Audio-Technica AT-PL120 Professional Direct-Drive Turntable

by Audio-Technica

Product Details

Product Manual [282kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 21.6 x 17 x 8.8 inches ; 23.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 27 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B00012EYNG
• Item model number: AT-PL120
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (266 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,336 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
  • #60 in Electronics > Home Audio & Theater > Stereo Components > Turntables

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Audio-Technica's AT-LP120 direct-drive, high-torque professional turntable is perfect for DJs and other music enthusiasts, especially in an era that many would call "postvinyl," when it's no longer the norm for audio/video receivers or even integrated amplifiers to offer a dedicated phono input. A selectable internal stereo phono preamplifier lets you plug the turntable directly into any line-level input, even your PC's (when used with a stereo RCA to minijack "Y" adapter cable, not included). Alternately, you can use the player's phono output and an outboard, higher-quality phono preamplifier for even better sound quality.

The Audio-Technica AT-LP120 professional turntable (see larger image).

The AT-LP120's S-shaped tone arm assembly comes with an adjustable counterweight, an antiskate adjustment, a tone-arm height adjustment and lock, a tone-arm lift with hydraulic action and lift lever, and a tone-arm rest with a locking mechanism to keep the arm stable during transport.

The turntable uses a DC servo motor to maintain accurate rotational speed at either 33-1/3 45, or 78 rpm, governed by a selectable, high-accuracy quartz-controlled pitch lock--all of which gives new life to 7- and 12-inch singles you may not have played for years.

Unleash your inner DJ with the 'table's pitch-adjustment feature, with variations ranging from either +/-10 percent or +/-20 percent. A pop-up stylus target light and stroboscopic platter speed indicator offer visual assistance in queuing and playing your favorite tunes. Forward and reverse play options unlock countless creative doors (and haven't you always wondered what Prince is saying at the end of "Darling Nikki"?).

The 'table comes with a cast-aluminum record platter, a slip mat, and a professional cartridge and headshell (model ATP-2) that plugs directly into the tone arm. Adjustable, antivibrational feet keep the platter level, regardless of your environs.

A start/stop button with remote start/stop input lets you integrate the player with your more sophisticated DJ tools. The player also includes a 45 rpm adapter with storage receptacle for the adapter and for a surplus or replacement headshell (sold separately).

What's in the Box

Turntable, removable hinged dust cover, slip mat, headshell/cartridge (ATP-2), AC power cord, 45 rpm adapter, and a user's manual.

Product Description

Looking for a turntable that can do justice to your cherished vinyl records? Audio-Technica's AT-PL120 is designed to please professional DJs and LP lovers alike. Its high-torque, direct drive motor provides solid, quartz-controlled playback for albums, 45s...even those old 78s (a rare feature for turntables in this price range!). A built-in, selectable phono preamp means you can connect the AT-PL120 directly to almost any audio system, or even hook it up to your PC's sound card for digitally archiving your vinyl collection (may require adapter, not included). Audio-Technica even includes their rugged, high-quality ATP-2 phono cartridge for great-sounding playback right out of the box. DJs will also appreciate the AT-PL120's impressive list of special playback options. Its pitch control feature can be set to two different ranges (±10% or ±20%), for easier beat-match mixing. Reverse play lets you create cool sonic effects. A remote input jack lets you start or stop playback from a compatible mixer or control unit, and the pop-up stylus target light makes it easier to see where you're dropping the needle in low-light settings like a dance club.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

237 of 243 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A trip down memory lane!, October 15, 2004

By 

C. Hernandez "Vinyl Reborn" (Alexandria, Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Audio-Technica AT-PL120 Professional Direct-Drive Turntable (Electronics)

