Buy Audio-Technica AT-PL120 Professional Direct-Drive TurntableAudio-Technica AT-PL120 Professional Direct-Drive Turntable Product Description:
- Selectable internal stereo phono preamplifier--choose from phono or line-level output
- Direct-drive, high-torque motor; includes professional cartridge and headshell
- Selectable 33-1/3, 45, and 78 rpm speeds; +/-10 percent or +/-20 percent pitch adjust; high-accuracy quartz-controlled pitch lock
- S-shaped tone arm assembly with adjustable counterweight, antiskate adjustment, tone-arm height adjustment and lock
- Measures 17.8 x 6 x 13.9 inches (W x H x D)
Product Description
Looking for a turntable that can do justice to your cherished vinyl records? Audio-Technica's AT-PL120 is designed to please professional DJs and LP lovers alike. Its high-torque, direct drive motor provides solid, quartz-controlled playback for albums, 45s...even those old 78s (a rare feature for turntables in this price range!). A built-in, selectable phono preamp means you can connect the AT-PL120 directly to almost any audio system, or even hook it up to your PC's sound card for digitally archiving your vinyl collection (may require adapter, not included). Audio-Technica even includes their rugged, high-quality ATP-2 phono cartridge for great-sounding playback right out of the box. DJs will also appreciate the AT-PL120's impressive list of special playback options. Its pitch control feature can be set to two different ranges (±10% or ±20%), for easier beat-match mixing. Reverse play lets you create cool sonic effects. A remote input jack lets you start or stop playback from a compatible mixer or control unit, and the pop-up stylus target light makes it easier to see where you're dropping the needle in low-light settings like a dance club.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
245 of 252 people found the following review helpful.
A trip down memory lane!
By C. Hernandez
I stopped listening to LPs as most folks did when CD players hit the mass market. Convenience was the name of the game, particularly the ease of listening to music on the road. But what a tremendous difference in sound vinyl really provides! I chose the AT-PL120 after several hours of research on the web over a couple of days. I first considered spending the least amount of money and considered the entry-level model AT-PL50. I talked to an audiophile shop and while the shop thought it was a good entry-level model, they advised me to consider the next step up because it was well worth the investment in terms of sound quality and equipment durability. Upon close inspection at a local electronic store, the AT-PL50 looked really cheap. I decided to spend more money and get decent quality. I considered the AT-APL120 and the Music Hall MMF2.1, which has pretty decent reviews. The difference came down to saving $50 or so and decided to try the Audio Tecnica. I must admit, the sound is impressive and the built quality of the turntable is really good. Besides the DJ features, which I really do not care about, it has several bells and whistles that makes it very professional looking. I am using a pair of B&W bookshelf and a Yamaha RX-777, perhaps one of the few available stereos for music listening you can still get. The combination works well, but no doubt the vinyl sounds much better than a well-recorded CD. The AT-PL120 makes the sound really come alive! If you still have your old records and invested in taking good care of them, spend a few bucks and get this turntable. If I ever decide to burn a few LPs to play them in my car, it also has the built in amp. All in all, after two days of playing LPs on this turntable, I am very satisfied. The AT-PL120 comes pretty well boxed too. Too bad that Amazon packed it in a big but soft box, which was open on one side when UPS delivered. If it wasn't for the Audio Tecnica box, I would have refused the shipment. Luckily it all works like it is supposed to.
101 of 101 people found the following review helpful.
Outstanding for the price
By E. Sims
I recently purchased the AT-PL120 as a replacement for a very worn Pioneer PL400. Based upon my experience with direct drive turntables, which was very positive, I wanted a direct-drive, and there are few in the AT-PL120's price range. The Audio-Technica machine is not the lowest-priced turntable around, and far from the most expensive I considered, but my recent "test drive" shows it to be as good as advertised if not better. The machine was easy to set-up, it tracks very well, and it does not present any rumble, even running it through my Carver receiver (which tends to show up any problems that a turntable/cartridge might have.) I used two different test records with it, and it performed very well with the tests on both.I now have approximately 40 hours on the new machine with no problems. Many of the functions on the TT will not use by most for home listening -- like reverse, unless you want to check old Beatles LP's to search for "Paul is dead"! -- but having 78 rpm available is a significant benefit to me as I am transcribing some old 78's to CD. I also tried the machine on a slightly warped LP which the Pioneer could not handle, and the AT-PL120 did handle it after I made a slight pitch adjustment.The product was delivered quicker than the delivery schedule promised. As was the case with another reviewer, the outside box that the unit came in showed up after delivery by UPS a little worse for wear. It was poorly taped and was coming open. However the product box was well protected, very strong and well sealed.UPDATE: My original review (above) was done almost two years ago. As of May 2007, I've now spent many hours playing hundreds of LPs on this turntable. It continues to perform well and with no problems. It has maintained all of its settings with little adjustment. I continue to be impressed with the PL120 given its reasonable cost.
137 of 143 people found the following review helpful.
Hmmm...
By tvc215
I have a decent album collection spanning many genres over many years. After much research online and in audio stores, I purchased a AT PL-120, for burning to MP3 and also just plain listening. I liked the idea of having an internal preamp and also thought that it would be nice for playing 78s. It also came with an excellent cartridge the ATP-2XN.One of the first things that I noticed is that there was no ground wire. I hooked it up and there was a faint hum. This hum was present regardless of where I placed the turntable, wheather or not the preamp was on, or how I connected it to my receiver. I even tried it with 3 different receivers, 2 vintage and a newer one. I called Audio Technica and spoke to someone in customer support (in the USA) that seemed to be very familiar with the item. He took the time to listen to my description of the situation and told me that he had never heard of that problem. While I felt he was sincere and friendly, this did not solve the problem. I figured that maybe I had a bad unit so I returned it to Amazon, ordered a new one and you guessed it, the same damn faint hum. Another problem that I had was that I felt the cue was cheaply designed. I could live with that, but not the hum. Back to Amazon it went.I wound up spending a few dollars more and purchasing the turntable that I should have started off with to begin with - the Technics SL1200 MK2. It does not have the internal preamp or 78 RPM function, but man it is a workhorse and it does just what I need it to do.I liked so much about the AT PL-120 and wanted to love it, but I couldn't deal with what I consider to be a major flaw - the hum.
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