Audio Technica is a company that delivers headphones and microphones to high-end events. Products of this company are valuable and highly regarded in the world. The first products of this brand were stereo phono cartridges. Later they manufactured different products such as headphones, speakers, turntables, cassettes, microphones, etc. Also some turntable like Audio Technica LP60 VS LP120.
LP60 and LP120 are two very good turntables. There are turntables for every category from audio Technica. From beginner to DJ style machines they have a good collection. Audio Technica is a trusted brand that you can try without any doubts. This is a company which has been creating a lot of fuss recently.
Difference between Audio Technica LP60 VS LP120
The LP 60 is a fully automatic belt-drive turntable. This is the entry-level version from audio Technica. The better priced and more premium option with direct drive USB is LP120.
There are some significant difference between the two products and they are
Audio Technica LP60
AT LP60 is a fully automatic belt-drive stereo turntable. This is a very affordable unit for first-time users. With its built-in switchable phono preamp, the AT LP60 can be connected directly to computers, home stereo, power speakers, and other components that have no dedicated turntable input.
There are two colors- black and silver. The stylus can be replaced and it is supplied with an integral audio Technica dual magnet.
LP60 turntable features-
- Fully automatic belt-drive turntable operation with two speeds.
- Anti resonance, die-cast aluminum platter.
- Integral dual magnet phono cartridge with a replaceable diamond stylus.
- Built-in switchable phono pre-amplifier with RCA output cables to connect to audio systems and powered speakers.
- Comes with Two output adapter cables.
AT LP60 specification
Turntable type
Belt drive, fully automatic
Motor
DC servo-controlled
Speeds
33-⅓ RPM, 45 RPM
Turntable platter
Aluminum
Low and flutter
Less than 0.25% and at 3KHZ
Power supply requirements
120 V AC, 60 HZ, 3W
Weight
2.98kg
Signal to noise ratio
>50db
Read: Ortofon 2m Red, Blue, Bronze
Pros of Audio Technica 60
- Very good quality according to price
- Built-in phono preamp
- Fully automatic
- Plays 7 and 12-inch records
- Affordable
- Easy to set up
- Belt driven and vibration dampening platform
- No problems with skipping songs
Cons of Audio Technica 60
- Built-in photo cartridge is fixed
- It Doesn’t have a counterweight
- Doesn’t have Bluetooth
- Cant play 78 speed
Audio Technica LP120
You might consider this model if you want something more professional. This features a high torque direct-drive motor for a quick start-ups and a USB output that connects to the computer. Forward and reverse play capability also comes in handy. A selectable internal stereo phono pre-amplifier allows the turntable to plug directly to components.
This is basically a more advanced device than audio LP 60. You can do more with this turntable. It’s a must-have item for audiophiles. You can enjoy your music with this beauty and can experiment with it. This is available in black and silver color.
Read: Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 or 5: Which is Better?
LP 120 turntable features
- You can convert your vinyl records into digital audio files
- Mac and pc compatible software will make your songs digital
- It has a direct drive and high torque motor
- Professional anti-resonance and die-cast aluminum platter
- Built-in switchable phono pre-amplifier with RCA output cables
AT LP 120 specifications
Type
3 speed, fully manual operation
Motor
Dc motor
Turntable platter
Die-cast aluminum
Braking system
Aluminum brake
Weight
10.7 kgs
Read: Kanto Yu4 or Yu6: Which one is a good budget Bookshelf Speaker
Phono preamp gain
36db nominal, RIAA equalized
Pros of Audio Technica 120
- Plenty of features to include solid playback
- USB turntable lets you digitize your records for at-home listening or listening on the go
- You can virtually plug and play also it is very easy to set up
- Price is not that high considering the overall performance
- The alteration choices are more in number compared to others.
Cons of audio Technica 120
- Doesn’t have a headphone jack
- RCA output cables are at the back which might be hard to replace The sound quality is good but nothing extraordinary
- The sound quality is good but nothing extraordinary
- There is no automation, have to work with manual buttons
overview: Audio Technica LP60 VS LP120
DESIGN
The first advantage of the Technica LP60 is its wide range of color options. The wide variety of colors will help you suit your aesthetic taste. The tonearm is fully automatic and has a quality audio Technica cartridge attached to it which is fixed. Even though the cartridge is nice, the fixed headshell will be hard to change. The stylus, however, is easy to change.
If plastic is something you hate then you should not consider this product. Many of the parts are made of plastic. While it may not bother a general person but experienced audiophiles might have some problems with it. The player might be less durable for this reason. We can also say that at this price point you won’t get anything better than this.
Sophisticated product
The LP120 is a more sophisticated product. This means it comes with USB connectivity. You can digitize your songs and save them into your computer or phone and listen to them on the go. The digitized version of the song is almost equally good as the vinyl. This is a great feature that allows you to share your song with your friends and family easily.
This turntable is equipped with a direct drive design so the motor is underneath the spindle which turns the platter. You don’t have to worry about changing the belt over the years. As a DJ you will be happy knowing that the direct drive as platter hits full speed very quickly. The only problem with this is that there can be too much vibration. The LP120 comes with a preamp which makes this a go-to turntable. You can also change and bypass the stock amp and use something of your own.
