Reddit reviews Audio-Technica AT-LP60X-GM Fully Automatic Belt-Drive Stereo Turntable, Gunmetal/Black, Hi-Fi, 2 Speed, Dust Cover, Anti-Resonance, Die-Cast Aluminum Platter
We found 6 Reddit comments about Audio-Technica AT-LP60X-GM Fully Automatic Belt-Drive Stereo Turntable, Gunmetal/Black, Hi-Fi, 2 Speed, Dust Cover, Anti-Resonance, Die-Cast Aluminum Platter. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Experience the high fidelity audio of vinylFully automatic belt drive turntable operation with 2 speeds: 33 1/3, 45 RPMAnti resonance, die cast aluminum platterRedesigned tone arm base and head shell for improved tracking and reduced resonanceAc adapter handles AC/DC conversion outside of the chassis, reducing noise in the signal chain
While the Crosley isn't exactly a tool of Satan that will chew up your record in half a dozen plays, it's nowhere near high-quality either. There's a reason why it's so cheap compared to all those other turntables out there.
Quick rundown of how record players work: the record has grooves in which the stylus/needle sits. When the record spins, the needle is dragged through the grooves and vibrates. However, the vibrations are very tiny and need to be amplified, which is done by the cartridge that connects the needle to the tonearm. Moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) cartridges make the vibration of the needle cause a magnet to move through a wire coil (or a wire coil around a magnet, respectively), which induces an electrical pulse. Ceramic cartridges, meanwhile, use piezoelectricity, which is where a vibration through a certain type of ceramic creates an electrical pulse. MM and MC cartridges also need a pre-amp to further boost the sound before it reaches the speakers, but ceramic cartridges don't, thus making them more appealing to market as an "all in one" unit.
Crosley Cruisers use ceramic cartridges instead of MMs or MCs, because they're significantly cheaper and allows you to forego the pre-amp. However, they require more tracking force (how hard the needle pushes down on the record) to get the same volume level. This means that they wear down records faster. It's not immediately perceptible, but if you use records on it frequently, then play it on a high-end turntable to compare, there'll be a visible dip in sound quality. This is also why it's bad to tape a penny to the head of a tonearm—it makes the sound louder for a ceramic cartridge, but also wears down the record more quickly.
Furthermore, Cruisers have several other design flaws: they don't have an adjustable counterweight (meaning you can't make it press down any lighter), the built-in speakers are mediocre, there's often a noticeable warble or variation to the speed, you can't close the lid while it's playing (the record hangs out over the edge), you can't detach the lid, and there's a risk of it tipping over. Its only real value that it has over other styles is the branding and retro aesthetic.
If you want to get it, ask yourself a question: are you on the fence about collecting records, or do you plan on seriously getting it? I'm sure that for plenty of people on this sub (me included), the Crosley was their gateway to getting interested in the hobby. So my advice is that if you have any certainty about collecting your records, save up your money a bit more and buy a more durable and higher-quality starter option like the AudioTechnica AT-LP60X. If you know you're gonna get into it, why buy a turntable that you're gonna immediately upgrade from anyway? Or better yet, check out thrift stores, Craigslist, ebay, etc. and see if you can get a decent turntable from the 70s or 80s for a good price.
TL;DR if you're not really sure at all if you wanna collect records, it's worth giving it a try. But if you know you're gonna collect records and are just wondering about your starter model, then skip it and go for something that you won't have to upgrade for a while.
if you’re wanting something user friendly and relatively cheap, i’d go with the audio technica at-lp60.
Audio-Technica At-LP60X-GM Fully Automatic Belt-Drive Stereo Turntable, Gunmetal/Black, Hi-Fidelity, Plays 33 -1/3 and 45 RPM Vinyl Records, Dust Cover, Anti-Resonance, Die-Cast Aluminum Platter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N3X7KPX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_a22ZDbGTAWGW5
fully automatic and it comes with a pretty nice stylus. this was my main turntable for a while
whatever you do don’t get a crosley unless you want warped/scratched records
If you must have built in speakers. MPK Turntable $93 or $85 in white or $99 in red. A step up from a Croslty or Victorila or other brand suitcase player. It has adjustable tracking force and an Audio Technica cartridge.
Separate turntable: Audio-Technica At-LP60X $89.
Much better turntable: Teac TN-300SE $129 with coupon code SPIN.
Speakers for either of the two above:
Home Audio Guides: Intro to home stereo systems • Zeos Tutorials, Diagrams and Videos • r/audiophile Guide to Home Audio
The AT-LP2D is an older version of the AT-LP60, a newer version of which you can buy new for $89: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N3X7KPX So, I don't think $60 for a two-generations-older used one is that great of a deal.
Here are some cheap speakers and cheap player. That's as starter as it gets.
Eh, it's fine. You'd probably be better off just buying them individually... and getting the new version of that table, the AT-LP60X... and maybe save a hundo or so by getting these Edifier speakers.