Audio-Technica Turntable Buying Guide (2021)

Audio-Technica Turntable Range Overview 2021

A detailed overview of Audio-Technica's exciting line-up of turntables

Founded in Tokyo during 1962, Audio-Technica quickly established itself as a leader in its field for producing quality phono cartridges. Fast forward to today, along a timeline of renowned professional audio products, this celebrated brand continues to occupy a large percentage of the turntable market.

With a vast range of turntables suited to both the curious vinyl newbie or the most seasoned vinyl aficionado, each model gifts users with a wealth of features and stunning sound quality to match. And with prices to cater to all budgets, Audio-Technica truly has a turntable for everyone!

So if you're in the market for a new turntable, and you're unsure of what Audio-Technica has to offer, join us as we cover the pros and cons of the brand's current line-up.

Before we begin, if you are a complete beginner and want to know more about turntables in general and their terminology, feel free to check out our Beginner's Guide to Turntables.

Audio-Technica AT-LP60XUSB

VIEW AUDIO-TECHNICA AT-LP60XUSB

RRP £139

Neat and compact, yet bristling with lots of different features at its attractive price point, the AT-LP60XUSB is a superb introduction to the Audio-Technica turntable range.

With its belt-drive for spinning your records smoothly, and complete with fully automatic operation, all you'll need to do is place your record on the platter and press 'start'. The Audio-Technica AT-LP60XUSB handles everything else for you.

Ideal for connecting to a HiFi or multi-room streaming system, such as Sonos, the AT-LP60 also allows you to connect to a PC or Mac to digitise your vinyl via a USB connection.

Want even more freedom from a mass of unsightly cables? If yes, consider the alternative Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT Bluetooth turntable (priced at £169 RRP). With its built-in Bluetooth connectivity, you can wirelessly transmit your vinyl's audio to any Bluetooth speaker of your choice, just like the Marshall Acton II.

Pros:

An excellent option for those looking into their first turntable.
An affordable choice for archiving your vinyl to a computer.
Compact form factor for more natural placement in your room.

Cons:

The cartridge cannot be interchanged for a more premium option.

Audio-Technica AT-LP3

VIEW AUDIO-TECHNICA AT-LP3

RRP £239

Looking for a turntable which doesn't compromise on the vinyl experience, but one which leaves you with change in your pocket? If this is the case, then look no further than the Audio-Technica's AT-LP3 fully automatic turntable.

Equipped with a belt-driven platter for smooth playback, a resonance-resistant design and a die-cast aluminium platter, the AT-LP3 boasts features you may only otherwise find on much more expensive turntables.

At the end of the straight-shaped tonearm, you will find an HS3 headshell carrying the superb Audio-Technica AT91R dual-magnet cartridge. And although this combination delivers an excellent performance from the outset, both the headshell and cartridge are interchangeable should you wish to upgrade and unlock even more of this turntable's potential.

With its adjustable tonearm and anti-skate controls, the AT-LP3 provides improved tracking and reduced resonance, which in turn yields even better sound quality from your precious records.

Pros:

A lot of high-end features for very little outlay.
Upgradable headshell and cartridge allow for even better sound to be obtained.

Cons:

Not as visually exciting as the other turntables in the Audio Technica range.

Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB

VIEW AUDIO-TECHNICA AT-LP120XUSB

RRP £249

Borrowing its styling cues from the legendary Technics SL-1200 from the late 1970s, the newly revised Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB certainly has the looks. But, more importantly, it well and truly has the performance to match!

While its fully manual nature may deter those who are used to automatic record players, the AT-LP120XUSB is intended to be a semi-professional turntable. So for all you budding-DJs, this could well be the turntable you've all been waiting for!

With additional features like pitch control, 33 ⅓, 45 and 78 RPM playback speeds and a vastly improved internal preamp, this direct-drive USB turntable not only looks and acts the part but well and truly sounds it too.

The Pros:

Professional feeling turntable with a lot of features for your money.
Stroboscopic platter and target lights make for great aesthetics.
A tremendous improvement over the original AT-LP120USB.

The Cons:

Could be a little bewildering for newcomers to vinyl.
The fully manual operation may deter those used to automatic turntables.

Audio-Technica AT-LP120XBTUSB

VIEW AUDIO-TECHNICA AT-LP120XBTUSB

RRP £299

Just when you think that the AT-LP120 has shown us all it has to offer, the engineers at Audio-Technica have decided to take things even further by adding Bluetooth connectivity.

Known as the AT-LP120XBTUSB, this turntable still offers users the RCA and USB connections of the regular AT-LP120XUSB, but the added convenience of Bluetooth means that you can enjoy your vinyl wirelessly on any Bluetooth-compatible speakers or headphones.

