Audio Technica LP-120: TOP 5 UPGRADES!

✅ RECORD PLAYER ACCESSORIES ✅
LP-120 Record Player: amzn.to/2jL41bR
2M RED Needle: amzn.to/2rAffn0
Headshell: amzn.to/2Ib2ZAH
HEAVY CounterWeight: Currently Unavailable :(
AMAZING Preamp: amzn.to/2KmFtkH
✅ MY RECORD PLAYER SETUP ✅
Fluance RT85 Turntable: amzn.to/2oys97i
LP - 120X Turntable: amzn.to/2QlTUdr
Fluance RT81 Turntable: amzn.to/3Oolc0c
Record Cleaning Kit: amzn.to/3fITzlI
Record Anti-Static Brush: amzn.to/3utZoZ9
Record Needle Brush: amzn.to/3xioFHd
Record Cleaning Solution: amzn.to/3KuTZXf
Inner Sleeves: amzn.to/2I4wic2
Outer Sleeves: amzn.to/3Od5aa1
Carrying Case: amzn.to/2Qoo9jZ
Headphones: amzn.to/2ryNPOt
Klipsch Speakers: amzn.to/2I44ULb
Yamaha Receiver: amzn.to/2G4eXKq
Pioneer Subwoofer: amzn.to/2rwTZ2q
Record Needle: amzn.to/2rAffn0
Headshell: amzn.to/2Ib2ZAH
THICK Cork Mat: amzn.to/2IbW4qQ
Surge Protector: amzn.to/2R9OOTX
LED DeskLamp: amzn.to/2G2Qd56
Record Shelf: amzn.to/2G4t7ep
3M Dual LOCK: amzn.to/2G3XaTM
Velcro Cable Ties: amzn.to/2jLPBs3
✅ RECORD PLAYERS I RECOMMEND ✅
amzn.to/3xryzqa
✅ RECORD CLEANING ✅
Record Cleaning Kit: amzn.to/3fITzlI
Record Anti-Static Brush: amzn.to/3utZoZ9
Record Needle Brush: amzn.to/3xioFHd
Record Cleaning Solution: amzn.to/3KuTZXf
Record Outer Sleeves: amzn.to/3Od5aa1
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Keep Spinning That Vinyl!
#lp120xusb #recordplayer #lp60x

[@benjaminadams1966]

Hey Jared, thanks for the shout out! Glad my old blog was of assistance. My poor old AT-LP120 eventually died ... power supply failed.

[@thelastowitch]

What are you using now?

[@TheVinylCountdown]

@@thelastowitch Hopefully a Technics TT

[@johnb6723]

To bypass the preamp on the LP 120, one can flip the switch at the back from line to phono then add the preamp as normal.

[@randallstewart175]

A balancing weight is just that, no more. If the original weight is sufficient to counter-balance any new cartridge you might install, then it's a pointless action to replace the counter-weight. No explanation is offered to "just do it". Do it only if a heavy replacement cartridge requires it.

[@randallstewart175]

I don't think he was suggesting that excess stylus pressure [weight] on the record should be added. He was stating that a heavier, replacement counter-balance be purchased, but presumably dialed in to apply the same stylus pressure as with the original counter-weight. Just adding a heavier counter-weight poses no benefit and two negatives: a heavier moving mass to the tonearm, and the expense of the needless purchase.

[@snewton47]

It makes some sense if you have a low compliance cartridge and you need to increase the tonearm mass. But the silly S shape tonearm has more than enough mass for a 2M red.

[@jimvandyk6523]

Any cartridge/headshell combination that comes in around 18g or higher will need the heavier counterweight with an LP120. Also, if the heavier weight is used with an AT95e for instance, the counterweight will ride much closer to the pivot, thus possibly improving performance. Worth getting.

[@AchimDrittner]

Yes, you need a heavy counterweight in case your system is so heavy that it is impossible to balance it to zero. For exact adjustments, use a tonearm scale.

[@logaandm]

Probably the only reason the heavier counter weight improved tracking was by changing the tone resonance. One needs to be careful to match the tone arm and cartridge for this reason.

[@QoraxAudio]

By replacing the weight to a bigger one, you only increase the effective tonearm mass and that's not something you want with a medium mass tonearm like that one. When it comes to stylus pressure: if it's set at 2, it's set at 2, regardless of the size of the weight. It's only an improvement when you need the additional adjustment range for a heavy cartridge.

[@robertuskoppies444]

"a smattering of everything, and a knowledge of nothing" Charles Dickens. Read my comment.

[@terran236]

​@@robertuskoppies444exactly well said.

[@animasaki]

I'm so glad that it's finally 2017.

[@strawberryjam3670]

Jarret, i have to thank you you gave me the inspiration to get into vinyl. And i enjoy listening to it

[@owenlaprath4135]

Those are all good suggestions. I've been using, repairing, upgrading, and even built some turntables for 40 years.

[@albertafingers]

I started my vinyl collection after my friends bought me a Crosley player for my birthday about 6 months back. I recently saved up and bought myself an AT LP120, and your words describe the difference perfectly; it's like night & day! I plan to upgrade my mat soon, but so far it sounds amazing!

[@jasonemanuel9070]

I wouldn't bother the felt is fine. Other mats will take away the detail in the sound signatures, unless that's what you want. The best upgrade is to get the ATN95EX stylus

[@c.m.junior2686]

You have inspired me to purchase this turntable. I very much love my Audio Techica LP120. After your review of it, I had to have one. The records sound so very clear, and mono records sound as if they were recorded in stereo. Thank you so much for all of the info you provide on your channel.

[@atripentertainment3329]

My new LP-120 arrived at my house today, great timing on the video :) Your videos are great, keep it up dude.

[@IknowThings1]

Bro, you are a life saver! My record collection is getting much better, but now the sound is getting better because of the tips you share! thanks!

[@jgadadi]

Hi Jarrett! Thanks for all the time and effort you put in all your videos. I enjoy them VERY much! Just bought an LP120USB two weeks ago and yesterday I've upgraded the catridge to an Ortofon 2m Red. All of this thanks to your recommendations. I'll be sending some vinyl records in your way in the next couple of weeks. Regards from Argentina! Keep spinning that vinyl!

[@vinyleyezz]

+jgadadi thank you so much! Glad I could help!

[@TheUncannyvalleygirl77]

Thanx Bruv, I’ve been using these to DJ for over 20 months. Your so flipping helpful! Totally invaluable information!!!!!

[@dusty600]

Another note is that you also void your warranty by removing the pre-amp, so it might be a good idea to do so after warranty expires.

[@ekid88]

Hello Vinyl Eyezz, Thank you for the tips. I managed by now to use 2 of the tips you showed in the video and the sound improved pretty good. The first tip I used was to replace my old GRIP mat (or rubber mat) with a felt mat (because I couldn't find near me some cork to make my own cork mat) with a felt slipmat (which I made myself, as I am a bit of a DIY'er) The second thing I did was to properly allign my cartidge. It made a difference on the treble, in terms of a brighter sound. Also, a thing I did was to make my own phono cables. I used two 6.3mm jacks, two RCA jacks and the most important, I used balanced microphone cable. And now i got rid of the annoying buzz that I got when I switched to phono. For the other devices I'm going to use regular coaxial microphone cables as they carry a much higher signal than the phono cartridge. Keep up the good work!

[@brandonvienneau5785]

Thanks for all the advice, I will be recieving my lp-120 in the mail tomorrow and i feel well prepared thanks to your playlist on how to setup the lp-120. :)

[@paradoxsurvival]

hey Jarrett, I wanted to get a record player for a long time and I found your channel while looking and I watched almost all your videos because you're a good speaker and they're cool but I decided to go with the Audio Technica at-lp60 because I can't afford the 120. but I just wanted to thank you for helping me find this one it came in the mail today and I love it

[@HeleneChu]

I really needed this video, THANK YOU!!

[@vinyleyezz]

+helenehaugenh no problem! 😄

[@alexbeaulieu9074]

hello Jared i been repairing turn tables and record players for over 40 + years thank you for posting this . also thank you for knowing your limitations I could go on with horror story's of some one not qualified.

[@magicfan4ever888]

I took my pre-amp out off my LP-120, and it was day and night...the sound is more detailed and beautiful now. I also bought the Ortofon 2m Red and did not work for me at all, the highs were way too high, sent it back and bought the Audio-Technica VM540ML/H instead and OMG what a difference, IT SOUNDS BEAUTIFUL with my Vintage Yamaha Receiver CR-840! Alignment is super important, replacing your Counterweight not necessary at all, and acrylic mat is the best way to go in my opinion.

