Audio-Technica AT-LP1240-USB Professional DJ Direct-Drive Turntable (USB and Analog)

2018-06-07T20:00:00

I've spent just over 2 years with this TT and love many things about it. It is essentially the modern Technics 1200 mk2 with its layout and sturdy construction. It has an extremely powerful and reliable motor with impressive torque. In many ways, it has the potential to out perform the 1200 however like it's little brother, the AT LP120 USB, it is plagued with platters that simply don't spin evenly. I actually went through 3 different units and an additional replacement platter (4 platters in all), and each had varying degrees of significant, wobbly platter syndrome. They would rise and fall, causing the stylus and tone arm to do the same. As their flagship model, it's absolutely baffling that this is an issue for a high end turntable. I contacted customer service and after several emails back and fourth, one of their head engineers told me that this type of rise and fall is "acceptable within their quality control standards". Because of this, I was unable to use the warranty to get a refund as this was deemed 'normal' to the companies standards. If you know anything about high end turntables, this is quite obviously not the case as all good decks use platters that spin absolutely flat, balanced, and evenly. It's a shame because this turntable has so much potential and so much going for it that it could very well have set the standard for the new turntables to come. However, because of this pervasive problem, I would advise anyone who is considering purchasing this TT against it as it is an unacceptable flaw that has the potential to adversely affect your stylus and more so, your precious vinyl collection. As well, don't take my word for it and do your own research into this issue as I'm most certainly not the only one to encounter this problem. I would hope that this issue has been addressed and alleviated in their newest 1240, but again, do some investigating as I'd hate for you to have to endure the frustration and disappointment that I went through.

Stanley h.

Originally posted at

2017-11-02T20:00:00

*Update from my last review I've had this amazing machine for just over a month now and have noticed quite a few fine scratches on the dust cover and on the top part of the turntable. It's made of shiny black metal and though I've only been using very soft microfibre cloths to dust it, it seems to be showing a number of fine scratches/abrasions (which is a shame as it's such a beautiful TT). I'm wondering if there is a solution for this and am hoping I can remove or at least minimize the eye sores?

Beat c.

Originally posted at

2017-09-26T20:00:00

I've been using turntables for well over 20 years and more so, I've used the Technics 1200 mk2's. Ultimately, when I decided it was time to buy a new deck, I began looking for the best 1200 substitute as I wasn't willing to shell out the $2000+ that most were looking for, for a new one. Article upon article kept pointing me towards the Audio Technica AT-LP1240 USB (and the AT-LP120). Because I wanted something with a bit more punch and with torque similar to the power of the 1200, I decided that the 1240 was definitely worth the extra money. That being said, the entire time prior to receiving my new 1240, I wasn't expecting too much as I had already experimented with a handful of modern 1200 'substitutes', and they all fell quite short (except for the Pioneer PLX 1000, which is a great deck but still not what I was looking for). And then I received my new TT and proceeded to open the box.. Not only was it shipped and boxed to withstand a massive earthquake, the parts were all very accessible and easy to put together. About 20min tops from opening it to playing my first record. The first thing I noticed was its construction and heft. This weighs more than the 1200 and upon inspection, it's due to the high caliber parts and materials used to built this tank of a TT. The torque is also wrist breakingly strong, again, more so than the 1200, as it starts and stops on a dime and when manipulating the platter while playing records, you can feel it's heavy pull. What struck me the most however was the actual sound that came out of the amazing machine. With punchy bass, crisp highs and clear mids, the 1240 will most definitely satisfy the bulk of today's audiophiles. As a DJ primarily and an audiophile as a close second, this is definitely one of the 1240's biggest strengths. Not only will it satisfy the vast majority of those looking for a full fledged DJ turntable, the ace up its sleeve is that it its sound qualifies it as an audiophile deck as well. So yes, I'm thrilled.

Bear c.

Originally posted at

2012-12-10T19:00:00

I purchased that turntable to replace an older non high-end turntable. I use it to play the one hundred or so LPs which I kept following the advent of the CD. I am not disappointed at all with it. It has a powerful motor and a more than decent tone arm. It also features a stroboscope and a good internal stereo phono pre-amp which can be bypassed with the flick of a switch. Moreover, it has an USB output for use with a computer. Overall, it performs pretty well. The only thing that I may complain about is the light slip mat which might very well suit a DJ. However, since I am not a DJ, I would have preferred a thicker non slipping mat. Before ending this review, I also strongly suggest, since the headshell contacts are tiny, that you use a good contact enhancer and preservative such as the Caig ProGold, so you won't have any hum problem. Should you be looking for a decently priced turntable, either as a DJ or an audiophile, don't hesitate about this product. With a good cartridge, you will have hours of happy listening.

