AT-LP120 Preamp Removal (Step by Step Instructions)

[@tyhyten332]

Thanks for the video! Some tips for others who are trying it (gathered from other posts and my experience): 1. You can put the little brass spacers on by placing the bottom back on the turntable and dropping them into the screw holes, rather than trying to balance them on while putting the bottom back on. 2. You don't need to unscrew the spring. 3. If it's unclear on what to do with the ground wire, you just need to attach a new piece of wire that's long enough to reach your preamp/receiver to the black ground wire that used to come off of the internal preamp that you removed. 4. You can lock the tone arm into place, leave the head on, and just balance the turntable on the dust cover instead of trying to create some sort of foam base for it. 5. You need the ground wire, don't skip it. Mine buzzes quite a bit if that wire isn't attached to my preamp.

[@KrishnaVinod]

Great tips. I used the screw drop into the holes to close up and the dust cover as support today. Thanks!

[@OGSERB]

Ty Hyten good info thank you

[@tyhyten1178]

@Oratuyr I don't remember specifically what I used, but it's a pretty rigid black wire

[@tsav1983]

@@tyhyten1178 hey there Ty, I am going to remove my built in preamp tomorrow. It sounds like you know what your doing. So I’m writing this inn hopes you’ll see it and be able to get back to me. In the video when he is connecting the sliced wires from the RCA cables to the main board cables. I see there is the white and red wires, which is obvious. The excess wires that are there with the white and red. I am curious what to do with those wires. I see in the video that he has 3 twist caps after he’s done connecting the spliced wires. Did he just connect that access wire and use another twist cap on them? If you could get back to me I’d really appreciate it. I’m very much a step by step guy and that’s the only thing I’m not certain on. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[@wavelandmusic8476]

Whats he doing with the extra middle inner cables from the rca?

[@Mattman967]

this is the chillest, most well-assembled, relaxing and informative video ever

[@jrb3law]

GortMarson B. Thank you

[@exurosanctus]

My girlfriend thought I was watching porn when she heard this.

[@zachmlindner]

Thanks so much! Just completed, but there were a few things that weren't clear that I wanted to clarify (it took me 2 days because I had to go read blogs to figure it out): at 6:28 he shows the RCA wires, red white and TWO bare wires (one bare wire from the red and one bare from the green). You need to connect these two bare wires to each other. You then connect these bare wires to the bare ground wire coming out of the grey wire (attached to the tonearm), along with the red to red and white to white. Also, you don't need to do anything with the black ground that was cut off of the pre-amp. You need to buy a new ground wire and attach it under the spring, and this goes directly to your pre-amp.

[@georgejossaume2417]

you probably forgot about this comment lol but thank you so much I had spent ages trying to figure this out before looking at the comments

[@wavelandmusic8476]

So the red inner wire from original rca to the red wire from circuit board and white inner wire to white. Then the extra outer wires together to ground?

[@troybclear]

Just finished this mod; Cannot thank you ENOUGH!!! Was easy w/ your step by step directions! Was kinda scared to attempt at first (had very little to no exp w/ electrical wiring) but had no problem whatsoever & it sounds GREAT!!! ANYONE that has an AT LP 120 & doesn't use the built in pre-amp should DEFINITELY do this mod!!! THANKS AGAIN!!! Next upgrades - a Ortofon 2M red cart & a lil bear tube pre amp!!!

[@JoshTAnderson36]

Well, I am extremely proud to say that I DID IT!!!! I would like to thank the OP for this incredible instructional video, without which I wouldn't have been able to do this with my fledgling electronics skills. Also, a huge thank you to vwestlife for really popularizing this mod and figuring out how to do it. Anyway, I'm now a believer! I can definitely tell an immediate difference. The soundstage opened right up, the highs are more clear than ever, and my listening experience just improved ten-fold. This mod is NOT difficult for those who are on the fence. I have barely any experience doing this kind of stuff, and I was able to do it. I am EXTREMELY happy with this modification and would encourage fellow budget audiophiles with this table to do this mod, too!

[@mikeetson]

I have had the AT-LP120 for a couple years and never really liked the sound output, even with a good cartridge, the crap pre-amp by-passed and a good tube pre-amp instead. I just went ahead and ripped out the on-board pre amp, soldered up the connections and tried it out. HUGE improvement, much more open sounding, better highs, and an increase of volume too. Highly recommended. Thanks!

