Audio Technica - AT-LP60XUSB
The age of vinyl is upon us! After a major resurgence in recent years, consumer trends have made old vinyl collections good as new. LP records are fast becoming a common practice for music consumption, appealing to the collectors and nostalgic folk of today. But every growing collection needs one essential instrument - the turntable unit. Those new to the recreation may find choosing the best one a hefty task given the current increase in supply and demand. Here’s a look at one of the best units on the market.
As brands go, Audio-technica is quite the tech conglomerate at this stage. A company spanning large ranges of products in headset and microphone technology, the group has also created some of the finest turntable products since 1962. The Audio-technica AT-LP60XUSB is currently the most elemental unit of their collection, perfect for novices or casual players. The build is relatively compact and lightweight, one of the more humbly sized units in their repertoire. The metallic turntable plate uses a fully automatic belt-driven motor, creating an efficient playing experience. Compared to other direct driven turntables, the motor-driven pulley system found in Audio-technica units such as this one will provide durability to the LP’s playing time on the plate (so less skips and less scratches). Alongside this, the unit operates at the most common two speeds: 331/3 and 45 RPM.
Audio-technica also uses its own brand of replaceable diamond styli (the ATN3600L in this case) to help give smooth and clear transmission of sound. With a button that operates the tonearm lever, it means starting the record is an automatic experience which delicately places the needle on your LP for you to ensure your favourite records are protected. The tonearm base and head-shell are regularly redesigned to ensure improved tracking and reduced resonance so LP playback quality is kept at its best.
The AT-LP60XUSB also has both analog and USB functionality. This means the unit can be equipped with almost any speaker system of your choice. The stylus transmits crisp quality through anything from sound bars, RCA dual speakers, amps, to compact single speakers. You can hook these up with either a simple 3.5mm AUX cable, or a dual RCA lead cable using the AUX port at the back of the unit (for those looking at a wireless experience, the AT-LP60XBT provides a nearly identical structure with a Bluetooth transmitter inside for convenience). The USB port on the unit allows direct connection to your computer. With a software download like the free and cross-compatible Audacity, you can use the application to convert your records to digital audio files. Perhaps not an essential aspect of your turntable unit, it’s nonetheless a technological innovation like this that keeps Audio-technica up as one of the more convenient and inventive brands.
Overall, the AT-LP60XUSB is an excellent unit of choice for the beginner or casual player. Audio-technica have a plethora of different models when it comes to their turntables that expand in design, structure, functionality, and durability. This model is arguably square one and most fundamental to the unit range, and a highly recommended place to start when looking for the right model for you.
Written By Our Own Pearse Walsh
