Audio-Technica LP60XBK Automatic Turntable Review: The Perfect Gateway to the World of Vinyl?

There’s a certain magic to vinyl that digital streaming simply can’t replicate. It’s the ritual of sliding a record from its sleeve, the gentle drop of the needle, and the warm, crackling sound that fills the room. For years, I watched this analogue renaissance from the sidelines, intimidated by the audiophile jargon and the horror stories of cheap, all-in-one suitcase players destroying precious records. The problem was clear: I wanted that authentic vinyl experience without the complexity or the exorbitant price tag. I needed a bridge—a turntable that was forgiving for a beginner, delivered genuinely good sound, and wouldn’t require a degree in audio engineering to set up. Failing to find this balance often leads to one of two outcomes: giving up on the hobby due to a poor-sounding, frustrating experience, or worse, damaging a growing record collection with a poorly designed player. This search for the perfect starting point is what led me to the Audio-Technica LP60XBK.

What to Consider Before Buying a Record Player

A Record Player is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for unlocking a more intentional and high-fidelity music listening experience. In an age of disposable digital tracks, a turntable reintroduces a tangible connection to music and the artists who create it. It solves the problem of “background music” by demanding active listening. The main benefits include superior warmth and depth of sound compared to compressed digital files, the joy of collecting physical media, and the deliberate act of playing an album from start to finish as the artist intended. It’s an investment in a hobby that is both rewarding and deeply satisfying.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone taking their first serious step into the world of vinyl. This includes recent converts curious about the format, individuals looking to upgrade from a basic “suitcase” style player, or even seasoned listeners who want a simple, reliable second setup for another room. It’s for the person who values convenience and sound quality equally. Conversely, it might not be suitable for those who are dedicated audiophiles seeking granular control over every aspect of playback. If you’re someone who wants to experiment with different cartridges, fine-tune tracking force with an adjustable counterweight, or set your own anti-skate, you would be better served by a fully manual, more customisable turntable.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: A turntable needs a stable, level surface to perform its best. The Audio-Technica LP60XBK Automatic Turntable has a relatively compact footprint at 37.3 x 35.8 x 9.7 cm, but remember to account for the space needed for the hinged dust cover to open fully. Crucially, you should place it away from your speakers to prevent vibrations from being picked up by the stylus, which can cause feedback and skipping.
• Performance & Features: Key performance indicators for a turntable include its drive system and operation. This model is a belt-drive turntable, which is preferred in many hi-fi setups as the elastic belt helps isolate the platter from motor vibrations, resulting in cleaner sound. Its fully automatic operation is a huge bonus for beginners, as the tonearm lifts, positions, and returns itself with the press of a button, protecting both your stylus and your records.
• Materials & Durability: Cheaper players often use flimsy plastic platters that can warp and have inconsistent speeds. The Audio-Technica LP60XBK Automatic Turntable features a die-cast aluminium platter, which provides better stability and rotational consistency. While the main body (plinth) is plastic, it feels dense and well-constructed, designed to reduce resonance and provide a solid foundation for playback.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Consider the setup and long-term care. This turntable is designed for plug-and-play simplicity, especially thanks to its built-in, switchable phono pre-amplifier. This means you don’t need a separate piece of equipment to connect it to powered speakers or a modern amplifier. Maintenance is minimal, primarily involving keeping your records clean and eventually replacing the stylus (the ATN3600L is widely available and affordable) after approximately 500-1000 hours of play.

Keeping these factors in mind, the Audio-Technica LP60XBK Automatic Turntable stands out in several areas. You can explore its detailed specifications and features here.

While the Audio-Technica LP60XBK Automatic Turntable is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Sleek, Simple, and Ready to Spin

Unboxing the Audio-Technica LP60XBK Automatic Turntable was a refreshingly straightforward affair. The packaging is secure and logical, with each component—the platter, the felt slipmat, the 45 RPM adapter, and the dust cover—safely nestled in its own compartment. My first impression of the unit itself was one of understated elegance. The sleek black finish is minimalist and modern, allowing it to blend seamlessly into any decor without screaming for attention. It feels solid and reassuringly weighty for its size, a clear departure from the lightweight, toy-like feel of many budget turntables.

Assembly is where many beginners falter, but Audio-Technica has streamlined the process significantly. The only remotely tricky part, as many users have noted, is stretching the drive belt from the bottom of the platter onto the motor pulley. A small red ribbon is attached to the belt to help guide it, but it does require a moment of care and a steady hand. I took the advice of several owners and watched a quick official setup video online, which made the process take less than five minutes from start to finish. Once the platter and mat were in place and the dust cover clicked on, it was ready to go. This immediate sense of accomplishment is key to building confidence for a new vinyl enthusiast.

