Opinions on this turntable

New Jersey Posts: 8,835
in The Porch
hi all... I am admitting my ignorance of the technical side of purchasing a turntable. I have the opportunity to get a gift from my employer as a thank you for 15 years with the same company. Cool, right? One of the possible options is this turntable

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP120-USB-Direct-Drive-Professional-USB/dp/B002S1CJ2Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1404790459&sr=1-1&keywords=audio+technica+turntables

I might have to add a bit of cash because my points balance doesn't quite cover the points required to get this one. Is it good? Anybody have it and have opinions? Most importantly, how do I know if it will work with my current receiver and speaker set up? There are many other options for gifts I could choose (sporting equip, kitchen stuff, other electronics etc...) but I want to get something that I really want and I've been putting off buying a turntable until I could decide what to get and save up my pennies. Any help you can give me is appreciated.
5/3/92 Omaha, NE
6/19/95 Red Rocks
9/11/98 MSG
11/19/12 EV solo Tulsa
7/19/13 Wrigley 10/19/13 Brooklyn 2 10/21/13 Philly 1 10/22/13 Philly 2 10/25/13 Hartford
10/08/14 Tulsa 10/09/14 Lincoln
9/26/15 NYC Global Citizen
4/16/16 Greenville 4/28/16 Philly 1 4/29/16 Philly 2 5/1/16 MSG 1 5/2/16 MSG 2 8/7/16 Fenway 2 8/20/16 Wrigley 1
4/7/17 RRHOF New York City
9/2/18 Fenway 1 9/4/2018 Fenway 2
9/18/21 Asbury Park
2/4/22 EV Earthlings NYC 2/6/22 EV Earthlings Newark 9/11/22 MSG 9/14/22 Camden
9/3/24 MSG 1 9/4/24 MSG 2 9/7/24 Philly 1 9/9/24 Philly 2

Welcome!

It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.
Sign In
Register

Comments

  • New Jersey Posts: 8,835
    edited July 2014
    here's other options
    http://www.amazon.com/Denon-DP-200USB-Automatic-Turntable-Encoder/dp/B001R27MKG/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1404791226&sr=1-2&keywords=denon+turntables

    http://www.amazon.com/Sony-PS-LX300USB-Stereo-Turntable-Black/dp/B0015HOFZI
    Post edited by shetellsherself on
    5/3/92 Omaha, NE
    6/19/95 Red Rocks
    9/11/98 MSG
    11/19/12 EV solo Tulsa
    7/19/13 Wrigley 10/19/13 Brooklyn 2 10/21/13 Philly 1 10/22/13 Philly 2 10/25/13 Hartford
    10/08/14 Tulsa 10/09/14 Lincoln
    9/26/15 NYC Global Citizen
    4/16/16 Greenville 4/28/16 Philly 1 4/29/16 Philly 2 5/1/16 MSG 1 5/2/16 MSG 2 8/7/16 Fenway 2 8/20/16 Wrigley 1
    4/7/17 RRHOF New York City
    9/2/18 Fenway 1 9/4/2018 Fenway 2
    9/18/21 Asbury Park
    2/4/22 EV Earthlings NYC 2/6/22 EV Earthlings Newark 9/11/22 MSG 9/14/22 Camden
    9/3/24 MSG 1 9/4/24 MSG 2 9/7/24 Philly 1 9/9/24 Philly 2
  • New Jersey Posts: 8,835
    here's the receiver I have

    http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V671-Channel-Network-Receiver/dp/B004QR56SE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404791939&sr=8-1&keywords=yamaha+receiver+rx-v671

