Audio-Technica has revealed the sleek new AT-LP7X turntable at CES 2026. The new, manual belt-driven record player serves as an alternative to the recent direct drive releases from the popular Japanese audio firm.
With a sleek design, thanks to the premium matte black finish and premium materials, the AT-LP7X is billed as an ideal option for “vinyl enthusiasts who value precision engineering and minimalistic, timeless design.” It’s got a J-shaped tonearm, inspired by AT machines of the 60s and 70s and promises a AT-VM95E cartridge in black on a AT-LT10 headshell. The stylus can be easily replaced or upgraded by any model within the VM95 Series.
It supports 33 1/2 and 45 RPM records (complete with an adaptor), while the motor with a speed sensor system is designed to maintain accurate platter rotation. There’s a built-in phono pre-amplifier, which can be bypassed with your own pre-amp, or switched to suit MM/MC cartridges. This model is designed for tinkerers, so customisation is at its heart.
“Vertical tracking angle (VTA) adjustment, anti-skate control, and additional subcounterweight allow compatibility with a wide range of cartridges and headshells,” AT says.
In terms of the design, AT says: “Its dense MDF (medium density fibreboard) plinth and 20 mm acrylic platter dampen resonance and vibration, ensuring minimised transmission of mechanical noise and oscillations for a more accurate reproduction of the recording.”
The AT-LP7X is available from today (January 6) and costs £679/$999. That puts it in the same ballpark as the Technics SL-40CBT and the Pro-Ject Debut Evo 2, if you’re comparing models to begin your vinyl habit in 2026.
In terms of AT’s other models, it’s less expensive than the direct-drive AT-LP8X, which is £859/$1299. The entry-level and ageing AT-LPX5 (also direct-drive) costs just £299/$649.
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