Audio-Technica AT-PL120 User Manual

Direct Drive Professional
Stereo Turntable

AT-PL120

Installation and Operation

2

Direct Drive Professional Stereo Turntable

Installation and Operation

To prevent electric shock, do not remove the
cover. There are no user-serviceable parts
inside. Internal adjustments are for qualified
professionals only. Refer all servicing to
qualified service personnel.

Pour prévenir un choc électrique, ne pas ouvrir
le couvercle. Il n’y aucune pièces de rechanges
à l’intérieur. Tout ajustement interne doit être
fait par une personne qualifié seulement.
Référez tout réparation au personnel qualifié.

Para reducir el riesgo de descargas eléctricas,
no se abra la cubierta. No existen partes de reemplazo para que
el usuario pueda reparar por dentro el aparato. Deje cualquier
clase de mantenimiento en manos de técnicos especializados.

AVIS

RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE

NE PAS OUVRIR

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

Warning: To prevent fire or shock hazard, do

not expose this appliance to rain or moisture.

Attention: Pour prévenir feu ou choc

électrique, ne pas exposé l’appareil à la pluie

ou à l’humidité.
Cuidado: Para evitar descargas eléctricas o el peligro de
incendio, no exponga este aparato a la lluvia o humedad.

Thank you for purchasing the AT-PL120. Audio-Technica has
been a leading manufacturer of innovative stereo phonograph
products for more than 40 years. We are pleased to provide this
turntable, with its excellent performance and many convenient
features, for your enjoyment.

The AT-PL120 stereo turntable system features the following:

• Direct drive high-torque motor

• Selectable 33/45/78 rpm speeds

• Selectable internal stereo phono pre-amplifier

• S-shaped tone arm assembly with:

• Adjustable counterweight

• Anti-skate adjustment

• Tone arm height adjustment and lock

• Tone arm lift with hydraulic action and lift lever

• Tone arm rest with locking mechanism

• Selectable high-accuracy quartz-controlled pitch lock

• Selectable +/–10% or +/– 20% pitch adjustment ranges

• Stroboscopic platter speed indicator

• Forward and reverse play

• Cast aluminum record platter with slip mat

• Start/stop button with remote start/stop input

• Pop-up stylus target light

• 45-rpm adapter with storage receptacle

• Receptacle for extra headshell

• Adjustable feet for leveling

• Removable hinged dust cover

To assure maximum satisfaction from this product, please read
the information and follow the instructions presented in this
manual. Please keep the manual in an accessible location for
future reference.

We suggest that you save all the packaging materials for
possible future storage, moving, or shipping.

Caution: To avoid stylus damage, make certain the included
stylus guard is in place whenever the turntable is being
installed, moved, or cleaned.

Introduction

Caution: To prevent electric shock, do not use

the polarized plug with an extension cord,

receptacle, or other type of electrical outlet

unless the wide blade can be easily inserted

into a matching slot.

Attention: Pour éviter toute décharge
électrique, ne pas utiliser la prise polarisée avec un cordon de
prolongation, réceptacle ou tout autre dispositif électrique, à
moins que la broche large puisse s'insérer facilement dans un
trou de même taille.

Precaución: Para evitar descargas eléctricas, no use clavijas
polarizadas con una extension de cable, receptáculo, u otro tipo
de toma eléctrica a menos que el conductor plano más ancho de
la clavija pueda insertarse facilmente en el ranura del enchufe
que le corresponde.

PRECAUCION: RIESGO DE DESCARGAS ELECTRICAS

NO SE ABRA

3

Main Features

Figure 1 Main Features

PHONO OUT LINE OUT

115

1. POWER DIAL
Controls power to the unit.

2. START/STOP BUTTON
Engages and disengages the motor/platter.

3. PLATTER SPEED BUTTONS
Select 33 or 45 RPM platter speed. (Note: 78 RPM is

selected by pressing the 33 and 45 buttons
simultaneously.)

4. PLATTER
Cast aluminum platter mounts directly to center

spindle/motor shaft.