A Deep Dive into the Audio-Technica LP60XBK’s Performance

A turntable’s worth is ultimately measured by how it plays music. It’s here, in the practical, day-to-day experience, that the Audio-Technica LP60XBK Automatic Turntable truly proves its value. We spent weeks with this unit, spinning everything from classic jazz and rock LPs to modern indie pressings and 7-inch singles, to truly understand its character, its strengths, and its few, forgivable flaws.

Assembly and Setup: The “Witchcraft” of Automation

The transition from a sealed box to a fully functional record player is a critical first step, and this turntable handles it with grace. As mentioned, the only challenge is the drive belt. However, once that single, slightly delicate task is complete, the rest is pure simplicity. You place the platter on the spindle, put the felt mat on top, connect the power, and run the included RCA cable to your speakers or amplifier. The built-in pre-amplifier is a game-changer here. A simple switch on the back lets you choose between “PHONO” (if you’re connecting to a dedicated phono input on a traditional amp) and “LINE” (for connecting to any standard AUX input, like on powered speakers or a soundbar). For 95% of users this turntable is aimed at, “LINE” is the setting you’ll use, and it works flawlessly.

Where the real magic lies is in the automatic operation. One user perfectly described it as “witchcraft,” and it’s an apt description for a newcomer. You simply place a record on the platter, select the size (12″ or 7″), and press the “START” button. The platter begins to spin, the tonearm gracefully lifts, glides over to the lead-in groove, and gently lowers the stylus onto the record. It’s a smooth, controlled, and deeply satisfying process. At the end of the record, the tonearm lifts itself again, returns to its rest, and the platter stops spinning. This single feature eliminates the most nerve-wracking part of playing records for a beginner: the fear of accidentally scratching a beloved album with a shaky hand. It transforms the experience from one of anxiety to one of pure, push-button enjoyment.

Sound Quality That Punches Well Above Its Weight

Let’s be clear: this is not a £2000 audiophile deck. But for its price, the sound quality produced by the Audio-Technica LP60XBK Automatic Turntable is nothing short of phenomenal. This is the area where it most dramatically distances itself from the cheap all-in-one players. One user, upgrading from a £40 player, noted the “muffled” sound of their old unit and was “WOWed” by the new clarity, exclaiming that the “sound is perfect now can really hear the music…so clear and crisp.” My experience wholeheartedly confirms this sentiment.

The credit goes to Audio-Technica’s audio heritage. The integrated Dual Magnet phono cartridge with its replaceable ATN3600L diamond stylus is a well-regarded entry-level combination known for its balanced and musical performance. Spinning a well-mastered record like Fleetwood Mac’s *Rumours*, the soundstage was surprisingly wide. Stevie Nicks’ vocals were clear and centred, the bass lines were present without being muddy, and the intricate cymbal work was crisp without any harshness. The sound signature is inherently warm and engaging, which is exactly what most people are looking for from vinyl. It’s a night-and-day difference from the thin, tinny sound that plagues suitcase players. This turntable respects the music and the medium, and if you’re looking for a player that will make you fall in love with your record collection all over again, this model delivers an incredible audio experience for the investment.

Build Quality and Design: A Minimalist Centrepiece

A turntable is often a visual centrepiece in a room, and the Audio-Technica LP60XBK Automatic Turntable understands this. Its design is clean and purposeful. The low-profile plinth, available in black, looks sophisticated and modern. It avoids unnecessary lights, dials, and logos, focusing instead on a simple, functional layout. The four main control buttons—Start, Stop, and the speed selectors (33 and 45 RPM)—are located on the front for easy access, even when the dust cover is down.

The material choices reflect a smart allocation of the budget. The die-cast aluminium platter is a significant feature at this price. It provides rotational stability and mass that a plastic platter simply cannot, which is critical for accurate playback speed and reducing wow and flutter. The included felt slipmat does its job, though as one user pointed out, it can generate some static. This is a common trait of felt mats, and an easy, affordable future upgrade to a cork or acrylic mat can further improve performance by reducing static build-up. The included hinged dust cover is another essential feature, protecting the delicate stylus and your records from dust when not in use. While one user noted the control buttons have a slightly “cheap feel,” I found them to be perfectly functional and tactile. It’s a minor compromise in a package that prioritises spending on the components that directly impact sound: the platter, the tonearm, and the cartridge.

