The Audio-Technica AT-LP120X is the modern descendant of a classic deck, and the one to buy if you want direct-drive control and a USB output for digitising your records. Here is what it does so well, and what you take on in return.
For years the original of this design was the deck of choice for bedroom DJs and anyone who wanted to rip their vinyl to a computer. The AT-LP120X carries that on with a refined motor and the same versatile feature set. Where most decks in this comparison are belt-drive players built purely for listening, this one is a do-it-all tool: it plays beautifully, digitises easily and gives you proper hands-on control.
| Model | Price | Drive | Speeds | Output | Rating | Link | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ★ Top pick Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB Direct-Drive Turntable | £315.18 | Direct-drive, manual | 33 1/3, 45 and 78 rpm | Analogue plus USB for digitising | ★ 4.5 | View → |
£315.18
Direct-drive, manual · 33 1/3, 45 and 78 rpm · Analogue plus USB for digitising
The verdict from Nathan Cole, hi-fi reviewer
The pick for direct-drive and digitising. The AT-LP120XUSB is the modern descendant of the classic deck and the one to buy if you want to rip your records to a computer or fancy a little DJ-style control. The direct-drive motor reaches speed instantly and holds it precisely, it plays 78s, and the USB output makes archiving simple. It is bigger and asks a bit more of you at setup, but for versatility it is excellent value.
Locks onto speed instantly and feels reassuringly solid under the hand; the platter spins up the moment you hit start.
The AT-LP120X is the right deck if you want direct-drive precision, a USB output, or both. It suits the listener who wants to archive a record collection to digital files, the returning enthusiast who likes the instant-speed feel of a direct-drive platter, and the bedroom DJ who wants variable pitch and the ability to back-cue. It even plays 78 rpm shellac, which most modern decks cannot, so it is a natural choice for older record collections too.
It is less suited to someone who simply wants the easiest, smallest deck for relaxed listening. It is heavier and bulkier than the belt-drive players here, and its many adjustments mean a little more learning at setup. If you want plug-and-play simplicity, the Audio-Technica AT-LP60X is easier. For versatility, the AT-LP120X is unmatched at the price.
The high-torque direct-drive motor is the heart of the deck. It brings the platter up to full speed almost instantly and holds it with quartz-locked accuracy, which feels reassuringly solid and precise under the hand. For listening, that steady speed means stable, confident playback; for DJ-style use, the torque and variable pitch control are exactly what you need. It is a genuinely capable motor, not a token gesture.
The USB output is the feature that wins this deck its place. Connect it to a computer, open free software such as Audacity, and you can record your vinyl to digital files to keep, tidy and play anywhere. For anyone with a collection worth preserving, this turns the AT-LP120X from a turntable into an archiving tool, and it does the job cleanly and simply.
The AT-LP120X sounds clear and assured, and because it has an adjustable counterweight, anti-skate and a standard cartridge mount, you can dial it in carefully and upgrade the cartridge later. That adjustability is part of the appeal for enthusiasts, though it does mean there is more to get right than on a fully automatic deck. Take a little time over setup and it rewards you.
The AT-LP120X's compromises come from how much it does. It is larger and heavier than the belt-drive decks here, so it needs more shelf space and a stable surface. And its wealth of controls, the pitch slider, the anti-skate, the counterweight, means setup takes a little learning rather than being instant. Neither is a flaw; both are the price of a properly versatile, adjustable deck. If you want all that capability, they are well worth it. If you do not, a simpler deck will suit you better.
Yes. The AT-LP120XUSB has a USB output, so you can connect it to a computer and record your vinyl to digital files using free software such as Audacity. That makes it the natural choice if you want to archive a record collection while still playing it on a proper deck.
It has the right ingredients: a high-torque direct-drive motor that reaches speed instantly, variable pitch control with a quartz lock and a sturdy build. It is popular with bedroom DJs and anyone who likes hands-on control. For relaxed home listening a simpler deck is easier, but for DJ-style use it is excellent value.
Yes, it has a switchable built-in phono stage, so you can connect it to a line input as well as to an amplifier with a phono input. Combined with the USB output, that makes it one of the most flexible decks here for connecting to almost any system.
The AT-LP120X is our pick for direct-drive and digitising because nothing else here matches its versatility for the money. The high-torque motor gives confident, precise playback, the USB output makes archiving your records simple, and it even handles 78s. You take on a bigger, heavier deck and a little more setup, but for an enthusiast or anyone who wants to digitise a collection, that is a fair trade. If you would rather have a simpler deck, see our AT-LP60X review; and to understand the drive type fully, read our belt-drive versus direct-drive guide. On a tighter budget, the Lenco L-3808 offers a similar direct-drive-plus-USB recipe for less.