Audio-Technica LP60 is a famous turntable, which is known for its affordable price range, and its extraordinary sound quality. Audio-Technica provides a balanced and detailed sound that audiophile lovers and causal listeners love. Definitely, it is the perfect choice for anyone who wants to listen to outstanding sound quality without making any compromises. This detailed article explains the features, performance, setups, and overall value of Audio-Technica LP60. So let’s continue without wasting time and explore the details of this Audio-Technica LP60:
Design and Features
Audio-Technica has a simple, but stylish design which is looking good in any house. Audio-Technica turntable comes in different colors like black, silver, and white, So you select this according to your interesting color. This turntable is lightweight but built from solid materials, that make it easy to move at any place.
LP60 is fully automatic, which means it starts or stops with a button, So you just press the button to start or stop this turntable. Especially easy to use for new users. Don’t worry about dust it has a dust cover to keep the turntable and records clean and protected.
Audio-Technica is a belt-drive turntable, it is the same type that is used in many types of turntables. Belt-drive means the motor spins the platters by using a belt, which makes them not ideal for DJing where need quick start and back-cuing. Audio-Technica is a little smaller than other turntables, with measurements 14 inches (36 cm) square, 3.8 inches (10cm) high, and weighing about 6.6 pounds means (3 kilograms).
Audio-Technica had a small switch on the back side, which allowed you to choose between using a built-in phono preamp, which is a high-quality output and also works with most inputs or if you want to update later, it allows you between choosing an external preamp for better sound quality.
The turntable comes with a fixed 24-inch long cable, which ends in the set of stereo RCA plugs. If you need it, you can easily get RCA to 3.5MM adapter. That allows you to connect your turntable with any boombox, stereo system, or any portable speakers that have a line in port.
Setup
Once you have unpacked everything, the Audio-Technica LP 60 setup is so easy. First place the metal platters on the turntable, Then, reach through the hole in the platter to pull the rubber belt over the motor pulley. After doing this, place the flat mat on the platters, then remove the small piece of plastic that is protecting the cartridges, and then you are ready to play records. The tonearm’s counterweight and stylus tracking force are already preset by the company, so you have don’t to worry about adjusting them.
The felt mat that covers the metal platter has “Audio Technica” written on one side, but you can flip it for a plain black look. The owner’s manual is well-written and easy to follow making the setup very easy. Even if you are new to the turntable, you can be ready to play Audio-Technica LP60 in a few minutes.
Audio-Technica LP60 has four buttons on the front panels, Speed (to choose between 45 or 33-1/3 rpm), Start, Stop, and Cue. The cue button allows you to raise the lower the tonearm onto the record, which is helpful for you if your hands are unsteady or if you can’t see the record clearly. On the top side of the turntable, there is a lever that allows you to select between 7 inches to 12 inches records.
Mostly 45 rpm singles are 7 inches in diameter and have a larger central hole than LPs. For this reason, Audio-Technica included 45 adapter discs that are placed over the spindle to play them. LPs are 12 inches in diameter. If you play LPs, so you don’t need to adjust speed or size control. But if you are switching between LPs or 45s, so you must remember to adjust the controllers accordingly.
The only real drawback to the AT-LP60 is that you can’t upgrade to a better phono cartridge, as the one that comes with it is permanently installed, However, the stylus (needle) is user-replaceable, since the audio technology made advanced cartridges, the built-in one should be more than satisfactory.
A-T LP 60 is mainly an affordable turntable, mostly the cost of better cartridges is more than the whole price of the turntable. If you want much better sound, you might want to get a higher-quality turntable like the U-Turn Orbit or the Rega RP1.
Performance
Audio-Technica turntable is easy to use. Just enter your record and press the start button, and it takes care of everything you do not have to worry about. It automatically moves the needle to its place and starts playing music according to your record and your interest. When the record side is mostly done, it picks the needle, places it returns to its rest position, and then turns off the platters.
We tried it with lots of records and it worked perfectly every time. You don’t have to worry about scratching records or damaging the stylus if you use the autoplay. You can still start, stop, and handle the tonearm manually if you prefer.
Even though it’s the cheapest turntable we’ve reviewed, we ended up playing more records because it was so enjoyable. It handled warped records well, and while you could hear some surface noise, it wasn’t too distracting. Unlike many budget turntables that sound weak, the AT-LP60 has a well-balanced sound across bass and treble.
Specifications
Turntable Type: Belt drive, fully automatic
Motor: DC servo-controlled
Speeds: 33-1/3 RPM and 45 RPM
Platter: Aluminum
Wow and Flutter: Less than 0.25% at 3 kHz
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: Over 50 dB
Output Levels:
- Phono: 2.5 mV at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec
- Line: 150 mV at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec
Phono Pre-Amp Gain: 36 dB, RIAA equalized
Power Supply: 120V AC, 60 Hz, 3W
Dimensions: 360 mm wide x 97.5 mm high x 356 mm deep
Weight: 2.98 kg
Accessories: Includes adapter cables and 45 RPM adapter
Replacement Stylus: ATN3600L
Pros and Cons of Audio-Technica LP60
Pros
- Affordable price
- Fully automatic operation
- Built-in phono preamp
- Easy to set up and use
- Good sound quality for the price
Cons
- A lightweight build may feel less premium
- Fixed tonearm limits upgrade options
- No USB output for digitizing records
Conclusion
The LP60 will not be out of place as a starter turntable for amateur audiophiles or veterans looking to get back into playing records. We recommend it for folks who might have a hard time getting used to the more hands-on aspects of manual turntables — with the AT-LP60, you just press a button and enjoy the tunes.