[@Magnulus76]

Back in the day people did not buy preamps seperately. They came built in on amplifiers and receivers. Therefore, alot of new turntables come with preamps built in, to make up for the fact that modern receivers generally do not have phono preamps.

[@omf1996]

Just got the lp 120 I was looking for upgrades earlier glad for this video

[@smcauley600]

thanks man got an lp120 in augest best purchase i ever made i loved this video aint messing with the pre amp lol but the cork map and heavier weight sounds useful i am happy for now with my setup but i keep this vid in mind

[@jeffalger5237]

Back in the day while buying stereo equipment in Japan you never had to worry about modifying anything to get great sound. The Technics and Kenwood turntables I purchased in Misawa in 1981 still work and sound perfect. I did buy this Audio Technica lp120 from B&H to try out transferring hard to find remixes to CDs for the car. Let's see how it goes.

[@kevinchandler4409]

For all you guys wondering why you should remove the preamp it goes like this : the built in phono preamp adversley affects the sound quality EVEV WHEN IT IS BYPASSED WITH THE SWITCH. When you switch to phono direct the cartridge cables are still connected to part of the built in preamp. Research has shown that phono direct isn't pure, the residual connection to the preamp reduces the high signals on the lp. Even though it is "bypassed" with the switch. Got it?

[@FatOssssss]

I hear that AT fixed this issue on newer models.

[@brucetowell3432]

I do not live to far from the AT headquarters in Ohio, do you think they take walk-ins? No way am I tech enough for this type of surgery removing the pre-amp. thanks in advance

[@yungclownfish24]

An option that I explored that makes a decent improvement in sound is upgrading the stylus from the atn95e that comes with the turntable to the atn95ex, which will fit on the cartridge that comes with the turntable. A good option especially if your stylus is due for a replacement as the the atn95ex is only 10 dollars more than the atn95e

[@GeirRssaak]

The only important thing is to know the difference between styluses! A conical may be ok, but as a Norwegian sound engineer I would recommend an elliptical or a Shibata!

[@thein-tele-gent5654]

All great points. From there just swap out and upgrade the stock plinth, platter, motor, and tone arm and I think we can all agree the turntable will sound and operate like a whole new rig.

[@NiiOnLood]

...or buy Technics at first place.

[@speedtee339]

I just got my lp120 in the mail today. Thanks for the recommendation, it sounds very nice :D

[@charlesbraid5778]

i have had one for a few years i have made one simple improvement i bought a schiit mani pre amp as the performance from the inbuilt pre amp is very ordinary and the difference in the sound is well worth it and all you need to do is turn off the inbuilt preamp and plug the Schiit mani in and there is also different levels of gain to select from there is a number of upgrades available my next one will be head shell and cartridge ant that will do me for now

[@ylvaandreassen2903]

I just got my Audio Technica lp-1230 and it's amazing! I was going to buy a crosley (ugh) but thanks to you I didn't! btw I love your the cure record on the wall, I'm saving up for it because i grew up with them. well thanks !

[@JamesCrawley]

just wanted to say thanks for making videos! I've been watching you for a while now in preparation for me buying a turntable! but my girlfriend found your channel and bought me the lp120 in black for Christmas!

[@vinyleyezz]

+James Crawley nice! Congrats on your new LP-120! And thank you for watching! A lot of great new stuff on the way!

[@maxgraman5519]

I have the tube box s! Its a great preamp. Sounds great with my debut carbon and my klipsch speakers. I highly recommend

[@jesserussell7242]

Those are great tips for the LP 120 I love my LP 120 X I haven’t quite listened to the records yet I started listening to the record without having the amplifier hooked up to it and I love the fact that the motor is very quiet it’s fantastic I am not going to undo the preamps are you spelt because I’d love to keep my turntable in great shape.

[@69dragons]

Just go to your local Wal-mart and imagine all of the people with flying cars. Are you sure you still want flying cars?

[@vinyleyezz]

+Daniel Jones haha maybe it's for the best.

[@lizichell2]

Vinyl Eyezz they are dangerous enough in normal cars

[@Leibo07]

Daniel Jones. Drones are on their way. (They say)

[@narzq]

its not like flying cars don't exist. there have been several functional prototypes. 1 still too expensive, 2 we arent ready!

