Audio Technica AT-LPA2

The Audio-Technica AT-LPA2 is a high-end turntable that combines meticulous design with quality acoustic performance. Its high-density transparent acrylic chassis, beyond its distinctive aesthetics, helps reduce resonance. As the successor to the anniversary model AT-LP2022, this manual belt-drive turntable features carefully selected components, such as a carbon fiber tonearm and the AT-OC9XEN moving coil cartridge. Designed for analog reproduction enthusiasts, it delivers precise and balanced musical playback.

A transparent design that reveals technical excellence

The first thing that stands out with the AT-LPA2 is its bold, minimalist look. Its 30 mm thick, high-density transparent acrylic chassis openly reveals the turntable’s internal mechanisms. This design choice is not merely aesthetic: acrylic provides exceptional resonance control, effectively dampening vibrations that could affect vinyl playback.

The 20 mm thick platter, also made of transparent acrylic, is a notable improvement over the 16 mm platter of the anniversary AT-LP2022 model. This increased thickness boosts inertia and stability during playback, ensuring perfectly consistent rotation and more accurate sound.

The substantial weight of the unit (8.4 kg without the control unit) attests to the quality of the materials used and contributes to isolating external vibrations. The sturdy, height-adjustable feet complete this sophisticated anti-vibration system, allowing for precise leveling on any surface.

Precision mechanics in the service of music

At the heart of the AT-LPA2 is a belt-drive mechanism of exemplary reliability. An optical sensor placed under the central spindle continuously monitors the platter’s rotation, ensuring a constant and precise speed at 33 1/3 or 45 revolutions per minute. This technology guarantees superior rotational stability, essential for avoiding pitch fluctuations that could distort the listening experience.

One of this turntable’s strengths lies in its external power supply. The separate control unit houses the motor and electronic circuits, thus isolating sensitive audio components from electromagnetic interference. This physical separation results in an audio signal of remarkable purity, free from unwanted noise or hum.

The straight carbon fiber tonearm is a significant advancement over the previous model. Its design, combining rigidity and lightness, allows for precise tracking of the grooves, while its structure minimizes resonance. No detail has been overlooked: the anti-skating mechanism uses an ultra-precise wire suspension, and the machined aluminum headshell allows for fine azimuth adjustment to optimize stylus alignment.

An exceptional MC cartridge for uncompromising playback

The AT-LPA2 comes equipped with the AT-OC9XEN dual moving coil (MC) cartridge, a model renowned for its outstanding performance. This cartridge features a nude elliptical diamond mounted directly on the cantilever, without an intermediate mounting block, reducing mass and increasing responsiveness. The result is detailed sound reproduction, especially in the mid and high frequencies, with enhanced vocal presence and superior spatial definition.

The high-purity PCOCC (Pure Copper Ohno Continuous Cast) copper coils ensure perfect transmission of the electrical signal generated by the cantilever’s micro-movements. With its extended frequency response range of 20 to 30,000 Hz and output voltage of 0.35 mV, this cartridge captures every nuance of vinyl recordings, revealing sonic details that go unnoticed with lower-quality cartridges.

It should be noted that this MC cartridge requires a compatible phono preamplifier or a specific transformer, as the turntable does not have a built-in preamp. This deliberate choice aligns with the audiophile philosophy of prioritizing signal purity and allowing users to customize the amplification chain to their preferences.

Audiophile adjustments for optimal customization

The AT-LPA2 offers a level of customization rarely seen in turntables at this price point. The tonearm allows for precise adjustment of the vertical tracking angle (VTA), essential for optimizing cartridge positioning relative to the record. This feature, usually reserved for high-end turntables, lets you adapt the tracking geometry to the specifics of each record.

The anti-skating system uses a particularly precise and effective wire mechanism, ensuring a perfectly calibrated compensating force to counteract the tonearm’s natural tendency to move toward the center of the record. This device reduces uneven wear on both the stylus and the grooves.

