Audio-TechnicaAT-LP7 Fully Manual Belt-Drive Turntable Black

I've usually found, if trying to upgrade my vinyl experience, that I have to buy into a bunch of superfluous bells and whistles in order to step up my game. Not here. The AT-LP7 is, in fact, the functionally most basic turntable I've ever owned. It's exactly the kind of 'upgrade' I've been looking for - all the extra money spent on quality, not glitz.Phonograph Lp's are still what they were 7 decades ago when introduced - a flat, disc-shaped slab of plastic with a slightly ridged surface - period. While technological improvements were inevitable, to me most of them do nothing more for reproduction than jewels do for a watch to tell time. If you disagree with that, there are better choices for you than the AT-LP7.This is a nice, heavily-built unit which feels solid and operates smoothly. Under the unhinged (yes that term came from turntables!) dust-cover are only 5 things: a platter, the belt, the driver spindle, the speed selector and the tonearm (6 if you count the headshell/cartridge separately). Basic assembly is required, but the instructions are pretty clear, even for the beginner. Spoiler alert: WRAP THE BELT AROUND THE PLATTER FIRST. Going the other way will likely lead to... frustration. The headshell has to be attached, but includes one of AT's middle-ground cartridges, the VM520EB, with the overhang already set... helpful if you're a newbie.Even MORE helpful is the on board electronics! This fundamental but versatile deck will output from either a moving coil or moving magnet cartridge (like the VM520EB) AND has a switchable pre-amp which allows the use of an amplifier that HAS a dedicated 'phono' input, or one that has only 'line-level' (or AUX) type inputs. I'm currently trying out the 'line-level' outputs as I've never had a turntable that had them, and they sound pretty good to me! Pleasant surprise.The other oddball choice here, at least in my experience, is that the power cord is an actual, old-fashioned AC adapter with the AC - DC converter being a box-shaped outlet plug. My guess is this helps keep the 60 cycle hum out of the 'line-level' outputs. I haven't heard any of it coming through my home-theater receiver I'm using right now.While quite enjoyable as-is, I'm sure the AT-LP7 is a worthy match to a cartridge upgrade for those with the budget. The one enhancement I miss is a pitch control, but the rotation 'sounds' spot-on accurate to me, so I say: 'no judgement penalty', and, 'Keeper'.

I took a risk on an Amazon Warehouse buy, and it was about as disastrous as could be expected. The packing job was atrocious - just the unit wrapped in a plastic bag with no packing material. The plinth had some minor blems, which was fine since it's black. But the dust cover was smashed, and the stylus was bent. Parts were just thrown together in another bag. This was my first foray into vinyl, and so it began.I worked with AT support, who strongly recommended I just return the unit. But the discounting was good, and I had some reward points involved, and I could see a path if I took care of some things. And those first few records told me this thing was worth salvaging. It's nice to use. It looks good. It is so substantial. I can't get any vibration into it, even with a pair of speakers blasting only a foot or two away from it on either side, sitting on the same shelf. It's incredible in that regard.I ended up getting a VM540ML headshell kit and popped it on. Sourced a new dust cover from AT. Validated the tonearm settings, and used a few apps to ensure the RPMs were good. I'm left with a setup that I'm very attached to, sounds lovely, can't imagine wanting anything more in a turntable. I ran the onboard preamp for months and recently swapped in a Cambridge Alva Duo. I think I lose a little warmth with the Duo, but gain just a little bit of clarity I do not pick up in the AT's preamp. It's a balance - I may go back, or I may not, but the Duo was another reward points financial voodoo situation that I'm not out too much for. It is a hassle to A/B the preamp. At some point you just pick a horse and ride it. You can easily make do with what it has.I'm very happy with this. It's very hard for me to know what a brand new version might sound like, compared to the dumpster fire that was first delivered to me. So I hesitate to pass judgment on the value of this unit at full retail price. Maybe I will say this - if you can find your way into one at a discount, and put some work into it - it is worthwhile.