Audio Technica AT-LP2X User manual

AT-LP2X
User Manual
Fully Automatic Belt-Drive Turntable
EN
Manuel de l’utilisateur
Tourne-disque à entraînement par courroie
entièrement automatique
FR
Bedienungsanleitung
Vollautomatischer, riemenbetriebener
Plattenspieler
DE
Manual de usuario
Tocadiscos de transmisión por correa
totalmente automático
ES

1
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing this Audio-Technica product.
Read through this user manual before using the product to ensure its correct use. Also, keep this manual, along with the warranty, for future reference.
This product can be used only in the countries where the product is sold. Make sure that the operating voltage of the product is correct for the country you live in.
Package contents
Make sure that you have all the included items listed below before using this product.
If some items are missing or damaged, contact your local Audio-Technica dealer.
• Turntable body • Felt mat • Dust cover
• Platter (with drive belt) • Counterweight • Headshell (AT-HS3) with VM stereo cartridge
(AT91R)
• Power cable
• User manual (this document)
• 45 RPM adapter
After purchase, we suggest that you save all packaging materials for possible future storage, moving, or shipping.

2
EN
Safety precautions
Important information
Warning:
To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose this apparatus to rain or
moisture.
Caution:
Do not expose this apparatus to drips or splashes.
To avoid electric shock, do not open the cabinet.
Refer servicing to qualified personnel only.
Do not expose this apparatus to excessive heat such as sunshine, fire
or the like.
Do not subject this apparatus to strong impact.
This apparatus should be located close enough to the AC outlet so
that you can easily grasp the power cord plug at any time.
In case of emergency, disconnect the power cord plug of this
apparatus quickly.
Do not place any objects filled with liquids, such as vases, on this
apparatus.
To prevent fire, do not place any naked flame sources (such as lighted
candles) on this apparatus.
Do not install this apparatus in a confined space such as a bookcase or similar
unit.
To install this apparatus only in the place where ventilation is good.
Notes on use
Turntable body
• Do not set and use the product in locations that are considerably hot or
humid, dirty, or subject to extreme vibrations.
• The product should be positioned on a flat, level surface.
Cartridge
• Attach the provided protector to the cartridge when the product is not in use.
• Do not touch the stylus of the cartridge with your finger.
• Do not allow the stylus to bump against the platter, felt mat, or edge of the
record.

3
Part names and functions
Overall diagram
145 RPM adapter (shown in receptacle)
Select the platter speed (33-1/3 or 45 RPM).
2Platter
3Felt mat
4Spindle
5Dust cover hinge holders
Attachment points for dust cover hinges.
6Tonearm part
For details, refer to “Tonearm” on p. 5.
7Size selector
Switch between 12" and 7", according to the size of the record.
8Platter speed button
Select the platter speed (33-1/3 or 45 RPM).
9START button
Spins the platter and moves the tonearm.
10 STOP button
Returns the tonearm to its original position and stops the platter.
11 Dust cover
12 Pre-amplifier selector switch
If using an amplifier with a PHONO input jack, set this switch to the
PHONO position. If connecting to the AUX jack of an amplifier, set this
switch to the LINE position.
13 RCA audio cable (with grounding wire)
Connect to PHONO input jack (grounding wire to ground terminal, if
available) or AUX (LINE) input jack of a receiver, amplifier or other
connectable equipment.
14 AC inlet
Insert the power cable here.
1
2
3
4
55
6
7
8 9 10
11
12 14
13

4
EN
Part names and functions
Tonearm
1
2
3
5
6
8
4
9
7
1Counterweight
Balances the tonearm and adjusts to provide the proper tracking force.
2Tracking force gauge ring
Use to adjust the tracking force.
3Tonearm lift
Moves the tonearm vertically to and from the face of the record.
4Tonearm rest
5Anti-skate control dial
While the record is playing, a force acts on the stylus tip to pull it inward.
This force can be counteracted by setting the same values for anti-skate
and the tracking force.
6Tonearm lift control lever
Operates the tonearm lift.
7Tonearm
8Locking ring
Rotate the ring to the left (counterclockwise) to secure the headshell. To
remove the headshell, rotate the ring to the right.
9Headshell and cartridge
The cartridge (AT91R) is mounted to the headshell (AT-HS3).

