Direct action

Audio-Technica has updated its hugely successful affordable direct-drive turntable, so Ed Selley gives it the shake down

- Ed Selley

DETAILS

PRODUCT Audio-Technica AT-LP5X

ORIGIN Japan/China

TYPE Direct-drive turntable

WEIGHT 7.3kg

DIMENSIONS (WxHxD) 450 x 157 x 352mm

FEATURES

33, 45 and 78rpm

J-shaped tonearm

VM-95E cartridge

Onboard MM/MC phono stage

DISTRIBUTOR Audio-Technica

TELEPHONE [phone]

WEBSITE audio-technica.com

Audio-Technica enjoyed enormous success with the original AT-LP5 (HFC 405) and five years later has updated it to the LP5X. This is still a direct-drive turntable with a J-shaped tonearm that is fitted for use with a detachable headshell, but the bearing and platter have been revised and the motor that acts on it can now also rotate at 78rpm. The power supply has been changed and no longer performs DC conversion on board, instead using an external wall-wart PSU with the on/off button of the original being changed to auto standby.