Review: Audio Technica AT-LP3XBT

Not too long ago, we premiered vinyl players on senses.se, and first out was Sharp RP-TT100. In summary, it was a feature-packed entry-level turntable with several strong points but also some clear weaknesses. In this test, we follow up with the Audio-Technica ATLP3XBT, which in many ways is similar to the RP-TT100 but shows signs of being a level above right from the start. According to Audio-Technica itself, the AT-LP3XBT is a ”step-up” model compared to the entry-level range. So, let us once again dive into the world of vinyl and this time also reflect a bit on the value of vinyl itself—what distinguishes it from today’s digital offerings. Because it is about more than just the sound.

It becomes a ritual

We will avoid getting too deep into the debate over whether vinyl sounds better than high-resolution digital audio. There are too many moving parts, emotions tend to overflow, and perhaps it is not a debate that has much impact in the end. The final choice will always be subjective. However, we can go so far as to say that certain genres fare better on vinyl than others. Keith Jarret – The Köln Concert feels exactly right, while Jean Michelle Jarre – Oxygen is probably, after all, more interesting to hear in high-resolution digital. There is something about the organic and human that gets more space on a vinyl record. But it is more than just the sound.

Taking out a vinyl record and carefully placing it on the turntable becomes something of a ritual, because you don’t just press play and have it start. The choice is made with more forethought, and the process becomes an antidote to today’s abstract, continuous consumption. You have to sit down and handle real things. You have to read the labels and perhaps linger to look at the sleeves, reflecting on the graphic visuals and who contributed. Furthermore, you are more likely to listen through the entire record, exposing yourself to tracks you might not have otherwise chosen. and that is highly likely to be beneficial.

With that said, let us return to the AT-LP3XBT, because that is, after all, where it begins.

A first impression of the AT-LP3XBT

The AT-LP3XBT comes in white or black and is a fully automatic belt-driven turntable. Although black has a tendency to blend in better, white is superior at hiding dust. And no matter how you look at it, a turntable is something of a dust magnet. This isn’t really a problem, but it is something to consider when purchasing.

The rounded underside gives the entire player a sleek impression, and generally, the design is minimalist and discreet. It weighs five kilograms, so it stands firmly and is not overly sensitive to nearby vibrations. You can knock on the table without it being picked up by the stylus.

You have five buttons to work with: Start, stop, record size, speed, and Bluetooth. That is all, and if there is any feature we miss, it might be a repeat button. Vinyl records can sometimes feel a bit short, and having a side repeat is not a bad thing. However, we do not like the buttons, and it must be admitted that it takes quite a lot to criticize such a detail. They feel cheaply plastic, hollow, and as if they activate an old relay behind the button. Even old Technics turntables from the 80s had more modern buttons (and a repeat function on certain models).

Far from all turntables in Audio-Technica’s stable offer auto-start. If you go up in price, the feature disappears except for one exception (which really only handles tonearm return when the record is finished). Although it then becomes easy to associate the feature with the budget segment, its utility should not be ignored. It actually makes it easier to get a record spinning, which means it happens more often. Furthermore, because there is no risk to the stylus, auto-start allows, for example, your child to be involved, to feel, learn, and understand the charm of the process.

The main reason auto-start is often not included in higher or high-end segments of turntables is the fundamental idea that everything on the turntable can potentially create vibrations that ultimately affect the sound. Therefore, features like direct-drive platters and as few components as possible are chosen. Fewer things can then break, as automatic functions tend to fail first.

Connectivity, outputs, and upgrade options.

Bluetooth

We’ll start with the Bluetooth section. Available codecs are aptX™ Adaptive and aptX™, which ensures you get very high-quality sound in your favorite headphones. The connection process was simple, and the chosen headphones quickly announced that the AT-LP3XBT was ready to transmit.

RCA

Alongside Bluetooth, you naturally also have an RCA output so you can listen via an amplifier or an external sound card. Or, for that matter, directly to a pair of active speakers, a DAC, your soundbar (if it has an analog input), or a standard amplifier. Beside the RCA outputs, the AT-LP3XBT has a built-in RIAA stage—simply explained, a switchable phono preamp—which should be on for the examples above. If, however, you want to run the signal to a separate phono amplifier, it should be switched off. On the RCA cable, there is also a grounding wire to bleed off the static charge that always builds up in a turntable and manifests as a faint hum. And while we are on the subject of electrical interference, it is worth mentioning that Audio-Technica has chosen to place the power supply outside the player itself to further eliminate potential interference. Nice.

Upgrade Options

In addition to the advantages mentioned above, the upgrade options are what make the AT-LP3XBT extra interesting. An interest, whether newly found or rediscovered, should be approached with moderation. And the AT-LP3XBT lets you do exactly that. All the important components are in place, and if the interest takes hold, you can explore the different styli in Audio-Technica’s VM-95 series, as the tonearm allows you to easily switch between several different styli that fit the arm. The difference between the styli is the shape/grind (conical, elliptical, Nude Elliptical, etc.), which gives them different sound characteristics and varying suitability. We have included the list below if you want to delve deeper. The cartridge mount itself is also a standard format, which means you can replace the cartridge if the variety of Audio-Technica’s styli is no longer enough. And because the tonearm is adjustable, you can adapt it to the recommended tracking force. For example, the tracking force for the included AT-VM95C stylus is approximately two grams.

Sound and experience

We test-drove the AT-LP3XBT through a number of different headphones and sources.

Setup 1 was via a Fiio K5PRO to Audio-Technica ATH-R70X. The sound was captivating, to say the least, and as we sometimes put it, distracting. It becomes difficult to do anything else at the same time. We played everything from Pink Floyd – The Wall via Jackson Five – Victory to the EP Magnus Uggla – Jag mår illa. The sound was not only charming but clear and powerful. Frequency ranges were presented evenly and balanced. Describing the soundstage is a bit special because some vinyls haven’t been remastered and, when they were recorded, were often intended for playback on speakers. The crackle naturally plays its part, but it is primarily the organic and warm feeling that overflows.

Setup 2 was via Bluetooth to Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 and Technics EAH-AZ80. Although the sound remained high quality, Bluetooth compression is noticeable. Very slightly, but it’s there if you listen. You don’t step into the vinyl in the same way, but in return, you can lie on the sofa or bed and enjoy it. But not too far away, as the AT-LP3XBT has a range of about ten meters, and it actually doesn’t reach much further than that.

The Verdict – AT-LP3XBT

This is without a doubt a brilliant turntable. It sits in the mid-range and contains just the right amount of features. With its outputs and setting options, along with the ability to upgrade components, it becomes clear that the AT-LP3XBT is more about the sound than convenience—even though that part is also present. Audio-Technica has also not skimped on codecs, which makes even the Bluetooth option a pleasure.

Compared to the Sharp RP-TT100, there are several clear aspects that stand out in favor of the AT-LP3XBT. Besides the aforementioned codecs (where the RP-TT100 only runs SBC) and upgrade possibilities, the RP-TT100 also lacks the ability to adjust the tracking force. In return, it has more features and a remote control. However, that’s not something we miss, though as previously mentioned, a repeat button would be nice when the rest is already automated.

Audio-Technica has chosen a golden middle ground between moving components and quality. And for 3,500 SEK, this turntable is absolutely perfect for those who want to take the step from the entry-level range to something that can be developed and grown into.

Audio-Technicasent a test product for this review. Senders of material have no editorial influence on our tests.