Special Finish Audio Technica-LP120X, Would you buy it?

[Montycat]

Wow. I guess mechanical types like me have a big advantage. I look at most new items and see junk. I'd much rather rebuild an old classic and give it another life than have something that bugs heck out of me with it's cheap build quality.

BillWojo

I agree to a point, and I prefer vintage and do the restoration thing often. The thing is that I have never seen the AT in the flesh and would probably want to before buying it too. However I have heard reasonably good things about it so I wouldn't quite write it off as junk...yet.

 

[TheMarco]

Compare the specs of new turntables to vintage ones. Then compare the build quality of new turntables to vintage ones.

No comparison.

I know there are good new ones but I also know that those cost serious money. More than most people want to spend.

 

[Kit Carson]

Best left to scratch DJs that need some bling in their life.

 

[TomG42]

I've been going to the Canadian equivalent of Craigslist, looking at vintage turntables, and I'm not seeing any bargains; many people have caught on that if they have a quartz direct drive vintage Technica or other Japanese brand that they can charge pretty strong bucks. Our prices are a bit higher than yours, but $150 to $300 is about right. Then, if you're unskilled like me, you'll probably have to hire someone to do some minor tuneup or even repairs, maybe a new stylus or cartridge; you could easily boost the price $100 or more again. Compare that with the new AT LP120X that I started this thread with at $319 and you start thinking the benefits of new . . . not to mention the warranty, plus it's delivered to my door!

 

[theflattire]

I don't think you've revealed why you need a new TT.
If it's an upgrade, then you need to think about where you want to be quality wise. Same if you are replacing an old TT; better or same?
Remember though, the TT is just 1/3 of a vinyl system (IMO). You have to think about your cart and the phono stage, both of which are just as important to vinyl playback.
Should think about budget for all three.

When I got back into vinyl, I looked at vintage vs new. I previously had a vintage TT (Fons CQ, in fact I still have it but it needs repair) and I decided to go with new. I didn't want to worry about repairs, and I wanted something with an upgrade path; hence the Rega.
I think that vintage tables used to be bargain, but now that prices have risen (there's a Thorens for sale locally that cost more than a new Rega. Debate rages on what is better!) I don't think vintage is such a bargain unless you walk into a great deal. With some vintage tables it would be wise to do some preventive maintenance (lube, belt, etc.) and you have no idea how long the cart or wiring will last you.

I think there are a lot of good quality new TTs in your price range; cheaper if you can snatch a used one (I'm selling a Rega P1 for around what you are looking at). For maybe a hunski more you can do Pro-Ject, U Turn, etc.
Just don't forget the phono stage! I think the phono stage is the heart of great system.

Again, you have to decide where you want to end up: great entry level system or something that will end up being more.

Bon chance!

 

[r_brumett61]

I contacted Audio-Technica about buying this turntable and shipping it to USA-no they said and about them having for sale in the US-no they said and no plans to have them for sale in US. A shame because I think it would do really good here.