TURNTABLE LAB

Audio-Technica
AT-PL50 Turntable (w/ Built-In Pre-Amp)

OVERVIEW
This is an excellent belt-drive turntable for those who wish to simply listen to or record vinyl records (it is designed strictly for non-DJ home use). We have been looking for something to replace the eternally back ordered Technics SL-BD20, and this outstanding (and inexpensive) turntable from Audio Technica may be an even better deal. It's obviously great to get a brand new reliable turntable for under $100 dollars, but this also includes a few features, like a built-in phono pre-amp, that make it more than just a cheap solution.

FEATURES
The biggest feature here is the built-in phono pre-amp. Most stereos and receivers these days do not have a phono input or support a direct phono input, which mean you would have to route any turntable through some sort of pre-amplifier (such as a mixer) in order to play your records. Not so with the AT-PL50! Not only can you plug this directly into your stereo or receiver (any input will do), you can also plug it directly into your computer for easy vinyl recording. It's an extremely useful feature, and the AT-PL50 is literally one of the only turntables in production to offer it. Note that you can also shut the pre-amp function off if desired.

Another appealing feature here is the automatic tonearm. You can choose to either manually start the platter at your desired position (or song) or let the turntable automatically place the needle down on the beginning of the record (you need to choose the record size for both options). When the record has finished playing, the arm will automatically return to the arm rest, stopping the platter. Very convenient for home listening. It comes with a cartridge already installed, and will play both 33 and 45 RPM records. Since it's a belt-drive turntable, this cannot function in any dj capacity: back-cueing, scratching, etc are NOT advised.

OUR OPINION
The Audio Technica AT-PL50 is an absolute score. If you aren't going to be doing any dj'ing and need an inexpensive solution for listening to or recording records at home, this comes highly recommended.
reviewed by mgmnt

file under:
basic - turntables / lab recommended - turntables / vinyl to digital - turntables / audio-technica - turntables / and more

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Technics
SL-1210M5G Turntable

OVERVIEW
The 1210 M5G is subtitled the "grand master" and takes over the top of the line position for Technics' line of turntables. The major improvement here, and the feature which is exclusive to the 1210M5G, is the pitch control. It is now completely digital, which means you should never have the problem of mismatched pitch ranges, and it also gives you the ability to choose between two separate pitch ranges: the standard +/-8 range and the larger +/-16 range. The color scheme, style and finish are also exclusive to the M5G and includes a blue stylus pop-up light, blue lights for both pitch ranges, a unique metallic black finish, and brushed steel hardware for everything down to the 45 adaptor.

Other than that, the M5G includes the same improvements that the MK5 made over the M3D: include 1) the tonearm construction has been improved, which should lead to better skip resistance 2) the brake adjustment is now more accessible. Simply remove the record and slipmat and it's possible to adjust the platter's breaking time with a screwdriver.

OUR OPINION
The Technics 1200 turntable is still our #1 recommendation, in any model number. This "grand master" edition has finally made some serious improvements to the basic 1200 scheme, with the digital pitch control a particularly useful step. Aside from that, the M5G is the most unique 1200 this side of the limited edition gold 1200s and retains all the strengths of previous models. The feel and durability are unmatched. It is the best turntable available, and one that is used in 99% of all venues. Some newer turntables may have more features, but this is the superior overall product, and is the preferred choice for all types of djing. The high torque (motor strength), accurate pitch (speed control), quality tone arm (aids in skip resistance), and superior sound are the standards by which all other turntables are judged. The body and major components are made of steel (whereas most other turntables are made of plastic). The bottom of the body is made of a dense rubber that eliminates distortion and feedback and adds extra weight for stability. Most of the basic parts are readily available and user replaceable. The resale value is also very high.
reviewed by mgmnt

file under:
technics - turntables / high-end - turntables / lab recommended - turntables / turntables

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Technics
SL-1210MK5 Turntable - Black

OVERVIEW
The Technics 1200 has been the industry standard for 25+ years. The 1200MK5 replaces the 1200M3D, making a couple improvements along the way: 1) the tonearm construction has been improved, which should lead to better skip resistance. 2) the brake adjustment is now more accessible. Simply remove the record and slipmat and it's possible to adjust the platter's breaking time with a screwdriver. Other than that, this is exactly the same as the M3D, which had these differences from the original MK2: 1) power switch is sunken to prevent accidental turn-off 2) includes a button which overrides the pitch control to zero (regular speed) 3) no "click" at zero on the pitch control 4) comes with a high quality Technics 2 piece slipmat 5) Dust cover does not include hinges.