Featuring the latest 5.0 standard of Bluetooth technology, audio sent from the AT-LP120XBTUSB to the receiving Bluetooth player will be in the highest quality possible, ensuring that no element of your music is overlooked.

The Pros:

All the benefits of the award-winning AT-LP120XUSB.
Bluetooth connectivity for streaming to Bluetooth speakers or headphones.

The Cons:

Other Audio-Technica turntables could be of interest at this price point.

Audio-Technica AT-LPW30TK

VIEW AUDIO-TECHNICA AT-LPW30TK

RRP £269

Beautiful to look at, but even more lovely to listen to, Audio-Technica's AT-LPW30TK is a visually-striking turntable which has a lot going for it beneath the surface.

Although its wooden plinth aids the AT-LPW30TK's aesthetic charm, it also enhances the characteristics of the sound it produces due to the wood's natural resonance damping abilities.

Placing you in full control of the vinyl experience, this manual, belt-drive turntable comes equipped with its built-in preamps suited to both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges. Ready to deliver warm and rich analogue sound to your chosen stereo speakers, the Audio-Technica AT-LPW30TK is candy for the ears.

Pros:

Striking appearance, lots of features and superb sound quality to boot!

Cons:

Doesn't support USB connectivity for digitising vinyl on your PC.

Audio-Technica AT-LP5X

VIEW AUDIO-TECHNICA AT-LP5X

£369 RRP

It would be unfair to say that we've saved the best till last, especially given all of the impressive Audio-Technica turntables we've already covered. But when it comes to the AT-LP5X, all vinyl lovers will be sure of a musical treat!

Harking back to the glory days of HiFi during the 1970s, the Audio-Technica AT-LP5X draws on familiar styling cues from its turntables of the decade. Still, it features the best of the brand's technology to date.

Designed to deliver the utmost in sound quality, this sleek turntable features precision bearings for unrivalled smooth playback and a metallic gimbal suspension system for dampening external vibrations. Even the power supply is isolated from the turntable's main chassis so that no form of harmonic distortion dilutes your vinyl listening experience!

Complete with an AT-HS6 headshell, which carries the superb AT-VM95E dual moving magnet stereo cartridge, this three-speed turntable contains an uprated internal preamp too. But if further justification is needed of this superb turntable, What HiFi? awarded the AT-LP5X with the five stars in January 2020.

Pros:

A seriously exciting turntable with a big, open sound to match.
Designer's careful consideration of external vibration dampening and limiting harmful resonance.

Cons:

No automatic operation.
Up against some stiff competition from the likes of Rega Planar 1 Plus.

Audio-Technica AT-LPW50PB

Audio-Techncia AT-LPW50PB

£369 RRP

VIEW AUDIO-TECHNICA AT-LPW50PB

Given that all Audio-Technica turntables have so much to give to vinyl lovers, it would be unfair to say that we've kept the best of the range till last. But when you look at what the new Audio-Technica AT-LPW50PB has in the way of enticing features, it's easy to see why this is Audio-Technica's flagship turntable.

Built on an anti-resonance MDF platter - which is finished in a stunning piano black finish - the AT-LPW50PB features a belt-driven motor and platter assembly. And with built-in sensors to monitor and correct any deviations in platter rotation speeds, the AT-LPW50PB places great emphasis on playback accuracy.

At the end of its carbon fibre tonearm - a material chosen for its strength and ability to dampen external vibrations - you will find the legendary AT-VM95E cartridge. This phono cartridge is renowned for yielding every last detail from your precious vinyl treasures.

This turntable truly looks the business, and never before has the vinyl record sounded this good!

Pros:

Speed sensor system to ensure correct playback speed and pitch at all times.
The ultimate Audio-Technica turntable for vinyl fanatics and discerning listeners.
A quality turntable which has had every element of its design carefully considered.

Cons:

Big competition from the likes of Rega and Pro-Ject.
Only available in a black finish.
Mainly suitable for experienced vinyl enthusiasts.

To Summarise

There we have it; the pros and cons of seven exciting Audio-Technica turntables.

With each of the above turntables having something for all listeners and vinyl lovers, never before has your record collection seemed so attractive to play and enjoy.

If you would like to know more about our turntable ranges, be sure to get in touch with the friendly Smart Home Sounds team for their impartial advice on all things vinyl-related. And while you're here, feel free to check out some more of our blog articles on vinyl and turntables, below.

By Tom Parker, Customer Service Advisor

Audio-Technica Turntable Buying Guide (2021)

A detailed overview of Audio Technica’s exciting line-up of turntables.