OVERVIEW
With Technics prices at an all-time high, the Audio-Technica AT-PL120s offers a secondary, more inexpensive option with features the 1200 does not have. Firstly, you will notice that the AT-PL120s looks very similar to the 1200. Audio-Technica has basically "borrowed" the 1200's...
expand review popular layout and design. The major difference is that the AT-PL120s' body is mostly constructed of plastic (vs. the metal of the 1200); however the key parts remain metal (platter and tonearm). In addition, the AT-PL120s retains some of the 1200s most popular features including a high-torque direct drive motor and 3-way adjustable tonearm assembly. Additionally, the AT-PL120 features a built-in pre-amp, -/+ 20% pitch adjustment, 33/45/78 options, and reverse play button; and includes a cartridge, slipmats, and dust cover.
FEATURES
Direct Drive Motor: The ATPL20s features a high torque direct drive motor that is suitable for DJing. The motor also features quick start-up, a reverse button, and options for 33/45/78 rpm.
Built-In Preamp: The ATPL20 features a switchable built-in pre-amp which allows you to directly connect either into an AUX input (found on most stereos or computers) or a phono mixer. The switch is located underneath the platter.
Pitch Control: The Pitch Control of the ATPL20s is selectable between -/+20% and the standard -/+10%.
Tonearm + Cartridge: The S-shape tonearm features 3 adjustable controls including anti-skate control, tonearm height, and tonearm weight. The ATPL20s includes a Audio-Technica ATP-2 cartridge and headshell.
OUR OPINION
We have tested the ATPL20s for two weeks and it has worked well for both listening and DJing. It is definitely a viable alternative to 1200s and includes some excellent features for recording and listening (not found on the 1200). Having the pre-amp and cartridge included also made setup much easier. -the mgmnt
OVERVIEW
This is Numark's most economical direct drive turntable, and an excellent budget starter turntable. At this price range (the low end under $175.00 including cartridge), the TT1650 has the top pitch control (speed control) and torque (motor drive) we've tested. The controls...
expand review are very responsive, and relatively accurate. The motor is consistent and relatively strong with higher torque than its price competitor, the Stanton STR8-30. These features make this an excellent turntable to learn mixing with.
The TT1650 comes with a Numark "Groove Tool" Cartridge pre-mounted on a headshell. The Groove Tool is Numark's standard line cartridge. When we tested the scratch resistance, we found the needle to skip more than similarly priced straight arm set-ups (partially due to tonearm, partially due to turntable weight), but this issue can be partially equalized by more weight on the cartridge, a solid surface to play on, and taping the hole in your record.
The construction of the TT1650 consists of an aluminum platter and tonearm, and a plastic body which is standard for turntables in this price range. However, Numark's design is more functional than its competitors in several ways. First the turntable controls are designed to be set up in both standard (favored by mix djs) and battle (favored by hip-hop djs) positions. Secondly, the 1650 features large rubber feet, an important feature for stabilizing the lighter plastic body turntables. Lastly for reliable connections, the power plug and rca/ground wires are detachable and user replaceable.
OUR OPINION
The TT1650 has the best available performance in its price range (the low end under $175.00 including cartridge), making this an excellent budget-minded choice for beginners. If you are considering purchasing this turntable, we would highly recommend checking out the TT2000 which is $30 more expensive, but features higher torque, a straight tone arm, better construction, and does not come with a cartridge. -the mgmnt
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...
expand review 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. -mgmnt
OVERVIEW
The TT-500 is a stream-lined, non-digital version of Numark's top of the line TTX turntable. It comes with all the basic features which have made the TTX such a respected turntable: extra powerful motor, quality metal construction, and a variety of user...
expand review options such as interchangeable straight and s-shaped tonearms.
FEATURES
The same motor is used in the TT-500 as the TTX, which gives it the ultra-high torque rating of 5.0 kgf/cm (stronger than the Technics 1200). This means your start & stop times are extremely fast, and the platter will have no problem regaining speed while you are scratching or backcue-ing. The platter also features a grooved design which also reduces drag and friction. Start-up and brake time are adjustable with small wheels next to the start/stop buttons. The TT-500 can play at 33, 45 or 78 rpm, and features a selectable pitch control range of 8, 10, 20 or 50%.
