I found this forum while looking to see if my ION iTTUSB was worth saving. Today I felt something on the "needle" and went to wipe it, and lo and behold it came off nowhere to be found. Then I discovered it was just a chip and I can buy a replacement cartridge for $10.00. So how good could it actually be? The records I have played on it lately have not been sounding great. Meanwhile I'd been thinking about upgrading the TT since I am retired and can now play vinyl all day. Most of my vinyl is 60-70's and in fair shape. I'm looking for something reasonable (under $400-500) that I can plug and play. I'm not mechanically inclined to be switching out cartridges etc. I am a casual listener and just want something that will sound decent and last. I'm playing it though a Pioneer amp with Infinity floor speakers. What say you all? Thanks.
Looking for TT to replace ION iTTUSB
- Thread starter redbug119
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I agree with you, but, since AT sometimes releases different turntables with very similar names, I just wanted to point out that the exact model designation for the current one is
AT-LP120XUSB. This replaced the previous AT-LP120-USB.
What did you wipe your needle with? I've been using a stylus brush very similar to the Ortofon linked to below. I've found it to be safe and effective used according to instructions. Ortofon suggests, "Use Ortofon Stylus fiber brush a few times along the cantilever in the direction of the stylus tip whenever you play a new record or change sides. Use the brush in the forward direction from the rear of the cartridge toward the stylus tip and never from stylus tip to the rear of the cartridge and never from side to side. Following this treatment there will normally be no need for further stylus cleaning."
Stylus Brush, Fiber
Use the Ortofon Stylus fiber brush a few times along the cantilever in the direction of the stylus tip whenever you play a new record or change sides.
ortofon.com
What model of Pioneer amplifier do you have? In particular, does it have a phono stage you'll want to use, or do you want your turntable to have a built-in phono stage?
What level of plug and play do you want? For example, your ION Audio turntable required such things as balancing the tone arm and applying the correct tracking force and antiskate. There are turntables that come with those things already permanently set right from the factory (such as the fully automatic Dual CS-329), making them a bit more "plug and play."
Joel27 mentioned the Audio Technica LP120XUSB ($349). It's a fully manual unit with a built-in phono stage that can be bypassed if desired. I own one and am happy with it. I like that it is direct drive so I'll never need to replace the belt, and it changes platter speed by simply pushing buttons, not having to move the belt to a different-sized pulley. I like that the counterweight has a tracking force scale so I don't need to bother with a separate tracking force gauge, and that it has adjustable anti-skate so I can set that where it's appropriate for the cartridge or tracking force I choose. I like that it has adjustable feet for leveling the turntable, and I like that the included cartridge can accept nine different AT styli, giving it great flexibility (such as fitting a stylus for 78's or catering to my love of heavier-tracking conicals). Another model in your price range, the AT-LP5X ($449) is supposed to be an upgrade in sound, though I haven't heard one.
Thank you for your detailed reply. That's the one I've been leaning towards, except hubby says belt driven is better. But changing belts to accommodate different RPM's sounds like a PITA. In answer to your question about what did I use to clean the stylus with, I will admit (I hear the wailing and gnashing of teeth now!!) that I used my finger, probably in both directions. At one point I had played a vinyl with an image burned onto the vinyl and it left a residue (I think) on my stylus. The record I played after that sounded all distorted until i cleaned it (again with my finger). Its been fine until now. So I have learned my lesson. I will definitely check out the AT LP120.
Trying to decide between manual and automatic. Afraid of belt drive altho hubby says they are better, because I don't want to worry about having to find a belt if it breaks. Theres a local audio repair guy near me that I will check out, as he sometimes has used TT for sale. He comes highly recommended for repairs too.
You can get a really nice refurbished Technics table from this guy for cheap money, he goes through them and fixes what needs to be fixed. I have a couple friends who got their tables from him and they are quite happy. He goes a good job packing them so there is no damage in shipping.
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turntablesbycth.com
Turntables By CTH
Explore our selection of vintage Technics turntables, including models like the SL-D1, SL-D2, and SL-3200, perfect for audiophiles and collectors.
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I used belt drive turntables for close to 50 years and never had a belt break; I did, however, replace the belts at the recommended intervals. For Linn and Rega, that was every 5 years (though Rega's current EBLT belts promise 50% longer life). Belt replacement every year was suggested for the little AT-LP60X I used in the bedroom, but that belt is $8.75 as opposed to $50 for a Rega belt, so the cost evens out.
I don't disagree with your husband about belt drives being better, but to my ears that doesn't start until the $600 range. I had the $429 Denon DP-300F belt drive fully automatic turntable, and I got enjoyable music from it, but the LP120XUSB is a better-sounding unit. $600 models like the Rega Planar 1, Music Hall MMF-2.3, and Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO are a step up, but even there it's not like the differences are life-changing. Due to covid-related Rega belt shortages, I lost the use of my Rega RP3 for several months and used my LP120XUSB (purchased to play my 78's) instead. Resolution and dynamics were lower, of course, but the music was still engaging; I still had the experience of wanting to play record after record in a listening session because the music was drawing me in that much.
