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It's widely aknowledge that Audio Technica's AT-LP5 turntable is one of the best around at the price – we gave it 4.5 stars when we reviewed it back in HFC 405 – but there is always room for improvement, and that's where The Audio Files come in. By marrying the Audio-Technica turntable with a highly respected entry-level tonearm – in the shape of the classic Rega RB202 -it's hope that the result might just be one of the best direct-drive turntables available.

Further improvement, meanwhile, is afforded the budget turntable with the inclusion of a custom-made 4mm acrylic arm-board that's been CNC laser cut for perfect geometry and optimum VTA. Finally, after six months of listening tests, SDS was called in to provide invaluable advice on reducing and controlling resonance and vibration that can mask the smaller and more nuanced signals that  exist in all the best vinyl transcriptions. It's their platter damping treatment that The audio Files believe is  "a technically and musically beautifully resolved product that is without any serious competition at its price". The result is what The Audio Files call the AT LP5 IPT, which is available now for £695.

Check out the full specification below, or click here to find out more.

Drive Method: Direct drive
Type: Two-speed, fully manual operation
Motor: DC motor
Speeds: 33/45rpm
Turntable Platter: Die-cast aluminium with SDS Damping
Starting Torque: >1.6 kgf.cm
Braking System: Electronic brake
Wow and Flutter: < 0.2% WRMS (33 RPM)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: > 50 dB
Output Level@: “PHONO” (Pre-amp bypassed) - 4 mV nominal at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec
“LINE” (Pre-amp engaged) - 150 mV nominal at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec
USB Function: A/D, D/A - 16 bit 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz USB selectable
Computer interface: USB 1.1 (or higher) compliant Windows XP, Vista or MAC OS X
Accessories Included: Dust cover with hinges; AC mains lead; Dual RCA (male) to Dual RCA (male) stereo cable; 45 RPM single centre hole adapter; USB cable; recording software (Audacity), cartridge alignment and overhang adjustment template

Tonearm: Audio Origami AO202 by Rega Research
Single piece die-cast armtube
Three-point fixing
Hand selected, high quality vertical and horizontal bearings