    its hooked up to 7 bose speakers plus the subwoofer. can I just hook up a turntable to this system somehow? :-S I am so stupid when it comes to this stuff but really want to be able to appreciate my growing vinyl collection
    5/3/92 Omaha, NE
    6/19/95 Red Rocks
    9/11/98 MSG
    11/19/12 EV solo Tulsa
    7/19/13 Wrigley 10/19/13 Brooklyn 2 10/21/13 Philly 1 10/22/13 Philly 2 10/25/13 Hartford
    10/08/14 Tulsa 10/09/14 Lincoln
    9/26/15 NYC Global Citizen
    4/16/16 Greenville 4/28/16 Philly 1 4/29/16 Philly 2 5/1/16 MSG 1 5/2/16 MSG 2 8/7/16 Fenway 2 8/20/16 Wrigley 1
    4/7/17 RRHOF New York City
    9/2/18 Fenway 1 9/4/2018 Fenway 2
    9/18/21 Asbury Park
    2/4/22 EV Earthlings NYC 2/6/22 EV Earthlings Newark 9/11/22 MSG 9/14/22 Camden
    9/3/24 MSG 1 9/4/24 MSG 2 9/7/24 Philly 1 9/9/24 Philly 2
  • Connecticut Posts: 731
    make sure it has a phono input
    it may need a phono booster mini amp because the turntable takes more power to push it. this will give it max sound
    Randall's Island 9-29-1996, MSG 9-10/11-1998, Meadows, CT 9-13-1998, Sacramento 10-30-2000, Bridge School 10-26-2002,MSG 9-8/9-2003, Hartford 2013, Amsterdam 2014(2), Memphis 2014, MSG 5-1/2-2016, Fenway 8-7-16, Fenway 9-2/4-18 MSG 9-11-22
  • Posts: 161
    Your amp doesn't have a phono input thus what ever player you will need a Pre amp built in or you'll need a phono amp in addition to your setup.
    Both of these have built in preamps so they will work on your setup. Just make sure to flip the switch to the correct setting.
    Both of these are really starter players and since they are free no big deal if you get upgrade fever.
    Good luck.
  • New Jersey Posts: 8,835
    Thank you! That was the basic info I was looking for. I'm actually wondering now if maybe I will get something else that is desirable from the list, sell it on eBay and put the money towards a more non-starter turntable. I don't need super high end but I would like something that will give me good sound and that I don't need to upgrade. I don't imagine I would use the USB part either. Is that really necessary? I already have digital versions of everything I have in vinyl.
    5/3/92 Omaha, NE
    6/19/95 Red Rocks
    9/11/98 MSG
    11/19/12 EV solo Tulsa
    7/19/13 Wrigley 10/19/13 Brooklyn 2 10/21/13 Philly 1 10/22/13 Philly 2 10/25/13 Hartford
    10/08/14 Tulsa 10/09/14 Lincoln
    9/26/15 NYC Global Citizen
    4/16/16 Greenville 4/28/16 Philly 1 4/29/16 Philly 2 5/1/16 MSG 1 5/2/16 MSG 2 8/7/16 Fenway 2 8/20/16 Wrigley 1
    4/7/17 RRHOF New York City
    9/2/18 Fenway 1 9/4/2018 Fenway 2
    9/18/21 Asbury Park
    2/4/22 EV Earthlings NYC 2/6/22 EV Earthlings Newark 9/11/22 MSG 9/14/22 Camden
    9/3/24 MSG 1 9/4/24 MSG 2 9/7/24 Philly 1 9/9/24 Philly 2
  • Posts: 1,775
    shetellsherself said:

    Thank you! That was the basic info I was looking for. I'm actually wondering now if maybe I will get something else that is desirable from the list, sell it on eBay and put the money towards a more non-starter turntable. I don't need super high end but I would like something that will give me good sound and that I don't need to upgrade. I don't imagine I would use the USB part either. Is that really necessary? I already have digital versions of everything I have in vinyl.

    The AT-LP120 has a built in pre-amp that will not require you to purchase an additional piece in between that and your receiver. Had it over three years without any issue (other than a minor one I caused myself). Needle is stock and still in excellent condition after three years of weekend usage. If you take care of your equipment, you will not need to consider this a "starter" turntable.

