In my opinion there's a big problem in the audiophile community right now where they look down on entry-level turntables, so you'll see a lot of hate for this table online. You should ignore the haters. The AT-LP3BK is a lovely turntable for novices who want to become vinyl hobbyists, with plenty of upgrade room if you want to improve it later. I plugged my unit in and hit play, and my records sound good. Once I let the unit break in and do some fine-tuning, I'm sure it'll sound great.
Background:
-The LP3 is basically an upgrade to Audio Technica's entry-level LP60 line. The LP60 is also a fully-automatic, entry-level turntable. This means you can just put a record on the player, hit a button, and it will not only place the tone arm for play but also pick up the tone arm again at the end of the record. This is in contrast to many audiophile turntables, which are almost universally fully manual so that you must lift the tone arm yourself and it will just scratch the end of the record forever if you don't stop it. The LP60 has decent sound, a low price point, and that automatic play feature so it seems like an ideal entry-level player for anyone.
-So why go with the LP3 over the LP60? The LP60 has a fixed head shell so you can only ever use a small line of compatible cartridges. If you really only care about hearing mom's vinyl again, that might be fine for you. However, the LP3 takes a fairly similar basic design, with the major upgrade of a universal head shell mount and necessary hardware (adjustable counterbalance, anti-skate control) to mount any cartridge you want. To my mind, that makes the LP3 the ideal turntable for anyone just starting in vinyl, but who might someday want to upgrade to a more serious cartridge as they get into the hobby.
-The only people who should definitely skip this turntable are aspiring DJs. They should instantly step up to the LP120 direct-drive series, which are DJ-focused.
Pros:
-Fully automatic. It's almost silly to have to list this as a feature considering this technology has probably been around for what, 40 years? Today's top most expensive turntables are almost universally manual rather than automatic due to some sense high-end users have that this makes them better quality. I have no idea why, in any real terms, an automatic player wouldn't be able to sound just as good. For a lot of casual listeners, automatic play and automatic stop makes this turntable arguably better than much more expensive models.
-Everything you need. Has a power cable, RCA audio cables only (no optical out, etc), dust cover, 45 adapter, AT91R cartridge preinstalled on the head shell, aluminum platter, and rubber slip mat. Also has a built-in phono preamp which can be switched on or off, meaning it's compatible with all modern systems. Also has switches to change between 33 and 45 rpm, as well as 12" or 7" disc. The automatic tone arm will respond to these settings accordingly.
-Sound is fine. Audiophiles will yell that you need to spend hundreds more dollars on a turntable to get proper sound, but trust me this deck is fine as-is. I think most people just want their old records to play again, and this turntable does that in style. The included AT91R cartridge is perfectly fine for a first-time listener, and if you perform the usual tricks like isolating your turntable on a good solid surface and aligning the cartridge with free online tools, you'll get great sound out of the box. Audio problems ("wow", "flutter", "crackle", etc.) seem to be well within the parameters I expect out of a turntable. This table easily sounds better than anything my mom ever played around me back in the day.
-Easy to setup and maintain. Installation more or less consists of putting the aluminum platter in place, and grabbing a red ribbon to pull the belt in place. AT produced a video on YouTube if you need any help. Doing this and a few other easy steps, such as screwing the cartridge onto the tone arm and adjusting the counterweight, can easily be done inside of 10 minutes and that's only because AT's setup video is 7 minutes long by itself. The dust cover also means less maintenance long term, as it'll help stop dust from damaging your stylus over time.
-Universal cartridge mount. The 1/2" universal mount hardshell means this turntable accepts most modern cartridges, giving you plenty of room to upgrade the audio quality. You can also turn off the built-in preamp if you ever step up to a better one, so you have that option.
Cons:
-The RCA-only, non-removable audio cables are a bit of a drag. RCA cables are fairly universal for hi-fi systems, and you can instantly strip them to speaker wire if you prefer. I wish this unit would have had an easy change solution to move to TRRS (3.5mm or 1/4") jack, but they do also make a bluetooth model for those purposes. Hopefully you're going to set up this turntable once and never move it for years, so I'm not too worried about reliability. There is a ground loop if you need that.