In a review by Paul Rigby, the RP1 and LP120XUSB were included. While acknowledging that the Rega was sonically better, Rigby found the AT compelling enough to cause him to "leap from your chair and offer a few ‘Dad Moves’ around the listening room." He concluded, "Do you want a hardcore audiophile-type turntable as offered by the Rega or do you want a more featured-laden, rather friendlier approach to turntable design? If the latter is what you want and need then the Audio-Technica 120x is my own particular choice to fill that slot. For the price, this turntable offers a superb blend of features and sound quality and I don’t hesitate in recommending it." https://theaudiophileman.com/at120x-turntable-audio-technica-120x-review/
In a post from 2021, I wrote, "This past month has brought circumstances leading me to give away my records and hifi equipment, and I'm in the process of relocating to another state. If I start over with building a vinyl collection, the AT-LP120XUSB with Sumiko Oyster cartridge is what I will purchase to play them with because I know it is good enough to satisfy me." At the time, I had a little-used Oyster in a drawer; I preferred it for lp's, so I kept the VM95 on a separate headshell for use with a VMN95SP stylus for 78's.
As it happens, it was 2022 when my older brother urged me to follow his lead and get back into vinyl by plugging an AT-LP60X into my Bose table radio. It's been fun, and I've been buying records again, but last month I ordered another LP120XUSB, and it's been something of a revelation going through my small record collection with it. Preferring conicals, I put an ATN-XP3 stylus, something I hadn't tried before, on the stock VM95 body, and I'm loving it!
Always a terrific idea to support a local business if they can supply your need!
By the way, you mentioned residue on your stylus, and sometimes a liquid cleaner helps in removing that kind of gunk. AT makes a stylus cleaner that I've used in the past that seemed to work well and safely.
AT607a
The AT607a liquid stylus cleaner removes dirt and dust from the stylus tip for improved performance and extended stylus life. Bottle contains 0.33 fl. oz (10 ml) of quick-drying cleaning fluid. Ap ...
www.audio-technica.com
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Kit Carson
Active Member
Sorry to say turntables and records are a very hands on medium that requires a fair amount of participation and some mechanical aptitude. Unlike a CD player you have to do a lot more than push a button to play. Not exactly high maintenance but they require a good bit of attention to detail, nothing impossible if you are willing to put the time and effort into learning the basics. As for a turntable of decent quality within your budget I would highly recommend a table from U-Turn Audio. They are a US company that provides excellent owner support especially for those that aren't highly experienced with turntables. Here at AK there is a wealth of knowledge re turntables and records that you can explore and get solid advice. Whatever turntable you end up with you will need a small number of basic tools that don't cost much. Also some basic cleaning equipment for your records. If you can find another AK member in your area or an audio shop that will spend a little time demonstrating to you the basics you will be off to a good start.
The Rigby review, and some of the statements in this thread about belt drive in general, are somewhat misleading. There is nothing that makes it inherently better than direct drive. Both belt drive and direct drive have their respective benefits, but there is no specific _sonic_ benefit of belt drive over DD at any price point.
Paul Rigby's categorization of the Rega RP1 as hardcore audiophile is highly contentious as well, and surely not intended for a hardcore audiophile reader.
Paul Rigby's categorization of the Rega RP1 as hardcore audiophile is highly contentious as well, and surely not intended for a hardcore audiophile reader.
Remember that Rigby is in the UK and their standard for someone being considered an "audiophile" is a bit different from ours in the USA...
I must say I was surprised at the restraint shown by the AKers here today. No one commented on her previous use of an ION turntable, and the reasonable response about the way she tried to clean the stylus. Good job, guys.
A belt driven turntable is fine, Red. Belts usually last a long time. And the ION TT would do just fine, especially for old records and casual playing. And, BTW, changing belts on that turntable is a piece of cake. Changing the cartridge is not that big a deal either.
A belt driven turntable is fine, Red. Belts usually last a long time. And the ION TT would do just fine, especially for old records and casual playing. And, BTW, changing belts on that turntable is a piece of cake. Changing the cartridge is not that big a deal either.
Kit Carson
Active Member
Zygmo like the other members that commented I was trying to be charitable re the OPs selecting an ION turntable which is about as low as anyone can go in the turntable pecking order. No fault of anyone who is not knowledgeable re turntables, they have a reputation in the hands of a novice of coming just short of destroying records. IONs are best left for the well used/abused thrift store records. Touting the Rega belt drive turntables I find is nothing short of waving the Union Jack. Rega puts a good bit of it's resources into promotional material for a compliant UK audio press.
I got my first record player as a Christmas present in 1964. Yes, there were some things to learn; my aunt taught me how to get the records out of and back into their sleeves without getting fingerprints all over them, and my parents were sticklers about stylus replacement, but these things were pretty easy even at the age of five. Sadly, and like the OP, I'm pretty sure I cleaned the needle with my finger!
About a decade later I got a BIC 960 record changer and an AT13Ea cartridge. Setup had a few more steps (like mounting and aligning the cartridge), but it was easy to get everything set up right by simply following the instructions in the owner's manual. At least by this time I was using AT's stylus cleaner instead of my finger.
I appreciate all the points you are making, but I also wanted to add that there's nothing particularly difficult about setting up and using a turntable. People have been doing this successfully for decades with no more support than the manual that comes in the box.