The turntable comes with two different counterweights (110 g and 130 g) to accommodate a wide range of cartridges, from lighter to heavier models. This modularity offers great freedom of choice for audiophiles wishing to experiment with different cartridges, with an adjustment range from 6.1 to 13.9 grams.

An exceptional listening experience

The technical choices made by Audio-Technica result in remarkable sound quality. Thanks to the rigidity of the chassis and vibration isolation, the AT-LPA2 offers an extraordinarily quiet soundstage between notes. The absence of motor hum or background noise allows the subtlest details to emerge with striking clarity.

The combination of the stable platter and high-quality MC cartridge enables particularly convincing dynamic reproduction. Transients are fast and precise without ever sounding aggressive, revealing nuances of touch and tonal variations in jazz, classical, or acoustic music recordings. For more energetic genres like rock or electronic music, the attack is incisive and the impact of low frequencies perfectly controlled.

The exceptional rotational stability, ensured by the optical sensor, results in faithful pitch reproduction and a total absence of wow and flutter. Measured speed fluctuations are below 0.12% WRM, an impressive figure that attests to the mechanical precision of the unit.

Technical Specifications

Overview

• Manual belt-drive turntable
• Manual operation with two speeds: 33 1/3 and 45 rpm
• Premium Audio-Technica design revealing the purity of analog audio
• Optical sensor for precise speed control
• Separate power supply and control unit for optimal isolation

Mechanical Components

• High-density 30 mm thick acrylic chassis with low resonance
• 20 mm acrylic platter ensuring constant and stable rotation
• Motor: AC servo motor
• Adjustable, robust, anti-vibration isolating feet
• Resonance reduction for pure and detailed sound

Tonearm

• Straight carbon fiber static-balance tonearm
• High-precision tracking with exclusive carbon fiber design
• Effective length: 223.6 mm
• Overhang: 18.6 mm
• Tracking error angle: less than 2°
• Height adjustment range (VTA): from -1.5 mm to +7 mm with the supplied cartridge
• Ultra-precise wire-suspension anti-skate mechanism
  • Adjustment range: equivalent to a stylus pressure of 1.3 to 3 g
• Two counterweights included for different cartridge types
  • Light counterweight: compatible with cartridges from 6.1 to 9.2 g
  • Heavy counterweight: compatible with cartridges from 9.2 to 13.9 g
• Stylus pressure adjustment range: from 0 to 3 g
• Machined aluminum headshell with azimuth adjustment

Cartridge and Sound Reproduction

• MC AT-OC9XEN stereo cartridge included
• 0.3 x 0.7 mil elliptical stylus
• PCOCC copper coils (high purity, continuous casting)
• Low-level phono output (0.35 mV) – requires MC transformer or preamp
• Direct phono output for pure cartridge signal
• Speed fluctuation: > 60 dB
• Signal-to-noise ratio: > 60 dB

Electrical Specifications

• Separate power supply to reduce electrical interference
• Power supply voltage: 100 to 240 V, 50/60 Hz
• Power consumption: 6 W

Dimensions and Weight

• Main unit dimensions: 420 mm × 340 mm × 135 mm (W × D × H)
• Control unit dimensions: 133 mm × 228 mm × 50 mm (W × D × H)
• Main unit weight: approx. 8.4 kg
• Control unit weight: approx. 1.1 kg

Included Accessories

• Control unit
• Dust cover with hinges
• Platter and drive belt
• Light and heavy counterweights
• Anti-skate weight and auxiliary weight
• Headshell and MC stereo cartridge (AT-OC9XEN)
• 45 rpm adapter
• RCA audio cable (approx. 1.1 m)
• Power cable (approx. 1.8 m)
• Control unit cable (approx. 1 m)
• Ground cable (approx. 1.1 m)
• Hex key
• White gloves

Additional Information

• Recommended replacement cartridge: AT-OC9XEN
• Replacement belt: exclusive AT-LPA2 belt (sold separately)
• Power cable length and plug type may vary by country