Product Description
Audio Technica AT-LP3BK Fully Automatic Belt-Drive Stereo Turntable – Black
The Audio Technica AT-LP3BK fully automatic belt-drive turntable lets you take your analog listening experience to the next level with advanced features not typically found on automatic turntables. The balanced straight tone arm comes with a 1/2″ mount universal headshell and AT91R Dual Moving Magnet phono cartridge, giving you excellent high-fidelity performance, plus the option to use other moving magnet or moving coil cartridges of your choosing.
A hydraulically damped lift control allows the stylus to be precisely and safely lowered and raised at any point on a record. Yet the turntable also offers fully automatic operation, so you can simply press the Start button to begin play and the Stop button to lift and return the tone arm and shut off the turntable (the stop function occurs automatically when a record has played all the way through).
The AT-LP3 is constructed of anti-vibration damping materials that limits low-frequency feedback. Resonance is further reduced by the turntable’s die-cast aluminum platter and accompanying 4 mm rubber damping mat. Equipped to play both 33-1/3 and 45 RPM records, the AT-LP3 features a built-in switchable phono preamp and an attached dual RCA output cable that enable it be connected to a home stereo, powered speakers and other components whether they have a dedicated turntable input or not.
Available in black (AT-LP3BK) and white (AT-LP3WH).
AT91R Dual Moving Magnet Cartridge
Specially designed for the LP3, the AT91R Dual Moving Magnet phono cartridge incorporates an aluminium cantilever for higher-rigidity and improved pick-up of subtle details.
Universal Headshell
Removable universal AT-HS3 headshell allows users to upgrade their cartridge to further enhance their sound. Suitable for 1/2″ mount cartridges and 4-pin turntable arms.
Balanced Tonearm
Incorporating a hydraulically damped lift control and lockable rest, the LP3’s straight balanced tonearm includes a radial ball bearing for horizontal movement and pivot bearings vertical movement.
4.5mm Platter Mat
Reducing unwanted vibration and for stable play, the LP3 includes a 4.5mm thick rubber platter mat.
Sean (verified owner) – :
I picked this up as a replacement for my 40 year old Dual 606. Though I’m all for vintage turntables, after it ran into problems for the third time I decided to make a change.
This table is fully automatic, which – I found out when researching new tables – is an anomaly these days, with most of the new ones being manual. Though I would have been happy with a semi-auto, they’re even more scarce.
In any case I must say I’m quite pleased with the sound out of the box. It looks great, and though I didn’t try the on-board preamp, paired with my Denon’s inbuilt phono stage it sounds great to my ears! Perhaps when this needle wears out I’ll upgrade to something else, but right now I’m thrilled with it.
It looks great, has the option to upgrade the cart (including but not limited to MC – though that’s an expense I’ll not likely endure), and sounds fantastic.
My only improvements would be:
1. Detachable RCA cables (as these permanently attached ones were the source of much misery with my Dual)
2. A USB out for people who wanted to digitize their vinyl (though not important for my purposes)
3. A ‘Repeat’ switch as seen on some vintage automatics that will return to the beginning of the LP automatically once it’s done
All told though, and for the money – I’m quite happy with it, and think you’ll be too. A decent step up over the LP60 with its upgradability, without the annoyance of a fully Manual table like the LP120.
4.5 stars, (-1/2 for the attached RCA cables).