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View Full Version : AT-LP120- TECHNICS look-alikes?



djdecibel
04-01-2012, 12:04 PM
So I was searching craigslist and I found a this ad:

http://syracuse.craigslist.org/ele/2888508139.html

He's selling an Audio Technica AT-LP120 turntable and from what I've gathered online it's an exact replica of the Technics 1200s. Does anyone know anything about this?

THANKS!

Hausgeist
04-01-2012, 12:43 PM
I have wondered about these myself. DJWhoQE has a pair. Here's what he has to say about them. BTW, you can buy a brand new one for around $200.

http://i39.tinypic.com/25r1pgp.jpg

contra
04-06-2012, 07:22 PM
I can swear I heard these were super OEM turntables which means they actually share a lot of the same internals as Techs.

Hausgeist
04-06-2012, 08:29 PM
I can swear I heard these were super OEM turntables which means they actually share a lot of the same internals as Techs.

They are not super OEMs. The super OEMs are not the same as Technics anyway.

contra
04-06-2012, 11:08 PM
Ah right the super oems are the stanton 150's and such right?

DTR
04-07-2012, 04:20 AM
^^^ Yes

neks
04-10-2012, 07:43 AM
however audio technica does have 2 models that are based on the super oem, the 240 and the 1240, they like like carbon copy of my htd4.5

Hausgeist
04-10-2012, 01:27 PM
Well that 240 doesn't seem to have a pitch control, but the 1240 is spot on. I did not know these things existed. Pretty sweet!

http://i40.tinypic.com/16taup.jpg

ampnation
04-10-2012, 02:01 PM
what exactly is super OEM??

Andrew B
04-10-2012, 02:07 PM
what exactly is super OEM??

It's a product that is manufactured for many different companies. The internals will be the same, but look and branding may be different.

ampnation
04-10-2012, 02:17 PM
Ahhh... like a Ford Fusion and a Mazda6.
So the Technics 1200 is NOT part of this super OEM TT thing. Got it.

Hausgeist
04-10-2012, 02:18 PM
OEM is also the abbrevaiation for "Original Equipment Manufacturer". So, like Andrew said, one company will manufacture components that another company uses in their product.

mostapha
04-10-2012, 02:49 PM
I haven't heard anything bad about those audiotechnicas, but I haven't seen anyone who used them right next to a 1200 either. When I end up wanting a 3rd deck, if I can get a used one cheap, I'll consider picking one up just to see how they are.

contra
04-22-2012, 03:38 PM
hrm interesting.......maybe I might sell my Techs for a grand, buy two of these at $400, and come out $600 ahead lol

contra
04-22-2012, 09:42 PM
lol The rediculous thing is I've seen guys around here selling pairs of MK5's for $1800!! That's fucking nuts!!!

Pri yon Joni
04-24-2012, 06:07 PM
SUPER OEM

http://www.skratchworx.com/images/headphones_2010/aa_2.jpg
http://bestheadphonesreviews.net/wp-content/uploads/Pioneer-HDJ-1000-DJ-Headphones.jpg

Pri yon Joni
04-24-2012, 06:13 PM
Another thing to remember, they may perform just as good, however if something breaks, it's a bit harder to get them repaired because not all the parts are exactly the same or readily available.

mostapha
04-24-2012, 06:28 PM
SUPER OEM

There's a difference between stealing someone's industrial design and lots of companies using the same components. I'm not saying those aren't the same heapdhones…I wouldn't put either company past it. But them looking alike has nothing to do with it.

Finnish_Fox
04-24-2012, 06:54 PM
lol The rediculous thing is I've seen guys around here selling pairs of MK5's for $1800!! That's fucking nuts!!!

MK5s or M5Gs?

contra
04-24-2012, 07:29 PM
mk5's
http://alberta.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-musical-instruments-pro-audio-recording-equip-Technics-1210-MK5-Turntables-Last-ever-made-and-Carrying-cases-W0QQAdIdZ372733054

Finnish_Fox
04-24-2012, 09:21 PM
mk5's
http://alberta.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-musical-instruments-pro-audio-recording-equip-Technics-1210-MK5-Turntables-Last-ever-made-and-Carrying-cases-W0QQAdIdZ372733054

Ah, someone was selling their MK5s for $1000 on this site... my guess is most are not that high.

contra
04-24-2012, 10:08 PM
Yeah it's a huge difference up here in Canada, people try to sell their used shit at new prices. There's also an ad for two Pioneer CDJ-100's and a Pioneer DJM-600 for 1350......people are fucking idiots around here.

mostapha
04-25-2012, 05:00 AM
I just finished my HD-Video review of the AT-LP120-USB, but it won't drop until next week on the site in my sig... In a nutshell, they are pretty good, but the motor isn't quite as strong as a Technics motor. The startup time is basically the same, but you can see it slow down a bit more than a Technics platter when you hold onto the record for extended periods of time. You can still do all of your scratches but the scribbles will suffer slightly. All in All, you can't beat it for $200. It's very close to the 12 in many ways and all the buttons are metal and sturdy... I'll let you guys know when the review drops but it will most likely be Monday or Tuesday...

Hey, blaze. What's good, man? Haven't seen you in a while.

Did you mix with them at all or just scratch? If mk2s are going to keep costing $350, I'm thinking about one at some point as a 3rd deck. Basically…how is it at holding pitch?

