Last year Audio-Technica dropped the AT-LP70X (LP70XBT), and it made a big splash… and also a bit of a mess online because of reported skipping and quality control drama. I’ve had my LP70X for about a year now, using it at least once a week as part of my little analog journey—vinyl has genuinely been one of those tactile, slow-down experiences that’s helped me reframe my mind and support my mental health. In this long-term review, I break down what still holds up and what still annoys me. Sound-wise, it’s still top notch for an entry-level turntable—the VM95 cartridge with the VM95C conical stylus is a legit upgrade over the LP60 and absolutely stomps my old suitcase player. I also still enjoy the automatic start/return (yes, vinyl elitists will hate it) and the Bluetooth feature, which has been a godsend for late-night listening on headphones. But it’s not perfect: the dust cover scratches easily, the controls are awkward with the lid down, and the build feels plasticky—especially the mushy, toy-like buttons. And yes, I address the skipping issue: I personally didn’t experience it (outside of obviously scratched records), and I think Audio-Technica handled the affected production run with transparency and a pretty swift replacement process. For me, it’s still a keeper.