Audio-Technica ATLP60USB LP to USB Digital Belt Drive Turntable - (Silver)

My review is for anyone looking for a modestly priced, high quality turntable, easy to use, one that sounds great, and one that won't ruin your records..The Good news: I won't be technical. I just purchased this modestly priced turntable and I love it. This turntable was an easy choice for me, and for anyone on a budget, looking for a quality Hi Fi turntable. I purchased this particular model and version of the AT-LP60 because it has a built-in phono pre-amp. (My Marantz SR8000 receiver did not have a phono pre-amp because records were not popular back in the day, and records are coming back in fashion). This model also has the USB section built in to convert my analog records into digital onto my computer. They can now become an MP3 or CD. How cool is that!I love the design to place the START/STOP and the UP/DOWN buttons on the front, OUTSIDE the lid. To me this a great feature, much safer. With these buttons placed outside the lid, you can operate the turntable AFTER closing the lid. This is important to me because it prevents any jarring by opening and closing the lid when a record is playing, (which other turntables do). With other turntables, If a record is playing when opening or closing the lid, this could cause a jarring that might cause a skip or scratch your valuable records..Nothing's worst than opening or closing the lid with the record playing, like other turntables do, and jarring it, making it skip and ruin your valuable record. Because this AT-LP60 is fully automatic it is a great choice for anyone who might not be able to operate a manual turntable that you have to touch the tonearm and try placing or lifting the needle without possibly making it skip.This turntable comes with a non-replaceable cartridge factory calibrated, matching this turntable. This is great for anyone not wanting to fiddle around trying to find a different cartridge, then installing & calibrating it. The AT-LP60 is very easy to setup, and is very easy to operate. It is made by a company well-known for high quality audio. For the money the AT-LP60 should be a top choice.The not-so-good: I just a couple minor things. This turntable seems to be very tight when I place or remove a record. I have to enter or remove a record by the left side to avoid any chance to accidently hitting the tonearm & cartridge. Also, thee platter is the size of the record which may be a problem for someone to remove with any damage to the fingers. I also don't like the 45rpm holder very well. It doesn't hold the spindle very secure. It doesn't 78rpm speed for people who have those records. The platter is very light, which could transfer vibrations to the needle. For the money this model should be a top choice to consider.at this price point.I love how easy is to use, and it sounds great.There is a model, the AT-LP120 that should be considered if you want to spend three times the price. It is a manual, with direct drive extremely accurate, a professional quality workhorse with many features. It is well worth the money, with rave reviews from many sources. But at this price point the AT-LP60 should please many people. I love it. Works for me.

Edit 1/12/17:Changed review a bitSo I recently looked for a new turntable. My last one was discontinued and the needle (couldn't find a new one) was worn causing it to skip around on a new vinyl I got (more on that later) . I looked around and saw this one was on a bunch of lists for top turntables. I eventually got this record player a few days after I ordered and I'm going to break down the review into a few sections so bear with me (I'm also probably going to be the most detailed review here but who knows)Box opening:I got the box and opened it. There was a lot of brown paper keeping the player from being damaged. It came in a box the width of my bed! All for a small box!! The packaging from the Amazon facility was perfect!Unboxing:Now unboxing this player is like playing the Atari game breakout. You have to open the plastic wrap, open the box, take the styrofoam off both ends of the player, etc. Also unboxing the platter, dust cover and the felt mat was a step to do also.Setup:So...this step was kinda weird. The player requires you to put the platter on and set up the belt. Not a big deal. I thought it was fun! Like playing with Legos like a kid (if only there was a lego record player lol) I also hooked up a speaker and turned on the pre amp from the line switchOperation:So remember I said I had a new vinyl that skipped on my old player? No problem here! I immediately placed my copy of Metallica's Hardwired (by the way, standard and deluxe versions are both 180g vinyl and they are heavy!) and let the record player automatically queue the first song. I was scared that I damaged the vinyl from trying to get it playing on my old player. When the needle went in the first groove, I was nervous. But everything was fine after the song played. And the pre amp blew my mind!! Hardwired sounded awesome! I eventually played some older vinyls of my collection including Guns N' Roses' Appetite for Destruction. The opening riff of Sweet Child O' Mine sounded great!Opinion:For $130, this was amazingly good! It played all my vinyl with no problems. Everything is perfect with the player and I hope it continues to stay that way. My old player was good but eventually started to die down. And the player before my last one....let's not mention their name *Ahem Crosley* But Audio Technica has won me over with their AT-LP60!Notes:Now some reviews here were 3 start or lower. People have their opinions and sometimes a unit can be defective. But this player was great and I did lots of research on it before ordering. If you want a record player and do not have money for the better high end ones, get this player. It is a great player with good sound whether you listen to rock or metal bands like Metallica and GN'R (that pairing didn't go so well back in 1992 lol) maybe you listen to artists from now, or that crate of vinyls in your parents or grandparents basements. This player was worth the money, and I hope you think the same.