Audio-Technica AT-LP5x — Direct-drive turntable with USB

The AT-LP5x is the evolution of the turntable Audio-Technica introduced to recapture the spirit of its classic models. It keeps the straight-lined, matte black plinth but adds solid metal inserts and damping materials to reduce acoustic feedback in the low frequencies. The precision-machined die-cast aluminium platter runs on a quiet direct-drive motor that holds 33⅓, 45 and 78 rpm with wow and flutter below 0.2 % WRMS.

The J-shaped tonearm draws on the company's 1960s and 1970s designs, with a metal gimbal suspension and precision bearings to reduce tracking error. It has an adjustable counterweight and anti-skate control, and comes fitted with the lightweight AT-HS6 headshell and the AT-VM95E dual moving magnet cartridge with a replaceable elliptical stylus. The 5 mm rubber mat decouples the record and helps control platter resonance.

The switchable phono preamp offers phono or line output and accepts both MM and MC cartridges, so the deck can feed a system with no phono input, powered speakers or an interface. The USB output digitises records at 16-bit/44.1 or 48 kHz without extra hardware. This is a turntable for people who want to listen to vinyl seriously and, along the way, keep their records on a computer.

Technical specifications:

• Type: fully manual turntable, 3 speeds
• Drive: direct drive, DC motor
• Speeds: 33⅓, 45 and 78 rpm
• Platter: die-cast aluminium, 5 mm rubber mat
• Tonearm: J-shaped, metal gimbal suspension, adjustable counterweight and anti-skate
• Cartridge: AT-VM95E dual moving magnet, replaceable elliptical stylus
• Headshell: lightweight AT-HS6
• Wow and flutter: < 0.2 % WRMS (33 rpm)
• Signal-to-noise ratio: > 50 dB
• Preamp: switchable phono/line, MM/MC (36 dB MM, 56 dB MC, RIAA)
• USB: 16-bit A/D, 44.1/48 kHz, USB 2.0
• Dimensions: 450 × 352 × 157 mm
• Weight: 7.3 kg
• Accessories: RCA cable, USB cable, 45 rpm adapter, counterweight, dust cover