Both straight and S-shaped tonearms are included with the TT-500. The tonearms attach to the turntable with a design similar to a headshell connection, allowing for easy switching (s-shaped tonearms are ideal for sound quality, mixing, and general djing while straight tonearms are "unskippable" and best for heavy scratching). Likewise, it features dual start/stop buttons so that you can comfortably position your turntable in either hip hop style (sideways) or mix style. The tonearm also is completely adjustable, with height adjustment, arm pick-up lever, and anti-skate. And finally, the construction is top notch, with a steel top, rubberized bottom, aluminum platter and aluminum die-cast tonearm assembly.
OUR OPINION
This is another impressive Numark turntable which offers outstanding features for its price range. If you don't require the digital features of the TTX, the TT-500 is your best option, coming in a full hundred dollars below the TTX's price and offering the same high quality construction and performance. There's simply nothing else in the "under $300" range that comes close. -mgmnt
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...
expand review 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. -the mgmnt
OVERVIEW
The T.120 is Stanton's new top of the line turntable. Like its predecessor the ST-150, this turntable features Stanton's ultra high torque direct drive motor (which they claim to be the world's strongest at +4.5Kgf-cm) and an all aluminum, Technics 1200-type construction....
expand review This is the curved tone-arm edition, which is preferable for those whose primary focus is overall djing and listening (for a scratching focus, the straight arm model is preferable).
FEATURES
In terms of general DJ feel and scratching, there isn't much comparison between the T.120 and Stanton's lower T.60 & T.80 models. The T.120 is more in the neighborhood of a Technics 1200 or a Numark TTX-1. The motor is extremely strong on this turntable, the overall weight of the unit has been increased, and the platter is as stable as anything else out there- all of which means you can DJ and scratch with full confidence. In an extremely convenient move, the start and brake times are adjustable through two knobs right next to the start/stop button. When these are turned to their sharpest points, the T.120 starts and stops on an absolute dime. The pitch control has a selectable range of +/-8%, 25% or 50% with quartz lock (which improves accuracy), and two (+ and -) pitch bend buttons which temporarily alter the pitch about 6% when pressed.
The T.120 follows the basic template of Stanton's current turntable design while improving the details and quality. Most noticeable is the tonearm area. The all-aluminum construction is a plus, but they've also designed this one to be height adjustable with a base ring, the counter weight is far more accurate, there is a tone arm lift lever, and there is anti-skate adjustment. It has two stop/start buttons so that you can position your turntables regular (horizontal) or battle (vertical) style. The RCA cables and power cord are detachable, which is great since those connections are usually the first things to go in a turntables' life. The T.120 also comes with a cloth dustcover, a minor innovation which I think will please a lot of people.
OUR OPINION
This is Stanton's most professional and trustworthy turntable yet. It is well thought out and generously constructed, as any top of the line piece should be. Overall, this is a solid, reliable turntable that is a viable option to anything within its price range.
OVERVIEW
The T.120 is Stanton's new top of the line turntable. Like its predecessor the ST-150, this turntable features Stanton's ultra high torque direct drive motor (which they claim to be the world's strongest at +4.5Kgf-cm) and an all aluminum, Technics 1200-type construction....
expand review This is the straight tone-arm edition, which is preferable for those whose primary focus is scratching (for overall djing and listening, we recommend the curved arm model).
FEATURES
In terms of general DJ feel and scratching, there isn't much comparison between the T.120 and Stanton's lower T.60 & T.80 models. The T.120 is more in the neighborhood of a Technics 1200 or a Numark TTX-1. The motor is extremely strong on this turntable, the overall weight of the unit has been increased, and the platter is as stable as anything else out there- all of which means you can DJ and scratch with full confidence. In an extremely convenient move, the start and brake times are adjustable through two knobs right next to the start/stop button. When these are turned to their sharpest points, the T.120 starts and stops on an absolute dime. The pitch control has a selectable range of +/-8%, 25% or 50% with quartz lock (which improves accuracy), and two (+ and -) pitch bend buttons which temporarily alter the pitch about 6% when pressed.
The T.120 follows the basic template of Stanton's current turntable design while improving the details and quality. Most noticeable is the tonearm area. The all-aluminum construction is a plus, but they've also designed this one to be height adjustable with a base ring, the counter weight is far more accurate, there is a tone arm lift lever, and there is anti-skate adjustment. It has two stop/start buttons so that you can position your turntables regular (horizontal) or battle (vertical) style. The RCA cables and power cord are detachable, which is great since those connections are usually the first things to go in a turntables' life. The T.120 also comes with a cloth dustcover, a minor innovation which I think will please a lot of people.
OUR OPINION
This is Stanton's most professional and trustworthy turntable yet. It is well thought out and generously constructed, as any top of the line piece should be. Overall, this is a solid, reliable turntable that is a viable option to anything within its price range.
