STACK #132 Oct 2016

TECH

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Put The Needle On the Record

It’s time to dust off your vinyl collection and give it the digital treatment it deserves.

I t seems everyone is talking about the great vinyl renaissance. The truth is, it never really went away. Vinyl is certainly harder to source and lacks the ubiquity of its digital counterparts in their many forms, but for audio purists there simply isn’t any other way. Part of the enjoyment of collecting records is the thrill of the hunt, flicking through crates at flea markets or scouring online auction sites for that eureka moment, that jewel in the crown. For many, the sound of vinyl is simply incomparable. This month we’re looking at Audio Technica’s entry model turntable, the AT-LP60-USB. We see this as a perfect investment for someone who is just discovering the appeal of records, or maybe the audio enthusiast looking to convert their current collection to a digital format, without having to break the bank in the process.

So how does the LP60-USB hold up? The belt-driven turntable has been designed with simplicity in mind. Set in the front are just four buttons: start, stop, a switch to select between 33 1/3 and 45 speeds (Note: you cannot play 78rpm records on the LP60), and a button to lower and raise the tone arm if you want complete control over which tracks you want to hear and/or record. RCA stereo jacks located at the rear of the unit allow versatility for audio output connection options. Of course for those looking to upload years of accumulated records, to access the warmth and quality sound of vinyl in your ears wherever you may venture, the USB port is where the magic happens. But this isn’t just a case of plugging the turntable into a computer, playing a chosen LP and hey presto, it’s done. The way you convert vinyl is by using free software called Audacity. Once you get

your head around the program, uploading is an absolute cakewalk. If you’re expecting a compromise in quality for the budget price tag, think again. Where most lower priced turntables use ceramic cartridges, the LP60-USB utilises a dual magnet cartridge, delivering a surprisingly good sound. Be aware that the cartridge is fixed so you won’t be able to swap it. The stylus can be replaced, and expect about 450 hours of use before you will need to do this. We trialled the Stone Roses’ Fool’s Gold 12-inch and an original 1970 copy of Black Sabbath’s Paranoid , and both transferred well to the laptop. For consumers looking to digitise their vinyl collections without spending big on the tech to do it, the LP60-USB’s ease of use and quality for the price tag will take some beating.

OCTOBER 2015

080

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