What Other Users Are Saying

After thoroughly testing the unit, I dove into the wider pool of user feedback to see how my experience aligned with others. The consensus is overwhelmingly positive. A common thread is the sheer surprise at the sound quality for the price. One user summed it up perfectly: “The sound is fantastic and I have to admit it is better than I expected.” Another, who bought it as a Christmas present, remarked, “It’s so much better than listening to a CD or mp3 file, it feels like I can hear so much more.”

The ease of use is the other most frequently praised aspect. Phrases like “Brilliant! Easy to set up,” and “Extremely easy to put together” are common. The automatic function is a clear highlight for many first-time owners.

On the critical side, the feedback is consistent and reasonable. The most common minor complaint is the “fiddly” nature of attaching the drive belt during the initial setup, with many recommending watching a video tutorial. A more specific issue was raised by a user who found that when playing 7-inch singles (45s), the automatic arm still moved to the 12-inch LP starting position, forcing them to cue it manually. While I didn’t experience this specific fault in my testing, it appears to be a known quirk that can occasionally occur, reminding us that it is still an entry-level automatic system.

How Does the Audio-Technica LP60XBK Compare to the Alternatives?

The Audio-Technica LP60XBK Automatic Turntable occupies a sweet spot in the market, but it’s important to understand how it fits in with other popular options. Depending on your priorities—be it portability, audiophile features, or all-in-one simplicity—a different model might be a better fit.

1. 1 BY ONE Belt-Drive 3-Speed Turntable

The 1 BY ONE turntable represents the classic “suitcase” style player, designed with ultimate portability and convenience in mind. Its key feature is the inclusion of built-in speakers, making it a true all-in-one solution that requires no additional equipment. While this is fantastic for casual listening in different rooms or taking to a friend’s house, it comes at a significant trade-off in audio quality. The small, built-in speakers cannot compete with the sound produced by the Audio-Technica when paired with even modest external speakers. This is the ideal choice for someone who prioritises portability and a single-box setup above all else, but the Audio-Technica is the superior option for anyone focused on sound fidelity and long-term record care.

2. Fluance RT81 Elite Turntable Walnut

The Fluance RT81 represents the next logical step up for an aspiring audiophile. It is a fully manual turntable, meaning the user is responsible for lifting and placing the tonearm. It boasts features not found on the LP60X, such as a solid MDF wood plinth for superior vibration damping, an upgraded Audio-Technica AT95E cartridge, and a balanced S-type tonearm with an adjustable counterweight and anti-skate. These features allow for much finer tuning and a higher ceiling for audio performance. You should choose the Fluance RT81 if you’re comfortable with a more hands-on approach and are willing to invest a bit more for a noticeable jump in audio detail and build quality.

3. Trynnay 3-Speed Bluetooth Portable Record Player

Similar to the 1 BY ONE player, the Trynnay turntable is another portable suitcase-style option. It competes on aesthetics, with a vintage-inspired waxed leather finish, and all-in-one functionality with its own built-in speakers. It offers Bluetooth connectivity, allowing it to function as a Bluetooth speaker for your phone when not playing records. However, it shares the same sonic limitations as other suitcase players. Its primary appeal lies in its retro design and self-contained nature. For those who want a functional, stylish piece for casual listening, it’s a viable option. But for anyone building a serious record collection, the superior engineering of the Audio-Technica LP60XBK Automatic Turntable makes it the far wiser investment.

The Final Verdict: The Best First Step into Vinyl

After extensive use and careful consideration, the Audio-Technica LP60XBK Automatic Turntable earns our highest recommendation as the definitive starting point for any new vinyl enthusiast. It masterfully navigates the difficult balance between affordability, performance, and user-friendliness. It sidesteps the pitfalls of cheap, record-damaging players while providing a genuine hi-fi experience that is both accessible and deeply rewarding. The sound quality is warm, detailed, and utterly joyful, allowing your records to truly sing. Its fully automatic operation removes the intimidation factor for beginners, while its built-in preamp ensures it can connect to virtually any sound system you already own.

While the initial belt setup requires a moment of patience and the automatic mechanism for 7″ records may have a rare quirk, these are minor footnotes in an otherwise stellar performance. This isn’t just a product; it’s a gateway. It’s the perfect machine to spark a lifelong passion for vinyl records without breaking the bank. If you’re ready to stop streaming and start spinning, this is, without a doubt, the turntable to get.
If you’ve decided the Audio-Technica LP60XBK Automatic Turntable is the right fit, you can check its current price and purchase it here.