Audio-Technica’s latest turntable isn’t just about sound—it’s also a bit of a showpiece. Unveiled at High End Munich 2025, the new AT-LPA2 takes a bold visual approach with a fully transparent design that lets you see everything in motion. But this isn’t just for looks. Underneath the clear acrylic is a serious analog setup aimed at vinyl fans who care as much about how their gear performs as how it looks.
It’s hard to ignore the AT-LPA2’s design when you see it. The base is made from a solid 30mm slab of high-density acrylic, and the spinning platter on top is another 20mm thick. The clear construction gives it a futuristic vibe, but it’s also a functional choice. Acrylic does a great job at dampening unwanted vibrations—something every vinyl setup has to deal with.
This model follows in the footsteps of Audio-Technica’s limited-edition AT-LP2022, which also used acrylic and was released for the brand’s 60th anniversary. That earlier model was capped at 3,000 units and sold for $1,200. The AT-LPA2 isn’t a limited run, but it does come in at a higher price: $2,000.
Weighing in at about 8.4 kg (just over 18 pounds), the turntable has enough heft to stay stable during playback. That’s important when you’re trying to keep outside vibrations from affecting your music.
While many modern turntables, especially DJ models, go with a direct drive system, the AT-LPA2 sticks with belt drive. It’s a more traditional setup, and though it doesn’t offer the immediate torque of direct drive, it helps isolate motor noise—something that matters more for home listening than beat-matching.
To keep things spinning precisely, there’s an optical sensor tucked under the spindle that constantly checks the platter’s rotation. This makes sure your records are always spinning at the right speed—either 33-1/3 or 45 RPM—without any drift.
One of the more interesting design choices here is that the power supply and controls aren’t on the turntable at all. Instead, they’re built into a separate control box. That may sound a bit inconvenient, but there’s a good reason for it. By moving those components away from the sensitive audio circuits, Audio-Technica reduces the chance of electrical noise sneaking into your sound.
It also helps keep the main deck looking clean—after all, buttons and LEDs would kind of ruin the whole transparent effect.
The AT-LPA2 also introduces a new straight carbon-fiber tonearm, which is lighter and stiffer than traditional materials. That’s good for accurate tracking—basically, helping the needle stay in the groove properly without adding extra resonance.
You also get a full range of adjustments, including vertical tracking angle (VTA), azimuth, and a fine-tuned anti-skate mechanism. It even comes with interchangeable counterweights (110g and 130g), so you can easily swap out cartridges if you want to try something different down the line.
Out of the box, though, it’s fitted with the AT-OC9XEN, one of Audio-Technica’s moving coil cartridges. It features a nude elliptical stylus and high-purity copper coils, and it’s built to pull subtle details out of your vinyl collection. One thing to note: since it’s a moving coil cartridge, the stylus isn’t user-replaceable—but Audio-Technica does offer a Moving Coil Exchange Program if you ever need service.
The AT-LPA2 comes with a set of useful accessories:
These extras hint that this isn’t a plug-and-play model for first-time users. You’ll want to be comfortable setting up tracking force and cartridge alignment, or at least willing to learn.
The AT-LPA2 clearly isn’t built for the casual listener or someone just starting out with vinyl. It’s aimed at people who already know what they’re doing—or at least want to invest in gear that they can grow into. You’ll need a phono preamp that supports low-output moving coil cartridges, and some setup time is required.
But if you’re someone who enjoys tweaking your setup, appreciates thoughtful engineering, and wants a turntable that doubles as a conversation piece, the AT-LPA2 has plenty to offer. It’s a blend of aesthetics and analog detail, bringing a fresh design approach to a format that’s all about slowing down and enjoying the music, one spin at a time.
The AT-LPA2 is available starting May 15, 2025, and is priced at $2,000 USD, £1,699, or €1,999. It’s available from select retailers and distributors.
