You can hear this for yourself if you remove a record from a sleeve and you hear the crackles of static.
Alternatively, you can hear the pops of static during play. In addition, during play, a record will receive and hold vibrations from the action of the platter and the stylus wobbling inside its grooves. These vibrations will mask sonic detail - it's subtle, I know but it's there and you notice it when it's gone.
A good platter mat acts as a drain point for this vibration. A bad platter mat won't do that. It will reflect the vibrations back up into the record again. That's what cheap rubber mats do. The best rubber in a mat is butyl but that's relatively expensive. Felt is good, cork too. There's other specialist mats out there that also do well from people like Origin Live, Funk Firm and Hexmat.
i really want to buy this but it isnt in stock anywhere :(
Hello. Someone could help me out on a specific topic about this turntable please? I do need an amplifier to connect a pair of headphones to this turntable ? Thank you very much, I love this kind of reviews, very precise and rich.
Just bought the LP120X love the lights for night listening, richer sounds actually put me off buying an external phono preamp saying it won’t make much difference, instead they advised I spend the money on a better stylus?
Hi Mike. Two things. Those phono amp comments? Complete and utter rubbish. The cartridge point (you meant cartridge)? Sure, you can do that and it will enhance the sound quality. Both are good points of upgrade. Go for both if you can. The priority, which one to focus on first, depends on your current system and budget.
@@TheAudiophileMan thanks for your reply John darko wouldn’t deign himself to reply like you have so thumbs up, I have the at-lp120xbt with q acoustic m20’s, I’m trying the at-vm95sh but to be honest there’s not too much improvement on the supplied green 95e, so I’m going to try the 95ml, I’d value your opinion on these choices and also a decent budget preamp many thanks
@@kkjrees That's a decent little set up - so are you using the 120's phono amp? I would look at that *first*, before you change the cart. The built-in phono is ...ok. Usable. Not amazing. It's stuffed in there using bargain basement parts. Cheap as chips. Well, I've seen better quality chips, to be frank. Use your cash for an external model: better parts quality, lower high-frequency noise level, more delicate detail coming through. All good stuff, frankly.
@@TheAudiophileMan I believe AT upgraded the internal preamp what would you recommend with a 95ML stylus? Many thanks for your advice love your channel
@@kkjrees There's upgrades and there's 'upgrades'. It remains no great shakes and its internal fitted which is not ideal. That's your priority, not a cart. After the phono upgrade, take another listen to the VM, that should sound a lot better. If you want to move on from there, go as high as £100 in general terms. Say an Ortofon 2M Red or, better, a Goldring E3. No higher, the tonearm will be a bottle beck. It's ok but not wonderful.
If you're going to compare 2 turntables, they should have the same cartridge and stylus on them.
I addressed that point in the Description, as noted in the video.
I was uncertain between the 120x and lp5x , and looking your review i decide for the lp5x, now i'm wondering if the extra cash i paid was justified in terms of sound quality....
The Lp5x is the best of the two.
@@TheAudiophileMan many thanks!
I like the light myself…great turntable
First thank you for your very informative channel.
I completely build my son's turntable setup based on your advice and it sounds great (AT LP120x, Onkyo A9110 (the A9010 isn't available anymore), Q Accoustic 3020i, project phonoamp mm and some qed speaker and audiocables to complete the set).
But since you infected me with the upgrade bug with all your cool videos I was wondering the following.
First about a rubber mat update.
Do you know if this model is any good and make a difference on the lp120x : Oyaide br-one turntable mat (made of butyl rubber).
And do you think a stylus upgrade from the original AT-VM95E elliptical to a AT-VM95ML Microlinear or AT-VM95SH Shibata will be a usefull upgrade on this turntable ? And if yes which of the two do you prefer ?
Thanks Dave :) Yes, the Oyaide mat will work well - I did review it in the past and loved it. The Sibata would be my choice of the carts but I wonder if the 120x's arm is worth it, to be honest. I personally would go for a Goldring E3 and then looking at your your rack shelving (where is the turntable situated?) I have yet to try a stabiliser on the 120x but that might be worthy of investigation too, to calm any vibrations around the bearing.
@@TheAudiophileMan
Ok thanks I'll start with buying the Oyaide mat and check out the Goldring E3.
As where the turntable is situated, it is on the Onkyo. I know it isn't ideal but I had to set it up this way because of the lack of space (I had to squeeze it all on a little cupboard in his bedroom).
But maybe a stabiliser is also something I should invest in.
Thanks for all your advice, you've been a great help.
Which would u have: 120X blutooth version or Teac bt280 bluetooth version?
I'd go for the 120x just because it's current - the TEAC has been retired, so I hear. I've only had minimal experience with the TEAC but still prefer the 120x (the latter has a better cartridge, for example).
@@TheAudiophileMan I saw that they recent brought out a newer "a3" version.. either way I'm inclined to get the Bluetooth version of the 120. Seems an arounder with good reviews.
Can you recommend me speakers to buy for this please!? I am trying to get into vinyl thanks!