FEATURES
This is the turntable that first established the type of high torque (motor strength), accurate pitch (speed control), quality tone arm (aids in skip resistance), and superior sound that is required by djs, and after 25+ years it is still the standard by which all other turntables are judged. Every other turntable that has come since has patterned their design off this legendary piece of equipment, and the reason is simple: the 1200 is about as close to perfection as you can get with a piece of machinery. It functions beautifully and the durability and construction are unmatched. The body and major components are made of steel. The bottom of the body is made of a dense rubber that eliminates distortion and feedback and adds extra weight for stability. Most of the basic parts are readily available and user replaceable.


OUR OPINION
Our #1 recommendation. There is simply no replacement for a Technics 1200 turntable. Regardless of model number, Technics still makes the best turntable available, and they are used in 99% of all venues. Resale value is also very high. Some newer turntables may have more features, but this is the superior overall product. When you use a 1200, you know you are using the best.
reviewed by mgmnt

file under:
technics - turntables / high-end - turntables / lab recommended - turntables / turntables

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Vestax
Handy Trax Portable Turntable

OVERVIEW
The importance of having a quality portable turntable is obvious for anyone who has ever seriously looked for or collected records. It's the key element for record buying trips (especially at flea markets and that record warehouse in the sky); plus it's the missing piece of equipment that frees your records to go wherever you want. Listen before you buy, and play them anywhere -what could be better? For years, collectors have been hoarding children's portables and hard to find Japanese models; now Vestax has finally made a high grade portable available to the general public.

OUR OPINION
The Handy Trax is a well thought-out machine, designed with input from collectors and djs. As a result, it is easy to use, surprisingly durable, and has a host of sensible features. For most, the top feature will be the powerful, full sounding stereo headphone output. It's plenty loud enough and sound quality will not have you second guessing what the record "really sounds like." Headphones get an A+. You can also plug the Handy Trax into your receiver or stereo system with its standard RCA outs, so it's possible to double as a home unit. Listening on the built-in speaker is definitely a last resort, but even that is good enough to fill up a small space like a bedroom. Other functions include a strong pitch control knob and effective tone control (just low/high, but it's enough to remove scratchy hiss). The Handy Trax also features a 3.5mm input which allows you to play another source through the turntable's speaker. It is powered either by an included, detachable power plug or six "D" batteries.

The Handy Trax gets the job done and it comes with just about every feature that djs and collectors have asked for. If you need to justify such a luxury purchase, just think of the number of bad records you won't buy with this thing in your possession. It'll pay for itself in no time and make your collection better while you're at it. And aside from the obvious, the possibilities are endless- this gives you bedside listening flexibility, stoopside action in the warm weather and trips to the park. For now, it's as close to an ipod as the record world is going to get.
reviewed by mgmnt

file under:
portable - turntables / lab recommended - turntables / vestax - turntables / turntables

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Technics
SL-1200MK5 Turntable - Silver

OVERVIEW
The Technics 1200 has been the industry standard for 25+ years. The 1200MK5 replaces the 1200M3D, making a couple improvements along the way: 1) the tonearm construction has been improved, which should lead to better skip resistance. 2) the brake adjustment is now more accessible. Simply remove the record and slipmat and it's possible to adjust the platter's breaking time with a screwdriver. Other than that, this is exactly the same as the M3D, which had these differences from the original MK2: 1) power switch is sunken to prevent accidental turn-off 2) includes a button which overrides the pitch control to zero (regular speed) 3) no "click" at zero on the pitch control 4) comes with a high quality Technics 2 piece slipmat 5) Dust cover does not include hinges.


FEATURES
This is the turntable that first established the type of high torque (motor strength), accurate pitch (speed control), quality tone arm (aids in skip resistance), and superior sound that is required by djs, and after 25+ years it is still the standard by which all other turntables are judged. Every other turntable that has come since has patterned their design off this legendary piece of equipment, and the reason is simple: the 1200 is about as close to perfection as you can get with a piece of machinery. It functions beautifully and the durability and construction are unmatched. The body and major components are made of steel. The bottom of the body is made of a dense rubber that eliminates distortion and feedback and adds extra weight for stability. Most of the basic parts are readily available and user replaceable.