5. STROBE DOTS (On platter edge)
Operate in conjunction with stroboscopic light located

under power dial (1) to provide visual indication of accurate
platter speeds.

6. CENTER SPINDLE
Precision-machined platter mount on motor shaft.

7. 45-RPM ADAPTER (Shown in receptacle)
Adapts 7" records with large center holes to fit center

spindle.

8. DUST COVER HINGE HOLDERS
Attachment points for removable hinged dust cover.

9. HEADSHELL RECEPTACLE
Storage receptacle for extra headshell (not included).

10. TONE ARM ASSEMBLY
Refer to Figure 2 on page 4 for details.

2

7

11

10

11. DIRECTION BUTTON
Controls platter’s rotational direction:
F – Forward (clockwise)
R – Reverse (counter-clockwise)

12. PITCH ADJUST SLIDE CONTROL
Use in conjunction with pitch button (15) to vary the

platter’s rotational speed. In the center detent position
quartz lock is active.

13. PITCH SELECTION INDICATOR
Shows Green for standard or locked RPM setting, or Red

for a pitch-adjusted setting.

14. QUARTZ SPEED LOCK
Toggles between internal quartz-locked reference and

variable pitch controlled by pitch adjust slide control (12).

15. PITCH BUTTON
Selects the range of pitch variation permitted by the pitch

adjust slide control (12). (See page 7 for information on
locking or adjusting platter speed.)

16. POPUP STYLUS TARGET LIGHT
Provides illumination directed at the stylus position for

easier cueing in poor light.

17. VOLTAGE SELECTOR SWITCH
(Access through holes in platter)

Selects operating voltage (115V or 230V AC, 50/60 Hz).

18. PRE-AMP SELECTOR SWITCH
(Access through holes in platter)

Allows the internal stereo phono pre-amp to be bypassed
when the turntable is used with equipment having
magnetic phono inputs.

12

16

6

54

3

1

15 14

13

8

8

18

9

17

4

Figure 3 Rear View of Turntable

PITCH

OUTPUT

REMOTE

START/STOP

Tone Arm Assembly Diagram

19. HEADSHELL
Standard, interchangeable stereo cartridge headshell.

20. HEADSHELL LOCKING RING
Rotate counter-clockwise (to the left) to draw the inserted

headshell firmly into its seated, locked position. Rotate the
ring a full turn to the right to permit removal of the
headshell.

21. TONE ARM
S-shaped tone arm geometry reduces tracking error.

22. TONE ARM ASSEMBLY HEIGHT ADJUST
Raises and lowers the entire tone arm assembly to allow

the tone arm to remain parallel to the record surface.
(The proper setting is “0” for the included cartridge.)

23. TONE ARM LIFT
Elevates tone arm above record surface.

24. TONE ARM REST WITH LOCKING CLAMP
Locking clamp secures tone arm during transport.

25. TONE ARM LIFT ADJUST SCREW
Used to set the amount of tone arm lift.

26. TONE ARM LIFT CONTROL LEVER (“Cueing Lever”)
Controls action of tone arm lift. (Note: Lift mechanism is

hydraulically damped to slow tone arm descent.)

27. ANTI-SKATE CONTROL
Applies a small inward force to the tone arm,

counteracting the tendency of the tone arm to move
outward due to forces created by the stylus in the
record groove.

28. COUNTERWEIGHT
Balances the tone arm and provides adjustment for proper

downward tracking force on the stylus.

29. TONE ARM ASSEMBLY HEIGHT LOCK
(Hidden under counterweight in drawing)

Locks the tone arm height setting. (Always fully unlock
before attempting to make a height adjustment.)

Figure 2 Tone Arm Assembly

29

27

26

23

24

22

21

19

20

25

28

30. PITCH OUTPUT (RCA jack)
Provides a 2.5V square wave variable pitch output signal

(based on platter speed) used with certain mixers, CD
players, and other external devices equipped to be
synchronized with turntable pitch.

31. REMOTE START/STOP (

1

/4" jack)

This

1

/4" jack (2 conductor Tip/Sleeve) provides a normally
open dry-contact closure that allows for remote start/stop
of platter.

31

30

Rear View Diagram