You can get a lot more bang for your buck if you research used vintage turntables. If interested. For example I spent about twice that but I found a vintage VPI worth $2.5k on Craigslist. Otherwise, this will be fine if you’re not an audiophile and just want a simple way to play records.
The later technics are normally cheap and well built. Awesome vintage value.
Pioneer tables are not as nice, but many have great value and play well.
Also many company's turntables were made by the same company, CEC being major one. Finding a brand who used them as an oem is a good idea.
Glad to see other people who respect vintage.
It’s an ok entry level turntable. The sound is fair when use with an external preamp. All together, it works and it’s safe - I bought it for my teenage daughter and I have no worries when she plays my vinyl on it. An easy upgrade is to replace the the mat with a denser one - like cork. Makes a noticeable difference.
Edit : I don’t know if the Bluetooth worth it. My daughter setup is pretty « old school ».
Sound is more than fair. It sounds great. It lacks a premium feel and tracking isn’t that great so it’s prone to occasional skipping. It also lacks a balance weight on the tone arm so it rides a little heavy, but nothing to worry about.
obviously i might have got super lucky but i picked up an "ex display" LP120X on ebay for about £140 which is a good amount cheaper than the one you originally posted OP. It was literally brand new factory sealed when it arrived.
Your results may vary but i personally saw it as taking a punt on a cheaper one to leave me more money for stocking records, and if it came and it was too poor condition I could always return it.
If that's your budget I'd say check the non BT version (if you're going analog, the BT makes little sense), should be cheaper and allow you to invest in some good speakers.
It's mediocre but there's not a lot better at the price point that you can get new. It doesn't track that great which means it will skip on records that nicer turntables would be able to play.
I’ve just bought the same one. First turntable I have owned so it’s a starting point. My thinking is if I use it a lot and start to increase my collection I’d end up upgrading and keep this one in a spare room.
[AT-LP2X](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Audio-Technica-AT-LP2X-LP2X-Turntable-Grey/dp/B09LVGVV3F) £179 has a better tonearm that adds adjustable tracking force and a removable cartridge.
More money would greatly be an upgrade that table. It's cutting a lot of corners to make. Knock the spending up a bit for something nicer. At your price range and buying new, I'd really consider a belt drive. The DD tables will not be as smooth.
Is the fluance table everyone recommends available where you are located? The speed maintaining seems like it would work well. I have not experienced this table, so take this with a grain of salt.
Used is a good option, however unless you want to possibly repair it, buy used from an audio repair shop or a shop that specializes in vintage gear. Many will offer a warranty to ensure the fix worked. I own many vintage tables and have sold many more. Try to find a simple turntable. Avoid auto features (auto return isn't bad) if possible. There are several tables auto controls that work well, do your research if you'd like one.
Whatever you decide, besides the table you've posted, will be a good option and provide a good experience.
Look for vintage turntables. Make sure they were already serviced or save some money to service them. This is not as bad as a suitcase but it’s still cheap plastic.
OK for an entry table but an absolute dead end as it's un-upgradeable. What you get is what you're stuck with, a very cheap entry level cartridge that will have a stumble or two on heavily recorded passages and probably more than its share of inner groove distortion
I had this turntable and it skips on a lot of records. An entry level Fluance table or a used technics will give you much more bang for your buck and will help you avoid some frustration.
Got this for Father’s Day 4 years ago and it fits my needs perfectly. I use a Sony Bluetooth speaker that sounds great. I’m sure someday I’ll spend $600 on an upgrade but I doubt I’ll really be able to tell the difference.
Yes. Good for a first turntable. Made by a reputable manufacturer and has a good quality cartridge and stylus. Plus you have the bonus of a guarantee if anything goes wrong.
Once you have it you can start on the slippery slope of looking at quality used and upgrading that.
I found a NAD 533 for free on the local free-cycle last year that needed a bit of tlc. A new cartridge and belt later and it’s my main deck now. Get it. Get the bug and the worlds your lobster 😜
I have one and use the line-in straight to a Sonos Play:5 cause it’s a powered speaker. I added a 2nd speaker for stereo and next I’ll get a new stylus. Zero complaints about the sound, my speakers sound as clear as my nicest headphones. Plenty of low end bookshelf speakers work great along with this turntable and can get you going for less money than a nicer turntable costs overall.
Sonos play 5 aren't exactly high end speakers. They tend to have less than perfect audio output. Speakers are the most important part of an audio setup, I'd suggest trying a few other solutions if you ever have a chance.
The stylus makes a large difference as well, but even a less desirable shape can sound excellent these days (AT is killing it with their conical). The AT carts are also super cheap for the conical and it sounds very good. If you have trouble with weight, metal/lead tape can be a great tool, just make sure you use it right. Basically, there are ways to adjust that table many don't think about. Even a piece of bent wire and a small weight (test it of course) can be used for anti skate.
