Turntable quest

Money gets bigger in my pocket, and as timecode will soon come to the S4, I really want to get intermediate level turntables. This will also be an excellent routine the master mixing skills in the good ol' fashion way.

I was surfing the highway of informations but I didn't fin relevant or pertinent informations about DJ turntables, best of all some king of comparison between different models.

Everyone wnats Technics, but they sell at such at high price they far out of my range. Instead, I could buy an old pair. But there is also Stanton, Vestax and Numark that have some interesting products.

So here's the question : if I would purchase from 200 to 300 the turntable, what would you suggest ? a) a precise Stanton model, b) a precise Numark model c) a precise Vestax model or d) an used pair of Technics ?

Thanks !

 

Used pair of technics conquer all.

I was on a tight budget and got 2x Numark TT200 which work great (plus i got them for $120/a piece!)

The only problem with them is that they sometimes lose torque after about 40mins from intense intense scratching, but just get some frosted plates and butter rugs and youre fine.

Numark TT500s, and TTX are great models but also can be expensive($300+/ea new)

For stanton, I dont know as much, but from what I recall, the st150 or str150(something like that) is supposedly good but most likely expensive(once again though, I dont know too much about stanton)

Try to get a pair of technics(youre looking at $600 for the pair) and if not, TT200 are good tables if you can get them sub $200.

Try waiting for Musiciansfriend or guitarcenter to have a 10% or 15% off sale. Thats what I did and it definitely paid off.

 

I would suggest st/str8 150.

I think they're on par with the techs, they come with good needles and they're easy to connect and disconnect.

The only thing is the paint chips in the corners a little too easy.

 

i would suggest the Stanton 150 OR used Technics

 

Add me as a +1 to either the Stanton 150s or used Tech12s. Both solid decks, just get whichever ends up being cheaper.

 

there are no other turntables in the world but:

t e c h n i c s

 

signed freshfluke

all others are called: "player for vinyl" only technics are turntables

but if i had to buy some now i would consider used technics or the stanton players new

 

You, my dear, need to send me some decks to mod for you....or fly me in, your choice

 

This is where I become the opposition, took my 1210M5G's back a few years ago because they were too damn expensive.

Took a break from spinning for a year realized I was miserable and got back into it . Bought myself a pair of American Audio HTD4.5's which are based on the 'Super-OEM' platform.

Now they are good 'studio' decks because American Audio decided not to insulate the chassis but used the rubber insulated platter. If you weren't using DVS, bass feedback with regular vinyl was horrible in the club. However, in the studio not a problem and they are pretty looking and solid otherwise.

A couple years after I needed to get road decks, so I copped a set of ST-150's. I've never looked back since, they are tanks! Never even had the urge to get another pair of Technics even though now they are discontinued.

More torque, full available replacement parts (Super-OEM Platform), LED Target light so it won't burn out and super white in color (Field Replaceable). Pitch range is wider 8%/25%/50%, Reverse, Adjustable Start/Stop speeds.

Rubber insulated platter, chassis is insulated, free cartridges included, No ground wire needed, digital out, line or phono out capability, detachable rca cables (No Soldering replacement cables!)

The paint will chip if you bang the corners on stuff but I got road cases for mine right away to prevent damage to the finish. So get yourself some road cases and you're good.

Also, start lifting some weights because they are heavy and you will need to be prepared. You don't notice after a few gigs but at first you do.

Note: I also have a full ST-150 parts list if anyone needs a part number to order anything.

 

once i get rich and famous imma doin this fo shizzle!

 

Maybe I'll just fly YOU in then. I'll have some Baileys on the rocks ready, mixed with just a splash of Patron Cafe.

quartzy, you and your superOEMs. I'm still on the hunt for 150s myself. Found a pair of 120s for $300 around here but holding out for the big boys. As for the sound insulation on the American Audio versions - is there enough room on the inside to lay down some dampening material, like Dynamat or Brown Bread?

 

Actually I never cracked mine open but I'm sure if you did it yourself those decks are just as solid as well.

I played out with them for years, the only problem I ever had as I stated was the bass feedback problem.

So if you put some insulation inside the chassis, you would be good. Same motor, tonearm controls, etc, etc.

Basically a ST-150 with a hollow chassis and no digital out, keylock or line out.

I bought a pair for the same price as one 1200 down here.

Sick isn't it?

 

I used Technics from 1991-94 and I thought they were great, thee was no real direct drive alternative and had loads of fun with them. I then had a long break (14years!) before I met a new friend and he said he had some DJ stuff in a spare room. We got chatting and I went to play a few tunes with him, expecting to find 2010s and they were Numartk TTX's. I'll be honest that as I had been out of the scene for so long I really didn't know what to expect and I thougt nothing was like a good ol' 2010. After a few hours it was clear that the TTX's were every bit as good if not better, solid, and worked really well.

After that I found he'd got them for a great price off ebay. So I started looking and I found a few going for variable prices. Eventually I bought 2 rathy tatty runners for about £40 and £60, then I bought 2 non runners for about £20 each (one almost new with showroom damage) and I used parts from each to make a great looking pair. So now I have 3 runners and some spares for about £150, which I think is a bargain!

You may think the fact there are a few rough ones around means they are poor quality but it's more the fact they were not looked after as they are more available and possibly not be considered "special" like 2010s.

I've been using them at home with no problems, I haven't trecked around with them so I can't give a real opinion on robustness long term , but performance wise they are great. Huge pitch range, BPM counter, pitch lock if you want it, variable start/stop, digital out etc. But they are seriously heavy!

I would consider them at the top of your list, although I can't comment on Stantons as I have no experience.

Hope that helps a little bit!

 

Good post SumthinJumpin, the one thing I'll add is to avoid the very first-gen TTXs, the ones with no ventilation under the platter, which contributed to overheating, among other horrible shortcomings. The next generation TTXs, as well as the TTX-USB models, are the shiznit and are valued in many areas as much as Tech12s. I'd have grabbed a pair by now but the 1200s still hold a special place in my heart and I can never pass up a pair if I have the cash.

 

Someone educated me on this table recently, the Denon DP-500M, I would have got one of these for my ripping station instead of the TT-200 if I knew about them. Notice anything...... ?

 

The superOEM-looking tonearm base?

 

Same platform only configured in a HI-FI turntable instead.

 

Here is the sister turntable to the Denon model, the Marantz TT801

 

I bet retrofitting a pitch control would take very little work....send me that Marantz please.

 

Toss my Shure Whitelabel on that sucker and it's looking pimped right out.