Audio-Technica AT-LPW50BT-RW overview: This turntable shines, wired or wi-fi

have a look

Professional Score

benefit

• Glorious wired audio playback
• Glorious Bluetooth streaming high quality
• Detachable head makes your cartridge simple to service
• Very enticing industrial design

Cons

• No auto begin or auto cease
• Bluetooth connections usually wanted to be re-paired after speaker was turned off
• No USB port for copying vinyl to digital

our verdict

The Audio-Technica AT-LPW50BT-RW encompasses a carbon fiber tonearm, a superb cartridge, and a beautiful design. Wi-fi streaming is solely a plus for an already distinctive turntable.

Value when reviewed

$499.00

Finest Costs In the present day: Audio-Technica AT-LPW50BT-RW Wi-fi Turntable

$499.00

Whereas Japanese electronics firm Audio-Technica is understood for making a variety of entry-level turntables and headphones, they’re well-liked within the professional audio group for his or her studio-quality microphones and headphones. Additionally it is probably the most profitable cartridge suppliers to different turntable producers.

Audio-Technica has simply introduced its AT-LPW50BT-RW turntable, a wi-fi mannequin that makes use of Bluetooth 5.2 to stream music to the audio system of your selection. The unit has a built-in phono preamp and RCA output connectors, so you need to use it as a wired unit in a element system. It isn’t geared up with a USB port, so you will not be capable to convert your favourite vinyl into digital recordsdata in your private pc.

We took an early have a look at the AT-LPW50BT-RW, which has distinctive efficiency that gives each an amazing Bluetooth listening expertise and an amazing wired expertise.

James Barber/Foundry

How nicely is the AT-LPW50BT-RW constructed?

The plinth of the AT-LPW50BT-RW turntable is constructed from 30mm thick anti-resonance MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard), completed with a good looking rosewood veneer. There’s additionally a hinged clear mud cowl, AC energy adapter, die-cast aluminum platter, 45rpm adapter, counterweight, and rubber anti-slip mat.

The turntable has a straight carbon fiber tonearm with adjustable monitoring pressure and an identical matte silver AT-HS4 1⁄2-inch mount common headstock with a black AT-VM95E twin moving-magnet phono cartridge with an elliptical 10-gauge stylus. 0.3 x 0.7 mil.

Whereas we did not get the precise specs from Audio-Technica, the No-The AT-LPW50PB Bluetooth turntable weighs 12.6 lbs. with out the mud cowl, and that appears near what the AT-LPW50BT-RW weighs. The brand new turntable measures 16.54 x 14.02 x 4.49 inches (width x depth x top) with out its mud cowl; the connected mud cowl will increase its top to 4.96 inches.

James Barber/Foundry

How tough is it to arrange the AT-LPW50BT-RW turntable?

Audio-Technica supplies a superb Fast Begin Information that demonstrates meeting with photos as an alternative of phrases. Though this isn’t an entry-level turntable, somebody who has by no means set one up earlier than ought to be capable to keep it up with some persistence.

This can be a belt drive turntable, and the belt wraps across the backside of the platter with a tape that helps you place the belt over the motor pulley. The cartridge is pre-installed within the headshell, which slides over the tonearm and stays in place as soon as the collar is threaded round it. While you lastly want to exchange the stylus or determine to improve the cartridge, the detachable head will make the method a lot simpler than attempting to vary a cartridge on a tonearm.

Slide the counterweight on the again of the tonearm and discover the purpose the place the tonearm balances. Set the counterweight to zero, after which flip counterclockwise to the required 2g setting for the AT-VM95E cartridge. Anti-skating is in-built and isn’t depending on a dangling weight. Flip the knob to 2 and you might be able to go.

The AT-LPW50BT-RW comes with a built-in phono preamplifier. For those who’re utilizing a wired connection, you may wish to set the swap to “Phono” should you’re utilizing a receiver with a phono stage or phono preamp element. For those who connect with an auxiliary connection or use Bluetooth, set the swap to “Line”.

