STACK #182 Dec 2019

MUSIC NEWS

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A switchable pre-amp means you can connect to a stereo without a phono line if you’re not quite ready to shell out on a new amp, and the all-important cartridge has received a promotion to an AT 95E, which forms part of the VM 95 cartridge family. This will enable a range of high-end variants to be swapped in if you’ve got the money. Setting up an adjustable tonearm height on a turntable will present a challenge for

Looking for a quality turntable that you won’t have to lie to your partner about the price? Here it is. Words Adam Colby

M otivated by the surge in popularity of vinyl again, a number of years ago I retrieved a handful of records from my dusty collection and took them around to a pal’s house. I had sold off my turntable in a frenetic end of lease flash sale but continued to drag my vinyl crates with me on every subsequent move. That experience of hearing

extend to a high-end model, after doing thorough research, the turntable I decided on was the Audio-Technica AT-120. It proved to be – and remains – a faithful and near flawless companion that punches well above its weight for the price tag. Now Audio-Technica have retired the AT-120, after ten

how good records sounded again, as opposed to MP3s and streams, prompted a

...few can claim the heritage and brand quality of Audio-Technica

snap decision to get another turntable. While my budget didn’t

years of frontline service. It has been replaced with the AT-120X USB, and we recently received a review unit to play with in the office. So what’s changed, and should I pilfer some of the kid’s bank savings for an upgrade?

most beginners, but this feature has been replaced here with a fixed height S-shaped tonearm. The only real adjustment to attend to is the balance weight, but it doesn’t take long to find the sweet spot. A USB port makes connecting to a PC and Mac easy with the right software (Audio-Technica recommend Audacity), so you can rip your collection and take it with you on the move. From a design perspective, the LP-120X is sleeker than its predecessor and a fair bit lighter too, but it’s an aesthetically pleasing turntable that would sit comfortably in any living space (or office, in our case). There are myriad turntable choices available to the consumer in the marketplace, but few can claim the heritage and brand quality of Audio-Technica. If you’re new to the world of vinyl and looking to get involved, or searching for an excellent all-rounder that won’t blow the budget, give the AT LP-120X a spin.

The AT-120X has been designed for home use

and although this doesn’t eliminate its worth for a DJ, the reverse function

has been stripped out. A motor upgrade to the direct drive turntable also improves efficiency and overall performance. Audio-Technica have taken on board the issue that some users had with sound interference, and moved the power adaptor housed within the turntable in the LP-120 to an external supply on the LP-120X.

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DECEMBER 2019

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