OUR OPINION
Our #1 recommendation. There is simply no replacement for a Technics 1200 turntable. Regardless of model number, Technics still makes the best turntable available, and they are used in 99% of all venues. Resale value is also very high. Some newer turntables may have more features, but this is the superior overall product. When you use a 1200, you know you are using the best.
reviewed by mgmnt

file under:
technics - turntables / high-end - turntables / lab recommended - turntables / turntables

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Numark
TT200 Turntable w/ FREE CX-1 Cartridge

affordable direct drive

SPECIAL OFFER: Purchase this turntable between 11/1/2009 and 12/31/2009 and receive a free CX-1 cartridge by mail from Numark. click for rebate form

OVERVIEW
Finally, an equipment manufacturer has developed a low priced turntable that functions much like a Technics 1200. The Numark TT200 drastically changes the turntable buying market. With its $199.00 price tag, it easily outperforms similarly priced turntables; and also competes with the 1200 and similar high end turntables in terms of price performance.

What makes this turntable different? First and foremost, the TT200 has a powerful direct drive motor. The torque (1.7 kg/cm) is actually stronger than the 1200(!). Second, the construction resembles the durable design of higher priced models: steel top, rubberized bottom, and aluminum platter. The TT200 weighs almost as much as a 1200, and you can feel it when you use it.

The all aluminum, straight arm tonearm is the best offered at this price range. It performs with excellent tracking, and higher durability than its plastic counterparts. The pitch control has a wide range of +/-10 (1200s have +/-8), and appears to be accurate. The pitch control response does not appear to be as quick as the 1200, but it is a small detail, that is easily adapted to.


OUR OPINION
Hands down, in the under $350 range, this is the best turntable we've tested. At this price, the TTX stands alone in terms of price and functionality. It is not a high-end turntable, but it captures several key functions of those higher priced turntables (torque, tonearm, several construction features). If you are a beginner, intermediate, or DJ on a budget, this is definitely a solid choice at an incredible price. We give a high recommendation in terms off price and performance.

What's the difference between this and higher priced turntables? In percentage terms, whereas most budget turntables compete with high end turntables at about 30-50%, the TT200 is closer to 75%. Although the construction is much better than its counterparts, the overall grade of the parts is not as high as the 1200. It still has a plastic feel. Although its torque is higher than the 1200, the motor on the 1200 feels stronger (dues to combination of platter weight and body stability). The TT200 is a very functional turntable, but it doesn't quite feel like a finely tuned piece of equipment. When buying equipment, we always say you get what you pay for. With the TT200 you get the most for your money.
reviewed by mgmnt

file under:
mid-range - turntables / lab recommended - turntables / numark - turntables / turntables

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Numark
TT-USB Turntable (w/ Recording Software) w/FREE CX-1 Cartridge

full featured USB turntable

SPECIAL OFFER: Purchase this turntable between 11/1/2009 and 12/31/2009 and receive a free CX-1 cartridge by mail from Numark. click for rebate form

OVERVIEW
The TTUSB turntable makes digitizing your vinyl record collection a breeze. The belt-drive table is equipped with an adjustable anti-skating control for increased stereo balance, support for 33.33 and 45 RPM playback speeds, ± 10% adjustable pitch control, and a 1/8-inch stereo minijack input connector to facilitate the transfer of cassette tapes, Numark's TTUSB is an excellent and affordable tool for digitally archiving your record collection. Combined with Audacity's software (PC and Mac compatible) for removing clicks and other noises, the TTUSB is an easy-to-use solution for transferring your record collection to a computer and converting them into WAVs or MP3s.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
basic - turntables / mid-range - turntables / lab recommended - turntables / vinyl to digital - turntables / and more

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Audio-Technica
AT-LP2D USB Turntable (w/ Recording Software)

OVERVIEW
The AT-LP2D USB Turntable improves upon our bestselling AT-PL50 and AT-LP2Da turntables by replacing the RCA output with a USB port for direct connectivity to your MAC or PC. This means super easy vinyl-to-digital conversions without the need for a costly interface or flimsy adapter cables. No interface necessary!