James Barber/Foundry

Does the AT-LPW50BT-RW have automated capabilities?

The AT-LPW50BT-RW is a 100% handbook turntable. You’ll need to show the knob within the entrance left nook at 33 or 45 rpm for the motor to start out and your drive to start out spinning. As soon as the final observe in your vinyl ends, the tonearm will transfer to the middle and repeatedly bounce off the groove which prevents the stylus from slipping throughout the file. You’ll need to rise up and manually return the tone arm to its base and switch off the unit.

Listeners new to high-end turntables could also be confused by what seems to be a degradation of their gear, however critical audiophiles imagine that the additional gears and motors required for these auto begin and cease options are simply variables that may add vibration and damage the replica. One benefit of absolutely handbook operation is that it emphasizes the ritual of listening to music on vinyl. As an alternative of simply randomly urgent on Spotify, you are actively listening to the general expertise.

What’s the AT-LPW50BT-RW listening expertise?

I examined the AT-LPW50BT-RW turntable in two methods. I made a wi-fi Bluetooth connection to my Naim Mu-so wi-fi speaker and a wired connection to an NAD PP-1 phono preamp by way of an NAD S100 stereo preamp, an NAD 2400 collection monitor amp, and a pair of Bowers & Wilkins P5 classic ground standing audio system.

My check vinyl was a $1 miracle discover at Goodwill: a 1978 second version of the Rolling Stones. some womenin glorious situation.

James Barber/Foundry

The important thing issue right here is in fact the AT-VM95E. This Audio-Technica cartridge is likely one of the world’s best-selling cartridges and represents a improbable entry level into the world of high-end audio replica. Audio-Technica has made this E-series stylus black as an alternative of the acquainted, normal inexperienced. The benefit of this mannequin is that you may improve to a greater stylus with out shopping for a brand new cartridge.

There’s a Bluetooth pairing button on the base of the tonearm. Press it for a few seconds whereas urgent the pairing button in your speaker and it is able to play. If the Naim unit was powered off, it needed to undergo the pairing course of from scratch.

some womenengineered and blended by Chris Kimsey, it represents top-of-the-line recordings the band made since leaving Decca Information in 1971. After a collection of albums made in generally chaotic circumstances in distant areas, the band congregated at EMI Studios in Paris. . , and the outcome was a file the place the rhythm part obtained a correct recording and the band sounds as tight as ever.

James Barber/Foundry

Bluetooth is a know-how with appreciable limitations, however the album sounded nice on Naim Mu-so. Most of that’s, in fact, right down to the turntable’s superior development and glorious cartridge, however Audio-Technica has managed so as to add wi-fi streaming to the combination with out spoiling the sound.

The AT-LPW50BT-RW turntable made the album sound even higher when it had a wired connection to a element system. I examined it each with the built-in phono preamp and thru my very own NAD phono stage. The devoted NAD unit sounded higher with a bit extra element, however not by as a lot of a margin as I would hoped.

Ought to I purchase the Audio-Technica AT-LPW50BT-RW turntable?

The AT-LPW50BT-RW turntable appears nice, comes with an amazing cartridge and stylus, and encompasses a carbon fiber arm. It is a huge step into the world of high-end audio for customers who need a turntable that can scale back put on and tear on their vinyl in addition to improve their listening expertise.

The Bluetooth characteristic is a pleasant addition to Audio-Technica’s lineup, however should you’re not excited by wi-fi listening, you may get the AT-LPW50PB which is actually the identical however loses the Bluetooth for $50 much less.

For those who’re paying $30 every for brand new vinyl releases, it’s best to defend your funding with a well-balanced turntable that may assist prolong the lifetime of your music funding. Audio-Technica’s AT-LPW50BT-RW ought to final for many years and is flexible sufficient to deal with the second you determine to change from a wi-fi element system to a standard wired one.