Audio-Technica’s new flagship turntable is oriented towards audiophiles, and feels far more upmarket than the company’s strong-selling DJ-styled designs. It has a clean and understated look, which is only available in a suave satin black finish that should fit into any decor. A semi-automatic deck, it uses a stable direct-drive motor and comes with the popular AT-VM95E moving magnet cartridge prefitted.

Although Audio-Technica likes to use high-torque motors in its direct-drive turntables because of the fast start/stop benefits, the AT-LP8X sports a new purpose-made, low-torque, direct-drive DC servo motor with the goal of lower wow and flutter as well as improved cogging performance. It has an integrated speed-sensor system to accurately maintain the rotational speed of the platter, and works at all three speeds. The platter is statically balanced and made from diecast aluminium; it sports a thick rubber damping insert mounted on the inside lip of the platter to add rotational mass and lower resonance. A 2.5 mm rubber mat sits on top to couple the platter to the record.

The plinth is made from 16mm MDF which passes the knuckle rap test, feeling suitably inert and solid – but it’s no high end Technics with an aluminium base though. The spindle bearing sits on a non-friction material called polyoxymethylene (POM). The feet are height-adjustable and designed to isolate ground-borne vibration. A removable hinged clear dust cover is supplied. Powering the deck is an internal switched mode power supply that has been “optimised for audio performance”, the company says. A pair of decent quality detachable RCA output leads are supplied.

The AT-LP8X is a semi-automatic design, which means that it will automatically raise the tonearm at the end of a record and will stop the motor. This is great for casual listening, and can be disabled via an auto-stop function on/off switch at the rear if you wish. There is no manual tonearm lift lever, which may seem strange, but the tonearm is raised and lowered using a button. Another button alongside starts and stops the motor, and a rotary switch selects the speed.

Audio-Technica has made the J-shaped tonearm wand from aluminium, with a detachable lightweight headshell, handy if you want to swap out cartridges. The effective arm length is 247mm. There is the usual anti-skate adjustment dial which should mirror the tracking force. Adjustable VTA (vertical tracking angle, i.e. arm height) is provided and can be set even while a record is playing. It’s a simple cam on a slider, so movement is smooth and linear. This is a handy feature for those who wish to optimise their cartridge set-up.

Audio-Technica’s own AT-VM95EBK (black) moving magnet cartridge is bundled, with its good quality bonded elliptical diamond stylus. A great feature is that you can upgrade this easily by simply fitting a more exotic stylus from the same VM95 series. It’s effectively an upgrade at a reduced price, as the whole cartridge doesn’t need replacing. It also allows the use of a stylus in the range specific to playing 78 RPM records.

The deck is packaged with ease of assembly in mind, so is not difficult to set-up – even for first time users. The manual is helpful, but much of it is self-evident. Fit the platter and mat onto the bearing spindle, fit the headshell, fit the tonearm counterweight, balance the arm and dial-in the tracking weight (2g recommended) and the same anti-skate value. A small stylus force gauge is useful here, which can be purchased inexpensively, separately. Connect the AC power cord and connect the RCA cable to your amplifier’s MM phono input, or an external phono preamplifier. Make sure that you level the platter using the height adjustable feet. For my listening tests I used the phono input of a Yamaha R-N2000A amplifier, and a Hagerman Audio Labs Bugle MC.

In use the AT-LP8X is a pleasure to handle, as it very quickly gets up to speed. It uses an electronic brake to halt the platter within a single revolution, when you press stop. The automatic off function takes the pressure away from an immediate user response, and the turntable is smooth and silent in operation, giving it a refined demeanour.

THE LISTENING

The Audio-Technica is a fine sounding turntable with immediate appeal. The music’s tonal colour and harmonics are effortlessly reproduced, alongside a crisp sense of timing. The opening to Ashes to Ashes by David Bowie is full of interesting sounds coming from all around, and the AT-LP8X resolves these well considering its price. Soundstaging is impressive, and I enjoy hearing the reverb around the vocals as they float centre stage. This deck resolves enough information from the grooves to highlight the track’s excellent production quality, and the great musicianship of the players.

The Audio-Technica has a similarly well balanced sound to the Dual CS-618Q which I reviewed recently, but brings a stronger sense of rhythm and drive. Listening to Kraftwerk’s Computer World, the syncopated percussion is stronger and deeper in the bass, and the lead synthesiser line in the midrange is better fleshed out. Also, the placement of individual elements of the mix is more secure sounding. It’s almost as if this deck is able to reproduce the recording in a more stable yet engaging way. On the other hand, the Dual has a smoother, almost burnished character, no doubt due to the Ortofon cartridge with less emphasis on rhythm and at times a more pleasant presentation.

Treble performance may not be the last word in smoothness, but it effortlessly recreates the recording’s sheer sense of space and gives the impression that it was made in a large auditorium. For example, listening to Tchaikovsky’s The Seasons OP.37b with Yevgeny Svetlanov conducting the USSR Symphony Orchestra, the first thing that I notice is the quiet background – which is really appreciated with vinyl playback, especially as this album has many quieter moments. The sound of acoustic instruments such as clarinet, flute and oboe is well carried – and positioned solidly in the recorded acoustic. Strings and brass instruments come across in a commendably authentic way, sounding raw but never raucous. By way of contrast, playing Band on the Run by Paul McCartney & Wings sounds up close and personal in its presentation, as well as being tonally more forward. So this turntable is clearly capable of telling you all about the recording being played.

THE VERDICT

The Audio-Technica AT-LP8X is a fine sounding turntable which represents very good value for money. I especially like its quality, finish and user-friendliness. And if small tweaks are on your horizon, like aftermarket record mats, phono preamps etc, it’s a perfect base to start from. The fitted AT-VM95EBK cartridge is a revealing yet smooth design, and its tonearm is able to track better pick-ups should you so wish. Overall then, this is a quality product that should sell very well.

For more information visit Audio-Technica