Audio-Technica is introducing a brand-new turntable to its premium lineup—a sophisticated and aesthetically distinctive design that elevates the brand’s standards with respect to its high-quality turntable technology. The AT-LPA2 is a fully manual belt-drive turntable with a high-density, transparent acrylic chassis and platter that delivers remarkable control and vibration damping. The result is pristine, uncolored sound in a dazzling form factor.
In addition to the AT-LPA2, the company is also announcing the AT-VMx series, an upgraded line of moving magnet (MM) cartridges that promise more efficient and polished playback.
AT-LPA2 Turntable
With respect to the AT-LPA2, Audio-Technica has taken careful steps to maximize the reduction of unwanted noise. In addition to the stability provided by the acrylic chassis and platter, the controls and power supply have been moved into a separate unit. This feature, which is usually found on more expensive turntables, isolates the audio components from any electrical interference related to powering and operating the turntable’s motor. And to ensure a consistently accurate speed of 33 1/3/ or 45 rpm, an optical sensor is located under the spindle to monitor platter rotation.
The AT-LPA2’s cartridge design has also been thoughtfully considered. To guarantee the highest sound fidelity, the AT-LPA2 employs an AT-OC9XEN moving coil (MC) cartridge, which has a nude elliptical stylus (0.3 x 0.7 mil) and high-purity PCOCC coils. A moving coil structure, typically found in very high-end models, is lighter than a moving magnet (MM) cartridge. Because of this, the stylus can react more fluidly to changes in the record groove, resulting in superior precision and better sound quality overall.
In addition to the meticulously designed MC cartridge, the AT-LPA2 boasts a machined-aluminum head shell and straight, carbon-fiber tonearm that is tailor made for this elite model. The anti-resonant tonearm is lightweight and promises extremely accurate tracking and steadiness during playback.
It should be noted that the AT-OC9XEN’s stylus assembly is not field replaceable. To properly service the MC cartridge, you’ll need to send the part to Audio-Technica for a fee. Lastly, given the cartridge’s low output voltage, the turntable requires a step-up transformer or MC phono preamp to boost the signal.
AT-VMx Cartridge Series
The AT-VMx moving magnet series promises to deliver a warmer and more natural sonic quality in this iteration of Audio-Technica’s cartridge line. The updated design is intended to closely mirror the cutter heads that make vinyl masters by using the same 90-degree V-Shape configuration. As a result, the cartridge accomplishes more precise tracking, better channel separation and markedly superior resolution across the entire frequency range.
To improve efficiency, the company has implemented a generator with two coils per channel. The copper wire used for the coils has also been upgraded, while the number of coil turns has been reduced. The combination of these upgrades results in more revealing detail and richness in the audio delivery, as well as a faster transient response.
Finally, Audio-Technica has also designed the VMx cartridges for easy mounting, requiring just two screws for installation. And thanks to the new V-cut in the stylus’s flip-up protector, which offers a quick reference of the stylus position, it works as an effective guide when lowering the stylus onto the record.
All in all, the new AT-VMx Series includes nine new cartridges, three cartridge/headshell combos and eight replacement styli.
For more information about the new AT-LPA2 Turntable or AT-VMx Cartridge Series, please visit our detailed product pages. Or drop us a line and we’ll do our best to answer all your questions.