[@Leibo07]

narzq. beside the point.

[@AnthonyLemma24]

I bought the Numark cc-1 recently, and all I had to do was just plug it right in the tonearm, didn't need the head shell, and I am pleased with it. My turntable is the Technics SL-3200

[@666PANDEMONIUM]

This is the channel that I was looking for!

[@eclecticcollecting5598]

Great video! I love the channel! I have an LP120, as well. In my opinion, removing the preamp is the most noticeable thing you can do to improve the sound of the LP120. After I removed mine, I wondered why I waited so long. The installed preamp really does color the sound...even when it is switched off. The sound, with the internal preamp removed, opens up considerably and has better clarity. For me, it was like removing a curtain that muffled the sound. All the money spent on tweaks and better bits of equipment almost seem pointless in light of the internal preamp sitting inside coloring/muffling the sound. The difference in sound, to me, really was very noticeable. It's a shame that AT hampers the sound of their own unit by including the internal preamp in the signal path even when switched off.

[@jasonemanuel9070]

Hi, do you still have this table six years later. Or have you upgraded.

[@puts1421]

hey great video. I am going overhaul my Lp-120 this weekend. just ordered the super charger today and the nitrous should be in tomorrow. lol. seriously though good video, I just ordered a new mat. thanks

[@Wheels35]

don't forget the flames and red paint :D

[@Iliek]

Slap some stickers on there while you're at it. They'll improve the sound as much as the mat does.

[@leon_mnl]

he jarrett ,great new video love it!, have you ever heard of a record player that plays "like" a cd player,it is the technics sl-j3, its 30+ years old,i own a couple of turntables but this is by far my most go to player,just did some maintenance on it (new grease,new stylus etc) the pro-ject pre amp is on my wishlist btw

[@neilkeogh1551]

Cool video, I chose to upgrade my stylus but decided to go for the Audio Technica VM95EN. It's a great upgrade as its a elliptical nude stylus & it's designed to fit the AT-LP120's original headshell, so fitting it was as simple as swapping out a worn out stylus. I've also added a Cambridge Audio AXA25 amplifier with a pair of passive speakers. This is a great upgrade from the set of powered speakers I was first using when I originally got my turntable.

[@scatteredfrog]

One thing that nobody seems to have mentioned regarding removing the preamp...(btw, my pre-amp is still intact. I don't use it, but the turntable still sounds really good -- that's what your equalizer is for!)... If you remove the pre-amp from the LP-120, that also takes away the USB connectivity, as the USB is actually part of the built-in pre-amp. So unless you have another way to route your sound to a computer if you want to make a digital recording of some of your vinyl, you might want to leave that pre-amp alone.

[@mickroveth2148]

Great Video's Jared. Im a total vinyl Record Geek. I spend way too much money on Records, its becoming an addiction. LOL! Keep up the great work!

[@TheJ0k0r50]

Your videos have been very helpful for me. Thanks

[@eduardokaehlermeister9463]

Wow, you are really good, man ! Excellent tips, well explained, funny and useful ! Thanks !!!

[@byronmacdowell3732]

No mention of acrylic mats. I'm using one from Hudson Hi-Fi on my Pro-Ject Debut Carbon and the static pops have dramatically decreased! Personally, I'd change removing the pre-amp to using a record weight/clamp. The biggest upgrade you can do for your entire system is a power conditioner.

[@mmurphy3608]

Great videos. Very helpful and the information is presented in a very clear manner. So thanks:) This TT is on the top of my list for an upgrade from the LP60BT. I got that one because I wanted Bluetooth functionality. But I've read a lot about why you should never use a TT without a counterweight. So now, even though my LP60 is only a couple months old, I'm afraid to use it and I'm looking at upgrading to this one or the AT-LP3 and adding a Bluetooth transmitter. Any chance you might do a review of the LP3 soon? Looks pretty solid and is fully automatic, which is nice. Have you ever used a BT transmitter on a TT? Looking for recommendations on ones that work well. Thanks again!

[@hash46176]

i have an lp120 and i love it

[@Snake65]

I needed the built in pre amp because I live in an apartment and don't have room for an old school 2 channel set up. I plug RCA into a single 3.5 and play it thru my Bowers and Wilkins Zeppelin

[@jeanpierreblancocastiblanc5468]

Loving that Disintegration on the wall! Fine taste!

