One of Japan’s most well-known audio brands, Audio-Technica, has just announced a new direct drive turntable, the AT-LP8X. This premium turntable uses a direct drive motor instead of the more common belt drive models. The AT-LP8X is a competitor to the Technics SL-1200 series of turntables and aims to offer the reliability and precision of a direct-drive motor with the user-friendly operation of a semi-automatic system normally found in belt-drive models.
The look of this new turntable has been inspired by Audio-Technica’s classic turntables first launched back in the 1960s and ‘70s. Featuring a J-shaped aluminum tonearm, the AT-LP8X’s tonearm automatically lifts at the end of a record and shuts the motor down, a rare feature in a direct-drive turntable.
Having an auto-stop function reduces the risk of needle wear or damage to the vinyl. It also makes LP listening more convenient because you don’t need to jump up and turn the motor off every 20 minutes or so.
The AT-LP8X’s tonearm comes with Audio-Technica’ new AT-LT10 headshell, which also launches today and connects the tonearm to the turntable’s black AT-VM95E cartridge. The AT-LP8X has a robust plinth made from MDF. Adjustable feet, with thick rubber-damping couple with an anti-resonant, die-cast aluminum platter with a 2.5 mm rubber mat. The result is a tempering of unwanted noise and vibration.
For those who enjoy customizing their turntable, the stylus on the AT-LP8X can be replaced or interchanged with any of the five additional styli in the VM95 line. The tonearm’s vertical tracking angle and sub-counterweight can be adjusted to enable the use of a wide range of other cartridges.
Pricing & Availability: The Audio-Technica AT-LP8X turntable will be available from September 25 in select stores. The price will be $1,100 / £859 / €999. The Audio-Technica AT-LT10 headshell will also be available from September 25 online and in stores priced at $70 / £50 / €59.
Tech Specs:
- Mechanism: Semi-automatic direct drive.
- Motor: low-torque, direct-drive DC servo motor.
- Speeds: 33, 45 and 78 RPM.
- Tonearm: J-shaped with adjustable vertical tracking angle.
- Automation: Tonearm automatically raises at the end of a record and stops motor.
- Platter: 25 mm rubber-damped, anti-resonance, die-cast aluminum.
- Slip mat: 2.5 mm rubber.
- Motor: low-torque, direct-drive DC servo motor.
- Plinth: 16mm MDF.
- Feet: Height adjustable.
- Output: Phono-level detachable RCA.
- Cartridge: AT-VM95E BK (black).
- Stylus: 0.3 x 0.7 mil elliptical.
- Cartridge/headshell weight range: 14.0g – 23.5g.
- Headshell: AT-LT10.
- Headshell mount: Universal ½”-mount for 4-pin turntable cartridges.
- Cartridge wires: OFC (oxygen-free copper).
