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Audio-Technica AT-PL120 Professional Direct-Drive Turntable | 
 enlarge | Brand: Audio-Technica
Category: CE
List Price: $249.90
Buy New: $219.02
You Save: $30.88 (12%)
New (8) from $219.02
Avg. Customer Rating:  207 reviews
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 28.3
Dimensions (in): 17 x 9 x 21
Legal Disclaimer: Warranty does not cover misuse of product.
MPN: AT-PL120
Model: AT-PL120
UPC: 042005132010
EAN: 0042005132010
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | 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) |
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| Accessories:
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Whether you play them in your personal crib, a warehouse rave, or the town's hottest club, your collection of black platters deserves the finesse and precision playback you can best administer with the ATPL120 Pro DJ Turntable. The ATPL120 has a built-in pre-amp. This means you can also connect this turntable to a home audio receiver component (or mini-stereo) that has an auxiliary audio input port. Features include: Built-in phono preamp Start / Stop button Pitch control Anti-skate adjustment Forward and reverse play Counterweight adjustment and stylus target light Strobe indicators Includes slip mat, A-T cartridge, headshell and hinged dust cover
Amazon.com Product Description
Audio-Technica's AT-PL120 direct-drive, high-torque professional turntable is perfect for DJs and other music enthusiasts, especially in an era that many would call "postvinyl," when it's no longer the norm for audio/video receivers or even integrated amplifiers to offer a dedicated phono input. A selectable internal stereo phono preamplifier lets you plug the turntable directly into any line-level input, even your PC's (when used with a stereo RCA to minijack "Y" adapter cable, not included). Alternately, you can use the player's phono output and an outboard, higher-quality phono preamplifier for even better sound quality. The AT-PL120's S-shaped tone arm assembly comes with an adjustable counterweight, an antiskate adjustment, a tone-arm height adjustment and lock, a tone-arm lift with hydraulic action and lift lever, and a tone-arm rest with a locking mechanism to keep the arm stable during transport. The turntable uses a DC servo motor to maintain accurate rotational speed at either 33-1/3 45, or 78 rpm, governed by a selectable, high-accuracy quartz-controlled pitch lock--all of which gives new life to 7- and 12-inch singles you may not have played for years. Unleash your inner DJ with the 'table's pitch-adjustment feature, with variations ranging from either +/-10 percent or +/-20 percent. A pop-up stylus target light and stroboscopic platter speed indicator offer visual assistance in queuing and playing your favorite tunes. Forward and reverse play options unlock countless creative doors (and haven't you always wondered what Prince is saying at the end of "Darling Nikki"?). The 'table comes with a cast-aluminum record platter, a slip mat, and a professional cartridge and headshell (model ATP-2) that plugs directly into the tone arm. Adjustable, antivibrational feet keep the platter level, regardless of your environs. A start/stop button with remote start/stop input lets you integrate the player with your more sophisticated DJ tools. The player also includes a 45 rpm adapter with storage receptacle for the adapter and for a surplus or replacement headshell (sold separately). What's in the Box
Turntable, removable hinged dust cover, slip mat, headshell/cartridge (ATP-2), AC power cord, 45 rpm adapter, and a user's manual.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 202 more reviews...
 A trip down memory lane! October 16, 2004
161 out of 165 found this review helpful
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.
 NOT a November 30, 2005
65 out of 111 found this review helpful
I bought and just received this turntable from A'.com (who--by the way--keeps changing the price!) because of its heavy weight (my stereo cabinet being flanked by matched subwoofers), unit "leveling" feet (an additional sonic isolation feature), direct drive (NO BELTS to mess with), and COMPLETE tone arm control adjustments--critical for the audiophile snob that I am!
It came with a highly user rated ATP-2XN CARTRIDGE I'm NOT too pleased with--there's an all too obvious mid-range emphasis or high frequency drop--playing at the recommended 1.5 grams tracking weight (a .0003x.0007 diamond elliptical stylus). As soon as my extra headshells arrive, I'll switch to my new Shure M97 expecting it to resolve the high frequency problem.
