6,541
Amazon's Choice
in Audio & Video Turntables
56 offers from $287.04
889
49 offers from $332.64
254
4 offers from $309.99
5,356
in DJ Turntable Cartridges
14 offers from $17.81
2,375
Amazon's Choice
in DJ Turntable Cartridges
18 offers from $34.38
947
Amazon's Choice
in Home Audio Sound Bars
41 offers from $127.61

Important information

Legal Disclaimer

Warranty does not cover misuse of product.

Compare with similar items

		Audio-Technica AT-LP120XBT-USB-BK Wireless Direct-Drive Turntable, Black	Audio-Technica ATN95E Replacement Stylus for AT95E Cartridge Green	Audio-Technica ATN3600L Replacement Stylus for AT-LP60 Turntable,Small

Customer Rating	(293)	(889)	(2375)	(5356)
Price	From $819.99	$349.00	$47.99	$24.00
Shipping	—	FREE Shipping. Details	FREE Shipping. Details	FREE Shipping on orders over $25.00 shipped by Amazon or get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime
Sold By	Available from these sellers	Firemall LLC	Advent Prime	Turntable Lab
Are batteries included?	No	No	—	—
Item Dimensions	21.57 x 17.01 x 8.82 inches	22 x 18 x 10 inches	4 x 3 x 1 inches	0.3 x 0.1 x 0.6 inches
Item Weight	24.25 lbs	17.64 lbs	—	—

Compare with similar items

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.

Product guides and documents

User Manual (PDF)

Looking for specific info?

See questions and answers

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

293 ratings

4.3 out of 5 stars

Best Sellers Rank

#753,221 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
#4,009 in Audio & Video Turntables

Is Discontinued By Manufacturer

No

Date First Available

November 20, 2003

Feedback

Would you like to tell us about a lower price?

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5

293 global ratings

5 star		69%
4 star		8%
3 star		13%
2 star		5%
1 star		5%

How customer reviews and ratings work

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Anona

Great for the money, and not bad for DJ's (it is a DJ styled turntable) !!!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 11, 2007

Verified Purchase

So I've read hundreds of reviews on this turntable before purchasing.

--- NOTE --- THIS IS A DJ STYLED TURNTABLE. THAT'S WHY IT'S 100% MANUALLY OPERATED! (for the people who don't know why it's a manual turntable)

--- NOTE 2 --- CHANCES ARE THE HUMM MOST PEOPLE REFERENCE IS PROBABLY USER ERROR, NOT A FAULTY PRODUCT... read below! (Or you may need a "real" line conditioner!)

Obviously I've read that people had quirks with it being a manual turntable, but that's how it's supposed to be. It is competing with the classic Technics SL 1200 and other such manual DJ turntables. If you want a semi-automatic or automatic turntable this is not the one for you!

DJ NOTES:

This turntable is a steal for the price. It however does not replace a Technics 1200. I mostly do straight beat mixing and for that it is great. If you want it for complex scratching then stick with a 1200, the direct drive can't be beat! The cartridge/styli it comes with are good for listening to records, but should be replaced if you plan on doing any mixing... I usually prefer Stanton or Ortofon. For simple backcue the tracking can be adjusted fine and the needle holds its groove. Most stock styli are junk anyways unless you're buying a serious audiophile turntable (usually reflected in the price of what you pay), if you want bigger sound invest in a high-end cartridge and stylus. AT does a pretty good job for being stock... not worth complaining about for under $140 in my opinion.

The one thing I do notice functionally different when mixing between a 1200 is that the Audio Technica sometimes "lurches" forward when you manually slow down the platter with your finger. Meaning, that say you slow down the record with your finger for a couple of seconds... now and then, once you release pressure of your finger on the platter, the platter speeds up faster to place itself back to before... like it's catching up to where you started versus just locking back into play from where you slowed it down to. This does not happen all the time and as a DJ it can be worked around if you have the skills. It varies depending on how long you slow it down. If you use the slider for adjusting it's non issue, but finger tracking can be a little tricky. Like I said, it varies. One thing the AT has over Technics is that on the plus side when you slow down the platter with your finger, the Technics will jump or lurch a short notch back every few seconds while you hold consistent pressure down (if you DJ you know what I'm talking about), while the AT just adjusts steady and smooth while you hold your finger down. A 1200 will make a slight jump backward now and then if you hold your finger down while the drive tries to stay locked. But a 1200 doesn't randomly speed back up to make up the difference. It's a give and take I guess.