[@vinyleyezz]

+Jean Pierre Blanco Castiblanco thank you! Love that album!

[@jayp6990]

Would you want to "rip out" the preamp if you can switch it off?

[@dennisrodash3763]

Good point Bro.👍

[@alejandrodanieldelfino4011]

@@dennisrodash3763 Not even a point right there, if the preamp is off there are still circuit doing things.

[@alejandrodanieldelfino4011]

Its not True bypass

[@MedalionDS9]

There is a reason they are saying to rip out the preamp... as there is a supposed switch to "bypass" the preamp.. but that is not true... even if you go without the built-in preamp, for some reason, the preamp is still in the signal path and it's not a particularly good pre-amp and will obscure the pure sound you should be hearing from the turntable and vinyl on it

[@Tunz909]

@@MedalionDS9 From what i have been reading, models made after 2017 and forward, have addressed the issue with the pre-amp and anti-skate. FWIW

[@TribalDBC]

Thank you very much for your work on your channel. I was inspired by this video to upgrade my DJ turntable to an audiophile/HI-FI turntable for Father's Day. I bought the Art DJ PRE II - $39.00. The pre-amp that is inside of my Roland TT-99 has a gate that shuts off the audio when below a set threshold. Nice idea but acts weird. The DJpre allows me to push some saturation is quite pleasant sounding to me. I bought the cork slip mat $14.99 and was surprised the difference that made. Then I bought a refurbished 2M blue for $100.00 (SCORE!!) The deck sounds completely different now. I noticed something. I took the default entry-level cartridge off and put it on its own headshell for quick installation later and aligned it with the free downloadable protractor and it sounded way better after being set up. I wish I had aligned this cartridge before. It is still not as good as the 2M Blue but definitely better than it was before. It had a slight anechoic sound before. The TT-99 seems to be a rebranded LP-120 less some features such as stylus height adjustment but gains a switch for phono out or line level (pre-amped out)so I don't need to open it up to use an​ external preamp. Happy Father's Day to me.

[@TribalDBC]

What is that hole for in the top right of the deck?

[@jpfa6]

Ahhhh the Disintegration album in the back thoo :D 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼

[@ashleyw7938]

Just got this for Christmas, and I'm in love with it!

[@interistapupazzo]

I jarret ! I love your videos, you gave me the envy to listen to vinyls records thank you ! I want to change my speakers and I wanted to know, what model or brand you can recommend me ? (I live in France and yours don't exist here) thank you continue like this ;)

[@TheChianello]

Good job! I noticed Jobim's 'Wave" album in the backround. You have good musical taste as well.

[@nihilisticexistentialist6007]

450$ on a pre-amp.... this is more expensive than the turntable(at lp-120) itself.

[@tubical71]

i also tired my ortofon vinyl master silver with it (i have some more spinners here;)....it´s about what you can do, not what´s rational ok ;)

[@dang2443]

Exactly what i was going to say!

[@blakebacarella9445]

He also doesn't tell you that you need a receiver only a turntable, pre amp, amplifier, and speakers

[@Andersljungberg]

they say that the preamp that is in this turntable degrades the sound even when it is turned off

[@Andersljungberg]

You do not have to buy a preamp for $ 450. you can even find one for $ 100 that sounds really great

[@MsMogosBigBumps1]

God bless your videos i'm a new time vinyl collector and really wanted to get it right and not waste money and my first is going to be an ATLP120

[@antonellamorales5395]

+Vinyl Eyezz Is there a video that explains the difference between cork, leather and rubber vinyl mats? Love these videos!

[@adamt4417]

I had a feeling he wasn't going to mention removing the preamp, but he did, so props for that.

[@windelllewis5404]

Love the videos, what are some good resources for a gettin into vinyl?

[@MrWkendwarrior]

Great video. My friend asked me to buy and setup a vinyl setup for him. Thought about vintage TT's, may need some repairs to bring them back up to snuff, but also considered NEW midfi TT's, especially this Audio Technica due to many favorable reviews. Glad u addressed the upgrade potential of this TT, to me that is good value, i like most pulling out that preamp and cartridge/stylus upgrade...i would be curious on what % difference you noticed after u did both upgrades?

