Audio-Technica AT-LP7
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The Audio-Technica AT-LP7 turntable is a stealth murals. From its trendy, glossy design to its sleek and delicate operation, it is a full package deal in a deceptively easy type issue. It is an ideal choice for folks seeking to take their vinyl listening to the following stage.
For these simply stepping into vinyl, it may be formidable to discover a first turntable — it may be difficult to determine simply how a lot try to be prepared to spend.
Over time, we have had a number of completely different turntables, however none as costly because the AT-LP7. For folks with none present vinyl setup, the AT-LP7 may be a stretch for a primary turntable — although not completely out of the query.
The AT-LP7 retails for $849, so it is meant to be a finely crafted product that may meet folks’s wants now and develop with them sooner or later.
In our case, we favored the AT-LP7 as a second run at upgrading our system. After practically 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 handbook, 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
The truth is, that was a giant 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. Nonetheless, we did not thoughts having to take away and exchange it, and we favored the fully black look of the AT-LP7 when the duvet was eliminated.
The sound of the Audio-Techinca LP7
We performed a spread 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 enjoying a vinyl report
In every case, the songs had been detailed and sounded full. We tried a number of completely 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 issues with the built-in phono preamp, coming from lower-end turntables, and we favored that it could possibly be bypassed sooner or later.
We did must fiddle with the burden on the tonearm a couple of instances to get it good, however that was extra about us getting accustomed to it fairly than a fault or adverse. We did not want to make use of the anti-skiing dial, nevertheless it was out there if we wanted it.
The AT-LP7 and its VM520EB twin transferring magnet stereo cartridge offered crisp and clear music replica, 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 favored the flexibility to take action throughout a spread of various choices when the time comes.
Is Audio-Technica LP7 price upgrading to?
With an $850 retail worth, the Audio-Technica AT-LP7 turntable is a big funding. Rookies might 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 current turntable you are seeking to exchange, we favored what the AT-LP7 provided. We expect it could possibly be the final one it’s essential to purchase with the flexibility to improve the cartridge or bypass its onboard phono preamp.
Relatively than being computerized, the handbook facet of it could possibly be just a little disappointing, however past that and the mud cowl that will want a storage spot, this turntable was primarily all upside for us.
Execs
- Wonderful sound high quality out of the field
- MM/MC cartridge selector
- Replacable stylus and upgradable cartridge
Cons
- Totally handbook turntable
- Non-connected mud cowl
Ranking: 4 out of 5