[@vinyleyezz]

+Michael Etson Hey Michael, How did you discharge the electricity when you were working on your LP120? I have an LP120 also and I'm thinking of removing the preamp too.

[@mikeetson]

+Vinyl Eyezz I'm not sure I understand your question. I of course unplugged the turntable from the power and from the amp before disassembly. If you are talking about static electricity, you needn't worry, the circuit is not that sensitive.

[@daveh9474]

+Vinyl Eyezz Ya don't worry! there's no processors in there. it's like, 1970's tech.

[@vinyleyezz]

ipreferns haha ok, I just don't want to get electrocuted!

[@zacordene8946]

+ipreferns TIL Processors hold a lot of electricity.

[@samfunston]

Recently made this mod following your instructions. Everything turned out perfectly. It sounds so much more clear! I didn't realize how muddy the sound was before. There is also no added noise. You're the man!

[@cobion]

Having completed the removal of the Preamp on my AT-LP-120-USB, I can definitively say that the sound has improved dramatically. I will now go on to remove the little bugger from my AT-LP-240-USB

[@phantasm1004]

This video is a MUST VIEW for anyone looking to remove the built-in preamp of this table. Very well done.

[@davidkornblatt991]

Audio Technica should offer a turntable already like this!

[@TheBudgie29]

They do It Is called the LP120X.

[@andrewdoan1293]

Get the AT-LP140XP and the Schiit Audio Mani phono preamp stage if you do not want to mod the LP-120.

[@aphex242]

Did this myself. Thanks a ton for your video. The one thing I didn't understand, until I was elbow deep in this, was that you have to splice the ground in the output wires to the output RCA cables, and that the ground in that line wasn't a third wire but rather a sheath of wires. Once I figured that out (and did some pretty lousy soldering in the process) I was good to go. Works great. My wife and I can CLEARLY hear the difference. In our case it may have been especially bad because ours is on a 25 foot long run from our receiver, and even though the cable is low impedance, it's not particularly special. Attenuation was definitely an issue when we plugged it in, and this largely eliminated that.

[@thecthonian4976]

After watching your video, I attempted this mod successfully. I got the results I expected. You DO need the ground wire, as a terrible HUM exists without it connected. The noise floor lowered considerably and the treble response increased remarkably. Cheers!

[@VinylRescue]

I just completed this modification and it sounds better. The sound is even more clearer and quieter. Only thing I had to do differently was I had to ground it to my computer tower. Connecting it to my phono preamp gave it had a real bad buzz noise. I'm using a Audio-Technica AT440MLa cartridge thru a Cambridge Audio preamp. Then I clean up the pops/clicks and other noise with Adobe Audition 6 for some great music. For those that are confused you have to add an extra wire to make the ground wire from the turntable itself. Thanks for the great video!

[@Metallica0475]

It’s a night and day difference with it removed, well worth the effort!

[@robertknowledge]

As a professional Dj and programmer 30+ years in the business, I have a pair of these fabulous turntables in black, it would not be wise to modify these turntables. The pre-amp is built in there for a specified reason, especially when using timecode vinyl plates through digital DJ software or the USB connection. Because these frequencies operate on a low frequency of 0db. If you have a mixer that is already pre-amp built. The switch to phono on these turntables will automatically be bypassed. What happens is the pre-amp mixer will shut the pre-amp frequency to the turntables off, recognizing only the signal from the pre-amp mixer, and it kills the hum also. Digital signals works differently than analog signals. It will not take away the sound quality, if you understand professional sound. To get the preferred sound is using a frequency equalizer, what this does is open up the digital sound from your computer or receiver and converting it to an analog frequency sound, getting the same results as if there were no pre-amp in it at all. If you are just using a reciever and have no frequency EQ to balance out the sound from these turntables then of course you will not get what you are expecting to hear. there's really no need for this modification, unless you are just looking for raw sound unbalanced. Yes you may have some better highs but it is still not balanced out the way it should. Of course you may think the sound is better if you do not have the ear for direct frequency changes and just hear the record. That's why having a good frequency EQ or a pre-amp mixer will eliminate the distortion. I saw in his video that he was using a DJ interface box, that's ok but not good enough to balance out the output from the turntable pre-amp If you are just playing records and have no desire to upgrade your sound system then you will not get the clarity you are looking for...... Really these turntables were meant for DJ and studio recording purposes, but if you want to modify it cool. But there may be some backlashes in the future operating them, and I could be wrong. But I'm coming from a professional DJ and programmer perspective...

