Audio-Technica AT-LP5X Fully Manual Direct Drive Turntable

Product Information

Hence, essential components like the tonearm loses out because there’s only so much money in the kitty and the manufacturers want to bring in an internal phono map, USB port, etc. It’s also possible to purchase a suitable stylus for playing back 78RPM Shellac discs, advantageous given that the LP5X adds a selection for the 78RPM speed.

Dynamics are delivered with fluidity and force while there’s enough in the way of resolution to track subtle instrumental strands even when there’s a lot going on. Your comments would be greatly appreciated, both by me and any other interested and/or affected owners. Likewise, the performance gains from chopping in the rubber mat and going for a Funk Firm Achromat are also worthwhile. The on board phono stage is also retained and this is a neat feature because it means the LP5X will always work so long as you have an analogue line in and, if you do have a phono stage you regard as better, you can switch it off and bypass it too.At first, it’s hard to notice any obvious changes between the models, but look carefully and you’ll find the addition of a 78rpm speed option alongside the usual 33. A musician, occasional producer and sound engineer, other hobbies include software programming, web development, long walks and occasional DIY. Besides a very slight hum, only noticeable at high volume, the phono stage is quiet with excellent sound staging, great dynamic range and a clean, crisp sound without a hint of overload. The AT-LP5X embraces the varied world of vinyl with its adjustable speed settings of 33 1/3, 45, and 78 RPM. The motor is An 8-pole, 3-phase brushless design with quartz speed control and electronic braking, achieved as in most direct-drive turntables by a quick backward spin of the platter for half an RPM or so.

Audio-Technica promises that, in tandem with precision-machined platter, you should avoid any tracking issues as a result. With compatibility across the VM95 series of replacement styluses, it grants users the ability to upgrade or select a specific stylus for a custom listening experience.

The most unlikely of which is that the motor has been simplified (read weakened) over the previous model, and may struggle to maintain such a high RPM. Hi Ashley; I wonder if you can shed any light on an LP5 fault which has arisen; perhaps a few of your readers owning this model may have the same problem and would be interested in your thoughts. It’s a breeze to set up and use, it has a selection of features that are well considered and useful and it has the potential to work with your developing system too. Listening to the ‘extremely audiophile’ pressing of Phantom Limb, the quality of the midrange and treble that the LP5X offers is beyond most of the Ortofon equipped devices that it competes against.

Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. It’s a wide soundstage, pulling out the fine details from Sakamoto’s piece, but delivering the punch and intensity required when emotions peak. It must be noted for anyone planning to attempt this that this procedure will certainly void the warranty. For items that are dispatched using our standard service, we ask that you wait 14 days from the date of dispatch before reporting any items as undelivered.

Kicking off with a freshly procured copy of Justin Timberlake’s Justified (I have decided, having slid unceremoniously into my forties not too long ago that I will be using things in review that younger, more anxious to appear like some sort of musical savant me would have shunned - if I like it, I like it) this is still a turntable that delivers rhythm exceptionally well. I’d have to spend money on it (I’m talking about both the older original models and the newer releases). Connect it to your PC or Mac, use third-party software like Audacity, and convert your vinyl records into MP3 format. It’s a surefooted and robust presentation that remains unflustered even as the song becomes more demanding. Where the original could show a hard edge where pushed, the new one keeps things civilised without any feeling of smoothing anything off.

The Audio-Technica AT-LP5X is an upgrade of the popular AT-LP5 model and retains it's contemporary style and commended performance while boasting upgraded technology. The air will dislodge from the bearing as it goes and the oil will disburse evenly throughout the bearing.OK, it doesn’t root itself into a wholly bass-lead foundation but, instead, it’s lighter on its feet and more reactive. For straight-out-of-the-box playback, the AT-VM95E comes already mounted for the AT-P5x on a universal ½” AT-HS6 headshell. The VM95ML stylus upgrade has the Microline stylus, which is one of the best profiles available, and is significantly cheaper.