st240

TECH REVIEW

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In control On the three-piece plinth – designed to absorb unwanted noise – there's a Bluetooth pairing button, separate controls for automatic start and stop, and a button to determine the record’s playing speed at either 45rpm or 33rpm. The tonearm is J-shaped, a preference of many audiophiles who cite its ability to balance tracking performance, enhance the sound, and reduce distortion. For the record, we think they look better too! Back of house On the rear of the unit are stereo RCA ports, a grounding lug that will significantly reduce the dreaded hum and improve overall sound quality, and a switch for phono and line outputs. Handily, the LP70xBT has a built-in preamp, which means the turntable can be connected directly to powered bookshelf speakers or a Bluetooth speaker without needing an amp. It’s a good way to reduce the expense of setting up a system. If you go through an amp to passive speakers – as we do – a preamp omits the need to add the cost of a separate external preamp to the budget. Moving the needle So, what about the all-important stylus? Well, you’re in good hands here. The turntable ships with an AT-VM95C cartridge with a conical stylus. Users can replace it with any stylus in the VM95 series for an improved listening experience. On the ears How does it sound? We ran it through an Onkyo TX-8150 amp and Jamo E875 floor-standing speakers with a mix of vinyl from jazz, hip-hop, metal, and pop. For its price point, it performed admirably with an excellent overall dynamic frequency range and the crisp detail you’d expect to find on a turntable with a much higher price tag. It delivers an expansive soundstage for contemporary music like Lizzo’s Special , yet still captures the nuances of Miles Davis’s A Kind of Blue , an album recorded 65 years ago. Should I buy this? If you’re new to vinyl, or looking to upgrade to an affordable model without upsetting the savings plan, this is an ideal and quality entry to mid-level turntable. It’s easy to use, aesthetically pleasing, and sounds great. We’d call the AT-70xBT the ideal all rounder, and probably one of the best turntables for beginners that you can currently buy.

REVIEW

Audio-Technica has added a new turntable, the AT-LP70xBT, to its reputable range and we've taken it for a (pun intended) spin.This is what we thought. Words Paul Jones AUDIO-TECHNICA AT-LP70XBT FULLY AUTOMATIC BLUETOOTH TURNTABLE

So, what’s the deal? The AT-LP70xBT is a belt-driven turntable, the most popular drive choice for vinyl connoisseurs. It’s also an automatic player, which means that, at the press of a button, the tone arm will automatically lift across and slowly drop on to the record. When the side of the record is complete, the tone arm returns to its cradle. What are the benefits of automatic operation? It’s set and forget without the anxiety of trying to drop the needle in the right place manually. And you don’t have to dash back to the turntable in a panic when the side ends. The AT-LP70xBT is also easy to set up. Pull it out of the box, remove the packaging, add the dust cover, plug it in, load a record, and play. The cartridge is already attached, and the tone arm doesn’t require balancing, which can be a daunting task for the uninitiated.

She’s got the look Aesthetically, this one is a beauty! The sleek, subtle retro design will fit effortlessly into any space. Finished in black, it's highlighted with subtle bronze trimmings (there’s also a model with silver details) that add class and panache.

42 OCTOBER 2024

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