Verdinut

2012-07-03T21:00:00

I am not a professional DJ, I just use this turntable for home audiophile listening. While not technically designed for that it does do very well in this regard sound quality wise. The dampened platter doesn't make noise. I did buy an expensive cartridge for it as it does not come with one. The speed accuracy is excellent and while this was designed for professional DJ use I found the ability to adjust braking speed and to play records in reverse rather nice things to have to customize the feel of it. The reverse feature is good because who doesn't own a record with backwards masking on it or just backwards messages? The radio station I am at has 2 technics SL-1200 MK II turntables and this turntable in my opinion is just as good. I was struck by the part quality for one thing. The tone arm lever is metal and has a screw on metal ball end. They could have easily cheaped out on plastic but did not. The pitch adjust slider knob is smooth however the button is made out of plastic and that is puzzling considering the other attention to making sure the parts are metal. Also when you first turn on this turntable the pitch speed is not quartz locked. You must manually push the button every time you turn the power on however when the slider is in the middle there is no need for the quartz button anyway. The slider button does not have a center click which Audio Technica should replace this slider button with the type you have on the Technics SL-1200 MK II in my opinion! The unit shell is made out of metal also which very much surprised me. In fact I cannot think of an electronics product made since the early 80s where the unit shell wasn't plastic. Easy to clean and won't be a problem keeping looking new especially if one is a smoker. I am glad I got this model instead of the AT-LP240 because of the extra controls like brake speed and start speed and reverse etc. There are very practical uses for speed controls for someone who is NOT a DJ. I am a musician and the ability to slow down songs to learn them is pretty valuable. You can even adjust the speed to what you are tuned to so you do not have to retune your guitar for every different album you throw on, just adjust the pitch of the song using the pitch and speed slider control. Anyway all in all a fantastic turntable with fantastic speed accuracy. I like to listen to classic and do not hear any speed warble or pitch problems. It is accurate enough to detect a record that is off-center rather than the turntable making pitch speed problems. The motor is very strong and you can tell this immediately when you use your old vintage Discwasher on it, the turntable does not like to slow down easily when pressure is applied to it. Overall also the turntable feels like a quality very well made product that just feels like it will still be running in 10 years.

Megatrends

2012-03-28T21:00:00

Cool dеsign,solid and stable platter,good pich control range. Р-xpect this model to the European market soon

Mick

2012-02-07T19:00:00

I have been using the Technics 1200 for almost 2 decades. I came across this turntable through several reviews I've read online. I felt inspired to purchase one and give it a go. Upon receiving it and removing it from the package, I was impressed with the attention to detail, and the general appearance of the plynth, and general assembly. I was also impressed with the even physical weight distribution. All corners presenting same weight and structural control. When I held the unit, there wasn't any loose assembly generally found with plastic and metal constructed products as it is designed to present itself very ridgid. Finally connected everything. I substituted a MK5 1200 with this one through the same mixer. FACT: - Startup torque more powerful on the AT-LP1240-USB vs the 1200 MK5, I put a 2lb weight on both units to compare. The AT-LP1240-USB launched itself in the same manner as with no weight. The MK5 1200 required 1.5 inches to reach full torque speed. - Sound quality, very impressive. Same ortofon needle as other MK5 1200. Sound was unnoticably different. Both tables present a clear rythmic sound. Out of curiousity, I positioned both tables beside my Polk Audio SDA-SRS mamoth speakers on oak hard wood floor. The MK5 1200 had slight rumble, while the AT-LP1240-USB displayed the same sound projection as it did in the case, on the audio desk table. - Arm release. The tonearm drop on the AT-LP1240-USB is slightly softer than the MK5 1200. I perfomed this test on the same LP in the same place on several areas of the album. The AT-LP1240-USB did not have any pops or crackles when the stylus touches the LP - Flexibility: The AT-LP1240-USB offers many features non existant on the MK5 1200. Conclusion: Unfortunately my apartment got broken into. The culprit stole one AT-LP1240-USB and the other MK5 1200 turntable. I am now requiring 2 new turntables and will be purchasing qty. 2 Audio Technica AT-LP1240-USB units in a prox 1 month. The AT-LP1240-USB will be replacing the Technics tables in my little studio.

matera