Audio-Technica AT-PL120 Professional Direct-Drive Turntable (Discontinued by Manufacturer)
We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock.
| Brand | Audio-Technica |
| Connectivity Technology | Wired |
| Material | Plastic |
| Item Weight | 24.3 Pounds |
| Style | Modern |
| Color | Silver |
| Compatible Devices | Personal Computer |
| Motor Type | AC Motor |
| Signal Format | Digital |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
About this item
- Selectable internal stereo phono preamplifier--choose from phono or line-level output
- Direct-drive, high-torque motor; includes cartridge and headshell
- Selectable 33⅓, 45, and 78 rpm speeds; +/-10 percent or +/-20 percent pitch adjust; high-accuracy quartz-controlled pitch lock
- S-shaped tone arm assembly with adjustable counterweight, anti-skate adjustment, tone-arm height adjustment and lock
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| Price | Currently unavailable. | $349.00$349.00 | $299.99$299.99 | $449.00$449.00 | $534.99$534.99 | $1,999.00$1,999.00 |
| Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Jan 10 | Get it Jan 8 - 11 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Jan 10 | Get it Jan 8 - 11 | Get it as soon as Friday, Jan 12 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| For beginners | 5.0 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.8 | — |
| Sound quality | 5.0 | 4.6 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | — |
| Giftable | 4.8 | 4.5 | 5.0 | — | 4.6 | — |
| Sold By | — | Amazon.com | Fluance Audio | Amazon.com | Fluance Audio | Cambridge Audio |
| power source | Corded Electric | Corded Electric,Usb Cable | AC | Corded Electric | AC | Corded Electric |
| connectivity tech | Wired | Wired | — | Wired | Wired, Wireless | Wired, Wireless |
| signal format | Digital | Analog | Analog | Analog | Analog | — |
| material | Plastic | Plastic | Plastic, Wood, Engineered Wood | Metal, Aluminum | Plastic, Wood, Engineered Wood | Plastic |
| weight | 24.25 pounds | 17.5 pounds | 14.1 pounds | 20.1 pounds | 41.27 pounds | 13990 grams |
| motor type | AC Motor | DC Motor | DC Motor | AC Motor | AC Motor | DC Motor |
Product Description
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.
Amazon.com
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.
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Product information
| Product Dimensions | 21.57 x 17.01 x 8.82 inches |
|---|---|
| Item Weight | 24.2 pounds |
| Manufacturer | Audio Technica |
| ASIN | B00012EYNG |
| Item model number | AT-PL120 |
| Customer Reviews |
4.2 out of 5 stars |
| Best Sellers Rank | #207,381 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments) #3,075 in DJ Turntable Cartridges |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | May 3, 2006 |
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Top reviews from the United States
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This turntable was just what I wanted. The cartridge sounds good to me, drums thump, symbols sizzle and you can hear a flutist take a breath. My records have never sounded so good. I was one of the lucky ones who bought this for $140.88, it was a really great deal! (The price is changing all the time... Check the "S" model [Audio-Technica AT-PL120S] with the software included. At the moment it's about $14 cheaper and it's exactly the same turntable with software included for making mp3s!)
The turntable weighs a ton, well, maybe 23.4 lbs... It has a cast aluminum platter for one thing and it is really rock-solid. It has a place to keep another headshell, like if you have lots of 78's so you can switch them easily. (Yes, it has a 78 rpm speed!)
The set up was fairly easy, but since I'd never set up a turntable before myself, balancing the tonearm and setting the counter weight, I did make a boo-boo but I got it working fine. The headshell came with the cartridge attached so I didn't have to do that! I set the tracking force to 1.5 grams as many suggested and it plays just fine. No skipping or skating. This turntable is adjustable in many ways, even the tone arm assembly has a height adjustment..... If you have some really thick old 78 records or whatever...........
I played a CD and an LP of the same song as I happened to have a copy of the same album in both formats and I could not tell the difference between the two AT ALL. I went back and forth. I don't know if that's good or bad, but maybe the rest of my stereo components are too cheap to show the difference! I'll tell you that now that I have such a nice turntable I'm itching to upgrade everything else!
I agree that the tone arm clamp is flimsy, I'd be careful. I also think that the cueing lever is flimsy too. It has a lot of play in it and feels like it would break easily so I'm being really careful. Also I think they mis-labeled the 45 and 33 dots for the stobe as someone else mentioned.
I heard no hum like some others noticed. I use the phono hookup on my 20 year old Kenwood KVR-A70R receiver so I'm not using the pre-amp.
I admit I am a little bothered about having to get up when the record is done playing, but I knew that before I bought it. Since I'm only sitting a couple of feet away anyway, I think I can handle it! (I don't think a DJ would want the records auto-returning, and after all, this is a "DJ" turntable.)
Back in the 70's I always drooled over these direct drive turntables with the strobe light and pitch control and now I have one! I can't wait to play 'Revolution #9' backwards. Yes, it plays backwards! Number nine-ah, number nine-ah.............
