Recordings were taken with Logic Pro x with levels set to avoid clipping but to not be so low as to induce unnecessary noise into the signal when boosted. The AT-LP60 was connected to a MacBook Pro using its built-in USB interface and thus also its built-in phono stage. It also has some crisp high-frequency content which is especially good for assessing groove wear.Īs before, I repeated the side 50 times and took a sample after every 10 plays using my Technics, just to keep the numbers consistent with the first test. This LP is just as quiet if not more-so as the remaster of Abbey Road that we used in our first test, so it serves as a good indicator of what the turntable is doing to the grooves. I instead chose to use side 2 of Simply Red’s ‘Picture Book’ as I had a copy with a damaged first side. And besides, the GPO’s eventual cartridge failure left a sizeable scratch in the centre of Abbey Road, so I couldn’t use it if I wanted to. This is obviously not a test that can be performed twice on the same record, as doing so inevitably causes wear to the record that will impact on the results. There’s a reasonable argument for using another of the same pressing, though no two records are 100% identical. As the original record was ruined on both sides, I unfortunately couldn’t use the same sample. The speed is stable for having such a light platter and the isolation afforded by those basic rubber feet is also excellent. But the deck is quiet, stereo imaging is solid and relatively broad, and the sound is lively with a good amount of detail to boot. Given the quality of the arm, flimsy bearing and sub-par motor I really hadn’t expected much. I was quite surprised at the performance this little turntable was able to offer. In fact, with a proper stylus and positioned on a level surface, the AT-LP60 actually sounds quite respectable indeed. I installed a genuine AT stylus which was a huge improvement. Interestingly a genuine stylus had a longer exposed cantilever than the aftermarket stylus, and the suspension on the aftermarket stylus was also more compliant. One example produced a horrible grainy scratching sound in one channel that was thoroughly unpleasant to listen to, and probably wasn’t doing much for the record either. Aftermarket styli may well be cheaper, but they’re not all equivalent in quality to the AT original. A Word On Styliįirst up, I installed a fresh stylus and in doing so learned that not all AT3600 styli are equal. As the two designs are otherwise very similar, the results below will apply to the new AT-LP60X also. This will improve playback on modern records, but as the record used in this test doesn’t have sufficient low frequency content to cause problems with the original AT-LP60 or the new AT-LP60X. Besides a new external regulated power supply and some cosmetic changes, the tonearm has seen some tweaks though mostly aimed at reducing the 25Hz resonance peak which is now almost halved. The AT-LP60 is now an outgoing model, but its replacement, the AT-LP60X, uses an identical cartridge and stylus. In this instalment we’ll play one side of a record a total of 50 times as in the original test and assess the damage, if any, the LP60 will cause. Here we are then with part two of our AT-LP60 test. This entry was posted in Turntables and tagged AT-LP60 Audio-Technica Crosley GPO Turntable Turntables Vinyl Vinyl Record Care on Jby Ashley (updated on September 15, 2019)
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