Audio-Technica AT-LP7
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The Audio-Technica AT-LP7 turntable is a stealth murals. From its trendy, smooth design to its swish and delicate operation, it is a full package deal in a deceptively easy type issue. It is an ideal possibility for individuals seeking to take their vinyl listening to the subsequent stage.
For these simply entering into vinyl, it may be formidable to discover a first turntable — it may be difficult to determine simply how a lot you have to be keen to spend.
Through the years, we have had a number of totally different turntables, however none as costly because the AT-LP7. For individuals with none present vinyl setup, the AT-LP7 could be a stretch for a primary turntable — although not totally out of the query.
The AT-LP7 retails for $849, so it is meant to be a finely crafted product that may meet individuals’s wants now and develop with them sooner or later.
In our case, we preferred the AT-LP7 as a second run at upgrading our system. After almost a decade of lower-cost choices, this one demonstrated the worth of investing in a turntable that was unbelievable out of the field however permits for even higher elements sooner or later.
The options of the Audio-Techinca AT-LP7
The AT-LP7 turntable is totally guide, which means it will not cease when it reaches the report’s finish or return the tonearm.
Adjusting speeds is finished with a twist of a dial — which was extremely clean and satisfying to show.
Velocity knob
In reality, that was an enormous takeaway for us — simply how delicate and finely tuned all of the elements on the AT-LP7 had been. The metallic gimbal suspension system allowed for exact monitoring.
Different options embrace a J-shaped tone arm with AT-HS10 headshell, a bypassable phono pre-amplifier with selectable modes for transferring magnet or transferring coil cartridges, and a 20 mm-thick, anti-resonance, polyoxymethylene platter.
The mud cowl is removable, which isn’t essentially a constructive if you do not have a spot to set it. Nevertheless, we did not thoughts having to take away and exchange it, and we preferred the fully black look of the AT-LP7 when the quilt was eliminated.
The sound of the Audio-Techinca LP7
We performed a variety of albums on the LP7 turntable, together with Billy Joel’s “The Stranger,” The Nationwide’s “Hassle Will Discover Me,” and Ben Webster Quintent’s “Soulville” to get a mixture of genres.
AT-LP7 taking part in a vinyl report
In every case, the songs had been detailed and sounded full. We tried a number of totally different speaker configurations, together with a stereo pair of the brand new Sonos Period 100, Edifier R1280DB, and the Marshall Stanmore III. The turntable labored nice with every of those — fully silent and issue-free.
We did not have any considerations with the built-in phono preamp, coming from lower-end turntables, and we preferred that it could possibly be bypassed sooner or later.
We did must fiddle with the burden on the tonearm just a few instances to get it excellent, however that was extra about us getting accustomed to it slightly than a fault or destructive. We did not want to make use of the anti-skiing dial, nevertheless it was obtainable if we would have liked it.
The AT-LP7 and its VM520EB twin transferring magnet stereo cartridge supplied crisp and clear music copy, higher than we had heard on sub-$600 turntables from U-Flip and Victrola.
Whereas we’re not fairly able to experiment with new cartridges but, we preferred the power to take action throughout a variety of various choices when the time comes.
Is Audio-Technica LP7 value upgrading to?
With an $850 retail worth, the Audio-Technica AT-LP7 turntable is a major funding. Rookies may bounce straight to it, however we suggest constructing as much as it first.
Gimbal suspension system
When you’ve got audio system you want and an present turntable you are seeking to exchange, we preferred what the AT-LP7 supplied. We expect it could possibly be the final one that you must purchase with the power to improve the cartridge or bypass its onboard phono preamp.
Relatively than being automated, the guide side of it could possibly be a little bit disappointing, however past that and the mud cowl which will want a storage spot, this turntable was primarily all upside for us.
Execs
- Glorious sound high quality out of the field
- MM/MC cartridge selector
- Replacable stylus and upgradable cartridge
Cons
- Totally guide turntable
- Non-connected mud cowl
Score: 4 out of 5
