RobRoy
It's just stuff - but fun
I used to be one of those guys. We call it analysis paralysis. It sucks. I adjusted the heads on my old Sony three head cassette deck back in the 80's to the point as to ruin it's ability to make good recordings.
AT-LP120XUSB
- Thread starter Trekkie4
- Start date
Arthur Smith
Super Member
Sometimes, you just have to throw caution to the wind. As I grow older, I am doing this more and more.
Trekkie4
Retired Member
Right, I've heard the same thing from several other users, all reporting the same. IDK, mine never made any funny noises. Maybe for a second or two, before the platters gets up to full speed, but once it gets stable it runs completely quiet. Maybe something they've resolved down the road, through the evolution process? Try to keep in mind that even though all LP120s are named the same way, there had been at least 3 or 4 generations that I know of. Maybe even more...
I remember watching one of your videos on YouTube where you mentioned that. From what I remember, you also removed the preamp & added grounding cable. I'm actually subscribed to your channel, even commented on your videos several times
As for the weight, I would have to agree on what you said, except for the fact that I have my LP120 right next to one of the speakers. Not because I wanted to do so, but because I didn't have any other place to put them (or LP120, for that matter), so having a 10kg turntable comes in handy to absorb most of vibrations. Not that I listen to extremely loud music, but better safe than sorry. And yes - before you ask, I saw your latest video on this particular issue.
True, but only because you're still using stock (slip) mat. I've replaced mine for a genuine Technics rubber one, 6mm thick. So, not only it corrected my VTA alignment, but it also added a lot of dampening to the platter, even made it heavier. "One size fit all" solution, I guess? One way or another, the tonearm is now parallel to the platter, without stacking several mats on top of each other.
Considering they made a whole new model from scratch, wouldn't be surprised if it's actually true. But I do believe you meant to say "XP", not the "X" one. Because from what I remember, the "X" one is a downgrade of existing LP120 in pretty much all the areas.
RobRoy
It's just stuff - but fun
So true. I have to admit that my blood stirs a bit when I see a really cool setup or a TT and album displayed just right, similar to the reaction of a 20 something when he sees an especially hot chick. But now, at 65, I see EVERYTHING that is not a living thing as a tool. If I get seriously wrapped up in my tools, yet rarely, if ever, use them, I'm doing it wrong. And if I'm more concerned about the tiny nuances of how well my tools do the job that I can never appreciate that they ARE doing the job, I'm doing it wrong.
I think I'm going to give this one the benefit of the doubt and wait until reviews come out. Maybe they really have listened to feedback, albeit a little late. Let's face it, the quality control level couldn't be much lower than it is now. The thing that interests me most is the "improved" preamp. First, is it really improved, and second, if it isn't, have they at least rewired it to take it completely out of the signal path when it's switched off?
As for the 140, this seems like a weird one, in that I can't seem to figure out its target. What table is it aiming for?
As for the 140, this seems like a weird one, in that I can't seem to figure out its target. What table is it aiming for?
Trekkie4
Retired Member
Hmm... From what I can tell, LP140XP is aiming to replace existing LP120 in its place ... the real question you should be asking yourself is "What is the point behind LP120XUSB?"
It's pretty difficult to make a full & decent review at this point, but you might want to check out this video here... Already I can see several things which I don't like, or even make sense from the engineering point of view.
vwestlife
Super Member
I took me a while to figure out how the strobe works on the LP140X. Instead of it flickering at the AC line frequency (50 or 60 Hz), and having lines of dots on the platter matching that for each speed of the turntable, it appears that now that the turntable uses an external DC power supply and no longer has AC coming into it, it's internally generating its own AC frequencies to run the strobe, and changing the frequency depending on the turntable's speed, so it no longer needs separate lines of dots for 33⅓ and 45 RPM at 50 and 60 Hz. (Now those extra dots are used to represent musical keys up or down from the original speed: +7.2, +3.3, and -3.3%, for DJs who speed up or slow down a record so that it can be mixed together with another song that's in a different key.)
That sounds like a great idea, just as long as the turntable's internal frequency generator for the strobe stays in calibration. After years of use as its electronic components start to age, it might not be so accurate anymore, and you'll need to check it with an external strobe and adjust it (assuming there is an adjustment for it).
And seeing the felt slipmat cling to the bottom of the record as it was removed from the platter reminds me of how I hate felt slipmats. For DJs they do have an important purpose, but for home use they're just an annoyance.
Also it looked like the tonearm bounced up and down when the person taking the video used the cueing lever to raise it... my LP120 started doing that after a few years when the dampening oil in its tonearm cueing mechanism started to get too thin. If a brand new one is doing that already, that's not a good sign!
