Audio-Technica’s AT-LP3XBT fully automatic belt-drive turntable is designed for high-fidelity performance as well as convenient automatic operation. Before using the AT-LP3XBT it is important to set it up properly in order to ensure optimal turntable performance and to prevent premature wear of the stylus and your records.

Box contents

Carefully remove the turntable from the packaging and verify that all of the parts and accessories are present. Most of the accessories are carefully tucked away in the polystyrene packaging. You should have:

•  Turntable chassis

• Dual RCA output cable

• AC power adapter

• Dust cover

• Dust cover hinges

• Die-cast aluminium platter with drive belt

• Felt platter mat

• Headshell with pre-installed AT-VM95C Dual Moving Magnet Cartridge

• Counterweight assembly

• 45 RPM record adapter

• Quick start guide

Set up

• Position the product on a level surface.

• To avoid the effects of vibrations and acoustic pressure, do not mount the product next to speakers.

• If the product is near equipment (mobile phones etc.) that emits strong radio waves, noise may occur.

• Carefully place the platter on the turntable’s centre spindle, making certain the platter is fully seated on the spindle.

• Rotate the platter by hand until the rectangular opening with the red ribbon exposes the brass motor pulley (at the 8:00 position). Do not confuse the motor pulley with the white plastic post located near the tonearm.

• While holding the platter steady, carefully remove the tape securing the red ribbon to the platter. Then use the ribbon to guide the drive belt (attached to the underside of the platter) over the brass motor pulley. Make certain the belt is properly seated on the motor pulley, so it is riding in the pulley’s groove, and verify that the belt is not twisted.

• Once the belt is properly installed on the motor pulley, you may remove and discard the red ribbon.

• Place the felt turntable mat on the platter. With the tonearm still fastened to its rest, press and release the stop button on the front of the turntable and rotate the platter 10 times clockwise by hand.

• With the tonearm secured to its rest, attach the headshell into the socket at the end of the tonearm. Once in place, rotate the locking ring counterclockwise to lock the headshell into its seated position.

• Install the counterweight, making certain that the tracking force gauge dial is oriented towards the front. As you rotate the counterweight, it will thread onto the tonearm.

• Set the anti-skate adjustment knob (located at the base of the tonearm) to “0.”

• Carefully remove the stylus protective cover by sliding it straight forward off the front of the cartridge.

• While gently holding the headshell to stabilise the tonearm, carefully loosen the plastic tie securing the tonearm and discard the foam packing sheet. Be careful, as the tonearm is unbalanced and can move up or down, potentially damaging the stylus tip if it drags across the platter or other surface.

• Still holding the headshell to stabilise the tonearm, slowly rotate the counterweight until the tonearm is horizontally balanced. If the tonearm is lifting up into the air, the tonearm is too light and you will need to turn the weight counterclockwise. If the tonearm is going down, the tonearm is too heavy and you will need to turn the weight clockwise. This may take a few tries and patience, adjusting the weight in small increments. Once the tonearm is balanced, it should hover freely over the platter as if in zero gravity.

• Without touching the counterweight carefully place the tonearm in its rest and temporarily secure it with the plastic tie.

• Locate the tracking force gauge ring at the front of the counterweight, which is marked with numbers and lines indicating different tracking force values in grams. Please note that this plastic number dial can rotate independently of the metal weight. Turn the numbers so that the “0” lines up with the centreline on the top of the tonearm. Be careful not to move the counterweight during this step.

• To set the proper tracking force for your AT-VM95C cartridge turn the entire counterweight counterclockwise until the “2” value lines up with the centreline mark on the tonearm, adding 2 grams of tracking force. If you are using a different cartridge, make certain the proper tracking force is set according to the cartridge manufacturer’s specifications, and that the cartridge is properly aligned.

• You can now remove and discard the plastic tie securing the tonearm to its rest.

• Set the anti-skate adjustment, which is located at the base of the tonearm. It is common practice to match the anti-skate value to the cartridge tracking force value. If using the included AT-VM95C cartridge, set the anti-skate knob to “2,” which is the same value as the tracking force.

• Install the clear plastic dust cover by placing the two hinges into the slots at the rear of the turntable. Note that the dust cover only opens up to a 45-degree angle, but you may also remove the dust cover if you prefer.

Connecting the audio cable

The AT-LP3XBT is designed with a traditional phono output along with a built-in phono preamp that provides an RIAA-equalised line-level output. This makes the turntable compatible with traditional phono inputs on amplifiers and receivers, as well as Aux or line-level inputs on powered speakers, integrated amplifiers, and analogue computer soundcards.

• Connect one end of the provided RCA cable to the turntable’s RCA outputs and the other end to your desired powered speaker or stereo receiver/amplifier. For audio devices that have a separate ground terminal, connect the spade lug on the RCA cable to the ground lug on your audio component and the turntable to help minimise hum.

• Set the preamp switch on the rear of the turntable to correspond with the device you are connecting to.

• If you are connecting to a specified PHONO input on a stereo receiver or an external RIAA preamp, then move the switch on the rear of the turntable to the PHONO position, which disengages the turntable’s internal preamp.

• If connecting to a LINE level input on a stereo (CD, AUX, TAPE, etc.) or powered speakers with an analogue AUX input, then move the switch on the rear of the turntable to the LINE position, which engages the turntable’s internal RIAA preamp.

• Once you have completed the setup, connect the power cable to the socket on the rear of the turntable and connect the other end to an AC outlet.

Connecting via Bluetooth

This product supports Bluetooth wireless connectivity. It can be connected to Bluetooth-enabled headphones, speakers, etc.

About pairing

To connect this product to a Bluetooth device, it must be paired with this product. Once paired, there is no need to pair again.

However, pairing is required again in the following cases:

• When deleted from the connection history of the Bluetooth device.

• If this product is sent for repair.

• If more than 9 units are paired; this product can be paired with up to 8 units in total. If you pair 8 devices and then pair a new device, the pairing information for the oldest of the 8 devices will be overwritten with the information for the new device.

How to pair

• Please also read the instruction manual for the Bluetooth device.

• Place the Bluetooth device within 1 metre of the product for pairing.

• Please note that we cannot guarantee the operation of connected Bluetooth devices.

• Plug the AC adapter into an outlet.

• For safety, raise the tonearm by lifting the tonearm lift control lever to the UP position.

• 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 AC adapter from the outlet when not using the product for a long period of time.

• Plug the AC adapter into an outlet without removing the cartridge 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 plugging the AC adapter into an outlet, the sound that is played may be garbled. Wait a short time (about 30 seconds) after plugging the AC adapter into the outlet before playing a record.

• Set the selector switch on back of the turntable to “Line” to engage the preamp.

• Put your Bluetooth device into pairing mode.

• Press and hold the wireless function button (about 2 seconds).

• The indicator LEDs begin to flash red and blue.

• When pairing is complete, the indicator LED turns blue.

*Note: The pairing mode of this product will automatically end after approximately 30 seconds. If pairing was not completed correctly, pair again in the same manner.

Operation

• 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.

• Select the speed with the platter speed button.

• Select "33" for 33-1⁄3 rpm records or "45" for 45 rpm records.

• With the tonearm lift control lever in the DOWN position, press the START button.

• Do not subject the product to strong impact during playback.

• Do not switch the record size selection while the record is playing. Doing so can cause the product to malfunction.

If you have any additional questions about using the AT-LP3XBT, please contact us for assistance.