How To Set Up An Audio Technica Turntable

Are you ready to experience the warm, rich sound of vinyl records? Setting up an Audio Technica turntable is easier than you might think.

With a few simple steps, you can be enjoying your favorite albums in no time. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of setting up your turntable, from attaching the headshell to securing the drive belt.

Whether you’re a seasoned audiophile or a newcomer to the world of vinyl, this guide will help you get the most out of your Audio Technica turntable.

So let’s get started!

Step 1: Unpack Your Turntable

Carefully remove your Audio Technica turntable from its packaging and make sure that all the parts and accessories are present. You should have a die-cast aluminum platter with the drive belt attached to the bottom ring of the platter.

Step 2: Install the Drive Belt

The drive belt is preinstalled on the record platter. Remove the tape securing the ribbon to the platter and push both ends of the ribbon through the platter opening. Carefully place the platter with installed drive belt on the center spindle and make certain it fully seats on the spindle. Rotate the platter by hand until the opening with the red ribbon exposes the brass-colored motor pulley. The motor pulley is located in the upper left corner of the turntable, opposite the tonearm.

While holding the platter steady, using both ends of the ribbon, place the belt over the motor pulley. Once the belt is seated in the pulley’s groove, verify that it is not twisted. Once completed, place the rubber record mat on the platter.

Step 3: Attach The Headshell

Remove the twist tie and foam wrap used to protect the tonearm during shipment then secure the arm to its rest with the locking clamp. Attach the headshell/cartridge assembly by inserting it into the socket at the end of the tonearm. While holding the headshell in position, rotate the headshell locking ring counterclockwise (to the left). As the ring rotates, it pulls the headshell into its seated position. Hand tighten the ring until it is snug.

Step 4: Connect Your Turntable

The AT-LP3XBT is designed with a traditional phono output along with a built-in phono preamp that provides an RIAA-equalized line-level output. This makes it compatible with traditional phono inputs on amplifiers and receivers, as well as Aux or line-level inputs on powered speakers, integrated amplifiers, and analog computer sound cards.

Connect one end of the provided RCA cable to your turntable’s RCA outputs and connect it to your desired powered speaker or stereo receiver/amplifier. For audio devices that have a separate ground terminal, connect the spade lug on your RCA cable to your audio component’s ground lug and your turntable to help minimize hum.

Set your preamp switch on your turntable’s rear to correspond with your device you are connecting to. If you are connecting to a specified PHONO input on a stereo receiver or an external RIAA preamp, then move your switch on your turntable’s rear to PHONO position which disengages your turntable’s internal preamp. If connecting to a LINE level input on a stereo (CD, AUX, TAPE, etc.) or powered speakers with an analog AUX input, then move your switch on your turntable’s rear to LINE position which engages your turntable’s internal RIAA preamp.

Step 5: Power Up Your Turntable

Once you have completed setup, connect your power cable to your socket on your turntable’s rear and connect it to an AC outlet.

Step 6: Enjoy Your Vinyl Records

Now that you’ve set up your Audio Technica turntable, you’re ready to enjoy all of your favorite vinyl records! Remember to handle them carefully and keep them clean for optimal sound quality.

Assembling The Turntable Components

Assembling the turntable components is an essential step in setting up your Audio Technica turntable. Start by carefully unpacking all the parts and accessories, making sure that everything is present. The die-cast aluminum platter should have the drive belt attached to the bottom ring of the platter.

Next, install the drive belt by removing the tape securing the ribbon to the platter and pushing both ends of the ribbon through the platter opening. Place the platter with installed drive belt on the center spindle, making sure it fully seats on the spindle. Rotate the platter by hand until the opening with the red ribbon exposes the brass-colored motor pulley. Place the belt over the motor pulley while holding the platter steady using both ends of the ribbon.

Attach the headshell/cartridge assembly by inserting it into the socket at the end of the tonearm. While holding the headshell in position, rotate the headshell locking ring counterclockwise (to the left). As the ring rotates, it pulls the headshell into its seated position. Hand tighten the ring until it is snug.

Finally, power up your turntable by connecting your power cable to your socket on your turntable’s rear and connect it to an AC outlet. Once you have completed setup, you’re ready to enjoy all of your favorite vinyl records!

