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Audio-Technica AT-LP60BK is it that bad?

M

minusbfold

New Member
So I use Audio-Technica AT-LP60BK and from what I read on the internet (wish i knew this prior) it destroys records its terrible etc etc.

Is that the case I've been using it for over a year everything sounds great... and its working well with my setup.

Any thoughts?
 
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I think you've answered your own question--it's working well and everything sounds great. The ATN3600L stylus on your model is a conical that tracks at about 3.5 grams; my experience, and that of many in this forum, is that such tracking forces should not cause worrisome record wear. A friend of mine uses the same cartridge and stylus on his Music Hall USB-1 turntable, where it also sounds great and everything is working well. One thing to note is that your manual suggests changing the stylus at 400-hour intervals, which is a bit more often than, for example, the 600-800 hour recommendation by Shure for most of their models. At just around $20 per stylus, though, that isn't a terribly expensive recommendation to follow.

I haven't auditioned your particular model, but reviews are positive. For example, CNET wrote, "This is the cheapest turntable we've ever reviewed, but we really enjoyed using it and wound up playing a lot more records than we needed to -- it's that good. Warped (not flat) LPs played well, and no rumble or speed variations were audible. Record surface noises, clicks, and pops were audible, but not overly intrusive. Unlike a lot of budget turntables that sound thin and lack bass, the AT-LP60's overall sound quality, from bass to treble, was smoothly balanced." https://www.cnet.com/products/audio-technica-at-lp60-turntable/2/
 
jrtrent said:
I think you've answered your own question--it's working well and everything sounds great. The ATN3600L stylus on your model is a conical that tracks at about 3.5 grams; my experience, and that of many in this forum, is that such tracking forces should not cause worrisome record wear. A friend of mine uses the same cartridge and stylus on his Music Hall USB-1 turntable, where it also sounds great and everything is working well. One thing to note is that your manual suggests changing the stylus at 400-hour intervals, which is a bit more often than, for example, the 600-800 hour recommendation by Shure for most of their models. At just around $20 per stylus, though, that isn't a terribly expensive recommendation to follow.

I haven't auditioned your particular model, but reviews are positive. For example, CNET wrote, "This is the cheapest turntable we've ever reviewed, but we really enjoyed using it and wound up playing a lot more records than we needed to -- it's that good. Warped (not flat) LPs played well, and no rumble or speed variations were audible. Record surface noises, clicks, and pops were audible, but not overly intrusive. Unlike a lot of budget turntables that sound thin and lack bass, the AT-LP60's overall sound quality, from bass to treble, was smoothly balanced." https://www.cnet.com/products/audio-technica-at-lp60-turntable/2/
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Thanks for your reply it was everything I was thinking and more. I was thinking of changing the styles soon. Should I get somthing like this? http://www.lpgear.com/product/ATC3003.html
 
minusbfold said:
. . . I was thinking of changing the styles soon. Should I get somthing like this? http://www.lpgear.com/product/ATC3003.html
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No. If I'm reading the manual correctly, your cartridge cannot be changed and neither can your stylus pressure. Just replace the stylus with an Audio Technica original ATN3600L stylus and everything should continue to work well. I've never purchased from LPGear, but if you are comfortable dealing with them, this seems to be the link to the stylus you need:

http://www.lpgear.com/product/ATN3600L.html

Edit: I would avoid LPGear's various upgrade stylus options. They can have a recommended tracking force that you cannot set with your turntable, and their non-conical styli may require a higher degree of tracking angle accuracy than the fairly short arm and non-adjustable, integral cartridge of your LP60 can provide. My advice is to stick to the original stylus, the ATN3600L.
 
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minusbfold said:
So I use Audio-Technica AT-LP60BK and from what I read on the internet (wish i knew this prior) it destroys records its terrible etc etc.

Is that the case I've been using it for over a year everything sounds great... and its working well with my setup.

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Just purchased the upgrade package from LP Gear which includes a elliptical stylus and improved belt. Very impressed by the improvement in sound quality. Not bad for 40 bucks. However trents comment about the tracking force and angle are probably valid. I know that the new stylus is a shade lighter causing it to track at 2.8 grams "measured". The angle is hard for me to tell the difference. I don't own a real good protractor to check it. I guess the real question is whether it will cause excessive wear on your records. The stock stylus which is conical is the safe way to go. I'll take the risk and keep you posted if I detect any problems.
 
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