OVERVIEW
Stanton has completely revamped their turntable line, improving both design and functionality in the process. The T.80 replaces the STR8-80 turntable, and is the middle option in Stanton's new direct-drive turntable line. It's a step up from the T.60 in almost every...
expand review way: stronger motor, sturdier construction, a wider pitch range, master tempo control, ability to play 78s, and more. It also comes with a standard Stanton 500B cartridge, so it's ready to use out of the box.
FEATURES
The biggest difference between the T.80 and the T.60 is the motor. The T.80s motor is much stronger, and feels a lot closer to the torque of a Technics. Platter drag was negligible when using good slip mats, and start up/stop times were very close to those of a Technics 1200. The T.80 also weighs quite a bit more than the T.60, which helps increase the overall stability of the turntable. Those things combined with the T.80's straight tonearm made it pretty difficult to get the cartridge to jump when scratching.
The pitch control range can be selected for either +/-8% or +/-12%, with a clickless pitch slider, and a pitch reset (override) button. Although the lack of numbers on the pitch control can be a little confusing, it feels relatively accurate. There's also a master tempo (key lock) control, which allows you to change the tempo without altering the key of the music & vocals. It works perfectly, even at the most extreme ends of the pitch control, and the T.80 is one of the very few vinyl turntables with this feature. In addition to standard RCA outs, the T.80 also features a digital S/PDIF output, which makes it ideal for recording vinyl onto your computer.
Following Stanton's current turntable design, the T.80 keeps with the standard Technics template while making some useful additions. It has two stop/start buttons so that you can position it regular (horizontal) or battle (vertical) style. The RCA cables and power cord are both detachable, which is great since those connections are usually the first things to go in a turntables' life. The T.80 also comes with a cloth dustcover, a minor innovation which I think will please a lot of people.
OUR OPINION
With an impressive list of features and attention to detail, Stanton has made a turntable that will meet the needs of a wide range of people in a relatively affordable package. It's a sturdy turntable, the feel is more than satisfactory, and the T.80 should satisfy most bedroom DJ's & producers, people in need of a turntable to rip their vinyl, and collectors of 78rpm vinyl. As we've mentioned, Stanton's T-Series of turntables is a big improvement over previous models, and these should last quite a while under normal stress. -the mgmnt
OPEN BOX SPECIAL: Save on this open box model that has been tested and works great.
OVERVIEW
Stanton has completely revamped their turntable line, improving both design and functionality in the process. The T.80 replaces the STR8-80 turntable, and is the middle option in...
expand review Stanton's new direct-drive turntable line. It's a step up from the T.60 in almost every way: stronger motor, sturdier construction, a wider pitch range, master tempo control, ability to play 78s, and more. It also comes with a standard Stanton 500B cartridge, so it's ready to use out of the box.
FEATURES
The biggest difference between the T.80 and the T.60 is the motor. The T.80s motor is much stronger, and feels a lot closer to the torque of a Technics. Platter drag was negligible when using good slip mats, and start up/stop times were very close to those of a Technics 1200. The T.80 also weighs quite a bit more than the T.60, which helps increase the overall stability of the turntable. Those things combined with the T.80's straight tonearm made it pretty difficult to get the cartridge to jump when scratching.
The pitch control range can be selected for either +/-8% or +/-12%, with a clickless pitch slider, and a pitch reset (override) button. Although the lack of numbers on the pitch control can be a little confusing, it feels relatively accurate. There's also a master tempo (key lock) control, which allows you to change the tempo without altering the key of the music & vocals. It works perfectly, even at the most extreme ends of the pitch control, and the T.80 is one of the very few vinyl turntables with this feature. In addition to standard RCA outs, the T.80 also features a digital S/PDIF output, which makes it ideal for recording vinyl onto your computer.
Following Stanton's current turntable design, the T.80 keeps with the standard Technics template while making some useful additions. It has two stop/start buttons so that you can position it regular (horizontal) or battle (vertical) style. The RCA cables and power cord are both detachable, which is great since those connections are usually the first things to go in a turntables' life. The T.80 also comes with a cloth dustcover, a minor innovation which I think will please a lot of people.
OUR OPINION
With an impressive list of features and attention to detail, Stanton has made a turntable that will meet the needs of a wide range of people in a relatively affordable package. It's a sturdy turntable, the feel is more than satisfactory, and the T.80 should satisfy most bedroom DJ's & producers, people in need of a turntable to rip their vinyl, and collectors of 78rpm vinyl. As we've mentioned, Stanton's T-Series of turntables is a big improvement over previous models, and these should last quite a while under normal stress. -the mgmnt
OVERVIEW
The T.90 is Stanton's first entry into the ever-growing USB turntable market. It is a direct drive turntable with USB connectivity for under $300. Digitize your vinyl without the need for an interface or mix and scratch with great pick up and...
expand review platter response. Includes cartridge, slipmat, and all necessary cables as well as editing software for digitizing your records.
