Audio-Technica unveils two new turntables and high-end phono cartridge

2022-09-24 01:53:55 By : Ms. Sara lee

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Audio-Technica has announced two new record players in the AT-LPW50BT-RW and AT-LP3XBT, both of which support Bluetooth technology for wireless playback to headphones and wireless speakers.

The AT-LPW50BT-RW arrives as part of the Japanese brand’s line of fully manual, belt-driven wooded turntables, sporting a rosewood-finished veneer and 30mm-thick anti-resonance MDF plinth to reduce the impact of vibrations. 33.3 and 45 RPM speeds are supported, with a sensor monitored motor there to ensure accurate rotation of the platter.

The straight carbon-fibre tonearm has adjustable tracking force, and comes with a matching matte-silver AT-HS4 universal ½”-mount headshell. The built-in selectable phono preamp and detachable dual RCA output cable allows for connection to wired devices with or without a dedicated phono input.

Next up is the AT-LP3XBT player, which is the successor to the award-winning AT-LP3. It also features Bluetooth support with aptX onboard for wireless playback and it comes with the renowned AT-VM95C cartridge.

This fully automatic belt-driven turntable also features a built-in switchable phono/line pre-amplifier, with speeds of 33.3 and 45 RPM supported, and a balanced straight tonearm with hydraulically damped lift control and rest.

The AT-LPW50BTRW and AT-LP3XBT are both on sale now (August 31st), the former priced at £419.99 / €499 and the latter at £280/ €329. The AT-LP3XBT comes in a choice of black and white finishes.

The turntables weren’t the only vinyl related news that Audio-Technica had to share. They also revealed the high-end AT-ART20 phono cartridge, which has a magnetic core dual moving coil model structured to “reproduce sound with the full expression of a live performance”.

Audio-Technica say they’ve used “finest materials and advanced manufacturing techniques” to be able to match the life-like reproduction qualities of non-magnetic core cartridges, providing what it describes as “an emotional analogue performance.”

Designated as an Audio-Technica Excellence Product, the AT-ART20 doesn’t come cheap. The price to pay for owning this cartridge is a steep of £2749.99 / €3199. Like the turntables, the ART20 is on sale from August 31st onwards.

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We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.

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