An Iconic Japanese Hi-Fi Brand Just Revealed a Stunning Turntable for Audiophiles

In 2022, Audio-Technica released the AT-LP2022, a special-edition turntable featuring a stunning transparent acrylic design that gave it a look reminiscent of being carved out of glass or a block of ice, to celebrate its 60th anniversary. It cost $1,200 and only 3,000 units were made.

Fast forward to today, and the iconic Japanese hi-fi manufacturer has introduced a new and improved version of that gorgeous turntable. And this time around, it isn’t limited to such a few units.

Audio-Technica AT-LPA2

Audio-Technica

A new flagship?

Audio-Technica is well-established in the affordable turntable market, with most models being direct-drive and costing less than $500. But, recently, the esteemed hi-fi maker has been aiming higher.

This past fall, it released the AT-LP8X, a direct-drive semi-automatic turntable that cost $1,000 (which was its most expensive turntable at the time). Then, just a few weeks ago, it announced the Hotaru, a limited-edition all-in-one turntable with a floating design — yes, it floats — that represents the pinnacle of what the brand could achieve. … it costs $10,000.

The just-announced AT-LPA2 is a bona fide audiophile-grade turntable, too. In fact, Audio-Technica is calling it the “finest turntable [it] has ever developed.” Not counting limited-edition models, such as the Hotaru, it’s also the most expensive turntable that the brand currently sells.

Audio-Technica

A naturally hi-fi material

The AT-LPA2 is a fully manual, belt-drive turntable that has a transparent acrylic plinth and platter — which gives the impression that the record is floating while playing.

However, the acrylic design isn’t just for aesthetic purposes. It’s a highly dense material with low stiffness and anti-resonance properties. According to Audio-Technica, it is “an ideal material for turntable construction, greatly reducing reverberations that might otherwise affect sound clarity. “

This is why it’s popular in vinyl components, such as platters and platter mats. And like the AT-LPA2, more turntable makers have been going all-out on the all-acrylic design. The most recent example is Pro-Ject’s $1,499 XA B.

Audio-Technica

A no-frills beauty

Audio-Technica didn’t skimp out in other areas, either. The AT-LPA2 comes with a carbon fiber tonearm , which is similar to the one on the AT-LP2022, but has been redesigned and upgraded, and comes pre-mounted with Audio-Technica’s AT-OC9XEN moving-coil cartridge (which sells for $400 on its own).

According to the brand, the cartridge is “designed to capture every nuance of your records with stunning clarity.”

The AT-LPA2 lacks a built-in phono preamp, so you’ll have to have an external one. Nor does it have other frills, like built-in Bluetooth.

Additionally, the turntable features a separate power and control unit — which is the little silver box (pictured above). According to the brand, this design “isolates the sensitive audio components from power supply noise, resulting in a cleaner, more accurate sound.”

Audio-Technica

Price and availability

The AT-LPA2 turntable is now available for $2,000. You can order directly from Audio-Technica or through authorized online dealers.

Audio-Technica

Audio-Technica AT-LPA2

• $2,000 at Audio-Technica

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