FEATURES
The T.90 turntable features a quality, high-torque direct drive motor with +/- 8% or 12% pitch range in Stanton's unique styled body. The direct drive motor coupled with the S-shaped tone arm provides much better response, pick up and tracking than belt drive turntables allowing for better performance while mixing and scratching. The T.90 also features USB connectivty, an important feature in todays age of digital DJing. Simply connect to your computer to digitize your records into audio files for your Digital DJ system or your iPod. Comes with everything you need to get started - cartridge, slipmat, cloth dust cover, and Cakewalk Pyro sound editing program.
OUR OPINION
If you need a basic, direct drive turntable with USB capabilities - this is it. The T.90 is much better for dj performance than some of the more budget belt drive USB tables we sell, and it doesn't have any extraneous features you might not use like some of it's higher priced competitors. It is a great all in one solution with everything you need already in the box for under $300. -the mgmnt
OVERVIEW
The BDT-2600 is a high-end, retro-styled turntable from Vestax. It's distinct, sleek look is matched with unique features and great sound quality that will appeal to audiophiles, producers and collectors alike. Everything you need to play is included in the...
expand review box making this an outstanding turntable for those that simply want to listen to their records.
FEATURES
The Vestax BDT-2600 features a unique built-in pre-amp that allows you to connect the turntable to any system through the LINE input without the need for a mixer or pre-amp. This can be extremely useful for connecting to modern stereo systems that often neglect to include a phono input and offers a simple way to get your analog signal into your computer in order to digitize your vinyl collection. However, the included LINE/PHONO switch allows you to use this turntable with a traditional dj mixer or amp as well. In addition, there is no need for grounding with the BDT-2600 which makes it compatible with any stereo system.
The turntable plays at either 33 or 45 rpm with two fine pitch controls allowing you to adjust the sound up to 78rpm while the S-shaped tone arm prevents skips. The turntable also features a heavy-duty metal chassis that minimizes feedback and vibration, a great commodity when recording. As an added value, the BDT-2600 comes packaged with a Vestax cartridge and stylus, a slipmat, and a dust cover. If you are looking for a high-end turntable with all the necessities, unique features as well as stunning looks, this is a suitable turntable for you. Please note: Scratching or back-cueing is NOT recommended on this turntable.
OVERVIEW
The PDX-2000MK2 is Vestax's new standard professional turntable. It improves upon the performance of the PDX-2000 with quite a few changes that make it a more well-rounded turntable. The PDX-2000 was a rock solid hit with the scratch DJ community, but never...
expand review really caught on with the rest of the DJ population. So in order to make the MK2 more friendly to DJ's who aren't scratch-centric, they have improved the two main parts of the turntable- the platter and the tonearm. The platter on the MK2 has a much lower profile than the previous model, which makes it feel more like a Technics and less like a gadget. Much better for getting the "feel" when mixing. The top surface of the platter is also grooved, which creates less friction between the slipmat and the platter for increased backspin time and less resistance when scratching. The tone arm features a completely new base design, which is now height-adjustable and more resistant to turntable feedback and rumble.
Vestax was the first company to introduce straight arm technology, and remains the only company to truly master it. The effect of this system is a virtually unskippable turntable. Under normal DJ situations, the PDX-2000 is truly unskippable (we've tested it numerous times). In comparison with the Technics 1200, the PDX-2000 features quite a few improvements including a motor with 2.7 kg/cm torque (stronger than 1200), +/-10 pitch control, an "ultra pitch" controller which has a range of +/-50%, adjustable start and brake controls on the top of the turntable, reverse play, and detachable RCA and ground wires
OUR OPINION
Over the last few years a lot of tour and studio DJs have converted to the PDX-2000 series because of the unskippable system. This feature makes it the best turntable for stage and live conditions (eliminates skip mistakes). In comparison to a Technics 1200, the tonearm construction still leaves something to be desired, but the PDX-2000's overall stability and great features make that something we can overlook. And with it's newly improved platter & tonearm, the PDX-2000MK2 has effectively escaped the tag of being strictly a "scratch turntable." It's now suitable for all uses, and valid competition for Technics. -the mgmnt
indepth