Nicadraus
04-25-2012, 01:22 PM
The Audio Technica AT-LP120 is very very similar to the Omnitronic turntables. Especially the tone arm, start/stop/33/45 buttons, platter and pitch control. They look very identical except for some buttons. Also, Omnitronics have released super OEM turntables too.

ampnation
04-25-2012, 02:37 PM
One thing I like about the Audio-Technica tables (120, 240 and 1240) from reading the product descriptions is the inclusion of an internal pre-amp meaning you can connect directly to line in vs. phono inputs.

DTR
04-25-2012, 03:50 PM
I'd only rely on the internal preamp when all else fails. It's very likely that the preamp is poor quality and only a gimmick.

djlotus
04-25-2012, 06:16 PM
Is the signal output dependent on the preamp circuit? In other words, if the pre amp circuit shuts the bed, do you still get phono level output?

mostapha
04-26-2012, 06:52 AM
I'd recommend it for a third or extra deck any day. I don't think you can beat it for $220 shipped to your (US) door brand new...

Cool. I might have to try one. Looking forward to your review. And that's what I was thinking. There's no way I'd choose it over a $250 mk2, but…a $350 mk2……worth considering. And I kinda don't want a SuperOEM just because I feel like it'd be strange to have that much of a difference in torque and feel b/t decks. It'll be a while 'till it matters, though, have to upgrade by SL box first anyway.


Is the signal output dependent on the preamp circuit? In other words, if the pre amp circuit shuts the bed, do you still get phono level output?

It'd be really dumb for it to work that way. I'm sure the circuits are separate and the line/phono switch alters the inputs to relays (or is just a switch) that connects the output cables either pre- or post-preamp.

DTR
04-26-2012, 09:45 AM
It'd be really dumb for it to work that way. I'm sure the circuits are separate and the line/phono switch alters the inputs to relays (or is just a switch) that connects the output cables either pre- or post-preamp.

Some tables with preamps do work that way. My STR8-80s required the power to be on in order to get any output, phono or line. Interestingly, Stanton included a button that disengaged the brake so you didn't have to turn the power off to get that wind down affect.

On the Stanton ST150 they improved this by making the phono output passive.

mostapha
04-26-2012, 12:36 PM
I didn't say it didn't happen…I said it'd be stupid.

DTR
04-26-2012, 01:15 PM
I wasn't disagreeing, was just giving an example. Sorry if it came across the wrong way

mostapha
04-27-2012, 06:37 AM
I wasn't disagreeing, was just giving an example. Sorry if it came across the wrong wayOh, I know we agree. I was just taking the opportunity to make fun of Stanton. Why? Why not.


There is a switch on the back of the LP120's that change them between Phono mode and Line mode...

I think the question we have is just whether the phono output is passive. Can you power off the deck and have the phono output still work?

Hausgeist
04-28-2012, 07:17 AM
Numark TTX works the same way. You know, just in case you were wondering...

djmunster
05-01-2012, 10:32 AM
How is it for beat matching thoe ,how is it when riding the pitch

Hausgeist
05-01-2012, 11:54 AM
How is it for beat matching thoe ,how is it when riding the pitch

He already told us.


During EDM style mixing the LP120USB held up nicely. It kept the pitch and it was really good with riding the pitch with the pitch slider to making the adjustments to get it right on beat. The pitch slider is very solid and just made you feel "sure" of the mix (if that makes sense).

djmunster
05-01-2012, 06:28 PM
Dont know how I missed it sorry

mr.smashy
05-14-2012, 08:09 AM
Here is a good video showing the guts of the AT-LP120 and a decent mod of removing the pre-amp and USB board (good idea) and the guy also removes the ballast weight (bad idea). For some reason he adds a ground wire too, but whatever.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8sUuaclrZ4

DJ Highline
05-14-2012, 09:25 AM
Man these things are really intriguing and I am really torn between these and an actual pair of Tech 1200s. I've always wanted to own a pair of 1200s and now am about to be able to buy a pair albeit used. But I am also about to inherit a huge collection of records...Alot of them I am going to want to convert to digital. Having two of these with USB out and two laptops means I can get the job done in half the time. Not to mention the price is just right. Oh decisions decisions....

I wonder if you can use the same 1200 LED kits for this one or would they all have to be custom wired?

DTR
05-14-2012, 11:55 AM
Alot of them I am going to want to convert to digital. Having two of these with USB out and two laptops means I can get the job done in half the time.

Using a turntable's internal preamp, and especially an internal AD convertor (the USB out) for ripping is a bad idea IMO. The preamps and ADCs in turntables are usually poor quality gimmicks. You'll get much better results from using an external preamp and a decent quality soundcard.

As for the LED kits, I don't know. But if you can solder then just buy whatever colour LEDs you want and have at it, there won't be any compatibility issues there.

DJ Highline
05-14-2012, 08:11 PM
The ATLP120's are tight. I like them. The AT-LP1240USB's are better, but they cost just about double. If you can get a set of 1200's comfortably, then I would still prefer them over these...


So you would take a $300 used Sl-1200 MK2 over an AT-LP120USB?

oliosky
05-14-2012, 09:05 PM
Whats the line level sound quality like (ie. post preamp) on the LP120?

DJ Highline
05-14-2012, 09:30 PM
For some people, the money may not matter and they just want what they want. It all depends on what the money (and value of money) means to you at the end of the day. I know that if I personally really wanted the 1200's I would just buy them regardless of the cost difference when comparing them to another product. I just like what I like and I won't take substitutes... (been doing this way too long now)

So, only you can answer the question of what's worth it or not...

Well I get that part, but I mean performance wise, does the 1200s performance make it worth roughly $80 more for a used deck? Also have you tried transferring any vinyl using the USB output?