I gave it 3 Stars out of 5 for the following reasons due to the price of this unit:
1] The included ATP-2XN cartridge--while good--should have been the AT440 with "microline" diamond stylus,
2] The basic RCA audio-out cables are HARD WIRED out of the interior (!!!) instead of AT providing RCA plugs allowing audiophile quality cables to be used, a change I feel AT MUST MAKE to this turntable!!!,
3] And while the FULLY MANUAL tonearm does have a good hydraulic lift and drop feature, the LOCK feature doesn't work on my unit, and again--for the price of this turntable, the tonearm should be FULLY AUTOMATIC (other manufacturer's units starting under $100.00 are) to a] cut the cartridge output at the end of the LP , b] lift'n'return the tonearm to its holder, c] and stop the turntable rotation at the end of the shutdown cycle. (Note: other reviewers have made this "should be fully automatic" criticism as well.)
4] AT should also include an EXTRA HEADSHELL (wires included) for those of us who use different cartridges for different modes of music. I've had to order two (2) Stanton HS "universal" headshells (wires included) from [...] for $30.00 including S+H to make up for ATs lack of foresight in this area!
Otherwise it is--all things considered--a very good turntable as is, BUT...the above less-than-fully-featured shortfalls force me to give it a "3" rating for the price.
IF ALL THE ABOVE WERE PRESENT, I'd give the unit a 6 Stars (if possible on A'.com) out of 5 rating and would likely feel justified in paying a higher price--if I had to--for a "full featured" turntable.
 Outstanding for the price November 7, 2005
34 out of 34 found this review helpful
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.
Surprisingly good unit February 27, 2006
19 out of 19 found this review helpful
I had to leave my Thorens turntable (with a Audio Technica cartridge) behind in Europe just too cumbersome to bring it along. About a year ago I got a bunch of records from a friend that I wanted to add to my music collection on my PC and Zen. I decided on the Audio Technica since it had the pre-amp on board and a decent cartridge, for the rest I was not interested in automatic features (nor DJ features) since I planned to play each record only ones.
Well the unit exceeded my expectations. In the $100 range there are such hopelessly bad units for sale that I expected the Audio Technica to be a step better but in reality out is a lot of steps better. Everything feels solid (not just in weight every manufacturer can plant a stone for almost free in a unit) but the switches, sliders, pilot light and arm are all well constructed. I found the sound quality of the cartridge to be better than the one I was used to (I do not recall what type of AT cartridge the Thorens came with) and there was no noticeable hum coming from the unit, definitely better than the belt driven Thorens I owned. I can easily compare recordings made in Europe with ones made here.
Never expected to use the reverse function but it came in handy with a damaged record that skipped consistently on one track. Recording the track in reverse solved the skipping problem. On my PC the Audacity software reversed the track again and it sound good to me.
Just out of warranty the unit started to sputter out of the blue, one channel sounded like having a bad contact, I e-mailed the service department and they agreed with me that the unit should work for many years without any problems like this. They repaired the unit without charging me anything. The problem was a faulty cartridge, it was replace with a new one: problem solved. This company stands behind it product!
Love the unit, riskless buy.
Nice good unit at a very low price April 27, 2006
19 out of 19 found this review helpful
I was looking for a decent turntable (not on the higher end) as this is my first entry into the vinyl world. So I bought a Denon d29f belt drive. I was quite happy with the turntable with some issues. one is that the tonearm was totally fixed and even changing a cartridge was not possible. This made some of the improper old records that I had to skip. And I noticed some speed variations when used after a week or so. But I have to admit the sound quality was good.
So I returned it and traded it to this direct drive. Boy I was blown away. It was one solid turntable and a great upgrade. The first thing I did was to change the cartridge which came along with this, since I'm not planning to do any of the DJ stuff. I upgraded with the AT440MLa. The results were amazing.
All the adjustments in tonearm are built to perform precisely (except for the counterweights scale).
Some minor issues :
- Very short RCA cables. Many of the others have also complained.
- No spare headshell. Bought one seperately myself.
- The counterweight's calibration is very loose. Feels like the subtle tonearm movements may alter the scale.
The first one delivered had problems. The left channel was totally dead.
Amazon sent the replacement within 3 days. Great service.
At this price this is one fantastic turntable for beginners and some serious listeners who would like to experiment the vinyl world. The sonic characteristics of a vinyl is good compared to that of a CD.
I highly recommend it.
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