[@JoeOrber]

The cartridge can make a very big difference; regarding the Preamp, it depends on your complete setup and your hearing

[@cassettiquette6103]

Jarrett. This record player really can go toe-to-toe with most record players. I have this turntable and I have a Marantz TT-2200 and it's virtually impossible for me to differentiate the sound. They both sound amazing. The only thing I can really say is different is that the stabilizers on the bottom of the AT LP-120 is superior and I have yet to hear it skip. The stylus in my Marantz turntable has a pickering stylus - something I have t seen you talk about. If you don't know what it is - it's basically an attachment to the cartridge that has a little brush on it that dusts the next groove your needle will encounter as the record spins. It's pretty awesome and I definitely recommend getting one. Would love to see you talk about it. I will definitely be talking about it in my channel very soon.

[@KevinKohlhase]

I do recommend changing the cartridge that comes with it when buy it it tracks to heavy. I upgraded to a better AT that tracks between 1.5 - 3.0 grams. You just need to adjust weight and antistatic, also make sure to use the protractor for your cartridge alignment. I love my Audio Technica direct drive the negative is I wish it was fully automatic. I also have a U-turn orbit plus with the acrylic platter and blue Ortofon cart.

[@filipetolhuizen]

A Technics headshell, lighter than the original AT, is also a nice upgrade along with the heavier counterweight (will make it go inner to reach the desired tracking force), which helps the tracking even further.

[@byron8443]

Love the channel man

[@ReasonablySane]

I used to sell Hi-fi from 1976-81. I have four turntables, the last being this one I bought used off Craigslist a year ago. This one is my favorite now. I got it mainly to play records during breaks for my bands' gigs. However, I plugged it into my computer using Audacity (I already had it installed for quick recording) and a USB cable. I was amazed how good it sounded through my high quality headphones. I can now listen to records while doing stuff on the computer. My old TT's are your typical low torque affairs, I've found that with this one I do something I NEVER used to do. I put the needle on the record and THEN I start it. And I will sometimes hit Stop to pause playing. That one is a bit risky so It depends on the record... My old turntables have more exotic components, but because my hearing now rolls off at about 9.5 khz (thanks to playing bass next to some pretty loud drummers), I've got to listen pretty carefully to hear the difference. Nevertheless, I do need to replace the cartridge on this one (the factory one). BTW, because I love the versatility of the built in pre-amp I've chosen to leave it in. If I really need to get the best possible sound, I use the old turntables from the 70's with the better components.

[@NerdyFrames2000]

Hey Vinyl Eyezz how ya doing love your videos. Could you do a one based on the arms on Turntables like what is the difference between using a Straight Arm to an S arm turntable

[@DarkAudit]

An older version of the blog post suggested adding o-rings to the tonearm to add dampening and increase the effective mass.

[@6Rhyme]

Thank you Benjamin

[@zsoltgalambos3234]

Hi Jarrett! One of my friend bought the Pro-Ject Tube Box S a few weeks ago. I was really interested in it, so I listened his setup. It is really a great little box. Buy it if you can. You'll hear better dynamics, faster-punchy bass, wider stereo-image and crispier highs with Ortofon 2M Red cartridge (my friend have the 2M Blue). For those Orto' 2M cartridges the recommended load capacitance is set to 150 pF, 47kOhms, -41dB gain. I absolutely recommend it for you! Oh, I have the little brother of it, the Phono Box S, it's nearly the same sound advance. I have a Nagaoka MP-110, set on the minimal capacitance, 100 pF, -40dB. It sounds amazing after the Ortofon OM10! On my wishlist now is the Klipsch RP-160 speakers to my birthday.. :-) Have a nice day.

[@Karlinski73]

Upgrades that are also valid for a Pro-Ject Essential 2 (except yanking the pre-amp out!). Fitting a 2M Red made a notable difference for me (from the factory fit 5e).

[@raiderdave3715]

And eventually you’ll run into someone with a 2M Blue and it will make you realize the Red is garbage compared to it lol. I had to fork over the $$$ but well worth the upgrade

[@alexjohnc]

Thanks for the great videos. I'm just about to buy a LP120 and use my current JVC AX-1 amp and bookshelf speakers until I can afford to upgrade. Do you have any advice on good quality second hand options for speakers or amps that are good for some one building there setup? Cheers

[@mp29k]

Another couple simple mods that can improve the table are damping the platter and the tonearm. Do this with a product called "Sound Coat" it is adhesive backed, and you line the bottom of the platter with this. This improves speed stability (more mass in the platter), and also platter "ringing"). For the tone-arm, put 3 rubber o-rings (roughly 5/16" ID), and this damps the tone-arm to prevent resonances from travelling into the arm pivot improving the cohesion of the sound image. Finally, the Anti-skate doesn't work on this table. To make it actually work you need to replace a spring (KZbin and Google are your friend here). This table can perform really well with careful setup and a couple of cheap modifications.