FEATURES
The AT-LP2D comes with everything you need to get started, right out of the box. You get the USB turntable with built-in pre-amp and cartridge, Pyro recording software for PC and Audacity recording software for Mac so you can create MP3s, WAVs, WMAs, and burn CDs from your vinyl. The PYRO Software also remove clicks, pops, and crackles from noisy, old LPs with DeClicker.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
basic - turntables / vinyl to digital transfers - digital djing / lab recommended - turntables / vinyl to digital - turntables / and more

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Technics
SL-1200MK2 Turntable - Silver

OVERVIEW
The Technics 1200MK2 has been the industry standard for 25+ years. For all intents and purposes, this is the exact same turntable as the contemporary MK5 series, just without some of the new features, and the Technics 1200 remains the preferred choice for all types of djing.

FEATURES
This is the turntable that first established the type of high torque (motor strength), accurate pitch (speed control), quality tone arm (aids in skip resistance), and superior sound that is required by djs; and after 25+ years it is still the standard by which all other turntables are judged. Every other turntable that has come since has patterned their design off this legendary piece of equipment, and the reason is simple: the 1200MK2 is about as close to perfection as you can get with a piece of machinery. It functions beautifully and the durability and construction are unmatched. The body and major components are made of steel. The bottom of the body is made of a dense rubber that eliminates distortion and feedback and adds extra weight for stability. Most of the basic parts are readily available and user replaceable.

The differences between the MK2 and the newer MK5 versions are fairly minor and mostly aesthetic. They are as follows: the MK2 still has the "click" at zero on the pitch control, the MK2 does not have a protective sleeve around the on/off knob, and no slipmat is included. Other than that, they are identical.

OUR OPINION
Our #1 recommendation. There is simply no replacement for a Technics 1200 turntable, and it's almost cooler to have this original MK2 model, without the unnecessary "new features" of the newer M3D and MK5 models. Regardless of model number, Technics still makes the best turntable available, and they are used in 99% of all venues. Resale value is also very high. Some newer turntables may have more features, but this is the superior overall product. When you use a 1200, you know you are using the best.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
technics - turntables / high-end - turntables / lab recommended - turntables / turntables

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Technics
SL-1200MK2 Turntable - Black

OVERVIEW
The Technics 1200MK2 has been the industry standard for 25+ years. For all intents and purposes, this is the exact same turntable as the contemporary MK5 series, just without some of the new features, and the Technics 1200 remains the preferred choice for all types of djing.

FEATURES
This is the turntable that first established the type of high torque (motor strength), accurate pitch (speed control), quality tone arm (aids in skip resistance), and superior sound that is required by djs; and after 25+ years it is still the standard by which all other turntables are judged. Every other turntable that has come since has patterned their design off this legendary piece of equipment, and the reason is simple: the 1200MK2 is about as close to perfection as you can get with a piece of machinery. It functions beautifully and the durability and construction are unmatched. The body and major components are made of steel. The bottom of the body is made of a dense rubber that eliminates distortion and feedback and adds extra weight for stability. Most of the basic parts are readily available and user replaceable.

The differences between the MK2 and the newer MK5 versions are fairly minor and mostly aesthetic. They are as follows: the MK2 still has the "click" at zero on the pitch control, the MK2 does not have a protective sleeve around the on/off knob, and no slipmat is included. Other than that, they are identical.

OUR OPINION
Our #1 recommendation. There is simply no replacement for a Technics 1200 turntable, and it's almost cooler to have this original MK2 model, without the unnecessary "new features" of the newer M3D and MK5 models. Regardless of model number, Technics still makes the best turntable available, and they are used in 99% of all venues. Resale value is also very high. Some newer turntables may have more features, but this is the superior overall product. When you use a 1200, you know you are using the best.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
technics - turntables / high-end - turntables / lab recommended - turntables / turntables

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Pyle Pro
PP-999 Phono Turntable Preamp

Most stereos and amps are not compatible with direct turntable inputs (also known as phono level). You either need to route your turntable through a mixer or a preamp converter like this one. This preamp converts the signal to line level, allowing you to plug your turntable into the AUX input. Recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
basic - turntables / lab recommended - turntables / bestsellers - dj accessories / dj accessories / and more

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