Audio-Technica AT-LP8X

Well made, convenient and capable

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Traditionally, there has tended to be an inverse relationship between performance and features in separates hi-fi. Nowhere is this more apparent than with the humble turntable. Look at all the best-sounding options for less than £1000, for example, and you invariably find them to be fully manual decks.

In many cases, these decks will take things to extremes and even demand that the user manually moves the drive belt from one step of the motor pulley to the next to change playback speed from 33½ to 45rpm.

Audio-Technica's new AT-LP8X record player takes a refreshingly different approach to the user experience; one that we think many will enjoy.

The AT-LP8X record player has a semiautomatic design, which means it will lift the arm at the end of a record side and stop spinning. Not only that, the cartridge is lowered (or raised) from the record surface by a press of a button rather than via the usual manual lever.

Add an electronic speed change with a 78rpm option, alongside the usual 33⅓ and 45rpm choices, and we can see this new turntable having plenty of appeal for those who aren't comfortable operating a fully manual deck such as the Rega Planar 3.

We are impressed when we take the AT-LP8X out of its packaging. It feels substantial, at over 10kg, and is as professionally finished as we would expect from a product made by such a well-established manufacturer.

The plinth is made from 16mm-thick MDF and is available only in a black finish. That's a bit of a shame, as it would have been nice to have a bit more choice in this respect. Still, the plinth offers a rigid support for the direct-drive motor, 25mm-thick rubber-damped aluminium platter and the decently engineered 'J' shaped aluminium tonearm.