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Audio Technica AT-LP120USB Super Mod Thread

vincei

vincei

aka MasterControlMedia
Well we all know that the 120 is a good entry level table for the price, but not one would consider audiophile or even HI-FI. However, I decided to try a few mods, up to possibly installing a new arm at a later date (already have the armboard designed with Front Panel Express).

So these are the things on the list:

Better isolation
Better damping
Preamp removal
New cables
Fix Anti-skate
Design a new arm-board for future use

Some will say that this is a futile attempt, but I look at it as a fun exercise and can use most of the modded parts I bought on other tables should I decide to switch.

So far this is what I have done:

I replaced the felt mat with a new Technics rubber mat (MK5).

Added a TTW center weight. This combo should help with dampening noise.

Add hockey puck to the feet to better isolation

Install new Technics headshell with Audio Technica AT-150MLX cartridge.

Now for the actual mods to the table itself, please see pics: :D
 

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Thanks for posting those photos of the anti-skate mechanisim, some members insisted I was crazy when I said the knob did next to nothing.
 
Greyson said:
Thanks for posting those photos of the anti-skate mechanisim, some members insisted I was crazy when I said the knob did next to nothing.
Click to expand...

It "works" but it's so weak that unless you track at .5g, it does not do it's job. Add to that the poorly routed tonearm wires and you have a very imprecise system.


More pics to come later!!
 
Greyson said:
So... what arm will go on it? :scratch2:
Click to expand...

For now I will use the stock arm, but I may get a entry level Jelco as they seem to be fairly easy to mount. I was looking at a NOS SA-370H on eBay. Seem like a good arm for the price. I do not want to spend a ton and want to be able to use it for another table down the road.

I Thought about putting in a SL-1200MK2 arm, but it would not fit the hole.
 
Excellent! The beginnings on AT Hot Rodding. May the mods begin! Keep us posted. This post is an example of AK at it's very best. And hopefully just a beginning of what can be done to improve the AT-LP 120 family.
 
Nice work vincei!! I had this table couple years ago when I was digitizing a bunch of vinyl....Sold it to a co-worker who wanted back into vinyl, he is still enjoying today.

Here is one other tweak I did to help dampen the arm. I made sure to put a ring at the collet and base to help eliminate any connection issues between arm tube and headshell and base.
I also added a 4" cork discs to help the platter ring....

collar3.jpg


collar4.jpg


cork5_4.jpg
 
Catcher10 said:
Nice work vincei!! I had this table couple years ago when I was digitizing a bunch of vinyl....Sold it to a co-worker who wanted back into vinyl, he is still enjoying today.

Here is one other tweak I did to help dampen the arm. I made sure to put a ring at the collet and base to help eliminate any connection issues between arm tube and headshell and base.
I also added a 4" cork discs to help the platter ring....

collar3.jpg


collar4.jpg


cork5_4.jpg
Click to expand...

Cool pics. I had thought of rewiring the tonearm and adding cotton and heat-shrink, but I decided to put that off for now, especially if I replace the arm. However I will try those O rings. :music:
 
A little pics update...I seem to have lost a tonearm screw, now I have to find the bloody thing... :no:
 

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Catcher10 said:
Nice work vincei!! I had this table couple years ago when I was digitizing a bunch of vinyl....Sold it to a co-worker who wanted back into vinyl, he is still enjoying today.

Here is one other tweak I did to help dampen the arm. I made sure to put a ring at the collet and base to help eliminate any connection issues between arm tube and headshell and base.
I also added a 4" cork discs to help the platter ring....




I use the o-ring tweak as well. It is quite effective in "quieting" the arm.
Click to expand...
 
I will have to pick up a few of those rings.

Initial testing is positive. I installed the platter to test function and antiskate. Audiable motor noise is reduced, I suppose due to the platter damping and motor base damping. Antistake is stronger, but not as strong as I would like it. I may have to get a new spring. More testing tomorrow...
 
UPDATE:

OK, so the mods were a success. Antiskate works great now and solved some slight mistracking on the right channel I was having before the fix. Now the 150MLX tracks like it should and is now the best tracker I've had so far, besting the 440mla.

I had some grommets that I used for tonearm damping, not a perfect fit, but fits good. I am experimenting with different locations.

I rewired the base of the tonearm and added a ground wire, it's very quiet now, and I bet I can get even quieter with different cables.

There does seem to be better detail now with all the damping I added to the base and platter, this was an inexpensive tweak using a sheet of cutup "soundcoat". I recommend that stuff for damping anything, works great.

My next step is to try another tonearm as the stock one is still suspect, the bearings seem a little "cheap".

Overall, I am happy and the TT performs quite well. The biggest issue now is the WOW. I do detect it if the record is perfectly centered. It's not too bad though, I just imagine I have an off center pressing. :D
 

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SSaxdude said:
Is there anything you can do to reduce the wow?
Click to expand...

Other than better spindle bearing and more precise DD logic, its gonna be hard.
Also adding weight to the platter can solve such issue too.
OP should try sticking puddy under the platter see if that's the trick.
 
I was hoping the center weight would help the wow, but it does not. Perhaps reducing the torque in combination with the weight may work, but I am not going to try it. The DD system is a very crude one from the looks of it and is nothing like the Technics DD model which uses a very precise system to control rotation. To my knowledge no one has "copied" it, not even the super OEMs that look similar on the outside.

Overall though I am having fun and it does sound quite good as is.
 
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