[@welcometomymidlife]

I understand what you're sayin and trying to get at. I'm not a "professional", but I did a bit of DJing and studio/audio production work myself way back in the day (started in the 80's). I am well aware of timecodes, Digital DJ software, EQ's and frequencies. The AT-LP120USB is not ideal for DJing imo. The torque ain't like a Technics. But all this has got nothing to do with my decision to mod this turntable. I merely wanted to try and see if removing the preamp would make it sound better for my purposes (digitizing my record collection). I got this mod idea from vwestlife's video. He was probably one of the first people to try it and make it known. I had moved on from this turntable and had upgraded my system. I now have a Technics 1210GR with a Lounge Audio LCR MKIII preamp. The ART DJ PreII was a very good (and cheap) preamplifier that served its purpose. It has a gain/trim knob which was vital to me when doing my needledrops. So thanks for your comments. But I just have to say I don't understand why you needed to throw your credentials in there. Funny enough, the title "DJ" and "programmer" don't mean a thing nowadays. It's kinda cringe-worthy. Doesn't really command respect like it used to. But hey, that's just my opinion. P.S. I like the vids on your channel though. I LOVE me some soulful house! The very genre I used to spin back in da day! Peace!

[@theDML2112]

I did this mod over the weekend and not looking back - WHAT A DIFFERENCE!! The audio clarity is night & day better. I don't understand why the line/phono "by-pass" isn't a true by-pass...it could have been done that way and this mod wouldn't have been necessary. I am grateful to Frankie P for producing this video and some others who convinced me that this mod was worth it...WELL WORTH IT!!!!

[@brucetowell3432]

Just wondering if the folks or persons in charge of this faulty pre-amp by-pass defect were shown the door. I'm sure my LP-120USB will suffer the same fate if and when I try to use the "phono" switch and by-pass the pre-amp "line" switch, mine was probably built in around 2010, 11, or 12, had in in storage for many years. The sound I get from the "line" is really weak and crappy. Thanks and God Bless

[@1BYEBYE1]

Anyway to do this without adding an external ground? Why did it not need one before?

[@unpluggedlamp]

Yes just strip some of the black off of the end of the ground then turn it into a u shape and screw it securely under the screw that holds the spring intact

[@exurosanctus]

I did it, thanks for the video. One tip for others would be to go ahead and put the turntable back together before you do anything with the brass spacers. Then you can just put the spacer on the screw and drop it right in the hole without it falling everywhere. No need to tape them.

[@hansgruber9216]

Thank you for this video. I did it last week and I can't tell how much I'm happy with the sound

[@dobermanguy9437]

Sure if you're going to do a job like this do not use twist tabs to connect wires you will be asking for trouble get you a soldering iron and solder them the way this guy is doing it is called half-ass work the Lazy Man's way End the incorrect way to connect electrical wires you will be having a failure before you know it

[@boocaliffo3024]

Great video! Really accurate. Unfortunately the link of the "unmodded" sample is down, could you upload it again? I'd like to hear the difference.

[@zorst99]

Not sure why you would need to do this, on my table the switch seems to work just fine. The sound is clean and quiet.

[@jesusgavemeaids]

Perhaps people claim to hear more mids & highs because there's less bass/low end? Because that's what I got. Plus there's a buzz or hum coming from the right channel only, & NOTHING will make it go away. BTW, I have some electronics experience & also studied this & other videos & tutorials on the preamp removal, so I know what I'm doing. My advice to anyone who is considering this but hasn't done it yet, is to not do it. If you need or want more from your turntable, wait until you can afford a better one... or sell this one to help pay for a better one.

[@xargos]

Other than the fact that I would solder cabling in place for the cleanest and most reliable connections, I have to say this definitely increased my interest in this turntable.

[@StevenSmyth]

Great video. I'm not one for instructional videos with no narration, but this was very professional, crystal clear, and the music was great. I'm thinking about getting back into vinyl again and I'm looking at this turntable. I'm wondering if you can just bypass the preamp and install a switch. I know that there are better preamps out there, but I hate throwing out parts, as I think it destroys the resale value. Any help would be appreciated.

[@matthewwiechert103]

Just did everything down to a t and I have nothing now.. No clue what to do or I could have done

[@bryonstaats8724]

I did this mod. Very easy. I used shrink tubes instead of wire nuts. I noticed the high end digital distortion I was hearing before is gone. Just seems to be cleaner highs overall. I'm happy with it. I was using the built in pre before and now I'm using the ART DJPRE II.

