The fully manual, belt-driven AT-LPA2 is made of transparent acrylic and combines a contemporary aesthetic with extensive development experience in analog audio technology, yet is completely uncomplicated to set up and operate. In addition to minimizing resonances that can lead to noise and distortion in the signal chain, the development of the AT-LPA2 focused on a detailed sound image with crystal-clear reproduction. Here, acrylic not only offers an impressive appearance, but also enables excellent reduction of unwanted vibrations and thus particularly clean sound – an ideal material for turntables.
With its 30 mm thick transparent acrylic chassis and 20 mm thick platter, the AT-LPA2 ensures outstanding stability and vibration damping, resulting in pure, uncolored sound. In addition, the exclusively developed, robust and height-adjustable feet provide excellent isolation from structure-borne sound, and the mass of the acrylic platter ensures a constant rotational speed. Last but not least, an optical sensor is located under the spindle to monitor the playback speed of exactly 33-1/3 or 45 RPM.
To further reduce background noise, the controls and power supply in this turntable are housed in a separate unit, so that the sensitive audio components are not affected by electrical interference from the power supply and motor – a feature usually only found in more expensive models. This achieves an unparalleled low-noise performance, so you truly only hear the music from your records, not electrical interference.
The AT-LPA2 comes with a pre-mounted AT-OC9XEN* moving-coil cartridge with a nude, elliptical stylus (0.3 x 0.7 mil) and high-purity PCOCC coils. This cartridge transmits every single nuance of the vinyl sound with impressive clarity and also features outstanding channel separation. The lower mass of moving-coil cartridges compared to moving-magnet cartridges allows for faster response when tracing the record groove, resulting in more finely detailed audio reproduction.
The cartridge is mounted on an exclusive headshell made of milled aluminum with azimuth adjustment, which is attached to a straight carbon fiber tonearm, specially developed for the AT-LPA2, with a length of 22.36 cm (8.8″) and VTA adjustment (vertical tracking angle). The light, low-resonance tonearm follows the record groove smoothly and precisely, and the very accurate, finely adjustable anti-skating mechanism with thread suspension counteracts the force that pulls the tonearm inwards during playback. This ensures optimal channel balance. In addition, the tonearm can be fitted with two different counterweights (110 g and 130 g, included in delivery), so that a wide selection of interchangeable cartridges is available if required.
With its modern, clean look, innovative components, excellent craftsmanship, and uncomplicated setup, the AT-LPA2 opens up an entirely new world of sound – for pure analog audio enjoyment.
Audio-Technica unveils new AT-LPA2 turntable: Transparent, exquisite design and pure analog sound
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