While it’s great that vinyl is back in a big way socially, economically and sonically, it’s presented us with a conundrum: what’s the best way to listen to vinyl in 2024?
While many of us are guilty of buying stacks of records simply to support bands (not that there’s any guilt associated with support!), or just to own that big physical copy or to collect multi-coloured spattered variants, listening to vinyl is another experience all of its own. Limited by the medium, vinyl has a unique sound, with the extreme highs and lows of digital simply not translating, let alone frequencies so high they damage the cutting head at the vinyl cutting plant!
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What you’re left with is the meat and potatoes of the mastered sound, punchy, refined and focused, and who better to help that sound translate than Audio-Technica?
We’re huge fans of Audio-Technica here at Mixdown, particularly in the studio where we agonise over the details of recording and arrangement, using their microphones to capture it all and their headphones to monitor it. While this is all good and well, the music production process doesn’t really end when a band has signed off on a mix or master. The music then goes into production, where audiences, including us, get to enjoy the final result. It makes sense then for Audio-Technica’s AT-LP70X turntable to be such a home run, coupled with the AT-LP70XBT available in a Bluetooth configuration.
The AT-LP70X is a fully automatic belt-drive turntable, effectively meaning that the turntable, uh, turns automatically. The Belt-Drive is a more classic design in turntables, providing high-quality sound and consistent playback as opposed to direct drive.The AT-LP70X has variable speed for both 33-1/3 and 45 RPM records, and an easy-to-use J-shaped tonearm that requires no additional setup.
Marketed as a great entry-level turntable, the AT-LP70X features all the bells and whistles of premium turntables, while also being supremely easy to use. The turntable arrives with an AT-VM95C Integral Dual Moving Magnet phono cartridge that’s compatible with VM95 Series replacement stylus’, either for replacement or to change styli for a varied listening experience. The included stylus features a 0.6 mil conical stylus that offers excellent separation and low distortion for outstanding sound, something essential on a mechanical arm expected to provide crystal clear sound along the fine groove of vinyl!
The AT-LP70X also features a built-in switchable phono preamp to enable connection to a home stereo, powered speakers, or otherwise. The “otherwise” here might be the AT-SP3X powered bookshelf speakers. A match made in Heaven!
The AT-LP70X is housed in an anti-resonance chassis to prevent things like footsteps, bangs, rumbling or otherwise preventing the stylus from doing its job: providing you with crystal clear sound. Vinyl can be a fragile and detailed listening experience, and Audio-Technica aim to make it as easy as possible. Vinyl itself sits atop a die-cast aluminium Turntable Platter and felt top to protect your records, powered by a DC motor. The unit is powered by an AC adapter, the AC/DC conversion happening outside of the chassis to further enhance listening and remove any unfavourable, power-related noise. It really is the little things!
In use, the AT-LP70X sounds great. The purist in me loves the wired option, with Bluetooth available for those averse to cabling, or with an existing Bluetooth speaker system. I had vinyl turning quickly (well… 45RPM) though set up and getting music happening was a simple, quick affair. Sonically the AT-LP70X gives everything I’ve discussed about the vinyl sound and more, the freshness of a brand new stylus offering great detail, precision and clarity to the music. With simple Start, Stop and speed controls, the AT-LP70X puts focus back on the music.
As creators of music it can be really hard to switch off from analysing production, mixing and songwriting, but a system as great as the AT-LP70X helps to reintroduce that sense of wonder and magic that we felt before we knew too much. As if the turntables themselves weren’t enough, Audio-Technica has built a range of replacement and spare parts, as well as cleaning and care kits to keep you turntable turning, with different components for different sonics, preferences and models of turntable.
The AT-LP70X is a great system for someone who’s become fond of vinyl for whatever reason, be that collecting, supporting bands or otherwise, and boy oh boy is it a great start. Sonically, the AT-LP70X rivals some of the best systems, simply put together for easy control, playback and care, with additions like the phono preamp, anti-resonance chassis and more built into its design. Decades of turntable design across the have informed some key elements in Audio-Technica’s AT-LP70X.
With a wired option in the AT-LP70X or a Bluetooth option with the AT-LP70XBT, Audio-Technica are building a legacy on the back of the simple pleasure of enjoying a record, holding the cover and falling into the music itself.
For local enquiries, keep reading at Audio-Technica Australia.