[@bryonstaats8724]

Yes

[@billyboi57]

Since you are dealing with extremely low voltages coming from the phono cartridge, I would STRONGLY recommend taking the extra time to solder and heat shrink. This will ensure a positive connection the first time and eliminate any possibility of loose connections causing crackling and loss of audio.

[@tsamplifiers6493]

Why not simply disconnect the power to the preamp board? That way it can easily be returned to original state. Wires carrying milivolt signals must be soldered. A twist connection will quickly oxidize and fail.

[@jsngallery]

TSAmplifiers would that do it? i believe that when switched to “phono” it still channels through the pcb. tks as im doing this this weekend.

[@nicoll420]

why not just use a DP/DT switch to bypass it instead of removing it ?

[@eugenegrewing2587]

nicoll420 People say the preamp still introduces noise into the system.

[@robertmattison1282]

Nicely made video for the DIY person who want a better sounding turn table.

[@sheepcute]

Why are you doing this? Can't you just set the output switch to 'phono' and bypass the pre-amp?

[@richkovalsky7404]

Unfortunately, no. While you "bypass" the preamp, the signal actually travels from the tone arm through the preamp board and out to your receiver, etc. While not a huge deal, the right and left channel still each go through a coil and a small capacitor located on the preamp. This is why people remove the preamp entirely.

[@thuanvu5582]

Rich, If I don't remove this preamp and bypass the signal to another preamp- would there be any noticeable difference?

[@IIISalvaIII]

To install RCA output connectors would be a good idea to preserve signal from other electronics (and noises). Original RCA cables are not the best... If I purchase this turntable I will do it. To increase inertia and speed stability I use to add fishing plumbs carefully attached with epoxi at internal circumference of the platter. Amazing!

[@TheJulienTV]

Can you re upload the unmodded .Wav audio file please?

[@carlosm.frattari8239]

Thank you very much for this tutorial. It works and I was able to do it without problems. The sound improves!!

[@blakebrock8262]

I wanna do this but what do I need to buy and what tools do I need? to splice or whatever

[@TheBoomerPlace]

I’m confused. I have this turntable and it has a switch to bypass the built in preamp. I am now running it through a much better external preamp. Why would I remove the internal preamp?

[@richkovalsky7404]

Even when you switch to "phono," the signal from the tonearm still travels through the preamp board on the way out to your external preamp. While traveling across the internal preamp board, each channel will go through an inductor coil and a capacitor, which can lead to a degradation of sound quality. This is why people remove the internal preamp entirely. It does add a brightness of sound that you don't necessarily get leaving the preamp in, but your mileage may vary.

[@bulletz4life]

I did everything in this video step by step and now I’m getting a very slight ground loop hum on max volume, is this a normal occurrence? I’m driving myself crazy trying to figure out what it is but nothing helps. It’s really only audible at the max gain level on my powered speakers, and I’m using the project phono box mm as my preamp. Any help is appreciated. It also seems to get quieter when touching the tonearm, or the ground lug on the back of the preamp. Seems like the tonearm and cart are picking up EMI. I don’t know anymore. My setup is: AT-LP120, stock cart and head shell Edifier 1280T speakers Project phono box MM preamp Decent, not amazing cables (doesn’t seem to have anything to do with the hum though). Everything is plugged into the same extension cord.

[@bulletz4life]

I also live in a NYC building, maybe there’s just too much electrical S*** around me. Lots of AC currents. PLEASE HELP MY OCD

[@Litos284]

I know this vid been here a while but thank you 🙏, i just removed that preamp from mine and damn sounds so amazing 10 times better , this is a must to remove🙌🙌🙌

[@arielqls]

Hola Carlos, recien acabo de hacer lo que se ve en el video pero me aparece ruido grave (hum), mire tres videos diferentes y en todos coinciden y por ello hice esto, pero me aparece un ruido grave, trate de ponerle cable a tierra desde la bandeja al pre, y del pre a enchufe con toma a tierra, pero igual :-(. No se solucionarlo, puede ser que este mal soldado ? (le puse un cable de audio que era de 3,5 a rca de Monster) igualmente, suena mejor que con el pre instalado, pero con ese ruido hum molesto...... Si alguien me ayuda..... Tendra algo que ver los años modelo de estas bandejas, que hayan cambiado ?? Gracias de antemano...

