Latest news with #AT-LPA2
The Verge
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Verge
You can see right through Audio-Technica's new transparent turntable
Audio-Technica's engineers are seemingly working overtime to elevate the design of the record player. Following the reveal of its floating, glowing Hotaru turntable last month, the company has announced its new AT-LPA2 featuring a chassis and platter made from transparent acrylic. With electronics like its power supply and playback controls packed into a separate unit that can be kept out of sight, the turntable is a reminder that transparent tech can still look modern and sleek. The AT-LPA2 features a similar design to the Audio-Technica AT-LP2022 turntable that was released in January 2023 to help commemorate the company's 60th anniversary. The previous version was limited to just 3,000 units made available worldwide and sold for $1,200. The new AT-LPA2 is available starting today, and while its rollout won't be as limited, it now costs $2,000. The base of the turntable is made from a 30mm thick slab of high-density transparent acrylic, while the spinning platter atop is made from the same material that's 20mm thick. It not only makes for a striking design, but acrylic is also an effective material for dampening vibrations which improves playback performance and helps keep the turntable operating quietly. Direct drive turntables, in which the spinning platter is part of the electric motor, offer superior performance over those that use a separate motor connected with a belt. But in this case, a belt drive actually serves to enhance the aesthetics of the AT-LPA2. To ensure accurate playback, Audio-Technica includes an optical sensor that monitors the platter's rotation so it maintains a constant speed of either 33 1/3 or 45rpm. The company redesigned the tone arm included with the limited edition model, but it's still made from carbon fiber to help reduce its weight and includes interchangeable counterweights that can be added and removed to help keep the arm balanced with different cartridges. To help keep the turntable's chassis as transparent as possible, playback controls and other buttons are included on a separate unit that also houses the power supply. That approach not only lets you position the control unit out of sight since it's not transparent and doesn't match the AT-LPA2's aesthetic, Audio-Technica says it also isolates the turntable's audio components from power supply noise 'resulting in a cleaner, more accurate sound.'
Stuff.tv
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Stuff.tv
If this Audio Technica turntable sounds as good as it looks, I'm in for a treat
There are plenty of top turntables for you to pick from, but they all look fairly samey. Limited releases aside. But this new Audio Technica turntable is one of the best looking I've ever seen with a transparent design. And if it sounds as good as it looks, then I'm in for a treat. The AT-LPA2 is a striking slice of acrylic engineering that looks like it's been nicked straight out of a sci-fi film set. You can gawk at its 30mm acrylic chassis and 20mm platter, all while your vinyl spins round. Read more: Best Bluetooth speakers in 2025 reviewed and rated It's a fully manual affair – no buttons in sight. Just a belt-drive setup with speeds for 33-1/3 and 45 RPM, which is all most of us need unless you've got some ancient 78s knocking about. The newly designed carbon-fibre tonearm, with adjustable vertical tracking angle, screams precision. It's paired with an AT-OC9XEN moving coil cartridge, which uses a 0.3 x 0.7 mil elliptical nude stylus. There's also no USB output here, nor Bluetooth, nor an app pretending to 'enhance' your listening experience. It's just pure, mechanical vinyl playback done with precision and flair. That 20mm acrylic platter isn't just for show – it adds real weight and stability, helping keep your records spinning at exactly the right pace without any of the wobbly nonsense. And while the turntable is stealing the spotlight, Audio-Technica has also quietly overhauled its VM cartridge line with the new AT-VMx series. It's their first big refresh since 2016, which in vinyl years is practically a generation. With a range that stretches from entry-level to audiophile indulgence, the new cartridges promise better responsiveness, deeper low-end grunt, and a generally richer sonic experience. They're using PCUHD wire in the coils now – the same stuff found in their high-end audio cables. It's also nice to see a variety of stylus options, from your standard conical to more advanced profiles. The Audio Technica AT-LPA2 turntable will set you back £1699/€1999, and is available through Richer Sounds and The new AT-VMx cartridges start at £99/€119, with pricing scaling up depending on just how audiophile you fancy being. There's no US pricing or availability information yet, but we'll let you know if this changes.
Forbes
15-05-2025
- Forbes
Audio-Technica Reveals Stunning New Transparent AT-LPA2 Vinyl Turntable
With a blend of stunning contemporary aesthetics and the promise of excellent sonic performance, the new fully manual AT-LPA2 turntable has been announced by Audio-Technica and draws on the brand's successful AT-LP2022 model for inspiration. Made from high-density transparent acrylic, the AT-LPA2 has been precision-assembled to provide vinyl listeners with something extraordinary to look at and listen to. Designed for vinyl lovers who love both form and function, the AT-LPA2 has a striking 30mm transparent and high-density acrylic chassis as well as a 20mm acrylic platter. The unique construction looks impressive, but Audio-Technica also says acrylic provides exceptional resonance control, minimizing unwanted vibrations for clearer playback. At the heart of the AT-LPA2 is a precision-engineered belt-drive mechanism with an optical sensor positioned beneath the spindle. This arrangement constantly monitors the platter rotation, ensuring accurate playback at both 33-1/3 and 45 RPM speeds. The turntable uses an external power supply and control unit. By separating these two essential components from the turntable, the AT-LPA2 can isolate sensitive audio parts from any potential electrical interference, preserving the clarity of the music. Carbon-Fiber Tonearm The AT-LPA2 comes pre-fitted with Audio-Technica's AT-OC9XEN dual moving coil cartridge. With its nude elliptical stylus and high-purity PCOCC coils, Audio-Technica claims the AT-OC9XEN can capture every detail and nuance from a vinyl record with clarity, excellent channel separation and low distortion. Completing the package is a newly designed straight carbon-fiber tonearm. Engineered for superior tracking, the tonearm has an adjustable VTA, azimuth adjustment, a finely adjustable string-type anti-skate mechanism and interchangeable counterweights for broader cartridge compatibility. Pricing and Availability: The Audio-Technica AT-LPA2 turntable will be available from selected distributors from 15 May 2025 and will retail for £1,699 / €1,999. Key Features:
