Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB Direct-Drive Professional Turntable (USB & Analog), Silver (ATLP120 USB)

This Audio-Technica LP120 turntable comes with a very long tail of negative and very negative reviews. But the positive reviews suggested this was what would satisfy my particular needs. -- I read every single Amazon review, including all the Q&As; everything about the LP120 on YouTube; and every "independent" review I could find on line. Given all the negative reviews this was a hedged-bet to buy. If the positives were right I'd get what I wanted at my price point. If the negatives were right, then at least I could rely on A-T's good customer service and Amazon's return policy.Turns out it was a good bet and I am well pleased with this turntable. I ran it through a range of sonic inputs (solo voice, chamber ensemble, piano, Baroque organ, symphonic orchestral and an old, much abused and original Rolling Stones mono from the 60's) Some vinyl is in good condition: Some not so much. And I ran some recordings up to the maximum amp power output. No distortion I could hear.The rest of this review tries to summarize everything I learned from reading all those reviews and my own experience with this turntable.But first, let's deal with the two huge gorillas sitting here with me as I write this review.(1) Yes, sure, this can be described as a "cheap, plastic, Chinese knock-off" of the much venerated and beloved original Japanese Technics turntable. But from what I can see the plastic is not so cheap and perfectly functional. I assume the 6 lb chunk of sheet steel in the base serves as a damper. Though I have mine sitting on 30+lbs of solid baked clay. The direct drive motor has a quartz lock as well as pitch control. Another more technical reviewer tested for durability, satisfactorily. A-T has upgraded the cartridge/stylus to one that is well established and generally very highly regarded. The set up is easy. I won't need the pre amp as my amp has a phono input. Don't know about the usb port and circuitry. But this is a common, inexpensive component. The plastic looks good. The unit is heavy and feels solid. The arm is probably not up to the original Japanese standard. But seems solid to me. Aesthetically it is retro (70s -80's) styling rather than the attractively sleek and minimalist higher priced ($450-$850 and above) tables.(2) This is a review for people much like me who want decent quality at a reasonable cost. Not looking for a turntable aimed at professional DJ's, audio engineers or audiophiles, (high testosterone or obsessive compulsive - whatever). I have a very decent a/v system - including the top end Oppo D for digital audio and video service, top end Yamaha for driving the speakers and JBL studio speakers for output. And Sennheiser 600s for listening in private. No, not audiophile level, but meets my idea of "decent". No distractions, just good sound. So I needed to complete the picture with a turntable that was solid, reliable, with a cartridge/stylus that would produce sufficient quality to fit with the digital audio sources I have but be forgiving of the poor quality of some of my vinyl.The LP 120 does this well.So: A summary Review -The set up is straight forward especially if you watch the Audio-Technica set up video on You Tube. (If you are not familiar with this type of set up.) I found this arm and weight/balance/ anti skate the easiest I've used in three previous tables.- There have been many complaints about the platter being warped. So, out of the box I checked mine VERY carefully. Perfect! I'm using my own rubber mat from a previous turntable. Do not like the slip mat AD packed with the table.- I doubt I'll use the pitch-slider or the reverse motor switch. But sometimes there are issues with old vinyl recordings and a small pitch adjustment availability is welcome.-This is direct drive with a quartz clock/lock. There have been complaints about feedback through the motor. (I've had belt drives in the past and the rubber belt mitigates this possibility.) But, even through the Sennheisers which are sensitive, I can hear no feedback, hiss, rumble or anything. I have knocked the arm a couple times and got a crackle that then faded. I think the table was telling me to be gentler with it (in electro-Mandarin?).- The other big issue is tracking. Not an expert but I think one way to solve tracking problems is to put a crude, gouging stylus (ceramic or similar) with a big weight on it and hope it stays in the groove - tearing up your record and wearing it out as it does so.Otherwise the stylus/head shell alignment, anti skate and arm geometry do matter a lot. Fortunately Audio-Technica include a very decent stylus in a tried and true mid range quality cartridge, already aligned and set up. Treat it as the manual directs and a quick turn of the locking ring sets the cartridge in place. And properly aligned. If you set the counter balance correctly and the anti skate according to their directions (1.5-2 on their scales works for me.) - well I have found no distortion in either track from the beginning of the tracking in either channel from the outside of the record to the inside near the center spindle.- The cartridge is described by audiophiles as "warm" and "musical". No experience to judge. But to my ear I'm listening to a performance and not being distracted by a too sharp or fuzzy sound field. I feel the sibilants are just right and the base response is not bad. The mid range has a bit of a glow to it. Will have to try the digital (CD) versions I have of some of my records to check into this more. But I have to say that I was well please with the feel of the sound coming from the old vinyl, through the LP120 and out into the room via the JBL speakers.Actually rather good. --There are some pops and rattles from time to time. This just means I have to clean the vinyl more thoroughly. Otherwise this stylus (AT95e) seems both responsive and forgiving. "Better", more expensive cartridges, the audiophiles say, are not so forgiving.-I do plan to use the usb port into my computer to transfer some of my more precious vinyl. I doubt I'll use the included software. There are better, easier to use, software options on line.So, there we are. I could have spent $200 on a good cartridge, and $600-1200 on a low end audiophile quality table. But then have to live with such a superfine system showing me every blip and dip in my vinyl. No point. I've tried the entire dynamic range from vocals to chamber music to organ to mono orchestra to Rocknroll. Pristine vinyl, and very, very worn.-Last issue is the fact that this is a totally non automatic table. You put the stylus over the record and release the lever. At the end you lift the stylus and return it to its rest. The LP60 costs a significant amount less and includes auto. I doubt the two models are very comparable.I like it. Time to go clean those vinyls with warm, gentle soap and filtered water and some care.