[@Litos284]

Claudio Qls, hola Claudio, no se porque tiene un hum, el hum tiene que ver con la tierra, si tienes conectado un cable que sea de copre (copper) en el torniyo de la turn table y ese cable esta conectado a un Pre Amp no te tiene que dar ese hum, si lo tienes haci conectado?

[@arielqls]

@@Litos284 Hola Carlos, si, lo tengo asi, conecte el cable gris que contiene los der, izq y masa, directamente a un cable mejor que el que viene, saque completamente la plaqueta del preamp de AT, respeté los cables negros masa y que se unen al tornillo con el espiral (este toca a la base de metal), tal como vi en varios videos, pero me da ese ruido :-( Ese espiral es necesario dejarlo ? el cable que conectaba a la plaqueta preamp lo deje a un costado y no toca nada que pueda hacer ruido. No se que puede ser, mañana lo abrire de nuevo y me fijare que cualquier cosa este mal conectado los cables, pero te cuento que suena genial, pero si me paso ya a una 30 % del volumen del sintoamplificador (no tiene cable a tierra) ya hace ese ruido.Hice cable a tierra desde bandeja a pre de fono y de ahi a una pata de tierra/masa, pero sin buen resultado... Seguro que quedo algo mal conectado, saque fotos de todos los pasos que hice pero no me puedo dar cuenta.... Gracias por tu respuesta !!!

[@Litos284]

Claudio Qls hola Claudio, tienes whatsapp or telegram? Si queres me puedes mandar los photos ayi y los puedo mirrar aver si si estan bien las conectiones

[@arielqls]

Carlos Martinez hola estimado. Ya casi lo solucióno en principio era el cable Monster. Asi que le puse el cable original y asi bajo mucho el ruido. Aunque sigue pero mucho menos.

[@i32504]

I did mod, but now I have a ground loop hum. I'm pretty sure I followed the instruction exactly, and even opened it up again to check all of the connections. Disconnect the ground wire from my phono preamp doesn't make the hum go away nor does it make it worse. Also when i press start the turntable makes a buzz noise in addition to the consistent hum. The only thing I can think of is maybe that the RCA wires are touching. Any other ideas?

[@wavelandmusic8476]

What happens to the extra outer wires on the red and white rca?

[@Vylkeer]

Can you just use some insulating tape to connect those wires instead of caps at 7:15?

[@TheBudgie29]

NO. Get some of these www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Technics-SL1200-SL1210-Phono-RCA-Lead-Cable-Earth-Upgraded-1-2m-Gold-OFC/123863834238?hash=item1cd6dc1e7e:g:DWsAAOSwP41dRyPR Job Done.

[@beefsupreme64]

question? How do I discharge the electricity?

[@dustin6947]

+beefsupreme64 you can discharge static electricity by touching a grounded object. A metal computer case, or the screws that hold on the face plate of an electrical outlet work fine.

[@250Pack]

What did you connect the ground wire? I couldn't see what you were doing as it was so dark.

[@MrJjj21]

Hello ! I want first to thank you for the instruction which are really clear. I've got a question, I've a good RCA wire to put inside the LP-120, could I solder it without removing the existent one ? In the way of keeping the original one in the case my phono-preamp is broken and if I could, where to fix the new wire in this purpose ? A last question : having two pair of wire should create some interference/unwanted noise ? I have read many comment but i didn't see the same questions I have. Have a nice day, regard.

[@urieljrperez7508]

I did it!!! Huge difference. thanks for video!!!

[@ryankeefe9445]

What Basshero08 said. Where does the additional ground wire come from?

[@supfishbr1417]

Unmodded download is not available any more...

[@Zzosoo]

frankpbcfproductions I would also be interested in hearing the unmodded version of the song. Please make that available again

[@clintlanning9372]

+SupFish BR Same here! If you still have the unmodded sample I'd love to hear it.

[@richwilsey2881]

i just finished this mod.but all i did was add another set of RCA cables on top of the tone arm wires. i never touched the preamp board.now i have 2 sets of RCA cables coming out of the back.so everything still functions properly. i just use whichever RCA cables i need for usb or listening thru my amp/reciever ,which has a phono preamp.

[@MrTotallyRad]

Yeah... like, do you even need to "remove" the pre-amp? It seems to me all you need to do is unsolder the connection.

[@kurtwolter3984]

Wouldn't that still be under the load of the built in pre-amp? Isn't the pre-amp electrically connected in parallel to the tone arm wires, and therefore the only way to bypass it would be to break that connection?

