Does anyone use the Audio Technica LP-120-USB?

Wayner · « **on:** 5 Jul 2010, 07:18 pm »

Is this thing any good? It uses a lot of the same parts that the Technics SL-1200MKII does, has a switchable built in phono preamp, and USB port. It also is direct drive, and does 3 speeds, 33 1/3, 45 and 78. The price is about $300 and it seems too good to be true.

I've had several newbies asking me to recommend a table, that is decent, yet cost effective and this shure looks like a diamond in the rough.

Wayner

decal · « **Reply #1 on:** 5 Jul 2010, 08:18 pm »

Thanks Wayner,I'm glad I read thru the new threads before I wrote one on this!! Hopefully we'll get some feedback.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #2 on:** 5 Jul 2010, 08:22 pm »

252 reviews and 4+ stars so it cannot be all that bad: http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-PL120-Professional-Direct-Drive-Turntable/product-reviews/B00012EYNG/ref=cm_cr_pr_recent?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending

For newbies, perhaps fully set up (with Audio-Technica cartridge) is the way to go...well worth the extra $100 to not have newbie angst: http://www.elexatelier.com/AT_PL120Improved.htm

It's probably not a tri-layer affair plinth as the near indestructible SL-1200 is...but once a newbie gets comfy with it, he/she may stuff it with plasticlay and enjoy it even more. At 23lbs to start, it has mass to start, at least

John

royphil345 · « **Reply #3 on:** 5 Jul 2010, 08:40 pm »

Quote from: Wayner on 5 Jul 2010, 07:18 pm

Is this thing any good? It uses a lot of the same parts that the Technics SL-1200MKII

It LOOKS like it uses some of the same parts. It's a "clone". But, don't kid yourself. Design, construction and parts quality are quite different. Look at the specs for both tables and put that idea to rest. QUITE a difference. The built-in preamp option probably overcomplicates the wiring a bit and you'd lose a little clarity and S/N ratio right there. Wow and flutter over .1% used to be considered audible and inadequate. Still, it is an excellent value in today's market and there's nothing better out there I'm aware of for the same price or less. I've recommended this table or the older non-USB version plenty of times to people who can't or won't spend over $200.00. It's the best you can get new for that price. Amazon has them for a bit over $200.00. The non-USB version was down to $159.00 a few times last year.

http://www.amazon.com/Technica-ATLP120-Professional-USB-Turntable/dp/B002S1CJ2Q/ref=dp_cp_ob_e_title_1

jrtrent · « **Reply #4 on:** 8 Jul 2010, 04:44 pm »

I don't use it, but the folks at TONE Audio magazine preferred the sound of the stock AT-PL120 over the SL1200 (the AT giving a more open sound). In the link below, scroll down to Tonepub's second response on the page.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=47958.20

Wayner · « **Reply #5 on:** 8 Jul 2010, 05:43 pm »

They use many of the same parts. I believe John, the chair guy told us that the head guy from Technics, and the head guy from Audio Technica are indeed brothers, and share some of the parts from existing tooling. I have looked at this table in person, and no one can copy that exact without having blueprints. Personally, I don't really care about the specs of the machine. They can make numbers be anything they want them to be.

Wayner

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #6 on:** 8 Jul 2010, 06:03 pm »

Yup, both Matsushita Electric (parent of Technics, Panasonic and JVC) and Audio-Technica were begun by the same family...the Matsushita's of Japan.

I don't know what relation each is with one another - but they are likely cozy enough to have collaborated on the manufacture of the At PL-120 in China (while the original Technics SL-1200 is still made in Japan...accounting for some of the difference in cost between the two)

Matsushita Electric founder: Konosuke Matsushita

Audio-Technica founder: Hideo Matsushita

John

royphil345 · « **Reply #7 on:** 20 Jul 2010, 06:25 am »

Quote from: Wayner on 8 Jul 2010, 05:43 pm

They use many of the same parts. I believe John, the chair guy told us that the head guy from Technics, and the head guy from Audio Technica are indeed brothers, and share some of the parts from existing tooling. I have looked at this table in person, and no one can copy that exact without having blueprints. Personally, I don't really care about the specs of the machine. They can make numbers be anything they want them to be.

Wayner

If they can choose whatever numbers they want, I may have chosen something better than 50dB S/N and .2% wow and flutter?

I've read the motor design is completely different. It's not integrated into the platter like the Technics. I believe I read the case is plastic over steel sheet metal, not cast aluminum and the bottom portion of the case doesn't isolate as well. I'm sure the tonearm components are not of the same quality. It's NOT the same table. To say that is very misleading. It's a "clone" in appearances only. Maybe someone prefers the sound of it of it over the SL-1200. Doesn't mean others would. Going by the specs and knowing the build quality of the SL-1200 first hand... and the fact there are numerous noise complaints about the AT-120 tables... I would have to be pretty skeptical until hearing one myself. For $200.00, I may just give one a listen sooner or later and we'll see.

For those who say it uses the same parts... I'd be willing to bet money there's not a single part that's exactly the same.

Wayner · « **Reply #8 on:** 20 Jul 2010, 12:07 pm »

I'll take that bet. When can you send the money?

First, the headshells look exact, less name. I've looked at this deck first hand and the part designs are the same on the tonearm. The deck switches and stuff are also in the same locations. It may not have ALL of the same parts, but certainly some of it very much appear to be.

That is the whole reason I started this thread. I believe it is not a clone, but uses shared technologies (from the brother/relative) and has the same basic design. I can believe it has a different motor, it obviously has different innards as it has built in USB port and RIAA phono preamp.

It doesn't make the Technics SL1200MKII any less of a deck, it just implies that there are some shared technologies, and parts, of which the outcome may vary widely.

Wayner

eclein · « **Reply #9 on:** 20 Jul 2010, 12:45 pm »

I see that Amazon has the LP-120-USB for $193...should I jump on it as a good place to start??

Wayner · « **Reply #10 on:** 20 Jul 2010, 03:40 pm »

One of my AC friends PM'd me a while ago and said he has one. He got his because it could do 78s. He thought the build QC was OK, but said there may be some reliability issues with it, at least that is what the Amazon feedback had on the unit.

Besides the point of where parts came from, and back to the original post, this table MAY be a good starter table for newbies. However, in the light of new reports of QC problems, the Technics SL1200MKII may still be the bargain anyway.

Wayner

eclein · « **Reply #11 on:** 20 Jul 2010, 03:47 pm »

Thanks Wayner!!!

royphil345 · « **Reply #12 on:** 20 Jul 2010, 11:58 pm »

I have read about a couple motor failures on message boards, but not so much on the Amazon reviews. I'm sure most of these reviews are written during the "honeymoon period" when the table's brand new though. I'm often guilty of overrating brand new gear myself. Don't know if these are freak occurances or if reliability may be an issue over time.