I think the quartz lock button on the AT is kind of useless as if I need it locked if I'm pitching the table speed up or down, maybe it'll be handy once it gets old and the drive starts to wear down. The pop up light isn't as sturdy feeling as a 1200, but it works just the same. Other likes: plays backward, choice between 10% or 20% pitch adjustment up or down, plays 78 speed as well as 33 and 45, flat lid for easy stacking versus the bubble on a 1200, nice solid heavy base (like a 1200), and just as stylish as a 1200. I didn't bother even opening the slip mat it came with as I have my own and it fits in just as nicely as a 1200.

The silver top is plastic versus metal like a 1200, but it doesn't seem to make a difference. I wish the RCA cables were detachable, but neither are the 1200's, at least older models. The AC power cable is detachable unlike the 1200's but it doesn't really seem to matter. Some of the newer 1200's have all the features of the AT and even a few more, but a newer tricked out 1200 will cost over $600 versus $140, and for what I do the AT is just fine.

As for noise complaints or hum that some have spoken of? I don't have that issue. I think people don't set it up right if their getting hum. Under the platter there is a switch for "phono" or "line" level output. If you put it into phono mode you better have a phono input on your mixer or stereo receiver or you will get hum. That's how any record player works. If you have the turntable in "line" level output, you want a line level input on your receiver or mixer (aux, CD, tape... etc.), not the phono input or you will get hum and improper sound levels! The AT does not have a ground cable, but it doesn't seem to matter in phono mode with my mixer set for phono input. I tested the line level input with the turntable set to line out. Works just as well. I also maxed out all of my volume levels and there is zero hum on line or phono and the volume levels were matched as far as how loud the output was for each. This turntable was quieter than a mouse, just as quiet as my 1200 or more and I'm only using a mid-grade power conditioner. Testing without the power conditioner gave the same results... quiet! Just as good if not better than any other turntable for noise floor in either phono or line mode with the proper phono or line inputs settings.

All in all I gave the AT 4 stars, but it is trying to compete with a 1200 and as close as it is... it's not a 1200. Has some better features and some things that aren't quite as good. For simple DJ'ing it's great. Only reason the AT gets 4 stars is because the direct drive is not quite as sturdy as a 1200 and that's what this table is trying to be. Still a great buy for the money.

15 people found this helpful

Helpful

LBC

Living with an AT-PL120

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 8, 2008

Verified Purchase

If you have decided to read these comments you may have seen that 15 out of 17 readers found this review helpful. Honesty dictates I reveal that that statistic pertained to the old review.

This review of the AT-PL120 has been extensively rewritten (Aug., 2009). I have owned and used this turntable for over a year which has translated into experience with this unit, and a few other direct drive turntables. The AT-PL120 tries really hard to pass itself off as a virtual Technics 1200 series turntable. Do not be fooled by pictures on a web page. It's only similarity is in appearance.

The AT-PL120 comes with a quartz controlled pitch lock which does a good job of keeping platter speeds constant. The platter's drive motor has abundant torque to keep the platter rotating for record cleaning before playing. The AT-PL120 starts up with the quartz lock disengaged leaving the pitch control slider in control of your platter. If you want the quartz lock in control you must press it's button every time you turn on the turntable. And, a heads up to any budget minded prospective DJs attracted by this turntable's "Professional" designation, any messing around you do with popping the platter light up and down, pressing speed control buttons, or moving the slider through it's center detent will result in 'thumps' that will be efficiently transmitted to the phono cartridge and mixed with the music.

The aluminum platter comes with a felt slip mat which has an enviable capacity to attract static. Often when removing a played record from the platter I found the slip mat clinging for dear life to the underside of the record. As for the platter itself, if you tap it's outer rim with your fingernail you get a bell-like ringing sound for your effort which the felt slip mat does very little toward dampening. I discovered that a home made cork platter mat made from a 12" x 12" cork square available from a local crafts store brought the ringing down to a dull thud. The homemade cork mat does not try to cling to the bottom of the record either. Of course, if you want to keep using the included felt mat, a light application of Gruv-Glide to records as per it's directions does a nice job of controlling static.

The included ATP-2 cartridge is intended for heavy duty DJ use as it needs to track at 3 to 5 grams. That was a bit heavy for my taste so I put the ATP-2 aside until I read a suggestion in another review to try a 205-DET stylus in the cartridge. Since the ATP-2 cartridge is factory aligned in it's included headshell this was simply a matter or removing the DJ stylus assembly and replacing it with the 205-DET assembly (Audio Technica ATXN5 stylus) which can track at a much more acceptable and lighter 1.5 grams. This setup has no glaring sonic vices and is very good at finding high frequency sounds that the Shure M97xE pulls back on. It is one I choose often for rock music listening. Going back for a moment to the fact that the ATP-2 cartridge is factory installed - I checked the Technics 230mm overhang gauge against the factory install and found that the ATP-2 stylus was positioned exactly at the point it would have ended up at had it been installed with the Technics gauge. If you plan to buy extra headshells for extra cartridges for this turntable or if you want to install another cartridge on the included headshell the Technics gauge makes the cartridge alignment process very much easier. It is available online and it is not that expensive.

This turntable can produce a hum. Higher output cartridges can be played at lower volume settings which will keep the hum from being heard. Records recorded at higher volume levels also help. Certain discount hit compilation albums recorded at lower volume levels to squeeze an extra song or two onto a side may require higher receiver volume levels for listening and may bring the hum to a level where is audible.

We move now to the tonearm which has an adjustable counterweight at the rear. Other reviewers have commented that the counterweight rotates too freely. If you look closely you will find a small slotted set screw on the body of the counterweight. If you tighten this screw just to the point where you feel resistance you will have it set where the counterweight can turn if needed yet remain where you position it. Reviewers have also commented that the rotating gauge on the front of the counterweight also rotates too freely and loses all association it had with the most recent determination of tracking force. Mine had this problem. I eventually resorted to forcing a bit of petroleum jelly into the crack between the gauge and the counterweight which let me move the gauge if needed and yet kept it coupled to the counterweight when I needed to set the tracking force.

The next subject has to do with the tonearm's antiskate feature. With the turntable level and the antiskate setting adjusted to zero the tonearm counterweight is adjusted so the tonearm is floating, balanced and horizontal, and away from the tonearm rest. On my AT-PL120 the tonearm will drift to a position just a bit outward from the edge of the platter and stay there. On my new Technics 1200 the tonearm will stay were originally positioned. On my AT-PL120 moving the antiskate setting to 1 hardly causes any tonearm movement at all. Further increasing the AT-PL120's tonearm setting to it's maximum setting 7 causes the tonearm to move only an inch toward the tonearm rest before stopping. On my new Technics 1200 moving the tonearm's antiskate setting to only 1 will start it on a smooth, easy, yet determined migration toward the tonearm rest where it will not stop until it has met the upright arm of the rest.

Recently the AT-PL120's cueing mechanism lost all it's dampening fluid leaving a tonearm that descended too rapidly onto the surface of the record. I was directed to an online source which sold me a tube of silicone dampening fluid, a viscous, sticky substance which was applied to the post attached to the tonearm lift. It worked it's way in and tonearm lift control is again active.

To the list of tonearm related woes add a broken tonearm latch, which is the black plastic hook that keeps the tonearm secured to the tonearm rest when the turntable is not being used. I was just routinely easing it off the tonearm to play a record and it just snapped off. The latch is held on by a small Philips head screw on the back side of the tonearm rest post, and is easy enough to replace once you figure out how to get a screwdriver tip into it's slots. Instead of sending away to Audio-Technica for a replacement latch of similar quality I fashioned a workable latch from a section of a rubber coated paper clip and screwed that on instead. I anticipate it will last much longer than the stock latch. My original magnetic cartridge turntable (a Technics) is 28 years old and still has it's original tonearm latch. Go figure.

The last subject relates to setting tonearm assembly height. My factory AT-PL120 manual tells me this feature "...allows for the tonearm to be positioned parallel to the record surface, when using extra-tall cartridge bodies, thick slip mats, or thick records (i.e. old 78s)." Apparently I can raise the pivot of the tonearm if the cited factors force my headshell higher than the pivot to make the tonearm again level with the record. Unfortunately, out here in the real world, my situation was exactly the opposite. With every cartridge and headshell combination I tried on the AT-PL120 the tonearm pivot was higher than the headshell. I could not lower the pivot from it's lowest physically possible position to level the tonearm as signs of stressing plastic tonearm assembly parts became evident if I tried to urge it any lower. (And, yes, the Lock was disengaged.) In fact, my tonearm could never be lowered to it's indicated zero setting. It always showed firm resistance at a point between Zero and One best described as 1/4. It is evident that extra-tall cartridge bodies and thick slip mats and records would actually help in making my AT-PL120 tonearm parallel to the record. On my new Technics 1200 series turntable, using the same cartridges and headshells, I can actually lower the pivot to make the tonearm parallel, and there are subtle yet noticeable sound benefits to be gained from this capability.

As for the important question of how did it sound, it could actually sound decent. But I wonder how much of that was due to what the cartridge could do for the turntable. The AT-PL120 is better than the lesser turntables hovering around $100 (I have one of those too in a box somewhere...). The lingering question in my mind is how much better would it sound with a higher quality tone arm that a turntable with an MSRP of $399.00 should have?

34 people found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English

Ron Matsusaki

Ordered but out of stock.

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on October 16, 2019

Verified Purchase

I ordered this turntable but it was unavailable, so, undelivered. I got two units used elsewhere and they seem to work well. This turntable is heavy, so, will withstand some vibration from the room. It is popular among disc jockeys, probably for this reason.

Erich Weitersberger

Interessanter Nachbau

Reviewed in Germany 🇩🇪 on September 16, 2012

Verified Purchase

Ich verwende diesen Plattenspieler, um meine Vinylsammlung zu digitalisieren.
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.

8 people found this helpful

Translate review to English

See all reviews

Brand	Audio-Technica
Connectivity Technology	Wired
Material	Plastic
Item Weight	24.25 Pounds
Color	Silver
Motor Type	AC Motor
Signal Format	Digital
Item Dimensions LxWxH	21.57 x 17.01 x 8.82 inches

Consider these alternative items

Audio-Technica AT-PL120 Professional Direct-Drive Turntable (Discontinued by Manufacturer)

About this item

Customers who viewed this item also viewed

Important information

Legal Disclaimer

Compare with similar items

Product Description

Product Description

Amazon.com

What's in the Box

Product guides and documents

Looking for specific info?

Videos

Videos for related products

5 BEST Record Players of 2022

Videos for related products

Audio-Technica Wireless Direct-Drive Turntable

Videos for related products

TOP 5 Record Players For 2023!

Videos for related products

Pioneer Pro DJ, Black (PLX-500-K)

Videos for related products

Sony PS-LX310BT Belt Drive Record Player with Bluetooth

Videos for related products

Audio-Technica LP60X: What to know before you buy

Videos for related products

Audio-Technica Turntable - A+ rating

Videos for related products

Fluance’s RT80/RT81 Turntables Remind Us Why Vinyl Rocks

Videos for related products

Top 5 Best Record Players

Videos for related products

5 GREAT Record Players

Product information

Feedback

Where did you see a lower price?

Website (Online)

Store (Offline)

Customer reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Top reviews from other countries