[@allensmith8953]

Any idea as to why I only have very faint sound after removing the preamp? I have to max the volume in order to hear something very faintly.

[@estherp4867]

Is there any alternate way to deal with the extra ground wire? I only have a Schiit SYS preamp, which doesn't seem to have an extra input line for a ground wire.

[@dfaerman]

If It put in phono mode and than connect a preamp in stead, It wont works the same as removing it?

[@vittoriopolii4108]

No, you will have problems with the "hum", because using a separate pre-amp requires a ground wire that you need to add yourself, and it is possibile to add it once you remove the pre-amp.

[@zipjay]

What I did for the ground wire is i took the ground wire off the preamp board and spliced that to my ground wire then just put the other end under the screw that holds the spring. Anything will work as long as all the ground wires you see all connect together somehow. My method seemed to be the cleanest way

[@Quarrymen69]

Got a LP120 a month ago, and wanted a better preamp. I followed this video, and removed the built-in preamp. Hooked up a new Pro-Ject Phono Box DS. It works perfectly! Thanks for the vid! :)

[@FirstnameLastname-gd6td]

I just completed this modification. My comparison reference was the same Annette Hanshaw record before and after. What a difference. I used a DJPRE II amp, available for around $50 everywhere.

[@VonMagXL]

I've done some rather extensive testing with my own LP120 using a Nagaoka MP-110 cartridge and having just bought a Art-DJ2 Phono Preamp to verify whether my Carver C5 phono section was the problem (It was not; they sound the same), I've drawn the following conclusion. The "treble/high" roll-off that improves so much with the built-in preamp removed is indeed caused by the built-in preamp. I've made an inverse EQ in Audacity to counteract it for recording that works great, but isn't any good for listening directly. I start an EQ curve at about 4kHz and peak it at about 4dB at 10kHz and leave it flat through 20kHz and beyond (for 24/96 recording). This gets me the same highs from the CD version of an LP I have and more interstingly, it's the same output as the built-in preamp when you use it instead of "bypass". Thus, BYPASS is where the treble roll-off is occurring. It does not roll off with the built-in preamp being used. But the problem using that preamp (whether you think it's any quality or not) is that it has a "Gating" circuit that mutes audio at a certain low level and it does this in quiet passages on and off and it's just utterly awful and therefore unusable for that reason alone, in my opinion. It would seem that removing the phono pre-amp is the only way to get around the treble roll-off in bypass mode and using the built-in preamp is a non-starter (including the USB output) unless you are prepared to put up with muting of your low-level audio (might be ok if you only listen to loud music). Of course if you only intend to record, you can get by using the RCA output of a phono stage so long as you create an EQ curve as I mentioned above to counteract the rolloff (the output then sounds the same here in terms of high-end response as the built-in preamp and matches my CD of the same recording very closely). I personally think it's ridiculous Audio Technica created a bypass mode that affects the treble output. It's not acceptable.

[@RyanCerto]

I just tried this on my turntable and I am still getting a hum. I noticed you had 3 caps when you attached the first set of wires. What is the third one after the red and white?

[@Whoisitthatknowsyourthinking]

You need to ground the rca cable

[@mrcheezle3910]

This may be a dumb question and I apologize but I am new to this hobby and I’m interested in doing this . Now all I’m doing is taking the preamp out and using the amp I have on my stereo system ? Is that what the goal is here ?

[@kenkentse]

What for,it's better sound quality??

[@zipjay]

Just did this to mine.. Took about an hour.. hardest parts are keeping up with the little spacers and finding something to put the turntable on. One warning.. the channel wires are very small guage. make sure you have a wire splitter that can do such small wires..

[@Breatheyachts]

Hello do you think we can change the jack i have the red color not working this is so bad it’s built in

[@ChrisWhite-kn7kb]

After I connect the extra ground wire do I screw the end of the wire with the other screwed ground wires...

[@facpido]

It's very subjective. I hear the difference in the higher frequencies and it has a wider soundstage which other people had confirmed and agreed. There was even one that AB'ed the samples and ran it through a frequency spectrum and found their was a big difference especially at around 5k. It's up to you really if this is what you want to do. I just wanted to make people aware of what to expect prior to doing it. Then they can make a decision for themselves. Cheers!

[@vitajazz]

Me, I would have secured the brass spacers in place with a bit of clear nail polish. As for the coax, I would have connected them directly to the terminals off the tonearm, no splices. Good video overall...