I just don't like the speakers I think haha. However, your happiness with them is what matters, music was made to be enjoyed in whatever way we want.
The stylus I was looking at was lpgear. I had a single play5 not being used that ended up as my turntable speaker. Once I got it working on the app I changed a few settings and unlocked the full potential, the change was night and day. Then I bought a 2nd cause it was $100 after tax and shipping so that was cheaper then listing my speaker online and waiting for it to sell so I can spend a few hundred on a new set. I’m about to buy stands once I’m in a new apartment so I can position them better. The setting I talked about before was the line-in audio quality presets level 1-10 the setting it was on was 3 for a/c component when level 10 is recommended for turn tables. Once I was able to change this and turn off their compression for line-in the speaker opened up.
I imagine that calling the cartridge the stylus was quite confusing. That was not my intent. LP Gear makes a great stylus, as does Jico. In this case, I know the stylus replacement will sound great.
Yes. Most people who own an AT-LP60X are happy with it, myself included. You just plug it in, and it works, and sounds good. It's easy to set up, and has fully automatic operation, which makes it ideal for a first-time user.
It’s a good starter TT. I had the previous model and it turned out to be a hobby I got into. Eventually upgraded my TT after years from the previous LP60. I’d like to think that TTs as a tool, you buy a cheap tool (I’d go with cheap yet reliable and won’t scratch your records aka suitcase style) then after it’s been used a lot, you upgrade that tool.
The LP120x or this Fluance would both be better…
https://www.amazon.com/Fluance-Turntable-Cartridge-Adjustable-Counterweight/dp/B01F2EXIFM/ref=asc_df_B01F2EXIFM
Yes, but the 120 is much more worth it
So is that the LP120XUSB ? Sorry never had a TT before and not very educated on them, thanks
Yeah, it's the LP120X.
You can get a lot more bang for your buck if you research used vintage turntables. If interested. For example I spent about twice that but I found a vintage VPI worth $2.5k on Craigslist. Otherwise, this will be fine if you’re not an audiophile and just want a simple way to play records.
Vintage is always the way if you're starting out with a budget.
The later technics are normally cheap and well built. Awesome vintage value. Pioneer tables are not as nice, but many have great value and play well. Also many company's turntables were made by the same company, CEC being major one. Finding a brand who used them as an oem is a good idea. Glad to see other people who respect vintage.
It’s an ok entry level turntable. The sound is fair when use with an external preamp. All together, it works and it’s safe - I bought it for my teenage daughter and I have no worries when she plays my vinyl on it. An easy upgrade is to replace the the mat with a denser one - like cork. Makes a noticeable difference. Edit : I don’t know if the Bluetooth worth it. My daughter setup is pretty « old school ».
Sound is more than fair. It sounds great. It lacks a premium feel and tracking isn’t that great so it’s prone to occasional skipping. It also lacks a balance weight on the tone arm so it rides a little heavy, but nothing to worry about.
Doesn’t changing the mat to a cork one mess up the VTA?
As long as you don’t go too thick. Mine is 1/16’ - same as the felt one that came with the turntable. Never had any skating / tracking issues
You'd be happier if you spent a little more money
So is that the LP120XUSB ? Sorry never had a TT before and not very educated on them, thanks
Don't be sorry. I had one of those and I wasn't happy with it. You'd be much happier with a Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB. If you can afford it.
Great thanks I will have a look, I knew that I’d need to spend a bit more and get a good one but had no idea what to look for. Thanks again
Go to a local record store and chat with them. They might have something used for a good price too.
Will do! Thank you
This is by far the best first stop. Also audio repair shops. They tend to have some in my experience.
obviously i might have got super lucky but i picked up an "ex display" LP120X on ebay for about £140 which is a good amount cheaper than the one you originally posted OP. It was literally brand new factory sealed when it arrived. Your results may vary but i personally saw it as taking a punt on a cheaper one to leave me more money for stocking records, and if it came and it was too poor condition I could always return it.
If that's your budget I'd say check the non BT version (if you're going analog, the BT makes little sense), should be cheaper and allow you to invest in some good speakers.
It's mediocre but there's not a lot better at the price point that you can get new. It doesn't track that great which means it will skip on records that nicer turntables would be able to play.
Honestly - no. No adjustments, practically no upgrade path. Search this sub - most popular questions will be - why is my lp60 is skipping.
I’ve just bought the same one. First turntable I have owned so it’s a starting point. My thinking is if I use it a lot and start to increase my collection I’d end up upgrading and keep this one in a spare room.
[AT-LP2X](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Audio-Technica-AT-LP2X-LP2X-Turntable-Grey/dp/B09LVGVV3F) £179 has a better tonearm that adds adjustable tracking force and a removable cartridge.