I stopped listening to LPs as most folks did when CD players hit the mass market. Convenience was the name of the game, particularly the ease of listening to music on the road. But what a tremendous difference in sound vinyl really provides! I chose the AT-PL120 after several hours of research on the web over a couple of days. I first considered spending the least amount of money and considered the entry-level model AT-PL50. I talked to an audiophile shop and while the shop thought it was a good entry-level model, they advised me to consider the next step up because it was well worth the investment in terms of sound quality and equipment durability. Upon close inspection at a local electronic store, the AT-PL50 looked really cheap. I decided to spend more money and get decent quality. I considered the AT-APL120 and the Music Hall MMF2.1, which has pretty decent reviews. The difference came down to saving $50 or so and decided to try the Audio Tecnica. I must admit, the sound is impressive and the built quality of the turntable is really good. Besides the DJ features, which I really do not care about, it has several bells and whistles that makes it very professional looking. I am using a pair of B&W bookshelf and a Yamaha RX-777, perhaps one of the few available stereos for music listening you can still get. The combination works well, but no doubt the vinyl sounds much better than a well-recorded CD. The AT-PL120 makes the sound really come alive! If you still have your old records and invested in taking good care of them, spend a few bucks and get this turntable. If I ever decide to burn a few LPs to play them in my car, it also has the built in amp. All in all, after two days of playing LPs on this turntable, I am very satisfied. The AT-PL120 comes pretty well boxed too. Too bad that Amazon packed it in a big but soft box, which was open on one side when UPS delivered. If it wasn't for the Audio Tecnica box, I would have refused the shipment. Luckily it all works like it is supposed to.

89 of 89 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding for the price, November 7, 2005

By 

E. Sims (Springfield, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Audio-Technica AT-PL120 Professional Direct-Drive Turntable (Electronics)

I recently purchased the AT-PL120 as a replacement for a very worn Pioneer PL400. Based upon my experience with direct drive turntables, which was very positive, I wanted a direct-drive, and there are few in the AT-PL120's price range. The Audio-Technica machine is not the lowest-priced turntable around, and far from the most expensive I considered, but my recent "test drive" shows it to be as good as advertised if not better. The machine was easy to set-up, it tracks very well, and it does not present any rumble, even running it through my Carver receiver (which tends to show up any problems that a turntable/cartridge might have.) I used two different test records with it, and it performed very well with the tests on both.

I now have approximately 40 hours on the new machine with no problems. Many of the functions on the TT will not use by most for home listening -- like reverse, unless you want to check old Beatles LP's to search for "Paul is dead"! -- but having 78 rpm available is a significant benefit to me as I am transcribing some old 78's to CD. I also tried the machine on a slightly warped LP which the Pioneer could not handle, and the AT-PL120 did handle it after I made a slight pitch adjustment.

The product was delivered quicker than the delivery schedule promised. As was the case with another reviewer, the outside box that the unit came in showed up after delivery by UPS a little worse for wear. It was poorly taped and was coming open. However the product box was well protected, very strong and well sealed.

UPDATE: My original review (above) was done almost two years ago. As of May 2007, I've now spent many hours playing hundreds of LPs on this turntable. It continues to perform well and with no problems. It has maintained all of its settings with little adjustment. I continue to be impressed with the PL120 given its reasonable cost.

123 of 129 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Hmmm..., February 22, 2007

By 

tvc215 (Philadelphia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Audio-Technica AT-PL120 Professional Direct-Drive Turntable (Electronics)

I have a decent album collection spanning many genres over many years. After much research online and in audio stores, I purchased a AT PL-120, for burning to MP3 and also just plain listening. I liked the idea of having an internal preamp and also thought that it would be nice for playing 78s. It also came with an excellent cartridge the ATP-2XN.

One of the first things that I noticed is that there was no ground wire. I hooked it up and there was a faint hum. This hum was present regardless of where I placed the turntable, wheather or not the preamp was on, or how I connected it to my receiver. I even tried it with 3 different receivers, 2 vintage and a newer one. I called Audio Technica and spoke to someone in customer support (in the USA) that seemed to be very familiar with the item. He took the time to listen to my description of the situation and told me that he had never heard of that problem. While I felt he was sincere and friendly, this did not solve the problem. I figured that maybe I had a bad unit so I returned it to Amazon, ordered a new one and you guessed it, the same damn faint hum. Another problem that I had was that I felt the cue was cheaply designed. I could live with that, but not the hum. Back to Amazon it went.

I wound up spending a few dollars more and purchasing the turntable that I should have started off with to begin with - the Technics SL1200 MK2. It does not have the internal preamp or 78 RPM function, but man it is a workhorse and it does just what I need it to do.

I liked so much about the AT PL-120 and wanted to love it, but I couldn't deal with what I consider to be a major flaw - the hum.