FIRST LOOK! Did Audio-Technica Go TOO FAR With The NEW $2000 AT-LPA2 Turntable？
United States of Analog | May 15, 2025
🎙️ Early Video Analysis
What is this video about?
This video is a first look review of Audio-Technica’s new AT-LPA2 acrylic turntable, their most expensive current model at $2,000. The host Bob was selected by Audio-Technica to be the first reviewer in North America and has been testing it for 10 days under embargo. He’s covering the turntable’s features, specifications, build quality, and will provide his assessment of its value in the $2,000 price range.
What gear, products, or brands are discussed?
- Audio-Technica AT-LPA2 turntable [00:00:24] – $2,000, all-acrylic construction, separate speed control box, DC servo motor, 17″×13″×5.3″ dimensions, 22mm thick acrylic platter, no built-in phono preamp or Bluetooth
- OC9XEN moving coil cartridge [00:04:04] – $400, comes with the turntable, described as “entry-level” moving coil
- Audio-Technica headphones [00:01:57] – Host’s 10+ year old studio headphones, wrapped with medical tape but still functioning
- Audio-Technica SoundBurger [00:01:33] – Mentioned as entry-level product, host owns two
What are the host’s main opinions or takes so far?
- Positive on cartridge value ratio [00:04:19]: Appreciates that the $400 cartridge represents 1/5 of the turntable’s price rather than the typical 1/10 ratio
- Strong design appreciation [00:03:12]: Calls it “audiophile,” “lifestyle,” “luxury,” and “designer” – checking multiple boxes
- Luxury watch comparison [00:02:22]: Compares it to luxury watches in terms of price justification and transparent design elements
- Audiophile-appropriate features [00:05:55]: Approves of no built-in phono preamp or Bluetooth, saying “You’re a big boy. You’re a big girl now”
- Build quality impressed [00:06:09]: Notes it doesn’t look “slapped together” with parts from other turntables
Were there any strong recommendations or warnings to viewers?
- Price perspective [00:01:10]: Tells viewers not to “punch out” immediately due to the $2,000 price point
- Cartridge philosophy [00:04:31]: Strong opinion against companies that “cheap out on the cartridge” – prefers paying more for appropriate cartridge matching
Were there any funny moments, strong opinions, or memorable quotes?
- “You’re a big boy. You’re a big girl now. You can get your own phono preamp” [00:05:59] – Humorous way of explaining why no built-in phono preamp is appropriate
- Taped headphones story [00:02:07]: Shows his 10+ year old Audio-Technica headphones wrapped in medical tape, saying “the drivers won’t quit. I’m not gonna quit on them”
- Fanboy disclosure [00:01:46]: “Full disclosure, I’m kind of an Audio-Technica fanboy. It’s not going to affect this review at all”
- “High-ish end” [00:02:47]: Coined this term after being unsure where “high-end” starts or ends after visiting Expona
Summary
Bob introduces Audio-Technica’s new flagship AT-LPA2 turntable, a $2,000 all-acrylic model that he’s been secretly testing for 10 days as the first North American reviewer. He positions this as potentially Audio-Technica’s answer to high-end audiophile needs, comparing it to luxury watches in terms of both price justification and transparent design aesthetics. The host emphasizes his long relationship with Audio-Technica products, showing off his decade-old studio headphones held together with medical tape as evidence of the brand’s durability.
The turntable features all-acrylic construction with a separate speed control/power supply box, which Bob sees as an audiophile-appropriate design choice. He’s particularly pleased with the inclusion of a $400 moving coil cartridge (the OC9XEN), noting that the 1:5 cartridge-to-turntable price ratio is much better than typical budget tables. Bob appreciates that Audio-Technica omitted features like built-in phono preamps and Bluetooth, suggesting buyers at this level should have their own separate components.
Throughout this opening segment, Bob is building anticipation for his full assessment while establishing the turntable’s position in what he calls the “high-ish end” market. He sees it as potentially satisfying multiple market segments – audiophile performance, lifestyle appeal, luxury aesthetics, and designer credibility – suggesting Audio-Technica may have created a compelling package that could serve as someone’s final turntable purchase. His initial impressions focus heavily on build quality and appropriate feature choices for the price point.
⏱️ Mid-Video Analysis
What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this portion?
- Audio-Technica AT-LPA2 turntable ($2000)
- Moving coil cartridge with nude elliptical stylus (included with turntable)
- Jusceli Labs (mentioned in context of clear/transparent design trends)
- Host’s personal Mophie studio deck with Master Tracker cartridge
- Various turntable accessories: counterweights, anti-skate weights, dust cover, metal 45 adapter
What are the host’s key findings, verdicts, or opinions?
- [00:06:46] Likes the anti-skate system design – more secure than traditional loop-on-rod systems
- [00:07:44] VTA adjustment is “a very good feature” that even some high-end turntables lack
- [00:07:51] Doesn’t mind the lack of azimuth adjustment, admits he’s not well-versed in it
- [00:09:31] Appreciates the separate speed controller to avoid handling the belt
- [00:10:19] Believes Audio-Technica invested in quality components over automatic features
- [00:11:33] “I think they’ve really outdone themselves here”
- [00:12:37] Would “definitely be a daily driver for me”
Were there any listening tests or sound quality observations described?
- [00:11:38] Turntable is “very quiet” with no detectable motor noise
- [00:11:56] Experienced less surface noise compared to other turntable setups
- [00:12:24] Sound quality described as “probably the best I have in-house for a turntable”
- [00:12:05] Results made him curious about moving coil technology
Any comparisons to other gear mentioned?
