Product Comparison: Rega RP1 vs Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB

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Rega RP1 Turntable (Gray)

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Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB Direct-Drive Professional Turntable in Silver

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General Specifications

Brand

Rega

Audio-Technica

Model

RP1

AT-LP120-USB

Origin

England

Japan

About the Product

Rega's new RP1 turntable was designed and engineered to achieve outstanding performance way beyond the expectations of a product at this price point. Excellent build quality, reliability and ease of use combine to make a product, which will offer a lifetime of musical enjoyment. Omitting all the usual gimmicks allowed Rega to concentrate the manufacturing costs on the high quality parts necessary to reproduce records accurately.

This professional stereo turntable features a high-torque direct-drive motor for quick start-ups and a USB output that connects directly to your computer. Other features include: forward and reverse play capability; cast aluminum platter with slip mat and a start/stop button; three speeds 33/45/78; selectable high-accuracy quartz-controlled pitch lock and pitch change slider control with +/-10% or +/-20% adjustment ranges; and removable hinged dust cover. A selectable internal stereo phono pre-amplifier allows the turntable to plug directly to components with no dedicated turntable input. A USB cable and adapter cables are included along with Mac- and PC-compatible Audacity software to digitize your LPs.

Key Specs

Drive Type

Belt drive

Direct Drive

Operation Type

Semi-Automatic

Manual

What customers say about "Key Specs"

Rega RP1 Turntable (Gray)

The speed change from 33 to 45 is accomplished by lifting off the platter and moving the drive belt to a larger cylinder on the motor spindle.
Given the amount of records I play, she will probably be my next xx-year turntable, may upgrade the belt but saw no difference in the glass turntable-platter.
I do not want to purchase any 'upgrades' unless they are Rega products like the white belt.
Everything from the platter to the drive belt to the motor can be upgraded to higher quality components if you so choose. But I digress.
I can see where if operated with the dustcover down (and its hinges are not designed for the long term), that there might be some resonance.

Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB Direct-Drive Professional Turntable in Silver

The beltless direct drive does not use a belt. Just drop it into place.
The direct drive motor one can tune with the pitch control should it become inaccurate (it isn't, the strobe to platter gives quick visual reference of the accuracy).
Direct drive that stops and starts records immediately.
The direct drive mechanism starts up fast and brakes automatically when you stop rotation.
This product is amazing. High quality. Heavy, sturdy and a tough direct drive!
The only negative is that this is not a fully automatic turntable, my first. Meaning that at the end of the record, the listener must make the move to end the session. This is the only negative I have found so far.

Size & Weight

Height

4.5 in.

6.1 in.

Width

17.5 in.

17.7 in.

Depth

15 in.

13.9 in.

Weight

9.2 lbs.

23.5 lbs.

What customers say about "Size & Weight"

Rega RP1 Turntable (Gray)

Tone arm comes with weight that is preset for the stock cartridge.
Just remove the packaging, slide the weight on and play.

Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB Direct-Drive Professional Turntable in Silver

Well, It has a nice weight to it, the feet are a nice size to provide not just lift, but actual slight tilt-able support.
They sound good could be louder, but the sound fills the room and they have a good amount of base for the small size.
Perfect for a small to medium size room.
The weight of this unit is impressive.
It is a bit pricy and I've seen some of smaller size but those are of no means problems with this one.

Audio

Stylys/Cartridge

Rega Carbon cartridge

Magnet phono cartridge and long-life diamond stylus

Integrated Preamp

Yes

Record Sizes

Playable Record Speeds

33 ⅓, 45, 78

What customers say about "Audio"

Rega RP1 Turntable (Gray)

Cartridge is okay for the average person, you can go crazy with cartridges as many options available, all depends on what type of audio enthusiast you are.
Rega Carbon beats higher priced cartridges and is a definite upgrade to Ortofon low cost models such as OM 5e
I got the standard unit that comes with the Rega Carbon cartridge, and I think it sounds fantastic.
Nice, damped cueing device, and the Rega Carbon phono cartridge mine came with is very nice...I am told it is better than the upgrade.
The dust cover it comes with is built with quality.

Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB Direct-Drive Professional Turntable in Silver

The included cartridge is a top-notch value, it’s got a good amount of weight in the unit and platter, the direct drive motor is strong, and it looks nice on a shelf.
This record player played it just fine, without skipping, and only minor hissing.
It actually made the needle bounce on the record!
The speed of the motor is very even - it required no adjustment out of the box - although that is easy to do as I tried adjusting it.
Speeds are very accurate, dynamic range of the provided cartridge is excellent, and the versatility of being able to run it into an amp or use its own preamp is a nice feature.

Features

Control

On/Off switch

Power dial, Start/Stop, Speed control switch, Pitch control, Quartz Speed Lock, Voltage Selector Switch

Functions

Vinyl player

Platter Material

Phenolic

Aluminum die-cast

Dust Cover Included

Yes

Speaker(s) Included

Interfaces

Stereo RCA audio out

Extras

High quailty, low vibration motor, Phenolic resin flywheel effect platter improves speed stability

Mac- and PC-compatible Audacity software digitizes your records, Professional anti-resonance, die-cast aluminum platter with slip mat

Dust Cover Included
Speaker(s) Included

What customers say about "Features"

Rega RP1 Turntable (Gray)

It had everything I ever wanted in an audio product: excellent timbral accuracy, low level detail, and great holographic imaging.
Great entry point into enjoying higher quality vinyl.
Friends have told me that getting into vinyl can be a slippery slope, but if this is the payoff then so far I'd say it is well worth it.
The base/plinth is particle board covered with laminate, not bad though.
The dust cover hinges are very cheap and I can see them wearing out in the near future.

Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB Direct-Drive Professional Turntable in Silver

Plays my vinyl collection perfectly with fully manual operation.
My vinyl collect sounds great and I've had no problems in 5 years. For me that's 5 stars!
The hinged cover opens with a good, solid feel and stays put in the open position.
I like that the cover is a heavy piece of plastic that feels like you're really closing the thing.
The thickness of the dust cover was also impressive.

Warranty / Certifications

Certifications

Manufacturer Warranty

1 year(s)

Other Information

MSRP

299.00 $