Play a record on your turntable, and this should be playing through your computer speakers or output device. But the higher output level of the VM540ML and the fact that it is an Audio-Technica product that potentially will be easier to fit and align on my AT-LP120 are two small factors that make the VM540ML the one that I will choose. So are we meant to ignore the styling and concentrate on the substance? I guess that all depends on how substantial a product the AT-LP120XUSB turns out to be. Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB design – A perfectly well-made, if indistinguishable turntable

Understand though, that this is actually a good thing. When a record player is fully automatic, it usually means it’s built with lighter and cheaper materials to help aid the automatic mechanisms inside it. Sure, it’s convenient, but you often sacrifice quality to get more convenience. I mentioned that acoustic guitar strum bite and the raft of information around that simple motion. There was much more information around this area from the 120x. The Fluance nodded towards the acoustic guitar strums but never dwelt upon it so it held less importance in the mix. The 120x wanted you to hear it and feel its significance. The same should be said of the later cymbal taps which offered greater delicacy and fragility via the 120x.Examples of that can be found in the remaining Technics-eque design chic. The dual on/off and speed controls, the pitch slider, the tempo range button and the cheap-looking and rather bizarre cueing light. This is quite an extensive list, so let’s move on from Technics for a minute and just reel them off.

The Gold are hand selected from Silver production runs which meet higher test specifications. Approximately 5% of the run usually exhibits these specs and become a Gold. By all means use the default cables to begin with but see that area as your first upgrade, when funds allow.As per the AT-LP120USB, there's an internal phono preamp inside this turntable, enabling you to hook it up to an external sound system. This time around, though, it's been upgraded so that it now delivers a better frequency response. If you'd prefer to use your own pre-amp, you can do so by using the turntable's line-out connection.

I firstly compared the 120x with a lower cost design, just to see how the 120x coped with a Chinese-designed outing. In this case, the Lenco L-3808 direct drive turntable. A design I like a lot, for the cash. Mainly because of its direct drive motor which keep the Lenco’s sonic head above water. So, my plan right now is to spend the time and money needed to get the most performance out of my AT-LP120. I wanted to investigate if there is a way to significantly increase the sonic performance of my AT-LP120 without totally breaking the bank. The 120x is more realistic, though. The 120x adds far more space and air in the soundstage and the upper mids provide extended dynamic reach. In fact, the dynamic range from the 120x is extended either end with bass being both organic but more precise. I initially wanted to compare the new 120x with the older 120 but was unable to grab one for this review. I asked Audio-Technica for a sample and you would have expected the company to have one available somewhere wouldn’t you? You would have thought that one would have been kept on, for old times sake. Sitting in a nearby closet, wedged under the stairs, acting as a door stop and keeping the fire door open or even being used part of a large scale game of Jengo. But no. Nothing.While testing the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB-BK, we realized that it not only looks great, it performs well. After placing a record on the turntable we found it easy to choose the correct speed to play the record, with controls for 33/45/78 RPM right next to the start button. The next thing worth noting, as mentioned earlier, is that this is a direct drive turntable. The AT-LP60X, by contrast, was a belt-drive turntable. One notable feature of the AT-LP120XUSB is its built-in phono preamplifier, allowing users to connect the turntable directly to powered speakers or amplifiers without the need for an additional preamp. This convenience enhances the overall user experience. Firstly, the AT-LP120XUSB features a new DC servo direct-drive motor, the phono amplifier has been “improved” along with the area around the base of the tonearm. The headshell has also received attention. So years later, what makes the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB so special? Well, I think it’s a few things.

The AT-LP120XUSB (just like its predecessor before) steers away from this by giving you a fully manual record player. And it all sits on four big, extremely compliant, rubbery feet. As such, there’s a welcome degree of “give” should the turntable be leaned upon at any point. The feet also help reject vibration, which can only be a good thing. That means that from starting your record player, moving the tonearm, and operating the cueing lever (not to mention having to paying attention to when the final song finishes so you can return the tonearm to its rest), you’re solely responsible for all this operation. Prices valid in stores (all including VAT) until close of business on 27th November 2023. (Some of these web prices are cheaper than in-store, so please mention that you've seen these offers online.)The stereo should be good enough to not be outplayed by the AT-LP120. Good enough to keep the AT-LP120 reasonably honest… This will confirm that the USB audio is working on your Turntable and Computer. Once you have verified it is working, it is best practise to disable the 'Listen to this device' option again so that you can use the recording software with best effect, however you can re-enable it at any time that you need to hear what is being sent by the turntable through USB. A felt mat is included – something I much prefer to the terrible moulded rubber options you often see at this price point – plus a hinged lid.