That sounds like a great idea, just as long as the turntable's internal frequency generator for the strobe stays in calibration. After years of use as its electronic components start to age, it might not be so accurate anymore, and you'll need to check it with an external strobe and adjust it (assuming there is an adjustment for it).
And seeing the felt slipmat cling to the bottom of the record as it was removed from the platter reminds me of how I hate felt slipmats. For DJs they do have an important purpose, but for home use they're just an annoyance.
Also it looked like the tonearm bounced up and down when the person taking the video used the cueing lever to raise it... my LP120 started doing that after a few years when the dampening oil in its tonearm cueing mechanism started to get too thin. If a brand new one is doing that already, that's not a good sign!
Trekkie4
Retired Member
The LP120, even the "old" one deserves to have a decent & thick rubber mat. I realize those are more expensive than felt ones, but how hard it can be to include one ... especially on a $400 turntable?! After all they've included one on LP5, which is essentially just overpriced LP120, that's been stripped of all the "DJ" features & given J-shaped tonearm.
I've owned the lp120 sold it and bought the new one. I need it to transfer some old recordings, mainly 78's for clients.
The new 120xusb is definitely made cheaper, and removing the tonearm adjustment was stupid. Yes the plastic 45 adapter is awful.
The turntable now comes with a ground wire, and the turntable does sound better. The new cart is bright. The 120 I never noticed differences between carts because of its design issues.
I recorded a song three times into my DAW and used rx7. One was previous 120, the other is the 120x and the other is a Project Carbon with Orton 20.
The lp120 is thin and limp. The 120xusb sounds better using the original 95 and the upgraded one.
If course the Debut had the best sound. The other two are lacking a little.
For 250.00 it's a decent enough turntable for my business needs. Acetates, 78's and older 45's, I'm OK with it.
The new 120xusb is definitely made cheaper, and removing the tonearm adjustment was stupid. Yes the plastic 45 adapter is awful.
The turntable now comes with a ground wire, and the turntable does sound better. The new cart is bright. The 120 I never noticed differences between carts because of its design issues.
I recorded a song three times into my DAW and used rx7. One was previous 120, the other is the 120x and the other is a Project Carbon with Orton 20.
The lp120 is thin and limp. The 120xusb sounds better using the original 95 and the upgraded one.
If course the Debut had the best sound. The other two are lacking a little.
For 250.00 it's a decent enough turntable for my business needs. Acetates, 78's and older 45's, I'm OK with it.
Trekkie4
Retired Member
Removing tonearm adjustment & downgrading all the details (& finishing touches) from metal to plastic was done only so they could sell AT LP140XP for larger price than AT LP120, the "old" model.
RobRoy
It's just stuff - but fun
Sounds like you and I have similar feelings about it. I like to use car analogies. I see it as my Toyota Camry. Rock solid reliable, quiet and gets the job done. But it's no Porsche or BMW. And, truth be told, I'd rather drive a Camry than a Porsche or BMW offered at the same price.
yarvelling
Active Member
One thing I've noticed among LP120 owners is that (once they removed phono stage, of course) not everyone got what they wanted or expected. Some users reported having unbalanced sound, for example. Some of them found it to be too bright (brighter than expected, considering AT 95E). Some even experienced excessive rumble from the motor, which is why I decided to keep mine. I'm not using it however, it's set to "phono" & routed through Little Bear T8 instead.
Indeed... I wish they kept ATP-3, or even included something entirely different.
Or even better, if they offered a version without the cartridge entirely. The included AT 95E that came with mine ended up collecting dust inside spare headshell holder, behind the counterweight. Even the cheapest 3600L sounds much better than 95E, but what I ended up using on a regular basis is Shure M75 ED/T2. It's playing "Ruby Tuesday" as we speak
@Arthur Smith I do see your point, but TBH they always resembled each other. Just look at now old LP120 & Pioneer PLX500. And don't even get me started on Reloop... But it keeps the cost production down, which is pretty much the only important thing to consider.
Indeed.. regarding removing the pre-amp on the LP120USB: After mine was out of warrenty period, I removed my pre-amp and it sounded fine-ish... however it was no 'better' than before either...running mine through a Rega MiniFono pre-amp, regardless of which cartridge I used:- AT or Shure, which are the two main brands that I own, and love the sound of through that pre-amp, they just didn't sounfd'right'.... so I soldered the AT pre-amp back in, and now it sounds great again!! The Shure cartridges have plenty of grunt and slam, and the AT-95E sounds lovely, and more like how it sounds when mounted to my Rega RP1....