Connecting The Audio Cables

To connect the audio cables for your Audio Technica turntable, you will need to follow a few simple steps. First, locate the analog audio cable’s 3.5 mm plug and insert it into the “Analog Out” port on the back center of your turntable. Then, take the RCA end (red and white plugs) and plug them into your desired playback device, which is commonly a stereo receiver or powered speakers.

If you are connecting to inputs on a stereo receiver specifically labeled “PHONO,” move the switch on the rear of your turntable to PHONO. This bypasses the turntable’s internal RIAA magnetic phono preamp, which isn’t needed since the stereo receiver’s PHONO input has the same RIAA magnetic phono preamp. If the switch is set to “Line,” you may hear considerable amounts of distortion.

If you are connecting to any other input on a stereo receiver (Aux, Line, Tape, CD, etc.) or connecting directly to powered speakers, move the switch on the rear of your turntable to LINE. This engages the turntable’s internal RIAA magnetic phono preamp. If the switch is set to “Phono,” you may have little or no sound at all.

If you are connecting the turntable to a 3.5 mm analog AUX input on a speaker or receiver, you may use a 3.5 mm stereo AUX cable (not included). No need for additional adapter cables.

The turntable also provides a USB output, allowing it to connect digitally to Macs and PCs without the need for special drivers. Simply connect the provided 1.9 m (6.2′) USB cable to an open USB port on your computer. Compatibility with a wide range of third-party recording programs permits recording from the turntable to the computer. Make certain that the “PHONO-LINE” selector switch located on the rear of your turntable is set to “LINE” for USB use.

Once you have completed setup, connect your power cable to your socket on your turntable’s rear and connect it to an AC outlet. Now that you’ve successfully connected your Audio Technica turntable’s audio cables, you’re ready to enjoy all of your favorite vinyl records!

Setting The Tracking Force And Anti-Skate

Setting the tracking force and anti-skate is an important step in properly setting up your Audio Technica turntable. The tracking force is the amount of pressure that the stylus exerts on the record, while anti-skate is a feature that applies a small outward force to the tonearm, counteracting the tendency of the arm to move inward (skate) toward the center of the record.

To set the tracking force, you will need to refer to the manual for your cartridge or Google its specifications. The cartridge will have a recommended range for tracking force, such as 1.25 to 1.75 grams for the Ortofon OM-30 Super. As a starting point, set the tracking force to the middle of this range. It’s important to note that not all tracking force gauges are 100% accurate, so it’s recommended to use a stylus tracking force gauge like the Shure SFG-2 for optimal accuracy.

Setting anti-skate is slightly turntable dependent. Some turntables have more aggressive anti-skate mechanisms than others. A good rule of thumb is to set the anti-skate to the same value as the tracking force. Both tracking force and anti-skate can be adjusted slightly according to your preference and listening experience.

To set the anti-skate, begin by adjusting it to the same value as the vertical tracking force (VTF) used – this will get you in the ballpark. Listen carefully to the last few minutes of a record to determine if more or less anti-skate is needed. Listen for distortion, particularly sibilance, and determine if it appears to be louder on one channel, left or right. Adjust the anti-skate value until distortion is minimized.

Once you’ve achieved a level tonearm, you can now go ahead and set both tracking force and anti-skate to achieve optimal sound quality and minimize wear on your records and stylus. Experiment with different settings until you find what works best for you and enjoy your vinyl collection with confidence!

Placing And Securing The Drive Belt

The drive belt is a crucial component of your Audio Technica turntable, as it is responsible for transferring power from the motor to the platter, enabling it to rotate and play your vinyl records. To place and secure the drive belt, follow these simple steps:

1. Remove the tape securing the ribbon to the platter and push both ends of the ribbon through the platter opening. Carefully place the platter with installed drive belt on the center spindle and make certain it fully seats on the spindle.

2. Rotate the platter by hand until the opening with the red ribbon exposes the brass-colored motor pulley. The motor pulley is located in the upper left corner of the turntable, opposite the tonearm.

3. While holding the platter steady, using both ends of the ribbon, place the belt over the motor pulley. Once the belt is seated in the pulley’s groove, verify that it is not twisted.

4. Double-check to make sure that the belt is aligned with all of the pulleys and that it follows the correct path.

5. Slowly release any tension on the belt and ensure that it is not too loose or too tight. A loose drive belt can cause your vinyl records to skip or sound distorted, while a tight drive belt can put excess strain on your turntable’s motor and lead to further problems.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your Audio Technica turntable is set up properly and ready to deliver high-quality audio from your vinyl record collection.