[@rickbarber6758]

Why can't the capacitors and inductors just be removed ? That would still allow usb to be used.

[@EstudioSonorama]

You made a really clean easy mod. I will try your method ! thank you.

[@rockincatigs]

I’ve got the same Audio-Technica AT-LP120USB, I thought I’ll try this today since the hum was getting annoying. Done exactly what you recommend and removed the internal pre amp, added a ground wire and tried it. When I finally plugged it into my amplifier I noticed the hum was worse! I can see the logic behind it as I’m an electrician but it didn’t work. Rewired back to the way it was, unfortunately half day was wasted.

[@paco4715]

What is the name of the song in the background?

[@welcometomymidlife]

It’s a loop from Electro Lounge, an Acid Pro loop library.

[@richwilsey2881]

i forgot to say!WOW you can hear the difference!!!its that much better.

[@dustin6947]

is this extra ground wire necessary?

[@PhonoDirect]

No. This mod is completely lame. Aside from its terrible constant video de-focusing... he left the ground connected to the grounds of the channels on the other circuit board, so having the spare ground wire is simply stupid. Also the other circuit board should have been by-passed, as it certainly adds another distortion to the sound. And it only provides poor USB functionality and maybe signal muting, so it could be gotten rid of as well. The signal wire should have been soldered, not red-neck style washing machine like screwed together directly where they leave the arm, leading every wire separately down to the external cable. And the ground wire separately. Only after that this mod would make the sense. Again, this video is terribly, terribly lame.

[@kurtwolter3984]

@@PhonoDirect And yet, it actually works! Thanks for your input, Mr Edison!

[@zmb5501]

wtf i cant strip the small wires they keep breaking

[@cpmunk420]

just did this mod but i think I accidentally pulled out the wire for the right channel so I gotta open it up again and solder it back on. from what I hear on the left sounds like a big improvement.

[@EdgarBumpers]

Thanks for doing this. I just made the switch with confidence.

[@jeston1440]

I don't understand why add a ground wire, as this turntable is already internally grounded no? Besides that, why not just add a ON/ON 4 poles switch to the RCA cable (internal AMP ir bypass amp)

[@mattfox7563]

Great guide! Be careful tho, i yanked the signal cable clean out of the solder points on the tonearm boar, had to resolder them directly to the tone arm wires because i snapped off the trace on the board

[@ultrabrann]

There is a pare of cables ( White & Red) that are comming from the controller board that are connected with a white socket to the pre-amp. You unpluged them from the pre-amp board and leaved them disconnected zipped next to the RCA Cables. What does this cables do?

[@ftomiwd]

Hello ... I've just watched your AT-LP120 preamp removal video. I'm wondering if this (built-in preamp) is causing channel imbalance issues as well?! I've tried multiple cartridges, tonearm setting, tracking force are OK ... still my left channel is a bit louder, stronger. It does that with line and phono mode also ... what do you think? Thanks for your answer in advance! Tamas.

[@300DBenz]

Farkas Tamás Is your anti-skate correctly set?

[@ultrabrann]

OK I'm convinced to try it. But I have a cuestion. There is a pare of cables ( White & Red) that are comming from the controller board that are connected with a white socket to the pre-amp. You just unpluged them from the pre-amp board and lived them like that!! What does this cables do? and why you just zipped them next to the RCA cables?

[@GaryFalzone]

Great video. 2 questions: On the wire strippers I have, what gauge setting do I need for the outer RCA wire shield and the 2 inner? I think I can do this mod but I am a bit nervous about it Lastly, I want to use wire nuts (cutting the wires and not soldering) . I want to get them "BEFORE" taking this apart. any idea what size nuts I would need? (I giggled when i typed that.....haha)

[@oside_m5]

Thanks for the video. It worked out great for me. I ended up soldering and heatshrinking it since I didn't have wire nuts that small. Question: I see you have the same preamp (ArtDJ) and cartridge (AT440) as me. Do you find the load sounds better with 100pf or 200pf on the preamp?

[@God-CDXX]

do you still have the preamp board ?

[@OutdatedReferences]

So basically, I could just snip the one set of wires then just solder them to the solder points on the other PCB, correct? Obviously I'll need to add an additional wire for the ground.

[@spacemanspiff559]

Hey so really we can take this opportunity to add a longer RCA cable. Right? Mine barely reaches the amp, which means I have to be super careful moving the amp. It would be nice if it were about 3' longer.