I love these lower priced decks and seeing what I can get from them...... I'm currently using an old Technics SL-QX200 turntable with a Shure M92E and it sounds fantastic, but I also love the sound the Rega RP1 with both Carbon and AT95 carts, and also the AT-LP120USB turntable with AT-95E and it's in-built pre-amp switched 'off' to use external pre-amps.... removing the internal seems to lose a certain 'something' (can't explain just what), but even though this T/T is often derided for it's internal pre-amp, with it in situe and set to 'off', it sounds great.... to me!
Though I'm loving my old Technics at the moment!! ;-)
Trekkie4
Retired Member
Exactly! I was often wondering if removing the preamp on my LP120 would make any difference or not, but ever since I upgraded to Shure M75 ED/Type 2, I didn't really have any need to experiment (and void the warranty, in the process).
In fact, I'm hoping to pair mine with M91 GD, which (considering the previous experience with M75) is ought to sound sweet & punchy!
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yarvelling
Active Member
Hey thanks! Yeah... That Shure M75 sounds great in the AT-LP120.....mind you, it sounds pretty great in most things!! 
I have a very old M75-6 with the metal clip for mounting, and it is just brilliant, especially on more boisterous records!
I think though for smoother pop with a lot of female vocals, and jazz records, then the AT-95E is a good partner for the turntable (mine came mounted in the newer HS-10 headshell).
The AT Carbon sounds terrific in my Rega RP1 and also on the LP120 - very clean and revealing on the Rega.
I think with LP120, either the standard AT95E or a good Shure (especially the vintage series - M75, 95, etc.) will be great all-rounder cartridges...and yeah, leave that internal pre-amp alone!!
Enjoy it...
I have a very old M75-6 with the metal clip for mounting, and it is just brilliant, especially on more boisterous records!I think though for smoother pop with a lot of female vocals, and jazz records, then the AT-95E is a good partner for the turntable (mine came mounted in the newer HS-10 headshell).
The AT Carbon sounds terrific in my Rega RP1 and also on the LP120 - very clean and revealing on the Rega.
I think with LP120, either the standard AT95E or a good Shure (especially the vintage series - M75, 95, etc.) will be great all-rounder cartridges...and yeah, leave that internal pre-amp alone!!
Enjoy it...
Trekkie4
Retired Member
Thanks! Oh, and just realized you're from Europe... Yeah, all recently manufactured European LP120 units are equipped with HS-10, including mine. I believe the full name is AT-LP120USBHC & AT-LP120USBHC-BK. HC stands for "HS10" series, and "BK" for black versionHey thanks! Yeah... That Shure M75 sounds great in the AT-LP120.....mind you, it sounds pretty great in most things!!
I think though for smoother pop with a lot of female vocals, and jazz records, then the AT-95E is a good partner for the turntable (mine came mounted in the newer HS-10 headshell).
The AT Carbon sounds terrific in my Rega RP1 and also on the LP120 - very clean and revealing on the Rega.
I think with LP120, either the standard AT95E or a good Shure (especially the vintage series - M75, 95, etc.) will be great all-rounder cartridges...and yeah, leave that internal pre-amp alone!!
Enjoy it...
They are also equipped with modernized (and last) version of Audio Technica AT-95E available, featuring 0.3x0.7mil tip, instead of the older ones, which had 0.4. I was given this info straight from AT customer support service, when I emailed them regarding the size confusion & misinformation.
RobRoy
It's just stuff - but fun
I get the feeling that those of us that really like our Atlp120's are the ones that have other turntables as well. I didn't bother to take the phon preamp out of mine. If it were a car, I'd see it as my Honda Civic Sport, but if I really want to rip it up I use my Ferarri, rather than throw a turbo in my Honda. It has a different purpose.
Both are fine cars - for their intended use. And the civic makes a better daily driver (partly because it's cheap to fix and when it DOES wear out you haven't burned through all that much money).
All turntables, at the end of the day, are tools. It's smart to use the right tool for the job.
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Frank Sol
Lunatic Member
Passarelli
New Member
Anybody experience this? I bought the AT-LP120xUSB and when I hooked up the Mackie CR Series CR3 – 3″ Creative Reference Multimedia Monitors, the passive speaker was “crackly”. I followed the instructions and I am fairly capable with audio equipment. I returned the turntable and speakers.
So, I bought another identical turntable (AT-LP120xUSB) this time with Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers – 2.0 Active Near Field Monitors – Studio Monitor Speaker – 42 Watts RMS. And the EXACT same thing happened–passive speaker was “crackly”. Am I doing something wrong? Too big a coincidence. I'd appreciate any thoughts.
So, I bought another identical turntable (AT-LP120xUSB) this time with Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers – 2.0 Active Near Field Monitors – Studio Monitor Speaker – 42 Watts RMS. And the EXACT same thing happened–passive speaker was “crackly”. Am I doing something wrong? Too big a coincidence. I'd appreciate any thoughts.