Setup
The ATLP60 is extremely easy to use. There isn’t anything easier to set up than this at the market. If you are a new user or beginner in the world of vinyl then you will absolutely love this. It is also a compact record player. All you need to do to set this up is pull the rubber belt over the motor pulley, slap the felt mat on the platter, slide off the cartridge protector, plugin, and press play. Now you can enjoy all your beautiful music. Instruction should be easy even if you never owned a player.
Setup is super easy for AT LP120. There are no complications whatsoever. You just have to plug and play. The cartridge comes pre-assembled so that will quicken the process as well. This is a good device for the new learning DJs to use.
Upgrades and customization
This audio Lp60 is very limited to upgrades and customization. This player is solid for a beginner’s turntable. If you have extra cash use it on a pair of good speakers or headphones.
Just make sure you have a good pair of speakers and s different preamp will help. Other than that you are all set to go. This is a great first choice for beginners and first-time DJs.
Performance
This model sounds wonderful. Make sure the LP60 is placed on a leveled surface. An audiophile might point out some mistakes about the overall sound quality of this budget-friendly device but they won’t disagree about the fact that it sounds well considering its price point. You won’t have any complaints when you think about what you are getting considering the price. This is perfect for someone who casually listens to vinyl.
To be honest, LP120 will sound better than its lesser-priced models. That is normal and at this price point, this is a good buy. The sound is rich and warm but it won’t pick up the subtle details. The best thing about this product is that you can go around and practice DJing and also not break your pocket. This is a perfect combination because you will be able to digitize your music as well. A balanced product at this price range. You won’t notice the small grooves, especially in classical music. This performs more than your expectation.
Real-life test: Audio Technica LP60 VS LP120
Vinyl is popular among people who care about music. The real audiophiles will have a turntable if he gets it within his capability. You don’t want to buy this product and be disappointed. We have thought about some in-depth reviews from real users which will help you in your decision.
We already know something about LP120 so this video on the audio Technica LP120 review will help you.
From the earlier reviews, we can say both the products are really good. They both have some shortcomings and problems. It is a great deal to buy any of them considering they are made by a very good brand.
Pricing
There was a time when turntables were popular but people couldn’t afford them. It was a very coveted product and only the rich class people were able to buy a turntable for a few hundred dollars. They used to entertain their guests with classical music on vinyl. Now that trend has changed. If you are passionate about music and want to own a turntable or play vinyl then you can find one from Audio Technica. Yes, I am talking about the AT LP60.
This is a wonderful device for all. You can get this for just 99$. Can you believe it? A turntable for as low as 100 bucks. The quality is not bad either. Sure it can’t compete with the high-end turntables but it is a bang for the buck. You will not be disappointed. My recommendation is that if you are a casual listener then this is a must-have product at this price range.
premium tables
On the other hand DJs of before used to buy tables for thousands of dollars. There were brands like pioneer and technics whose premium tables were out of reach for many aspiring DJs. people used to see turntables as ultra-luxury items.
That picture changed recently. Nowadays, we can see brands such as Audio Technica release LP120USB for a very low price. For just around 250$ you can have a turntable that can perform as a basic DJ tool. You can also digitize music and take them with you. It is easy for beginners to learn this device and go for their passion. Earlier it was a huge risk to buy expensive turntables. Now it is a matter of small savings which has helped musicians a lot.
So if you ever thought about spinning the disk and creating some music then wait no further. You can have all the fun without breaking the bank.
LP60 vs LP120: talking points
AT LP60
One of the main important points is that you can convert vinyl records to audio files in a 100$ turntable. This is a great value. People who are looking for quality performance while on a strict budget will find this intriguing. The design is very simple and easygoing.
On other brands, you might have to pay twice for the same set of features. The brand has let go of some less important features like built-in speakers and 78 speed. The record player does have a phono preamp and switchable. There are RCA inputs and 2 cables are given with it. That means it is easy to connect it with speakers.
AT LP120
Although it is more expensive than LP60 the durable build quality, extra features and better sound make up for it. You can set the turntable to 33,45 and 78 RPM speed. The built-in preamplifier is a great feature. Its sound quality is actually good and makes a difference from its predecessors.
The well-made design gives a premium feel. This product is more than enough for a casual music enthusiast. You can connect it to a PC and listen to high clarity music. The parts can also be changed easily. This is a massive advantage as you can swap parts and upgrade them. This product will last longer if you care for it.
Final verdicts of Audio Technica LP60 VS LP120
Both the devices from audio Technica are top-notch. You can not go wrong with any of them. But there are some things you need to keep in your mind. If you are new to this world of record playing and vinyl then you will be better off with an AT LP60 this is a great turntable for 100$. People who use other brands will surely feel the difference. They did not sacrifice quality even though the price is low. This great device is recommended for everyone if you are trying to use records for the first time.
There is no loss if you buy the more expensive AT LP120. The extra money you spend will be worth it because you are getting more features that are important to veteran users. DJs will have a lot of fun with this budget device. Yes, I am saying budget because there is no better competition for it. The durable build will last longer. Digital to analog features of this device will come in handy. People will instantly fall in love with this device no matter what.
So make your decision according to your wants. Audio Technica really blew out its rivals with these two wonderful turntables. As a reviewer, I can only hope for more amazing products like this. Till then i will keep suggesting them to anyone who shows enthusiasm about music and quality sound.
Network Engineer and Tech Journalist. Read More…