  • Posts: 90
    Agreed. This is not necessarily a "starter" table. I'd say most "starters" are belt-driven, have no built-in pre-amp, and have only 2 speeds (33rpm and 45rpm). This is also a great brand. I'd have no problem at all with this one.
  • BLUE RDGE MTNS Posts: 8,195
    Looks like a pretty solid table. Not too many tables will play a 78 anymore. You could always upgrade the cartridge and preamp later, but this should get you started on what I can only describe as "addicting".

    livefootsteps.org/user/?usr=446

    1995- New Orleans, LA  : New Orleans, LA

    1996- Charleston, SC

    1998- Atlanta, GA: Birmingham, AL: Greenville, SC: Knoxville, TN

    2000- Atlanta, GA: New Orleans, LA: Memphis, TN: Nashville, TN

    2003- Raleigh, NC: Charlotte, NC: Atlanta, GA

    2004- Asheville, NC (hometown show)

    2006- Cincinnati, OH

    2008- Columbia, SC

    2009- Chicago, IL x 2 / Ed Vedder- Atlanta, GA x 2

    2010- Bristow, VA

    2011- Alpine Valley, WI (PJ20) x 2 / Ed Vedder- Chicago, IL

    2012- Atlanta, GA

    2013- Charlotte, NC

    2014- Cincinnati, OH

    2015- New York, NY

    2016- Greenville, SC: Hampton, VA:: Columbia, SC: Raleigh, NC : Lexington, KY: Philly, PA 2: (Wrigley) Chicago, IL x 2 (holy shit): Temple of the Dog- Philly, PA

    2017- ED VED- Louisville, KY

    2018- Chicago, IL x2, Boston, MA x2

    2020- Nashville, TN 

    2022- Smashville 

    2023- Austin, TX x2

    2024- Baltimore

  • Posts: 20,841
    I've had my Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB for a while now, and I love it. I have it hooked up to a powered speaker/sound dock and am using the built-in preamp until I can afford a nice tube preamp and better speakers. With the setup you've got via your receiver, I think you'll get much better sound than I do, even though you'll also have to use the built-in preamp.

    My old turntable was a Dual 1219 (no longer made), and they go for more than a brand-new AT-LP120-USB. I bought this with the intention of it being a starter turntable until I either bought a refurbished Dual 1219 or got a Rega or something, but it functions and sounds so great, I'll probably just hang onto it and upgrade the components as needed.

    Do it!
    I SAW PEARL JAM
  • Posts: 3,291
    i've had the at-lp120 for at least five years now (no usb- i got mine *just* before they added that functionality) and would definitely recommend it. i've had no issues.
  • St. Paul, MN Posts: 218
    No issues with my lp-120. The only thing I have read is if you want to make it a true phono, you have to remove the USB circuit board and add a ground. If you don't do this the phono line actually goes through a couple capacitors. Supposedly it changes the sound, but I just use the aux out for now
  • Posts: 1,389
    Have this, love it. No issues, solid turntable. I consider it a step up from a starter turntable, and the most bang for your buck (I was in your same shoes, considering all options, about a year ago).
  • New Jersey Posts: 8,835
    Thanks so much for all the input. As it turns out, I don't have quite enough points for the audio techna turntable and they won't let me pay the difference in cash. :| So I decided to get a tablet with my points, sell it on eBay and put that money toward my future turntable purchase. (Flipper :) ). Now I have to decide if I should stick with this one or go with something different. Consequently, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by the options again. Anybody want to weigh in.... I want to stick with the receiver and speakers I have bc I guess I'll end up spending way more if I try to build the entire system from the ground up. Is this AT turntable still the best bang for my buck?
    5/3/92 Omaha, NE
    6/19/95 Red Rocks
    9/11/98 MSG
    11/19/12 EV solo Tulsa
    7/19/13 Wrigley 10/19/13 Brooklyn 2 10/21/13 Philly 1 10/22/13 Philly 2 10/25/13 Hartford
    10/08/14 Tulsa 10/09/14 Lincoln
    9/26/15 NYC Global Citizen
    4/16/16 Greenville 4/28/16 Philly 1 4/29/16 Philly 2 5/1/16 MSG 1 5/2/16 MSG 2 8/7/16 Fenway 2 8/20/16 Wrigley 1
    4/7/17 RRHOF New York City
    9/2/18 Fenway 1 9/4/2018 Fenway 2
    9/18/21 Asbury Park
    2/4/22 EV Earthlings NYC 2/6/22 EV Earthlings Newark 9/11/22 MSG 9/14/22 Camden
    9/3/24 MSG 1 9/4/24 MSG 2 9/7/24 Philly 1 9/9/24 Philly 2

Welcome!

It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.
Sign In
Register

Quick Links

Categories