- [00:07:27] Acrylic platter has “qualities closer to the vinyl you play than say a metal platter”
- [00:11:08] Acrylic plinth claimed to be “less resonant than some other materials like MDF”
- [00:12:30] Compared favorably to his personal Mophie studio deck with Master Tracker cartridge
- [00:10:06] Contrasted with cheaper automatic turntables that have auto-start/stop features
Any audiophile tips, advice, or how-to content?
- [00:09:33] Handle belts “as little as possible and use gloves when you do” to prevent oil contamination
- [00:07:35] VTA adjustment useful when adding mats under records
- [00:09:18] Mentions having “tricks about how you can double check the anti-skate” for future video
- [00:08:27] Always secure tonearm when not in use
Any memorable quotes or strong takes?
- [00:09:50] “In this case you just press a button and it’s A-U-T-O-MATIC”
- [00:10:40] “I like a full manual turntable. It’s more manual operation and more fun”
- [00:10:44] “Man I just love looking at this turntable”
- [00:12:47] “United States of Analog is going more analog”
Summary
In this portion of the review, the host conducts a detailed examination of the Audio-Technica AT-LPA2’s design features and functionality. He particularly appreciates the improved anti-skate system, VTA adjustment capability, and the separate speed controller that eliminates the need to manually handle the belt. The host notes that while the turntable lacks automatic features found in cheaper models, Audio-Technica appears to have focused their investment on quality components rather than convenience features. He also discusses the aesthetic appeal of the clear acrylic construction, noting it’s part of a current trend in luxury goods.
The sound quality assessment reveals impressive results, with the host noting exceptional quietness and reduced surface noise compared to his other turntables. He specifically highlights the moving coil cartridge with nude elliptical stylus as a standout component, though he admits uncertainty about whether the improved performance comes from the cartridge type or stylus design. The listening experience has sparked his interest in exploring moving coil technology further.
Overall, the host expresses strong enthusiasm for the turntable, stating it would be his daily driver if he owned it and praising it as having the best sound quality of any turntable currently in his possession. He positions this as a significant achievement for Audio-Technica, suggesting they’ve created something special in both their catalog and the broader turntable market. The host concludes by promising more analog content and mentions additional turntables coming for review.
🏁 Final Thoughts & Verdict
What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this final portion?
Audio-Technica:
- AT-LPA2 turntable ($2,000 MSRP) [00:14:32]
- OC9XEN cartridge with non-user replaceable stylus [00:15:33]
Speakers tested:
- KEF LS50 Metas [00:13:16]
- Emotiva XB2s [00:13:24]
- Totem Towers [00:13:35]
- Klipsch Forte 4s [00:13:37]
Other mentioned:
- MoFi Master Tracker cartridge (comparison for non-replaceable stylus) [00:16:04]
What is the host’s final verdict or conclusion?
[00:13:54] The host concludes this was “a great presentation not just visually but audio wise” and found the turntable produced sound that was “very smooth, very happy, very lush without being boring” with no annoying or unprofessional characteristics across multiple speaker pairings.
[00:14:01] He identifies the cartridge as “the star of the show outside of just the incredible handsome good looks.”
Any final tips, caveats, or advice for viewers?
Early adopter warning [00:14:41]: Being a first-year unit means “there’s always little things that might go wrong that the engineers and designers didn’t anticipate. You kind of become a beta tester.”
Maintenance advice [00:15:11]: The acrylic will be a fingerprint and dust magnet – use the dust cover and get extra white gloves (Audio-Technica includes them).
Stylus care [00:15:33]: The OC9XEN stylus is not user-replaceable but can be serviced by Audio-Technica for a fee. Handle very carefully.
Connection check [00:16:54]: Double-check the DIN cable connection between turntable and control unit, as it lacks locking collars.
How did the video wrap up?
[00:17:50] The host asks viewers multiple questions about their thoughts on the turntable, its value, and appeal, stating “Only you can answer those questions.”
[00:18:06] He thanks Audio-Technica for choosing his channel first and sees it as a good sign for the channel’s future direction toward analog and higher-end components.
[00:18:25] Standard YouTube outro directing viewers to another video, mentioning the turntable will go to “Cheap Audio Man and beyond” for further reviews.
Memorable closing quotes or strong final opinions
[00:17:45] “And if you’ve been sitting around scratching your head wondering when someone was going to come out with a full acrylic turntable that you could see through, well your dreams have come true.”
[00:15:20] “But this is just too beautiful to cover” (regarding the dust cover).
Summary
In this final portion, the host provides his comprehensive assessment of the Audio-Technica AT-LPA2 turntable after testing it with multiple speaker systems including KEF LS50 Metas, Emotiva XB2s, Totem Towers, and Klipsch Forte 4s. He concludes that the turntable delivered excellent sonic performance across all pairings, describing the sound as smooth, lush, and professional, with the included OC9XEN cartridge being the standout feature beyond the striking acrylic aesthetics.
The host then addresses several practical considerations and minor criticisms. He warns potential buyers about the risks of being early adopters of a first-year product, noting they essentially become beta testers for any unforeseen issues. He also discusses maintenance challenges with the all-acrylic construction being prone to fingerprints and dust, advising users to stock up on white gloves and use the dust cover. Additionally, he points out that the cartridge’s stylus is not user-replaceable and suggests Audio-Technica improve the DIN cable connection system.
The video concludes with the host posing questions to viewers about their opinions on the turntable’s appeal, value proposition, and whether it’s worth the $2,000 price point. He emphasizes that the decision ultimately comes down to individual preferences and needs, noting that this turntable fulfills the dreams of those wanting a fully transparent acrylic turntable. He expresses gratitude to Audio-Technica for selecting his channel for the first review and sees this as a positive sign for his channel’s future focus on higher-end analog equipment.
Analysis generated from archived transcripts. Channel: United States of Analog — hi-fi gear reviews, vinyl, and audiophile culture.