What's your budget and can you list the rest of your hifi or proposed hifi?
The fact that the 120 has 78 speed is it's selling feature Add a 78 cartridge and its a shellac collectors dream... well unless you can afford Regardless 78 $700,it's Pro-Ject Evo $600 or Clearaudio's new 78 tt @ $1,695.
Just buy the ATVM95SP stylus and pop it on the cartridge that comes with the table, and off you go with shellac 🙂
Great review! I personally went with the Fluance RT81.
how have you found the Fluance RT81 since? hope you don't mind me jumping on here and asking - I'm weighing up my options and the auto stop on the Fluance is kind of pushing me that way...
@@bethalexandrapotterhey, I bought RT81 but the cue lever failed to stay in up position. Returning it and ordered a LP120X. You can turn off auto stop on RT81
What would you recommend for a heavier type music ?
That depends on your budget and the rest of your system, Robert.
Just check in on your video and I have a question. The tonal difference you describe is caused by:
1. The cartridge
2. Electronics in the turntable
With all things being equal - record spinning, same tone arm, same cartridge, how does one unit sound different than the other?
Just picked up a 120 for $150 used on Facebook marketplace. At that price I’m all in on this thing. At $400 no thanks!
Great review, thanks. So the AT compares with the Rega that sells in the US for almost $500. Not bad.
@Taco actually, I did have a Rega and I had send it back because it was too fast. The vendor of course treated me like like ignorant fool and insisted that it was not possible even when I heard the difference and a technician confirmed it with a simple check and a strobe light. And this is my trouble with these kinds of evaluations, they seem totally subjective. I can respect experience and I can totally agree that adding gimmicks to a product may substract money from quality, but on the final analysis what we audiophiles and consumers want to know is how this product compares with similar priced others. Which, by the way, the author does address, only that a Rega in the US costs almost twice of what it does in Britain.
Great, but does the platter still wobbles like the other AT turntables?🤔
Not sure what you mean by wobble. Side to side? I have this TT, and the platter itself doesn't wobble. In the video, the felt mat was wobbly, but for my TT I replaced it with an acrylic mat, and it's way better.
@Taco Actually nope, must be the vinyl's fault. I have an AT 120X and nothing wobbles there
am planing to buy one on amazon but there is an option for a wireless version and a wired version can someone exoplanet to me the difference and if the wireless version can still be wired?
The wireless version adds Bluetooth, so you can push your vinyl sound through Bluetooth speakers, if you wish.
Great looking copy of the classic Technics 1200
As a dj, which turntable would you recommend with this price range?
I'm not a DJ, Fred. I know a few but I'm personally a full-time journalist. The only wheels I spin are attached to the hatchback outside the front door. Even so, I'd look at Reloop.
@@TheAudiophileMan thanks for the advice
I'm a DJ. I can recommend buying a good second-hand pair of Technics Sl1200's
If you're going to buy new, then yes, I would also recommend the Reloop RP-7000 MK2's
@@AmbientWanderer thanks for the advice, I think I will go for it
@@fredjoseph3151 One thing to note about the Reloop RP-7000 MK2, and any other Modern OEM turntable, is that they use digital pitch controls in their turntables, as with the older Technics, they use analogue pitch controllers which happened to be more accurate and forgiving than digital pitch faders. If you can find a pair of Technics Sl-1200 Mk5's in good condition, then I would recommend those over any other turntable for Deejaying. The MK5's are honestly the best DJ turntable that Technics ever made. And don't be worried about buying second-hand technics. They're solid as a rock and have stood the test of time.
BTW what type of music do you intend to DJ?
Great comparison review. Surely helpful for many buyers.
How primitive, pull the belt to another notch.... sounds like something Fred Flinstone would use.... I wonder if you have to wound up a spring on the rega to ensure it would keep a constant angular speed on the platter
Is this at least 50% automatic? with the tone arm returning to its resting spot after playing an LP? Heaven forbid AT would sell you a full 100% automatic.
It's not even slightly automatic.
@@manjacovus5342 Do they think everybody that wants a record player works in a DJ night club!?? Pardon me, but I'm sorry, I'm a senior grew up in the 50's and my first experience with record players were they were all fully automatic. Now somehow I have to FORGET auto and somehow ENJOY regressing to manual?? I thought technology was suppose to progress and simplify the experience? Guess it's like comparing going to the moon in the 60's, and here we are 2024 and we could not get to the moon if our LIVES depended on it. They claim we destroyed all the technology for it!! ....LOL.....yea, did we really go?? Amazing how many so called conspiracy's end up being TRUTH. Thanks sorry for my ranting.
For light duty dj use just mixing these work great and sound fantastic
I bought an Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB. I sold it after a few months and replaced it with a 1982 JVC TT. The AT was poorly made, and the tracking was useless.
the fluance has the older version of the cartridge
Recently purchased Indian Prince 560 usd
I upgraded my stylus on this turntable to the top interchangeable brown stylus.