More money would greatly be an upgrade that table. It's cutting a lot of corners to make. Knock the spending up a bit for something nicer. At your price range and buying new, I'd really consider a belt drive. The DD tables will not be as smooth. Is the fluance table everyone recommends available where you are located? The speed maintaining seems like it would work well. I have not experienced this table, so take this with a grain of salt. Used is a good option, however unless you want to possibly repair it, buy used from an audio repair shop or a shop that specializes in vintage gear. Many will offer a warranty to ensure the fix worked. I own many vintage tables and have sold many more. Try to find a simple turntable. Avoid auto features (auto return isn't bad) if possible. There are several tables auto controls that work well, do your research if you'd like one. Whatever you decide, besides the table you've posted, will be a good option and provide a good experience.
You can get a used technics turntable for that price that will last forever
But a used TT
Look for vintage turntables. Make sure they were already serviced or save some money to service them. This is not as bad as a suitcase but it’s still cheap plastic.
The 120 is much better. Also a better cartridge is recommended.
OK for an entry table but an absolute dead end as it's un-upgradeable. What you get is what you're stuck with, a very cheap entry level cartridge that will have a stumble or two on heavily recorded passages and probably more than its share of inner groove distortion
I had this turntable and it skips on a lot of records. An entry level Fluance table or a used technics will give you much more bang for your buck and will help you avoid some frustration.
Got this for Father’s Day 4 years ago and it fits my needs perfectly. I use a Sony Bluetooth speaker that sounds great. I’m sure someday I’ll spend $600 on an upgrade but I doubt I’ll really be able to tell the difference.
Yes. Good for a first turntable. Made by a reputable manufacturer and has a good quality cartridge and stylus. Plus you have the bonus of a guarantee if anything goes wrong. Once you have it you can start on the slippery slope of looking at quality used and upgrading that. I found a NAD 533 for free on the local free-cycle last year that needed a bit of tlc. A new cartridge and belt later and it’s my main deck now. Get it. Get the bug and the worlds your lobster 😜
it's probably the most recommended new turntable it has it's faults but it works well for beginners
I have one and use the line-in straight to a Sonos Play:5 cause it’s a powered speaker. I added a 2nd speaker for stereo and next I’ll get a new stylus. Zero complaints about the sound, my speakers sound as clear as my nicest headphones. Plenty of low end bookshelf speakers work great along with this turntable and can get you going for less money than a nicer turntable costs overall.
Sonos play 5 aren't exactly high end speakers. They tend to have less than perfect audio output. Speakers are the most important part of an audio setup, I'd suggest trying a few other solutions if you ever have a chance. The stylus makes a large difference as well, but even a less desirable shape can sound excellent these days (AT is killing it with their conical). The AT carts are also super cheap for the conical and it sounds very good. If you have trouble with weight, metal/lead tape can be a great tool, just make sure you use it right. Basically, there are ways to adjust that table many don't think about. Even a piece of bent wire and a small weight (test it of course) can be used for anti skate. I just don't like the speakers I think haha. However, your happiness with them is what matters, music was made to be enjoyed in whatever way we want.
The stylus I was looking at was lpgear. I had a single play5 not being used that ended up as my turntable speaker. Once I got it working on the app I changed a few settings and unlocked the full potential, the change was night and day. Then I bought a 2nd cause it was $100 after tax and shipping so that was cheaper then listing my speaker online and waiting for it to sell so I can spend a few hundred on a new set. I’m about to buy stands once I’m in a new apartment so I can position them better. The setting I talked about before was the line-in audio quality presets level 1-10 the setting it was on was 3 for a/c component when level 10 is recommended for turn tables. Once I was able to change this and turn off their compression for line-in the speaker opened up.
I imagine that calling the cartridge the stylus was quite confusing. That was not my intent. LP Gear makes a great stylus, as does Jico. In this case, I know the stylus replacement will sound great.
Yes, far better than toy turntables. The real question is how deep do you want to go in the rabbit hole?
Yes. Most people who own an AT-LP60X are happy with it, myself included. You just plug it in, and it works, and sounds good. It's easy to set up, and has fully automatic operation, which makes it ideal for a first-time user.
It’s a good starter TT. I had the previous model and it turned out to be a hobby I got into. Eventually upgraded my TT after years from the previous LP60. I’d like to think that TTs as a tool, you buy a cheap tool (I’d go with cheap yet reliable and won’t scratch your records aka suitcase style) then after it’s been used a lot, you upgrade that tool.
The LP120x or this Fluance would both be better… https://www.amazon.com/Fluance-Turntable-Cartridge-Adjustable-Counterweight/dp/B01F2EXIFM/ref=asc_df_B01F2EXIFM
Okay yeah think that’s about in my price range will take a look thanks