Well, excuse me I gotta go to eBay and buy some old LPs!
I also have a Technics SL 1200 so in comparison to that, this deck isn't a bad contender. Obviously they look a lot alike, but so do other turntables that try to mimick the SL 1200.
But, my quest was for a decent turntable for the various speeds and they aren't easily found. I tried a Thorens TD-190 deck because it offered 3 speeds as well as having auto-play but it was a piece of crap. It was a 500 dollar machine and it cost me [...] bucks just to send it back. It had poor isolation, it howled and was very cheaply made.
When I saw the AT PL-120 I gave it some hard thought in regards to trying another TT in hopes of finding one that works well. I also had to wait to purchase one because they were going through the design change for a USB output.
After receiving it I must say that I'm not disappointed. It isn't as well made as the Technics SL1200 and here are a couple things I can say that differ.
The arm looks a little bit more cheaply made but only in regards to the rear plastic assembly of the tube. Other than that, it looks the same and functions and tracks very well.
The tone-arm base to the plynth isn't as well constructed as the SL1200 as seen by the anti-skate knob, the VTA adjuster and arm lift assembly.
The platter itself isn't the most perfectly machined platter I've seen, but it's only apparent when spinning at 78 RPM.
The plynth isn't as heavy as the SL1200 but it's much better than other decks I've looked at and tried before. It's actually rather heavy, solid and well isolated from foot falls and feedback. I play my system loud and I use a sub-woofer so feedback is a major issue for me.
I didn't need a deck that spins in reverse but it's there if I decide to use it, I guess. I'm not using the cartridge supplied with this unit due it tracks heavier than I prefer and it won't deliver the type of sound I desire. I will install it into an old Garrard TT though so it won't go to waste. I currently am using a Stanton 681EEE cart but I have an AT120 ordered. I also have several other carts in my possesion, along with an AT440mL, that sound very nice on this machine. I also have a Stanton cart for 78's.
I give this turntable 5 stars across the board because I've dealt with lots of decks and I've seen that many on the market fall short of doing the things a turntable need to do like track well, hold their correct speed and isolate themselves from external sound waves.
The cost of the AT PL-120 is a real value in terms of the quality you'll obtain considering the junk you'll likely find with other products.
You might say I have an audiophile way of thinking but I'm not able to afford extravagant gear. I value my sound though and I know what I expect from it. I have good equipment and I don't use junk.
The PL-120 is a good purchase if you're looking for a good playing deck. It has an excellent motor drive that's strong and dead-on.
I advise to stay away from the fancy looking decks that look hi-tech, light weight in construction and made with hollow plastic housings.
Now, when I turn it up to what I would consider the 'low end' of the loud range, I get a low bass feedback kinda sound from primarily the left speaker. Lift the needle off the record at the same volume and no noise. Turn it down a bit and the sound goes away. Funny how it worked fine the first year or so. I recently upgraded the receiver and relocated all of my components to a new location and same thing. And yes, I do have the turntables pre-amp turned off.
It still has the original factory cartridge/needle on it. Maybe the needle is just old and worn and that's why it just started doing this perhaps? I don't know as this is my first turntable. Thought about trying a new cartridge but not sure it's worth the investment. I only paid 125.00 for this unit and a decent quality cartridge looks to run about 75.00 and up.
In reading the reviews, seems alot of the humming units were the older reviews so maybe they corrected grounding issue on the newer units perhaps? I'm not a 'solder kinda guy' so I wont be breaking into the unit for a technical fix. Read that the ground loops affect the sound quality in a negative way so not sure I want to go that route either. Kinda of a downer but what electronic equiptment am I not having to replace every few years these days anyway.....
Top reviews from other countries
Als Erstes versuchte ich den Computeranschluss ueber USB, der auf Anhieb funktionierte, aber mit dem mitgelieferten System leider viel zu leise; auf meinem System (Win 7) gibt es keine Moeglichkeit, die Lautstaerke nachzuregulieren. Das geht mit einem Citronic AC-1USB wesentlich besser.
Dann schloss ich das Geraet analog an der Soundkarte (Realtek) an, und nach einigen Versuchen funktioniert Alles tadellos - das System verarbeitet auch alte und verkratzte Platten mit sehr wenig Nebengeraeuschen, ich kann mithoeren, und Audiograbber digitalisiert ohne Probleme.
Insgesamt empfehlenswert.
Ergaenzung am 22.09.2012: Das Anti-Skating ist fix eingestellt; der Drehknopf ist wirkungslos. Die Einstellung duerfte aber fuer 1,5g Auflagegewicht in etwa stimmen.
Die Achse und der Antriebsmotor rumpeln gelegentlich etwas, das laesst sich mit einem Plattengewicht von ca. 500g wirkungsvoll unterdruecken.










