Gadget

CES: High-end turntables spin down to low-end prices

Arthur Goldstuck

At CES last week, premium sound equipment company Audio-Technica launched a range of turntables that offer premium design and finishes at budget prices. The new models range from professional to entry-level turntables, which includes the company’s first bundle of turntable and headphones.

The wide range of turntables, identified only by model numbers, can be baffling. We’ve given each of the models a descriptive name that encapsulates what makes them different. We start with the mid-range units:

The AT-LPW40WN (Walnut) and AT-LPW30TK (Teak) manual belt-drive turntables have striking wood finishes, elegant design and newly-designed straight-line tonearms. 

The Walnut has a walnut veneer finish and features a carbon fibre tonearm with a pre-mounted VM95E moving magnet (MM) phono cartridge. Its DC servo motor with speed stabilisation ensures accurate speed stability when playing back vinyl records. 

The Teak comes in a teak wood-look finish with an aluminium straight-line arm and VM95C MM cartridge pre-mounted.

Both models include the universal AT-HS4 headshell for easy cartridge changes or upgrades. Both feature 33-1/3 and 45 rotations per minute operation, a precision aluminium platter with a rubber mat, vibration-absorbing feet and an external power supply that isolates unwanted electrical noise from the turntable.

Like most new Audio-Technica turntables, the Walnut and Teak have a built-in phono preamp which enables them to be used with a wide variety of audio systems and components, and come with a dustcover, cables, stereo RCA output jacks (that allow the use of separate RCA cables of the user’s choice) and other accessories.

Click here to read about Audio-Technica’s professional and budget turntables, with pricing.

Audio-Technica’s AT-LP140XP professional DJ turntable (DJ) is designed to deliver exceptional sound quality and reliability. Its high-torque motor ensures quick start-up and exacting speed stability for 33-1/3, 45 and 78 RPM playback. It is equipped with an S-shaped tonearm with height adjustment (for vertical tracking angle), tracking force and anti-skate adjustment and is supplied with the high-output AT-XP3 DJ cartridge. 

Its die-cast aluminium platter and anti-resonance hybrid steel/polymer deck further contribute to the turntable’s excellent performance. Available in silver and black, the AT-LP140XP offers DJ-friendly features such as a start/stop button, forward/reverse play, selectable pitch change, a stylus target light and more.

Audio-Technica’s AT-LP120XUSB (USB) features upgrades including a new DC servo direct-drive motor, HS6 headshell, adjustable dynamic anti-skate control, damped base construction for reduced low-frequency feedback colouration and an external power supply to reduce electrical noise.

The USB, available in silver and black, is supplied with a high-performance AT-VM95E cartridge – mounted into an HS6 headshell. The cartridge is compatible with any VM95 Series replacement stylus, for a choice of stylus options for every application and budget. Its numerous additional features include a USB output for converting records to digital audio, and playback at 33-1/3, 45 and 78 RPM speeds.

Click here to see Audio-Technica’s entry-level turntable lineup and pricing.

Audio-Technica has upgraded its entry-level turntable lineup with the AT-LP60XHP (Headphone-bundled) turntable and headphones bundle, the AT-LP60XBT (Bluetooth) wireless turntable with Bluetooth connectivity with aptX, and the AT-LP60X (Standard).

All the turntables have sleek new styling featuring front panels with rounded corners and inset control buttons. The front panels are available in a choice of black, brown, gunmetal, white and red finishes. The tonearm base and headshell have been redesigned to improve tracking and reduce unwanted resonances. All offer fully-automatic 33-1/3 and 45 RPM operation and come with an integral Dual Magnet phono cartridge, built-in phono preamp and all necessary accessories to start playback.

The Headphone-bundled is packaged with the new ATH-250AV over-ear headphones, which plug into the turntable’s built-in headphone amplifier with volume control. The earphones feature large-diameter 40 mm drivers for clear, detailed sound with powerful bass, a natural midrange and extended treble. Its lightweight construction and comfortable sound-isolating earpads ensure a comfortable listening experience.

Audio-Technica’s Bluetooth turntable combines high-quality record playback with the convenience of wireless operation. Just pair the turntable with compatible Bluetooth headphones, wireless speakers or other devices for cord-free listening. In addition, it can be used as a wired turntable. The turntable is ideal for anyone who wants to transfer their rare and valuable records to digital music files for go-anywhere listening.

The Standard turntable brings better sound quality than ever to the under-$100 price category. Its fully-automatic operation, ease of use and upgraded performance from tthe previous generation to make it a great entry-level turntable for first-time vinyl enthusiasts as well as those who want to rediscover their record collection.

Audio-Technica’s new turntables and accessories will be available in early 2019.

Click here to see Audio-Technica pricing guide.

The new models include the following:

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