[@scatteredfrog]

Problem is fixing the anti-skate requires some pretty delicate desoldering and resoldering. There are pictures somewhere of someone who attached fishing weights to fix the antiskate but with little to no explanation as to what exactly to do.

[@anthonymizzi1490]

The Anti skate is something I'm looking forward to fix because it totally doesn't work , needs spring replacement for sure.

[@deluxeacoustics72]

seems like a good device, need to try

[@chrisjohnson1723]

Did you use the Stevenson protractor when aligning the Ortofon Red, or do you recommend a different protractor? Thanks!

[@gavinhardy75]

Late reply to this 5 year old video. I have the newer 120x. The sound from its stock upgraded cartridge and internal preamp is fantastic compared with the ones on the older 120. However: The next payday I upgraded from the stock elliptical stylus to the microline (The stock VM95 cartridge is said to be brilliant and only stylus upgrades are necessary) and a cork mat. Noticeable increase in sound quality, no distortion on inner groves of certain LP’s. I don’t feel a need to upgrade to an external preamp.

[@danxepha4535]

My LP120 has a switch on the back to defeat the internal pre-amp. You can use this if you want to use a separate pre-amp. I know that removing the pre-amp can change the sound (as even when turned off the signal is still fed through a capacitor), but from what I've heard it just boost the high frequencies a bit, but to me it sounds overly bright. I just thought this was worth mentioning as you don't need to remove it (and void your warranty) to use a separate preamp.

[@ryanbishoop]

Dan Xepha The reason it's often suggested to remove the internal pre amp altogether is that even though there is a switch to "bypass" the pre amp, it's been proven that the wiring still goes through the pre amp, and the audio quality is affected. It's a small difference, but it's there.

[@danxepha4535]

ryan bishop Indeed. As I said all I can hear is a bit more in the treble range. But in the demonstration I watched I preferred how it sounded before the mod. I think I prefer a slightly warmer sound.

[@cjmillsnun]

Part of that sound depends on the cart used. I think I know the demo you watched and that guy uses an AT440MLa (as do I) and was playing his own single which he said was very badly mixed and was excessively sibilant. The AT440MLa does tend to be brighter than other carts (something that works well with the amp I have). With Ortofon carts like the 2M series, it has a warmer sound to begin with, so increasing the high frequencies may suit it. Personally I don't have an AT LP-120 TT (I have a Rega) but if I did, that pre amp board would be bypassed.

[@danxepha4535]

cjmillsnun I had a Rega Planar 1 but it was running too fast. Tried another one and it was the same. Gave up on them in the end and bought the LP-120 instead.

[@cjmillsnun]

Mine runs at 33.4 rpm. Measured using a tachometer.

[@EnriqueSamsonPhotographer]

Awesome. You need to make a video on best amps and preamps.

[@vinyleyezz]

Good idea!

[@digitallure]

Can you do a video on cartridges and if/ why they make a difference in sound

[@DoveHowdy]

I stared at that copy of The Cure: Disintegration, all throughout the video, I really want that album on vinyl but i can't find it anywhere in stores and ordering it online takes the fun out of finding something I really want in store

[@dennisgallant9411]

I finally got ahold of the AT-CW1 counterweight and unfortunately it didn't help with skipping on a few records in my collection that skip. Those same few records don't skip on a buddies turntable. His table is a different company and uses a Shure cartridge. I'm using the original AT-95E cartridge.

[@ramrod126]

Don't have a record player, or the room to have a stereo setup...still love your channel.

[@TimothyJohnAguilar]

Personally, I'd go with Schiit Mani preamp. I had the Pro-Ject pre but it was noisy and hot. It was warm but not worth the price. The Mani is the way to go, clear and sound stage improves dramatically. You'll definitely benefit especially with those Klipsch, which sound quite airy already. I'm running my LP-120 with a Nagaoka MP-110, Schiit Mani, Yamaha R-S201(Represent), and Elac Uni-Fi UB5s. So good, so so good!!! Private concerts for days.

