Audio-Technica’s engineers are seemingly working additional time to raise the design of the document participant. Following the reveal of its floating, glowing Hotaru turntable final month, the corporate has announced its new AT-LPA2 that includes a chassis and platter constituted of clear acrylic. With electronics like its energy provide and playback controls packed right into a separate unit that may be saved out of sight, the turntable is a reminder that clear tech can nonetheless look fashionable and modern.
The AT-LPA2 incorporates a related design to the Audio-Technica AT-LP2022 turntable that was launched in January 2023 to assist commemorate the corporate’s sixtieth anniversary. The earlier model was restricted to only 3,000 items made out there worldwide and offered for $1,200. The brand new AT-LPA2 is on the market beginning right now, and whereas its rollout received’t be as restricted, it now prices $2,000.
The bottom of the turntable is constituted of a 30mm thick slab of high-density clear acrylic, whereas the spinning platter atop is constituted of the identical materials that’s 20mm thick. It not solely makes for a hanging design, however acrylic can also be an efficient materials for dampening vibrations which improves playback efficiency and helps maintain the turntable working quietly.
Direct drive turntables, through which the spinning platter is a part of the electrical motor, supply superior efficiency over those who use a separate motor linked with a belt. However on this case, a belt drive truly serves to reinforce the aesthetics of the AT-LPA2. To make sure correct playback, Audio-Technica consists of an optical sensor that screens the platter’s rotation so it maintains a continuing velocity of both 33 1/3 or 45rpm.
The corporate redesigned the tone arm included with the restricted version mannequin, however it’s nonetheless constituted of carbon fiber to assist cut back its weight and consists of interchangeable counterweights that may be added and eliminated to assist maintain the arm balanced with totally different cartridges.
To assist maintain the turntable’s chassis as clear as attainable, playback controls and different buttons are included on a separate unit that additionally homes the ability provide. That strategy not solely enables you to place the management unit out of sight because it’s not clear and doesn’t match the AT-LPA2’s aesthetic, Audio-Technica says it additionally isolates the turntable’s audio elements from energy provide noise “leading to a cleaner, extra correct sound.”