5
Preparation for use
Installing the turntable
• Mount the product on a level surface.
• To avoid the effects of vibrations and acoustic pressure, do not mount the
product next to such items as speakers.
• The product may pick up radio static if placed next to a radio. Therefore, try
to keep the product away from radios.
• If the product is near equipment (cell phone, etc.) that emits strong radio
waves, noise may occur.
Placing the platter and the felt mat
This product requires some assembly before using it for the first time.
Do not connect the power cable until assembly is complete.
1. Set the platter on the spindle.
• Make certain that the platter is fully seated on the spindle.
2. Place the belt on the motor pulley (brass-colored).
• Align one of the platter openings with the brass motor pulley, and, while pulling
both ends of the red ribbon that comes attached to the belt, place the belt on the
motor pulley, as per the diagram. When doing this, be careful not to twist the
belt.
Belt
Motor pulley
(brass-colored)
Red ribbon
Straight Twisted
3. Remove the red ribbon from the belt.
4. Set the felt mat on the platter.
• After setting the felt mat, put the 45 RPM adapter into the space made for it on
the upper left.
Felt mat45 RPM adapter
PlatterOpening
Motor pulley
(brass-colored)
Spindle

6
EN
Preparation for use
Assembling the tonearm
1. Insert the headshell into the locking ring.
• Hold the right and left edges of the headshell so that you do not damage the
stylus or cut the cartridge’s wires.
2. With the headshell inserted, turn the locking ring
counterclockwise (to the left).
3. With the tracking force gauge ring facing forward, attach
the counterweight to the back of the tonearm, and slowly
turn it counterclockwise (to the left).
Tonearm balance and tracking force
In order for the cartridge to pick up sound correctly from the record’s grooves,
the tonearm’s balance and tracking force must be adjusted to fit the
specifications of the cartridge. If the tonearm’s balance and tracking force are
not properly adjusted, the record or the cartridge’s stylus may become damaged.
• Do not drag the cartridge’s stylus across the record or felt mat when
adjusting the tonearm’s balance or tracking force. Doing so may damage the
stylus.
Setting tonearm balance
1. Remove the cartridge’s protector.
2. While holding headshell, remove the cable tie used to
secure the tonearm at the time of delivery.
3. While still lightly holding the headshell, turn the
counterweight to adjust the tonearm’s balance.
• Adjust the balance so that the tonearm is level when you release the headshell.
4. Return the tonearm to the tonearm rest.
Locking ring
Tonearm Counterweight
Adjust so that tonearm is level

7
Preparation for use
Setting tracking force
1. While supporting the counterweight so that it does not
move, turn the tracking force gauge ring so that its “0”
position lines up with the centerline on the back of the
tonearm (the tracking force is not adjusted simply by
turning the tracking force gauge ring).
2. Turn the counterweight and the tracking force gauge
ring together counterclockwise until the centerline value
matches the recommended tracking force value for the
cartridge you are using.
• Refer to the cartridge maker’s specifications for the recommended tracking force
value.
• The tracking force value for the cartridge provided with this product is 2.0 g.
Setting the anti-skate adjustment
While the record is playing, a force acts on the stylus tip to pull it inward. This
force can be counteracted by setting the same values for anti-skate and the
tracking force.
1. Adjust the anti-skate control dial to have the same value
as the tracking force value.
• The tracking force value for the cartridge provided with this product is 2.0 g.
Installing/removing the dust cover
When attaching the dust cover, insert the hinges of the dust cover into the
two dust cover hinge holders on the back of the body. When removing the dust
cover, slowly pull the dust cover out from the dust cover hinge holders.
Setting pre-amplifier selector switch
This product has a built-in phono equalizer function. You can use the product,
even if you do not have a phono amplifier or connectable equipment with a
built-in phono amplifier.
Use the pre-amplifier selector switch to set the output, as shown below.
Connectable
equipment being
used
Position of
pre-amplifier
selector switch
Where to connect
RCA audio cable
Device with phono
input
PHONO Phono input jack and
ground (earth) terminal of
connectable equipment
Device without phono
input
LINE AUX or line input jack of
connectable equipment
PC sound card LINE PC sound card’s line input
jack*1
*1
An audio adapter (sold separately) may be required to connect the RCA audio cable to
the line input jack of the PC sound card.
Centerline
Tracking force gauge ring Hinge

