STACK 132 October Issue

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So how does the LP60-USB hold up? The
belt-driven turntable has been designed with
simplicity in mind. Set in the front are just four
buttons: start, stop, a switch to select between
33 1/3 and 45 speeds (Note: you cannot play
78rpm records on the LP60), and a button
to lower and raise the tone arm if you want
complete control over which tracks you want to
hear and/or record.
RCA stereo jacks located at the rear of
the unit allow versatility for audio output
connection options. Of course for those looking
to upload years of accumulated records, to
access the warmth and quality sound of vinyl
in your ears wherever you may venture, the
USB port is where the magic happens. But this
isn’t just a case of plugging the turntable into a
computer, playing a chosen LP and hey presto,
it’s done. The way you convert vinyl is by using
free software called Audacity. Once you get
It’s time to dust off your vinyl collection and
give it the digital treatment it deserves.
080 OCTOBER 2015
I t seems everyone is talking about the great
vinyl renaissance. The truth is, it never
really went away. Vinyl is certainly harder
to source and lacks the ubiquity of its digital
counterparts in their many forms, but for audio
purists there simply isn’t any other way. Part
of the enjoyment of collecting records is the
thrill of the hunt, flicking through crates at
flea markets or scouring online auction sites
for that eureka moment, that jewel in the
crown. For many, the sound of vinyl is simply
incomparable.
This month we’re looking at Audio Technica’s
entry model turntable, the AT-LP60-USB. We
see this as a perfect investment for someone
who is just discovering the appeal of records,
or maybe the audio enthusiast looking to
convert their current collection to a digital
format, without having to break the bank in
the process.
your head around the program, uploading is
an absolute cakewalk.
If you’re expecting a compromise in quality
for the budget price tag, think again. Where
most lower priced turntables use ceramic
cartridges, the LP60-USB utilises a dual
magnet cartridge, delivering a surprisingly
good sound. Be aware that the cartridge is
fixed so you won’t be able to swap it. The
stylus can be replaced, and expect about 450
hours of use before you will need to do this.
We trialled the Stone Roses’ Fool’s Gold
12-inch and an original 1970 copy of Black
Sabbath’s Paranoid , and both transferred well
to the laptop.
For consumers looking to digitise their
vinyl collections without spending big on the
tech to do it, the LP60-USB’s ease of use
and quality for the price tag will take some
beating.
Put The Needle
On the Record