[@gemli7572]

I recently bought the Schiit Mani for my LP120. It's amazingly inexpensive, it sounds great, and it's endless fun to watch people's reaction when you tell them what you've bought.

[@HammyTechnoid]

I took the leap and removed the preamp. highly recommended.

[@tacopizza2003]

Isolating the turntable from what it's sitting on. There are mats &feet you can buy to do this. It helps eliminate feedback (hum & rumble) from your subwoofer. I like the inflatable ones personally.

[@stevetcz]

Hey guys got mine for Christmas along with several records. Just want to ask you if you turn on the turntable and press start can you hear the motor spinning the plate? When I turned it on for the first time I couldn't hear a thing but now I can hear how the motor is working. I can even hear it throughout the speakers if its loud enough. Thanks for the answer coz right now I'm wondering if I should send it back to the store.

[@teadm7258]

I use the lighter counterweight that comes with the turntable, and records have never skipped. I'd be more concerned with the flawed anti-skating adjustment, which is almost non-existent with some units.

[@user-so2us2yr7u]

My dad gave me his LP120 a few weeks ago that he never used and I believe I’m running into that exact issue. I tried testing the AS feature while it was on a record and the tone arm didn’t budge at all.. now I’m trying to figure out if there’s a work around or I’m just stuck having to buy a whole new one.. Do you know of any workaround? When I try to search online it’s just a bunch of people saying they have the problem no other suggestions to how to fix though

[@michaelbruce5415]

I briefly owned an AT LP120 but returned it because of motor noise. It's a great looking turntable but in my view has features that most users will never use, e.g. reverse, rather than putting better quality into the essentials. So I replaced mine with a Pro-ject RPM-1 which has the Ortofon 2m Red as standard, and a motor which is silent. I do think your viewers should think VERY carefully before removing the on board pre amp since such action may invalidate the manufacturers warranty.

[@imothy]

what is better, the new LP120 or the old one that you have? The new one doesn't have adjustable tone arm height, and the LED light isn't spring loaded. It just seems like they cut corners, but maybe its better? I actually got this old version on accident in an open box sale mishap, but considering sending it back. But now that i look at the new model i kinda am thinking of keeping it. What would you do?

[@1324390]

Do I need to physically remove the built-in pre-amp in order to use an external upgraded one ? Wouldn't it be easier just switching from line to phono output and thereby by-pass that circuit ? Or it's not quite the same ?

[@bmwkid1993]

I can't speak for the Ortofon Red, but I bought an Ortofon Omega cartridge for about $30 and it sounds great.

[@keithling417]

For those opting to bypass the preamp, I highly recommend the Schitt Mani. It's about 140 and is consistently rated as the best phono preamp under 1K. It's also completely manufactured in the US.

[@ThatPoinkySploinky]

Yeah but im wondering, why would you remove the preamp entirely as opposed to switching it off? wont it have the same effect?

[@El_ChalupaCabra]

Hey man, love the videos. Was wondering if I could talk with you about the lp 120 im not sure if I have a defective or damaged on and youre a pro. Hoping you could maybe verify and or answer a few questions.

[@bdaigno]

Quick question, I have the same turntable, and thinking of buying the same amp as well. Do you use a pre-amp, or the one built-in to the LP-120? Thanks in advance!

[@r.b.somers2052]

Great presentation. Thanks

[@bobasoif]

Waw your voice man so smooth

[@Davidevgen]

personally i like to use an air puffer on the stylus. there no touching and it works just as good imo.

[@stratrovarius]

Just got my AT LP 120xUSB that has a phono/line bypass switch. Do you still recommend an external (cheap 50 USD Power Dynamics ) preamp over the built in one?

[@sergisamongas]

Mine sounds good either way, aux or phono.

[@jackmorris4440]

I don't know that if it's 'cause I got my at-lp120 later than Jarrett, but you don't have to remove the internal pre-amp to use an external one. there's a little black switch on the back that allows you to bypass the internal pre-amp.

[@julianwest4030]

Have you gotten a different phono stage yet? I did it with my system, and the difference was better than when I upgraded the cartridge.

[@KayoMichiels]

Cool! I have a Pro ject elemental and im gonna upgrade the stylus from an Ortofon OM5e to a OM30.