8
EN
Preparation for use
Connecting the device
Align the settings for the pre-amplifier selector switch and connect the RCA audio cable to an input jack that is compatible with the connectable equipment you are
using (amplifier, receiver, active speakers, sound card, etc.).
• The RCA audio cable's red jack is for the right (R) channel, and the white jack is for the left (L) channel.
Rotating the platter
1. Using your hands, rotate the platter ten times.
• Raise the tonearm lift control lever to lift the tonearm. Slowly rotate the turntable
ten times by hand in the direction of the arrow.
• You may want to hold the tonearm to prevent it from moving. This step is for
resetting the auto mechanism, getting rid of any twists in the belt and making
sure the belt rides smoothly along the drive rim on the underside of the platter.
Connecting the power cable
This product does not have a power switch. A standby current is always running
through the product, even when it is not being used; disconnect the power cable
plug from the outlet when not using the product for a long period of time.
1. Connect the power cable plug to the outlet.
• For safety, raise the tonearm by lifting the tonearm lift control lever to the UP
position.
• Connect the power cable plug to the outlet without removing the cartridge’s
protector. If the platter has rotated, press the STOP button without touching the
tonearm, and then wait until the tonearm returns to its original position.
• If you play a record immediately after inserting the power cable, the sound that
is played may be garbled. Wait a short time (about 30 seconds) after plugging the
power cable plug into the outlet before playing a record.
*1
Depending on the connectable equipment you are using, a ground
(earth) terminal may be present near the phono input jack. If this is
the case, connect the grounding wire of the RCA audio cable to it.
This will help prevent a low humming noise that might otherwise
be heard during playback.
With PHONO*1 Without PHONO
To outlet
To outlet
Connectable equipment
(Amplifier, etc.)
Tonearm

9
Playing a record
Before playing a record
1. Remove the cartridge’s protector.
• Pull the protector straight forward to remove it.
• Applying a downward force may cause the stylus to come off the body. Only low
volume is output if the stylus has come off, or is about to come off, so refer to
“Replacing the stylus” on p. 11 to reattach the stylus correctly.
2. Place the record on the felt mat so that the center hole
aligns with the spindle.
• If playing a 45 RPM record with a large center hole, attach the 45 RPM adapter
(see the right side of the diagram below).
Automatic operation
Lower the volume of the amplifier, speakers, etc. sufficiently.
1. Select the size with the size selector.
• Select “12"” for an LP record with a 12" diameter, and “7"” for a 45 RPM record
with a 7" diameter.
2. Press the speed with the platter speed button.
• Select “33” for a 33-1/3 RPM record, and “45” for a 45 RPM record.
3. Press the START button.
• Do not bump the product while the record is playing.
• Do not switch the record size selection while the record is playing. Doing either of
these can cause the product to malfunction.
Manual operation
Lower the volume of the amplifier, speakers, etc. sufficiently.
1. Raise the tonearm by lifting the tonearm lift control lever
to the UP position.
Tonearm lift control lever
2. Position the tonearm over the desired location (groove)
on the record.
3. Lower the tonearm by moving the tonearm lift control
lever to the DOWN position.The tonearm descends
slowly onto the record and play begins.
• Alternatively, you can skip steps 1 to 3, and use the finger-lift on the headshell to
position the tonearm over the desired location on the record. Carefully lower the
tonearm to the record surface.
• Do not subject the product to strong impact during playback.
Pausing the record
1. After lowering the volume of the amplifier, speakers, etc.
sufficiently, lift the tonearm with the tonearm lift control
lever.
protector
45 RPM adapter