Do you remember the good 'ol days (I'm 46) when we actively listened to music? Sitting around the turntable and excitedly waiting your turn for the next song pick, or putting on that brand new LP you just purchased of one of your fav's? Ever wonder why that has changed so much? I'll tell you why,....digital CD sound quality is not nearly as dynamic as what we grew up listening to. The result is that CD's do not elicit the same passion from the listener. CD's are cheap to produce and iPods like devices are amazing for portability, but if you desire the ultimate sound at home a TT is the only way to go. As soon as I assembled my new AT-LP120 turntable (TT) this week and listened to King Crimson, Miss. John Hurt, Bob Dylan, T-Rex, Beatles, Lou Reed, Woody Guthrie, Bach, Paganini, Grateful Dead, Zeppelin, Steely Dan, Will Ackerman,etc., etc., it hit me like a sledgehammer; "what a fool I have been for not having a turntable for the last 25+ years!". Thankfully I still have all my LP's and all of my brothers LP's too! - about 500 +/- total.Anyone who's only point of reference musically is digital CD quality music has NO IDEA what a screwing they have gotten. It's no wonder why the kids today are not as passionate about music and have coddled digital synth dance or attitude (hip hop) tunes that in general, containing little to no originality or passion. They don't even know what real instruments truly sound like because the dynamic range of a CD is FAR Less than a good quality turntable, stylus and clean LP. Vinyl sounds very warm with lower lows and higher highs and everything in-between! There is no comparison to the too bright, brittle, digital sound of a CD. Vinyl is also non-fatiguing to the ear in comparison and wraps you in dynamic sound better than anything short of great live music. I was also thrilled to re-learn something I had forgotten: there is something really great about touching the LP, putting it on the platter, starting it in motion, and gently laying down the stylus. I think that ritual helps connect/invest you to the music much more than hitting a button for the next track on a CD player.Do yourself a HUGE favor and buy this turntable and start enjoying music like you should be. Better yet,....WIFES...if you want one happy husband, this is the best $200 you could ever spend on him for a gift. BTW: This turntable sounds better than any that I had years ago. Maybe that's why we went along with the CD switch so easily in the early 1980's, CD's were more convenient and we mostly had crappy turntable systems and didn't fully realize what we were losing. What an upgrade this is! and a super duper price point for the quality. You could spend more, but don't need to. The AT-LP120 is the most bang for your buck.Now I'm super excited about buying LP's cheap at flea markets and yard sales at $.50-$1.00 each - oh yeah!!! BTW, the new Wilco LP "The Whole Love" was issued in vinyl for about $30. Jeff Tweedy must also know that vinyl still rules! - yeah, I'll be buying it...(in good conscience, I have strongly recommended to my brother to get a turntable and have offered him his LP's back,....I'm only offering once though! lol - note: My Bro's box set Beatles collection, 13 LP's, is selling for $500 on eBay - cha! ching! - but for the ears they are priceless...& not for sale!!!)May 3, 2012 update: I purchased the Shure M97xE High-Performance Magnetic Phono Cartridge to replace the AT95E cart that came with the TT. I did this solely based on reviewers saying what an improvement it was. Initially I wasn't sure that I like the Shure as much so after a couple days switched back to the AT95E. Aftre 2 days I switched back to the Sure. It is a much better cart! However, both carts do have their pros & cons and I am buying a new headshell ($27 on Amazon - cheapest anywhere)so I can switch between carts quickly depending on what I am playing, or rather how loud I am playing it. The AT95E is better for loud rock at high volumes as it does not distort of feedback hum at all. The Shure M97xE is best for intricate music or anything at lower volumes as it is a little brighter and much more detailed, but tends to hum and distort a little on my system at very high volumes. With more research I also learned that most comments about needing to switch carts were from people that did not get the AT95E with their TT. Supposedly the AT95E is an upgrade with the newer units now so purchasing a new cart is not as essential unless you just wanna go nuts in search of the ultimate sound. The AT95E is a $45 cart. The M97xE is $70. Some carts are $1000.....that's just Crazy!!One more comment regarding complaints that the tone arm does not auto return at the end of a side; keep in mind that this TT is simple quality and as such will last decades. If you expect all those extra features for $215 you will get a piece of crap unit overall that will not last. So either pay the $1000-$2000 for all the features you want on a quality unit that will last, or understand the simple efficiency of this stellar deal of a unit, and enjoy it for what it is rather than what it is not.