-No tone arm lock. Most people don't really need this, but when you store the unit it's nice to have a proper lock to hold the tone arm. From the factory you'll see their solution - there's a loop you can use to secure the arm with a "bread tie" wire. Works for me.
-The aluminum platter is just okay. It's light and obviously can resonate. I'm sure an enterprising person could figure out a way to dampen it a bit, but this is a weakness of the platform.
-Can't play 78s. To be fair, you do usually need special hardware for that above and beyond a speed selector. 78s usually require a special cartridge.
Overall:
When I'm jamming to a vinyl on my AT-LP3, I just can't imagine paying that much more for a "good" table. I'm sure I could use a heavier platter, and I'm sure an S-shaped tone arm is superior. But when I'm chatting with friends with some lovely vinyl in the background, I don't care about any of that. Someday when I fall asleep to a good jazz album with headphones on, I'll know the auto-return will stop the record for me. I would take this automatic turntable over a much more expensive manual turntable any day, because this table does everything I'll ever need. I'm super happy, and I can't wait to do the fine-tuning to really make it shine.
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Videos
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Customer Review: Automatic Tone Arm Issues, will probably return
QCMath
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The LP3 has been on my list for a while
Eight-Six Media
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Customer Review: Love the build quality of this turntable!
Jacob B
From the manufacturer
Trusted by Professionals
Whether it’s on the boardroom table, the stage or in the studio, Audio-Technica products are trusted time and again by industry professionals looking for reliable, lovingly developed audio products for all budgets.
It’s Audio-Technica’s commitment to innovation, meticulous design that ensure professionals turn to us to provide solutions in conferencing, houses of worship, broadcasting, live sound, recording studios and beyond.
50 Years of Devotion to Music
For over 50 years Audio-Technica has worked alongside leading figures in sports and music broadcast to develop and hone a range of products that deliver on the highest level.
Audio-Technica have developed and delivered products to power the Grammys, World Cup, Super Bowl, Commonwealth Games as well as every Summer and Winter Games from Atlanta 1996 to Sochi 2014.
A Legacy in Innovation
Founded in 1962 by Hideo Matsushita, Audio-Technica positioned itself immediately as a leader in the manufacture and design of innovative audio products. It’s expertise in innovation quickly spread to various new fields and led to the development of tone arms, microphones and headphones. Audio-Technica soon became a benchmark in those fields. Making history.
A self-made man and audiophile, Hidéo Matsushita was the former Director of the Tokyo Museum of Modern Art. It all started in his workshop, with the hand crafting of stereo cartridges. 50 years later, Audio-Technica has become a global leader in audio innovation.
A Passion for Listening
Humility, passion, creativity and expertise in sound are the core values behind Audio-Technica’s legacy, greatly inspired by its founder - whose imprint on the company’s philosophy is still felt today. Audio-Technica’s passion for listening evolved in the 70’s, when it started designing headphones, building upon a legacy in innovation, meticulous engineering and artistic design.
Today, Audio-Technica’s audio products have become globally synonymous with consistently high sonic performance paired with impeccable build construction and artistic design.