[@johnloupis9344]

I just got RCA jacks to add on to mine so I can use any cable I want. $7 on Amazon for 4 of them.

[@dajhalla920]

Just did it and it sounds awesome. Using Project phono box mm to a pioneer home theater receiver from like 2005. Pioneer towers for the tt.

[@DontCallMeLenny]

Doesn't this mod take away the ability to plug into your USB of your computer to copy vinyl to digital?

[@freddyiglesias6110]

yes but there are several phono preamps with usb connectivity

[@Bigdogzq]

yes

[@PhonoDirect]

Yes, unfortunately. It should have been avoided as well. Leaving the ground wire in this "unfinished" mod is simply ridiculous and lame.

[@Vintageelectronics2296]

Talking with Audio Technica any modifications to the lp 120 they will no longer repair any turntables with modificatons they will return the unit to the customer out of warranty or not

[@x1124x]

Would this process be the same for an older LP120 without the USB?

[@unpluggedlamp]

Did you ever find an answer? I’m trying to figure that out since I just got one secondhand

[@nutribass]

Hello, i have a question, do you add a ground wire before you finish? or u used a ground wire that was insided the turntable, im confusded in that part

[@rickseneris]

Why not just add a bypass switch? Also, why not solder the connections. Eventual oxidations on your connections may degrade the sound.

[@IIISalvaIII]

Is it possible only cut the current that feeds the preamp? Detaching the board is not important for sound and will be interesting if you decide to sell or change your mind. This will be a job simplification. Are you agree or any possible opinion? What would be the practical solution? Thank you.

[@rutvijdesai3448]

Without removing the preamp and USB, can we connect a grounding wire to the external amplifier?

[@vittoriopolii4108]

i have the same problem...i suppose this is not possible at all

[@mmmcomfy]

Is this something that's possible with the AT-LP60 also?

[@DJVictorHugoOficial]

Good evening, would you know what is the model of the pitch potentiometer of the technical audio lp-120?

[@silvergish]

I have two questions: 1. What preamp are you using? 2. What is the software you are using?

[@welcometomymidlife]

Preamp is an ART DJ Pre II and the software you're seeing is the Cuemix Console for my MOTU 828 MK3.

[@silvergish]

frankpbcfproductions Ok, i've read that with this turntable, you have the ability to switch off the internal preamp. If that's so, why remove the internal preamp? Why not just turn the switch on the back to phono and connect it to a phono preamp? I'm just curious. No disrespect meant. I'm just trying to learn.

[@jcmolero71]

Night Owl 1.- even putting the phono set, it produces a loss first on the output (3.5v of cartridge reduced to 2.5v) and 2.- on some preamps and integrated amps may cause a disturbing hum noise on high volumes. I had a aiwa px-e850 and I tried to use the phono set and it was a terrible hum, so I had done a bypass directly wiring the cart to the preamp input and adding the ground wire. It was good.

[@billyboi57]

The switch does not take out of the circuit path some inductors and capacitors that change the audio.

[@music9556]

is that preamp op amp or transistor type?

[@apekso2955]

Can the same be done in the LP140XP?

[@dang2443]

That doesn't have a pre-amp. nothing to remove.

[@TheOlavarria49]

Just 4 minutes into this video and I had to give you a thumps up. BTW, why I don't see a post asking what's the name of the song playing??? sarcasm!!

[@cholomackdaddy]

Wish I watched this video first. I took my lp120 apart to fix the start stop switch. I nailed the stylus twice and used the plastic cover as a support for it. Still works fine though and I got my Start stop button working again. As for the gold spacers I got lucky and found all of them when they fell out.

[@hirammag876]

Nice I'm gonna attempt to do it mine, thank you for showing us.

[@LukeTheobald]

How does this affect the USB out?

[@AlexSosaBolivia]

Your USB capability is history - plus you've voided the warranty. If you're happy with the sound of the turntable stock (as many are), then skip this mod.

[@adolfovicencio7726]

I´m from Chile, sorry for my english. I unsoldered the original wire from the line-phone selector, and resoldered this directly beside armored capsule threads. I didn´t used another wire, there´s no needs. The original troublesome background noise disappeared completely. Than you for your solution.

[@joshuaanderson7589]

Quick question for you. If you remove the pre-amp, are you still able to record records using the USB function onto your computer? If so, can you record the records through the same process as in the past (I use Audacity and just have the TT hooked up to my laptop via USB to record)? Thanks!

[@AlexSosaBolivia]

No you cannot.