Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB
Budget turntables · 2019–present In production
£300 UK RRP
The famous SL-1200 lookalike: a manual direct-drive deck with pitch control, USB ripping and a switchable phono stage. Hugely capable for the money and endlessly upgradeable via the VM95 stylus family.
The default recommendation for a first direct-drive turntable.
Model history: Replaces the AT-LP120-USB: per Audio-Technica's own support notes, the X update brings a lower-noise DC servo direct-drive motor, the newer AT-VM95E cartridge (up from AT95E) in a new AT-HS6 headshell, a switchable phono preamp with defeat option, a detachable RCA cable with dedicated ground wire, and an external power supply.
Checked against the manufacturer’s site: 2026-07
Who it suits
Best suited to: a first turntable for casual, low-effort listening. Less ideal for: an existing hi-fi system where you want to hear more detail — the fixed cartridge and light tonearm are the limiting factors there.
Compatibility and setup
- Manual operation: you cue and lift the tonearm by hand at the start and end of each side — there’s no auto-return or auto-lift.
Good to know
- Has a built-in phono stage, so it can feed a normal line input on an amplifier or powered speakers without a separate phono box.
- Has a USB output for recording vinyl to a computer.
Specifications
| Drive | direct drive |
|---|---|
| Speeds | 33/45/78 rpm |
| Operation | manual |
| Cartridge included | AT-VM95E |
| Built-in phono stage | Yes |
| USB output | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Platter | die-cast aluminium |
| Tonearm | S-shaped with detachable headshell |
| Wow & flutter | <0.2% |
| Dimensions | 452.0 mm (17.80") W x 352.0 mm (13.86") D x 141.6 mm (5.57") H |
| Weight | 8 kg |
| Finishes | Black |
| Years | 2019–present |
How it sits in the catalogue
Its direct-drive mechanism is shared by 18% of current models in the database (29 of 159). A built-in phono stage puts it with the 45% of current decks that plug straight into any amp or powered speaker. On price it sits mid-pack of its category — 74% of priced budget decks cost less.
Live merchant offers
Checking current in-stock offers for Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB…
Retailer searches
15 UK merchants stock Audio-Technica — linked directly to the product page where we have one, otherwise to a site search for the deck.
| Merchant | Type | Delivery | Product link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richer Sounds | hifi chain | Free UK delivery on most orders; click & collect from stores | View at Richer Sounds ↗ |
| Amazon UK | marketplace | Prime next-day on many items | Search at Amazon UK ↗ |
| Argos | electronics chain | Fast track delivery and collection | Search at Argos ↗ |
| Audio Affair | hifi independent | Free UK delivery over £50 | Search at Audio Affair ↗ |
| Audio T | hifi chain | Free UK delivery on most items; in-store demos | Search at Audio T ↗ |
| Currys | electronics chain | UK delivery and store collection | Search at Currys ↗ |
| Fanthorpes HiFi | hifi independent | Free UK delivery on most hi-fi | Search at Fanthorpes HiFi ↗ |
| Gear4music | dj music gear | Free UK delivery over £99; fast dispatch | Search at Gear4music ↗ |
| HMV | music retail | UK delivery and store collection | Search at HMV ↗ |
| John Lewis | department store | Free UK delivery over £50; click & collect | Search at John Lewis ↗ |
| Juno Records | dj music gear | Worldwide shipping; UK next-day options | Search at Juno Records ↗ |
| Peter Tyson | hifi independent | Free UK delivery on most hi-fi; competitive pricing | Search at Peter Tyson ↗ |
| Sevenoaks Sound & Vision | hifi chain | Free UK delivery over £100; in-store demonstration and setup | Search at Sevenoaks Sound & Vision ↗ |
| Superfi | hifi independent | Free UK delivery over £50 | Search at Superfi ↗ |
| Vinyl Revival | music retail | UK delivery | Search at Vinyl Revival ↗ |
Compare it
Compare the AT-LP120XUSB against any other deck →
More from Audio-Technica
Budget
Audio-Technica AT-LP3XBT
belt drive · 33/45 rpm · phono stage · Bluetooth
£280
Hi-fi
Audio-Technica AT-LPW40WN
belt drive · 33/45 rpm · phono stage
£320
Budget
Audio-Technica AT-LP120XBT-USB
direct drive · 33/45/78 rpm · phono stage · Bluetooth · USB
£339
Hi-fi
Audio-Technica AT-LPW30BK
belt drive · 33/45 rpm · phono stage
£245