Audio-Technica AT-LP70X
MSRP $200.00
“The Audio-Technica AT-LP70X should not sound this good, but it surely does, making it the brand new king of entry-level turntables.”
Execs
- Nice-sounding turntable
- Glorious high quality for the worth
- Upgradable, replaceable stylus
- Absolutely computerized operation
- Simple to arrange and use
Cons
- Manufactured from plastic
- Aluminum platter
- Nonadjustable toes
As far a turntables go, Audio-Technica (A-T) has a adorned monitor report of offering many a vinyl beginner with rock-solid, entry-level turntables which can be able to spin out of the field and are straightforward to afford.
That’s precisely what you get with the AT-LP70X. For a greater than cheap $200, the LP70X (and its $250 Bluetooth-capable sibling, the AT-LP70xBT) is simply what the vinyl physician ordered. It takes all of the issues that makes A-T’s ultra-popular LP60X deck so good for rookies and informal listeners alike and notches up the standard simply the correct quantity, with a brand new (and a lot better) cartridge, a redesigned tonearm, and a few antiresonance chassis enhancements.
Having really useful the AT-LP60X to greater than my justifiable share of vinyl newcomers, I’ve spent the previous couple of weeks with the LP70X to see if it’s value the additional $50 (or $30 for the Bluetooth mannequin). The quick reply is a convincing sure. Listed below are my ideas.
Design and setup
There just a few key parts of a brand new turntable that at all times draw my eye once I first see them. I’m normally instantly drawn to the tonearm and cartridge/stylus, as a result of their design and building can inform you a large number a few turntable’s high quality. Out of the field, you immediately spot that the LP70X’s new J-shaped tonearm, headshell, and cartridge (extra on this later) are already steps above that of the LP60X, which at all times felt just a little low-cost to me, even for an entry-level deck. This can be a good first impression.
Exterior of that, there are few different surprises when it comes to how the LP70X seems, and that’s not essentially a foul factor. It’s a handsome-looking turntable that can match properly in any decor, and it’s accessible in three cool colours: black/grey, white/silver, and black/bronze.
The LP70X’s “three-piece, antiresonance” chassis could also be made from plastic, but it surely feels substantial sufficient at 6.4 kilos. Its dimensions are a bit wider and extra rectangular (16 inches extensive by 13 inched deep by 4.3 inches excessive) in comparison with the LP60X, giving it a extra sure-footed stance. Including to this, in fact, are its 4 grippy, although nonadjustable toes.
I hardly wanted any time to set it up. Other than the included mud cowl, the LP70X’s die-cast aluminum platter is the one factor that must be put in.
It takes about 30 seconds to position the platter on the middle spindle and and pull the rubber belt on to its motor pulley. The directions are a cinch to comply with. Newcomers will love this because it means they are often up and working with out stressing over issues like putting in and balancing cartridges and tonearms — the LP70X has been preconfigured on the manufacturing unit.
Options and operation
As I already talked about, the largest improve the LP70X has over the LP60X is the addition of Audio-Technica’s newly designed AT-VM95C Integral Shifting Magnet phono cartridge. It’s a great-sounding, well-balanced cartridge that’s appropriate for newbies who hearken to all types of music. This improve alone makes the LP70X nicely value the additional cash should you’re selecting between it and the LP60X.
However what makes it particularly helpful for newcomers is that the stylus is a part of the corporate’s new VM95 Sequence of interchangeable styli. Which means as you progress in your vinyl journey, you’ll be able to simply exchange or improve the LP70X’s bottom-of-the-range stylus from the sequence’ six choices, which vary from $25 to $180. I’ve not personally heard all of the styli within the vary, however as you progress up, A-T describes them as all delivering improved ranges of channel separation, low distortion, and decreased resonance. Translation: they sound higher the extra you pay.
With a built-in, switchable phono preamp/line output, the LP70X may be linked to simply about any sound output possibility you have got, together with powered audio system and extra conventional receivers/amplifiers, no matter whether or not they have phono or AUX inputs. It additionally comes with a set of RCA cables within the field, which is a pleasant contact.
Moreover, the LP70xBT model expands the connectivity choices much more, permitting these with Bluetooth audio system and headphones to play their vinyl via them, and at a top quality with assist for the aptX Adaptive codec, when you have appropriate units.
The AT-LP70X is a completely computerized turntable with good and large begin/cease buttons on the highest of the plinth. Newbies will love this as a result of it’s useless easy to make use of. After choosing the scale of report you’re spinning (7-inch singles or 12-inch LPs), and its velocity (from 33⅓ RPM to 44 RPM), simply place the report on the platter, press begin, and the tonearm robotically strikes over and lowers the stylus to the groove. Simply watch out should you’re taking part in something apart from that 7-inch or 12-inch information and utilizing the auto begin characteristic — it can both drop the needle on the felt mat or just a few songs in.
The auto-stop characteristic can also be a pleasant contact for individuals who wish to placed on music and transfer about the home. It really works nicely and also you don’t have to fret about your report spinning endlessly when it ends, which might add put on to each your stylus and your information.
Sound and prerformance
Like many turntables, a number of what the LP70X delivers sound-wise has to do with Audio-Technica’s AT-VM95C cartridge and stylus. A cartridge could make or break a turntable. I’ve reviewed a number of A-T turntables, in addition to different turntables that use A-T cartridges, through the years. And whereas I admittedly went into this evaluation with my expectations tuned to what I do know concerning the LP60X’s decent-but-not-great ATN3600L stylus, I’m comfortable to report that due to this improve, Audio-Technica has one other entry-level winner on its arms with the LP70X.
For a $200 turntable, the LP70X is a great-sounding, low-risk, all-rounder that’s excellent for rookies or informal listeners with a handful of information on the shelf. It delivers a stable frequency vary throughout a breadth of various music kinds, and it couldn’t be simpler to make use of.
Over the previous couple of weeks, I’ve put the LP70X via the wringer, working it via every part from powered audio system to classic stereo receivers (I opted to check the non-Bluetooth model). On heavy tunes like Queens of the Stone Age’s alt-rawk basic I’m Designer, the bass and drums thumped as they need to and the biting, mid-heavy guitars growled.
Extra subdued fare, like something off of Cigarette’s After Intercourse’s attractive and moody 2017 self-titled debut album, provided clear, quiet moments with clean and hovering reverbs that confirmed off how excessive and extensive the turntable’s soundstage can get.
Positive, when put up subsequent to my midrange U-Flip Orbit Particular and Ortofon Blue cartridge, the LP70X can’t match their articulation, management, or heat, however I’ve to confess that it was nearer than I used to be anticipating.
In comparison with comparable entry-level turntables within the vary, reminiscent of Fluance’s respected RT80 ($200) and RT81 ($250), that additionally characteristic Audio-Technica cartridges — and even Professional-Ject’s $400 E1 Phono — the Audio-Technica LP70X holds its personal.
And now with the choice to discover an entire vary of styli upgrades that can absolutely prolong the lifetime of the turntable because the person grows, I’m left inquisitive about how a lot better I can get the LP70X to sound.
