Audio Technica AT-LP60 USB Review

If calibrating a turntable is uncharted territory for you and you just want an automatic player that’s simple to operate, the Audio-Technica AT-LP60 USB is an excellent choice.

Whether you already have a collection of vinyl or you’re just starting your collection, with this turntable you’ll get a tip-top listening experience without leaving your wallet bare.

This turntable allows you to bring your vinyl tracks into the digital age without compromising on good sound quality.

If you’re considering an upgrade from an all-in-one record player you’ll be amazed at the difference in sound quality with this turntable.  The Audio-Technica AT-LP60 USB stands head and shoulders above its competition with the best combination of price, simplicity and good sound quality.

 Features of the Audio Technica AT-LP60 USB Turntable

This turntable might not have all the elaborate features of some higher-end turntables but this one comes with some neat extras…  Understanding the features and their uses will help you make the best choice, right for you.

So let’s look at the features of this turntable and how you can get the most out of it.

Speed

Like most turntables, this model offers a two-speed playback at either 33 or 45 RPM.  Since most vinyl around today is post-1950, you won’t have any trouble enjoying the mahogany sound of just about any vinyl record.

Vinyl that requires playback at 78 RPM cannot be played with this turntable.

Drive

Audio Technica opted for a belt drive for this turntable.  The advantage of a belt-drive turntable is the rotational stability since the platter is not directly attached to the motor.

The tonearm and the vinyl are also protected from vibration making the record less likely to skip.

The downside is that at some point the belt will need to be replaced, the time frame depends on whether you’re a casual or heavy listener.

Belts are cheap though and you can pick one up for a couple of bucks online.  Before you can use your turntable you’ll need to install the belt.  It’s pretty easy – just read the instructions and follow this video made by Audio Technica…

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Motor and Platter

This turntable runs a DC Servo controlled motor with a professional platter made from aluminum.  It’s worth noting here that because the body of this turntable is lighter than the more sturdy, higher end ones you may experience skipping when there’s movement close to the unit.

You can minimize this by placing your turntable on a solid surface and use a level to make sure it’s level.  A solid cabinet will do the trick and having it in a room with carpeted or tiled floors will help absorb movement from passersby.

Tonearm and Cartridge

This turntable comes with a straight tonearm that’s fixed to the headshell meaning the Integral Dual Magnet Phono Cartridge can’t be upgraded.  The turntable has no adjustment features for counterweight, anti-skate or height adjustment.

But this is not necessarily a drawback…  The turntable comes out already factory calibrated with a tracking force of about 3g, this means more protection for your records and you won’t need to fiddle around with all kinds of settings.

The tonearm is also fully automatic.  When you hit start the tonearm will automatically move to the beginning of the record.  This is great if you’re like me – a klutz – since there’s no risk of accidentally scratching your vinyl.

And if you end up dozing-off while playing your vinyls you can rest assured the tonearm will return to its place once the final track has played.

You can choose to use the tonearm lift button which will give you manual control, this is great if you want to play a specific track.

Stylus

This turntable comes with a cartridge and Audio Techinica ATN3600L stylus already mounted.  The stylus is quite descent and with a good set of speakers will give you a more than excellent listening experience.

The ATN3600L stylus is 0.6mm in diameter with a conical shape.  You’ll get roughly 400 hours of play out of one stylus so you’ll get a good 800 hours of play and you can pick up a replacement for dirt cheap.

An even better upgrade is the CFN3600LE stylus.  This baby will give some serious fidelity sound.  It’s definitely worth it.

USB and Connectivity

This turntable comes with both RCA output and a USB interface.  Ripping vinyl tracks into a digital format with the free Audacity software included is as simple as ‘plug and play’.

The AT-LP60 USB turntable comes with a 110v power supply cable a USB cable.

As well as a Dual RCA (female) to 1/8” (3.5 mm) mini-plug (male) stereo adapter cable and Dual RCA (female) to 1/8” (3/5 mm) mini-plug (female) stereo adapter cable making it even easier to get started.

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Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)

Can I connect to a computer without the need of a connection to a stereo system?

Yes, this is possible.  You can connect directly to your computer and you won’t be using the preamp because you’ll connect with the USB.

Does this turntable come with a dust cover?

Yes, a dust cover is included, you can easily attach it once you’re done unboxing.

Is there any software included with this turntable?

Yes, Audacity software is included.  You can also find a bunch of free software online to use if you choose.

I’m a beginner DJ, is this turntable a good one for me?

No, this turntable is belt driven.  TT’s used by DJ’s are usually the direct drive kind because they have more torque.

Should You Buy the Audio Technica AT-LP60 USB Turntable?

This turntable provides a more than decent sound quality for the average listener, with warm, clear tones.  And because it comes standard with a magnetic cartridge you’ll find that the sound is much better than the cheap turntables with ceramic cartridges.

This is a fantastic entry level turntable with good overall sound quality. If you’re on a budget and new to vinyls, this turntable will surpass your expectations at an affordable price.

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