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| Price | $245.93 | — | $599.00 | — |
| Operation | Fully Automatic | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Drive Method | Belt Drive | Direct Drive | Direct Drive | Direct Drive |
| Speeds | 33 1/3, 45 | 33 1/3, 45, 78 | 33 1/3, 45, 78 | 33 1/3, 45 |
| Cartridge Included | AT91R | AT95E | None | AT95EX |
| Built-In Switchable Phono/Line Pre-Amplifier | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Skate | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Function | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Electronic Brake System | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Forward/Reverse Operation with Pitch Control | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Tonearm Shape | Straight | S-Curved | S-Curved | J-Curved |
Compare with similar items
This Item  Audio-Technica AT-LP3BK Fully Automatic Belt-Drive Stereo Turntable, Black |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $245.93 | -9% $299.00 List: $329.00 | -20% $159.99 List: $199.99 | $249.99 | -9% $299.00 List: $329.00 | $219.00 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | Get it as soon as Monday, May 20 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | Get it May 16 - 21 | — | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Sound quality | ||||||
| For beginners | ||||||
| Value for money | ||||||
| Easy to use | ||||||
| Bluetooth connectivity | ||||||
| Sold By | Amazon Warehouse | Amazon.com | Huanluo US | Fluance Audio | Amazon.com | WORLD WIDE STEREO |
| power source | AC | AC | Corded Electric | AC | Corded Electric | DC |
| connectivity tech | Wired | Bluetooth | Bluetooth | Wired | Bluetooth | Wireless |
| signal format | — | Analog | Analog | Analog | Analog | Analog |
| voltage | 120 volts | — | 12 volts of direct current | — | — | 110 volts |
| model name | ATLP3K | ATLP3XBTBK | HQ-KZ006 | Elite | ATLP3XBTWH | AT-LP60XBT-BK |
| material | Aluminum | Plastic | Plastic | Wood, Engineered Wood | Plastic | Plastic |
Reviews with images
For $20 more you get a lot more options than the entry level model while keeping the auto feature.
As the title states it only $20 more (at the time this is posted) than their entry model the AT-LP60X. This model dose give you upgrade options down the road especially with regards to the magnetic cartridge, and it's removable head makes it easier to boot (no matter if it's just replacing the stylus, or the whole cart). Setting up the turntable up is not as difficult as it looks if you follow their online tutorial (or other content creators) on YouTube took me about 10 minutes with most of it just getting the tone arm to balance before finalizing the counter weight. Luckily this don't have the far more fiddly anti skate weight to deal with like on more expensive turntables. The AT91R cart is just slightly better than the AT3600L cart on the entry model however you can upgrade the stylus with a LP Gear CFN3600LE stylus for a better sound if you don't want to upgrade the whole cart. I also prefer the rubber mat instead of the felt mat as well. Now Audio Technica has this model on clearance on their website due to the release of their newer AT-LP3XBT model however for a added Bluetooth and different VM95C cart (that for me sounds worse than the VM95E) they want to charge double the price than this model so it's not worth paying that much for such few additions (at that point you might as well just buy the LP120XUSB). For a under $200 price tag with with plenty of upgrade options while still having a fully automatic feature this is a very sweet deal..... It even looks good siting on top of my Gaming PC. :D
Top reviews from the United States
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A great turntable for playing vinyl. Easy to setup for 45 and 33. For easy listening, a good choice.
Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2018Color: WhiteVerified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
Angel Villalbazo
Excelente tornamesa a un muy buen precio
Reviewed in Mexico on December 10, 2022Color: BlackVerified Purchase
paulo fernando loureiro winter
Muito boa relação custo/benefício
Reviewed in Brazil on September 14, 2021Color: BlackVerified Purchase
paulo fernando loureiro winter
Reviewed in Brazil on September 14, 2021
Chegou bem embalado e foi fácil de montar. Qualidade boa para muito boa, com possibilidade de upgrade de agulha e cápsula. Para evitar tautologia, sugiro que leiam o excelente registro de Mr. Providential, o qual, com seus "pros" e cons (contras), somando à avaliação geral (overall) disse tudo o que precisava ser dito. Tudo, com precisão. É isso. Agora é curtir aqueles LPs antigos que tanto ouvimos nos anos 60, 80 e 90. E olhar com certo desprezo para aquela coleção de CD que nos ensinou a a lição: fidelidade sonora tem seu preço e não precisa ser tão elevado. Hi-Fi é hi-fi. O resto é o som pasteurizado dos CDs.
Images in this review
Amazon Customer
automatico dal bel aspetto
Reviewed in Italy on May 3, 2023Color: BlackVerified Purchase
Vicki
Excellent upgrade!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 10, 2022Color: BlackVerified Purchase
auri
Automatic and Manual operation, moving magnet cartridge
Reviewed in Canada on August 1, 2020Color: BlackVerified Purchase
