AT-LP1240: Taking Over the SL-1200 Spot?
Audio Technica has just announced their latest direct drive turntable, the AT-LP1240.
It features a direct-drive 16-pole, three phase motor ensuring speed stability with easy back-cueing, forward and reverse play and quiet operation at 33-1/3, 45 or 78 RPM. The turntable features an S-shaped tone arm with adjustable tracking force and anti-skate adjustment and a removable universal cartridge mount. The tone arm has locking height adjustment to dial in the vertical tracking angle, crucial for achieving the most accurate record playback.
With a sleek gloss black and silver design, the AT-LP1240USB is ideal for any music or home entertainment system. A built-in switchable phono preamp allows use with a wide variety of receivers, powered speakers and other A/V components, while its USB output makes for easy connection to a computer without the need for any special drivers. The turntable is therefore perfect for transferring records to digital music files that can be played back on portable MP3 players including Apple’s iPod, iPhone, iPad, in the car or at home.
In addition, the AT-LP1240USB boasts myriad DJ-friendly features including a damped cast aluminium platter with stroboscopic markings and slip mat, illuminated speed indicator and adjustable pitch control, start/stop button, a removable stylus target light, dedicated tone arm grounding lug, a hydraulically damped lift lever and locking tone arm rest.
The AT-LP1240USB comes bundled with PC and Mac compatible software, a USB cable, audio adaptor cables, removable dust cover, 45RPM adaptor, adjustable levelling feet and accessories. The supplied Audacity software offers simple digitisation of vinyl records and audio editing features including equalisation and click/noise removal.
With the Technics SL-1200 now out of production, could this become the new standard? With a price tag of $529, this could be a winner. Review in the works.