Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB Manual Direct-Drive Turntable (Analogue & USB)

Product Information

So the 120 is not strictly a DJ turntable, although you could muddle through with it for DJ purposes. I class the 120x as a lifestyle turntable. By that I mean that it’s not wholly dedicated to sound quality. Part of its build budget has been used to buy parts which have nothing at all do do with sound quality. Or perhaps you have LPs or 45s (I did a video here explaining why you should buy 45 RPM records, if you’re interested in watching it) that were released on vinyl several decades ago, but were never released in any subsequent format after that. Because unlike something like the AT-LP60, which I mentioned above, or its even more popular successor in the Audio-Technica AT-LP60X (which I reviewed here, if you’re interested—shameless plug, I know), the AT-LP120XUSB does not have any automatic functionality. I wanted to investigate if there is a way to significantly increase the sonic performance of my AT-LP120 without totally breaking the bank. Let’s not forget that all of these turntables have had – more or less, a little less with the Lenco – the same basic build budget. Each turntable has had to make choices in terms of how far it wanted to push part type and part quality. Each of the turntables I have featured here are nothing but a compromise. That’s what you get from budget turntables at this price point, compromise. The interesting part is to see or rather hear, how each company handles those compromises, each coping with their own type of build-budget pressures.

I mentioned that acoustic guitar strum bite and the raft of information around that simple motion. There was much more information around this area from the 120x. The Fluance nodded towards the acoustic guitar strums but never dwelt upon it so it held less importance in the mix. The 120x wanted you to hear it and feel its significance. The same should be said of the later cymbal taps which offered greater delicacy and fragility via the 120x. That big, fat 'USB' in the title indicates that this turntable, like its forebear, can be connected up to a PC or Mac for converting your vinyl records (via the included Audacity software) into digital format. This will seem kind of pointless to some people – after all, the vast majority of mainstream music is already available to play through streaming services. But it's handy if you have a rare Five Finger Death Punch EP that you're desperate to play on your bus ride to work. The Gold are hand selected from Silver production runs which meet higher test specifications. Approximately 5% of the run usually exhibits these specs and become a Gold.

Compare to Similar Products

The latest turntable to take inspiration from the SL1200 is the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB. Despite this, the Audio Technica – as befits a company with more than a bit of experience where turntables are concerned, of course – has enough going on to make a distinct case for itself, not least of which is its full suite of functionality.

The turntable also boasts tone control, enabling users to adjust the treble, bass, and balance to their desired preference. This feature allows for a more personalized listening experience and adds versatility to the device. So, about that model number. Let’s break it down. AT-LP refers to the brand’s whole turntable range, and the 120 model is part of a series of what Audio-Technica describe as ‘step-up models’, i.e. above the entry-level options but not the professional/audiophile range. The X in the product title indicates that this is the updated model, introduced in 2019 to replace the original AT-LP120. Finally, the BT-USB suffix indicates that this model includes both Bluetooth and a built-in USB audio interface, allowing you to connect it directly to a computer as well as to analogue inputs on an amplifier or powered speaker. Prices valid in stores (all including VAT) until close of business on 27th November 2023. (Some of these web prices are cheaper than in-store, so please mention that you've seen these offers online.)

Our Verdict

The Audio-Technica can seem to drag just very slightly at tempos during bottom-heavy recordings, as the entry into and departure from individual bass notes can be just slightly blurry. But if it’s worthwhile punch you’re after then you can get it here.

It makes reasonably faithful digital copies, too. A little of the excitement, and more than a little of the timing precision, is lost during the translation from vinyl to hard drive. However, for those who have rare, or less-than pristine vinyl that they’d rather not keep taking out of its sleeve, the LP120XUSB is a useful and easy-to-operate method of analogue-to-digital transfer. Lastly, I think what’s important to know here is that you get both an analog and digital experience with this record player, which is quite helpful to some potential buyers. With its low profile design, the LP120XUSB silver is much sleeker than other semi-pro turntables. The build quality is still top notch, though, with the damped construction base and die-cast aluminium platter designed for a long life. This will confirm that the USB audio is working on your Turntable and Computer. Once you have verified it is working, it is best practise to disable the 'Listen to this device' option again so that you can use the recording software with best effect, however you can re-enable it at any time that you need to hear what is being sent by the turntable through USB.The AT-LP120 just get an enormous amount of love in the turntable community. And there must be a reason for that. And it all sits on four big, extremely compliant, rubbery feet. As such, there’s a welcome degree of “give” should the turntable be leaned upon at any point. The feet also help reject vibration, which can only be a good thing. Examples of that can be found in the remaining Technics-eque design chic. The dual on/off and speed controls, the pitch slider, the tempo range button and the cheap-looking and rather bizarre cueing light. After you connect your RCA cables and ground wire, you’ll need to connect the other end to your amplifier. How you do this depends on whether or not you want to use the built in phono preamp of the AT-LP120X.

So are we meant to ignore the styling and concentrate on the substance? I guess that all depends on how substantial a product the AT-LP120XUSB turns out to be. Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB design – A perfectly well-made, if indistinguishable turntableFirstly, the AT-LP120XUSB features a new DC servo direct-drive motor, the phono amplifier has been “improved” along with the area around the base of the tonearm. The headshell has also received attention. Now, however, I think with the releases of the Audio-Technica ATLP120X and the Audio-Technica ATLP140XP, the company seems to want to be able to have one record player cater to more of the beginner crowd, and the other record player cater more to the DJ crowd. The stereo should be good enough to not be outplayed by the AT-LP120. Good enough to keep the AT-LP120 reasonably honest… The next thing worth noting, as mentioned earlier, is that this is a direct drive turntable. The AT-LP60X, by contrast, was a belt-drive turntable. The AT-LP120X preamp has also got a bit of an upgrade, too. In fact, here are the differences in the built in preamp for both the 120 and 120XUSB: