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A humble Audio Technica LP60x made me get back into vinyl

soma89

soma89

Well-Known Member
About 15 years ago, I was very much into turntables and audio gear.. Had many Thorens', Technics, Rega, Project...all brands I've owned and I wouldve never dreamed of getting anything less..in fact I was always "upgrading". Of course I've also tried out different cartridges, speakers, started getting audiophile LP's and looking for albums that were known for their great recordings.

It was fun while it lasted but the hobby really plateau'd for me as time went on and other obligations started taking over my life. I began selling my record collection, speaker collection, my trusty Technics 1200mkii, my cartridges..denon mc's, shure vIII, nagoakas, various pickerings and stantons..

And I wasnt looking back.



After the pandemic I moved to a smaller place and made a little space to put in a little generic stereo system: a couple of Celestion 3's, Rotel integrated amp that i recapped, and a bluetooth receiver. Id be sending tunes to it from Spotify all day and very happy with the sound. Definitely not an audiophile set up but thats not what i'm going for. Did this for about 1-2 yrs.

Anyways, this Christmas a family member got me an audio technica lp60x turntable so i could play the records i didnt sell (I guess she noticed I had a handful of records on my shelf and no turntable to play em on). I cant lie, i was hesitant because it went totally against what i thought i knew. Its plasticy, conical stylus, light platter, fully automatic bound to fail at some point. I was programmed (and I did it to myself) to believe that if it wasnt atleast a $400 turntable then it just wouldnt sound inspiring..wouldnt allow me to hear all that "analog detail" or whatever.



Well I gave it a chance and you know what? It is a hell of a turntable. Yes, its plastic and light but this thing does what it was designed to do. It has a very good sound, very decent soundstage and the auto function is very useful. Also, it has the advantage of being small enough to sit on top of my little rotel amp so its not taking up more space than before. My old self would have not approved of any of this but I also used to listen to Broadway Musical-esque Living Stereo records because supposedly they sounded good ( it was a dark time). As a recovering gearhead, i also kinda love the fact that you cant change the cartridge--the at3600l is very up to the task and that limitation keeps me focused on the music. Overall, I feel this is the first time I'm listening to vinyl 100% only for the music. Cut off all the fat- no more concerns about where I'm sitting in the room for best sound, no more different styli for different pressings, no more concerns about damaging expensive gear. Its just bare bones now. An approach that Ive found to be quite freeing, and refreshing. I've been hitting up the used record stores again - what more can I say?
 
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soma89 said:
. . . As a recovering gearhead, i also kinda love the fact that you cant change the cartridge--the at3600l is very up to the task and that limitation keeps me focused on the music. Overall, I feel this is the first time I'm listening to vinyl 100% only for the music. Cut off all the fat- no more concerns about where I'm sitting in the room for best sound, no more different styli for different pressings, no more concerns about damaging expensive gear. Its just bare bones now. An approach that Ive found to be quite freeing, and refreshing. I've been hitting up the used record stores again - what more can I say?
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In late 2021, economic circumstances led me to give away my remaining Rega, Linn, Audio by Van Alstine gear plus my entire lp collection in a cross-country move to lower-cost-of-living Texas. I figured I'd just stream music from my computer to my Bose Wave music system via the Bose's SoundLink wireless feature. In early 2022, my older brother, who had been away from component stereo equipment for many years at that point, called to let me know he was having fun with records again because his son-in-law had given him his old AT-LP60. I bought an LP60X to plug into my Bose and started buying records from the bargain shelves at Half-Price Books (1 to 3 dollars per record), and it's been a lot of fun.

The little AT turntable imposes simplification by being stuck with one cartridge and having all settings determined by factory presets. The Bose imposed limits, too. Once you've found the best spot to place it in your room, there really isn't any more fiddling to deal with--just choose your source and adjust the volume, and it sounds good whether played loudly or softly and from anywhere in the room (no "sweet spot" to stay glued to). There was a post in another forum about 15 years ago saying, "When you listen to music on less than capable equipment, you end up listening to the music, not the equipment." I can quibble with the "less than capable" comment, but I think there's some truth there.

This past March, the Bose had some issues, and since it was discontinued in 2017, I replaced it with Sony's cheapest stereo receiver (which includes Bluetooth reception) and a pair of Cambridge Audio's smallest bookshelf speakers. At a total of $400, it was $200 cheaper than what I paid for the Bose in 2011. It lacks the loudness function that was built into the Bose, but after some experimentation with the tone controls for my typical loud and soft volume settings, it has become very nearly as simplistic in operation for me.

During Christmas of 2024, AT was out of belts for my LP60X for what seemed an extended period of time, so when they offered the LP120XUSB for $249 (currently $449), I bought one. In recent weeks, and after getting a new belt for the LP60X, I've been going back and forth between them. I actually prefer the sound of the little belt drive, and its automatic functions are a great help since I choose to have the system in my bedroom. I could probably improve the sound of the LP120XUSB by mounting an AT3600L cartridge, but it would still be fully manual. I saw a YouTube review comparing the new LP70X to the LP60X, and most of what that reviewer saw as advantages to the new model are things I view as deficits. I prefer the sound of the 3600L over the VM95C, and I love the front-mounted controls that are accessible and operational even with the dust cover closed, particularly the front-mounted button for raising and lowering the arm, which the reviewer described as "clunky." I often find a need to pause the music, and I love not having to raise and lower the lid to access a cue lever (my Rega manual said, "Keeping the lid closed while playing records will prevent dust falling on to the record surface and should make cleaning unnecessary," and that's how I like to play my records).
 
I bought my son an AT-LPW40WN entry level table a few years ago. He wasn't able to take it to college this semester, so I have it set up in my den. With a Grado Opus3 cart, it sounds damn good. AT makes good stuff!

I think I paid about $300 for the table 3 years ago, now it's up to $550 - yikes! Still a very nice sounding TT for the money.
 
jrtrent said:
In late 2021, economic circumstances led me to give away my remaining Rega, Linn, Audio by Van Alstine gear plus my entire lp collection in a cross-country move to lower-cost-of-living Texas. I figured I'd just stream music from my computer to my Bose Wave music system via the Bose's SoundLink wireless feature. In early 2022, my older brother, who had been away from component stereo equipment for many years at that point, called to let me know he was having fun with records again because his son-in-law had given him his old AT-LP60. I bought an LP60X to plug into my Bose and started buying records from the bargain shelves at Half-Price Books (1 to 3 dollars per record), and it's been a lot of fun.

The little AT turntable imposes simplification by being stuck with one cartridge and having all settings determined by factory presets. The Bose imposed limits, too. Once you've found the best spot to place it in your room, there really isn't any more fiddling to deal with--just choose your source and adjust the volume, and it sounds good whether played loudly or softly and from anywhere in the room (no "sweet spot" to stay glued to). There was a post in another forum about 15 years ago saying, "When you listen to music on less than capable equipment, you end up listening to the music, not the equipment." I can quibble with the "less than capable" comment, but I think there's some truth there.

This past March, the Bose had some issues, and since it was discontinued in 2017, I replaced it with Sony's cheapest stereo receiver (which includes Bluetooth reception) and a pair of Cambridge Audio's smallest bookshelf speakers. At a total of $400, it was $200 cheaper than what I paid for the Bose in 2011. It lacks the loudness function that was built into the Bose, but after some experimentation with the tone controls for my typical loud and soft volume settings, it has become very nearly as simplistic in operation for me.

During Christmas of 2024, AT was out of belts for my LP60X for what seemed an extended period of time, so when they offered the LP120XUSB for $249 (currently $449), I bought one. In recent weeks, and after getting a new belt for the LP60X, I've been going back and forth between them. I actually prefer the sound of the little belt drive, and its automatic functions are a great help since I choose to have the system in my bedroom. I could probably improve the sound of the LP120XUSB by mounting an AT3600L cartridge, but it would still be fully manual. I saw a YouTube review comparing the new LP70X to the LP60X, and most of what that reviewer saw as advantages to the new model are things I view as deficits. I prefer the sound of the 3600L over the VM95C, and I love the front-mounted controls that are accessible and operational even with the dust cover closed, particularly the front-mounted button for raising and lowering the arm, which the reviewer described as "clunky." I often find a need to pause the music, and I love not having to raise and lower the lid to access a cue lever (my Rega manual said, "Keeping the lid closed while playing records will prevent dust falling on to the record surface and should make cleaning unnecessary," and that's how I like to play my records).
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Totally agree with you here. I really like 3600L. Right now, I see no need to upgrade to the newer elliptical upgrade for the lp60x ..might get a spare stylus though...just to have. I remember being impressed with the 3600L long ago when I mounted everything on a technics 1200mkii. I thought it was giving my stantons and shures a good run for their money. The biggest thing, however, was playing it without worry of damaging it. That was causing me a lot of stress when I had more expensive gear.
 
soma89 said:
Totally agree with you here. I really like 3600L. Right now, I see no need to upgrade to the newer elliptical upgrade for the lp60x ..might get a spare stylus though...just to have. I remember being impressed with the 3600L long ago when I mounted everything on a technics 1200mkii. I thought it was giving my stantons and shures a good run for their money. The biggest thing, however, was playing it without worry of damaging it. That was causing me a lot of stress when I had more expensive gear.
Click to expand...
Low-cost replacement styli are great to have! Shortly after buying my LP60X, my local Walmart store closed out their stock of ATN3600L styli at half price, so just $13 each at the time. If I recall correctly, there were three left that I picked up. My latest stylus, of course, is the new ATN3600LC. I have no interest in ellipticals when tracking at 3.5 grams, preferring the gentler conical shape. $36 is still a modest, worry-free purchase.
 
Sure, even a 160 bucks thing could make folks happy. On the other hand – I personally wouldn’t touch any turntable that has no Quartz Speed Control on board.
 
Heller said:
Sure, even a 160 bucks thing could make folks happy. On the other hand – I personally wouldn’t touch any turntable that has no Quartz Speed Control on board.
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Definitely . $160 is a lot of money for many people and I think it should be enough to get someone going on their vinyl journey. What makes me happy though is the music..and i picked up a beautiful copy of a record i love for $3. One thing i like about this hobby is that you dont need to be a millionaire to enjoy it. Ive forgotten all about that.
 
lokerola said:
I bought my son an AT-LPW40WN entry level table a few years ago. He wasn't able to take it to college this semester, so I have it set up in my den. With a Grado Opus3 cart, it sounds damn good. AT makes good stuff!

I think I paid about $300 for the table 3 years ago, now it's up to $550 - yikes! Still a very nice sounding TT for the money.
Click to expand...
I picked up an AT LP1240 on sale a few years ago for around $240. It was an open box, but looked brand new. I'm still using it in my main system with a Nagaoka MP110 cartridge. Its a heavy TT with a heavy rubberized aluminum base. I have an original Orbit Custom with a Ortifon OM5 cartridge and acrylic platter in a second system.
I've had zero complaints with the AT turntable. I just wish the lid was hinged like the model below it.
 
Music to my ears this thread is. I regularly post about loving my time with the AT91. These AT conicals are just so great sounding and such great values. I often wonder about the fact that the engineers who created phono recording/capture and playback systems did so with conical styli. Only years later did ellipticals arrive, followed by advanced shapes. People most often describe more 'air', 'shimmer', 'detail' and a 'wider soundstage' as resulting from the use of advanced styli, in addition to less sibilance.

Still, if the entire format was built around conicals, it seems a legitimate question whether vinyl is 'supposed' to sound like what we get from conicals. To me, once I get used to the 'directness' I get from the conicals I find the 'air' and 'shimmer' from more advanced shapes to not sound as good to me. It almost sounds to me as if effects have been layered onto the music, which I find distracting.

Maybe part of what I experience is simply pleasure at getting such good results for such little money in a hobby that IMO has become wildly expensive in the last few years.

Anyway, great thread!
 
Lavane said:
What's the difference between the AT 91 (yellow) and AT91R (red)?
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AT's promotional material said, "Specially designed for the LP3, the AT91R Dual Moving Magnet™ phono cartridge incorporates an aluminium cantilever for higher rigidity and improved pick-up of subtle details."

In the long-running $11 Chinese AT3600L Thread Mk. II, some have commented that the aluminum cantilever might not be an improvement. One such comment said, "Not convinced the step up from the CF is a wise one. IMO and I might be wrong but possibly part of the magic IS the CF cantilever." I've never owned an AT91; apart from the 3600L integrated into my LP60X, all my AT91 family cartridges (CN5625AL, AT91R, and the rebranded stock cartridge on a Denon DP-300F) have had aluminum cantilevers. There are a few turntables I find interesting that come stock with an AT91 cartridge, and I'm thinking about buying one just out of curiosity, though none offer the convenience I have with the LP60X.

edit: some specifications of the AT91 and AT91R can be found at the links below. A quick glance seems to indicate that the cantilever material is the only difference, though I might have missed something.


www.audio-technica.com

AT91R

This 0.6 mil conical cartridge fits half-inch mount turntables. It features durable dual-magnet design, excellent channel separation and low distortion for outstanding tonal quality.
www.audio-technica.com www.audio-technica.com
 
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Good buddy has this table. Picked up in a relationship gone south. We decided to buy adhesive blu tack style stuff and adorn the plinth. Wrapped the arm in plumber's tape, nice and neat. Cut 2 tennis balls and placed under the feet.

It isn't anything super special, but it does little wrong, and is darn easy to use. Like others have said, I found myself just enjoying the music.

I am talking him into using the phono level switch (not the line level) and running to a decent little phono pre, see what happens.

I find myself enjoying my linear Sansui (forget model number, but nothing special) because it's easy to use, and sounds just fine.

Remember, comparison is the killer of contentment.
 
jrtrent said:
AT's promotional material said, "Specially designed for the LP3, the AT91R Dual Moving Magnet™ phono cartridge incorporates an aluminium cantilever for higher rigidity and improved pick-up of subtle details."

In the long-running $11 Chinese AT3600L Thread Mk. II, some have commented that the aluminum cantilever might not be an improvement. One such comment said, "Not convinced the step up from the CF is a wise one. IMO and I might be wrong but possibly part of the magic IS the CF cantilever." I've never owned an AT91; apart from the 3600L integrated into my LP60X, all my AT91 family cartridges (CN5625AL, AT91R, and the rebranded stock cartridge on a Denon DP-300F) have had aluminum cantilevers. There are a few turntables I find interesting that come stock with an AT91 cartridge, and I'm thinking about buying one just out of curiosity, though none offer the convenience I have with the LP60X.

edit: some specifications of the AT91 and AT91R can be found at the links below. A quick glance seems to indicate that the cantilever material is the only difference, though I might have missed something.


www.audio-technica.com

AT91R

This 0.6 mil conical cartridge fits half-inch mount turntables. It features durable dual-magnet design, excellent channel separation and low distortion for outstanding tonal quality.
www.audio-technica.com www.audio-technica.com
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Thanks. I get it now. The AT91 has tha ABS cantilever, the AT91R has the aluminum cantilever. I have a AT3600L and the elliptical stylus with the carbon fiber cantilever. I still prefer the conical stylus on the AT3600L over the elliptical.
 
I mainly choose to run the AT91, which is a .6 conical with plastic/fiber reinforced cantilever, because it's recommended VTF is 2g. It's essentially the same price (i.e. very cheap!) as the AT3600 styli, so I use it with the thought that perhaps it is a touch kinder to my records than the heavier tracking AT3600L. It sounds great to me but I haven't compared it head to head with the heavier tracking stylus. I'm sometimes tempted to try the AT3600L at 3-3.5g to see if I can discern differences in sound.
 
I would actually suggest against upgrading to the elliptical stylus, because in my experience, it was worse. It’s a pretty good 3600 upgrade in a fully adjustable arm tracking at 1.75g. In the LP60 it was skipping, distorting in the right channel, and picking up more IGR. An entirely, objectively worse experience than the regular conical stylus.

You almost have to admire Audio Technica’s approach here. They’ll sell you the thing you want, even when you know you probably shouldn’t do it.
 
yofi said:
I would actually suggest against upgrading to the elliptical stylus, because in my experience, it was worse. It’s a pretty good 3600 upgrade in a fully adjustable arm tracking at 1.75g. In the LP60 it was skipping, distorting in the right channel, and picking up more IGR. An entirely, objectively worse experience than the regular conical stylus.

You almost have to admire Audio Technica’s approach here. They’ll sell you the thing you want, even when you know you probably shouldn’t do it.
Click to expand...
I ran the 3600 with the LP elliptical at 2g. My turntable has adjustable tracking angle. It sounded ok, no distortion, but I still prefer the conical.
I don't care for the 3.5g with the conical though.
 
Lavane said:
I ran the 3600 with the LP elliptical at 2g. My turntable has adjustable tracking angle. It sounded ok, no distortion, but I still prefer the conical.
I don't care for the 3.5g with the conical though.
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If this is a record wear concern, there is a YouTube video addressing that for low-cost, heavy-tracking turntables. It's a fun video, and Vwestlife's explanation of the procedures he chose is interesting.


Vwestlife used multiple copies of a gospel album by The Marcus Family (and perhaps an overabundance of religious jokes), and I have a gospel album by Georgia Lee that I picked up used for $3.00 in 2022 that has been played on my LP60X well over 100 times by now, plus a few dozen more times on the LP120XUSB with a variety of styli, but mostly the ATN-XP3 stylus tracking at 3-3.5 grams. My experience is not a record wear study, and I just have the one copy from the bargain bins, but it continues to sound great to me, still finding its way onto my turntable just about every week.
 
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