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Posted by Matt on Jul-21-2002 23:07:

Best Budget Decks??

I am looking to make the jump from mp3 mixing to vinyl.

I've already got a good mixer (Stanton RM-3), now I just need decks

Unfortunetely, I don't have the $$$ for Technics, and I probably wouldn't for awhile. But, I would definitely buy a pair down the road, if I decided this is what I want to do (which I am confident I am right now).

So, what are the best budget decks?? I can afford about $300cad each... so, I figure these as my options:

Numark TT-1
Numark TT-2
Gemini PT-2100
Stanton STR8-60

So, what's the closest I can get to Techs at under $300cad ($600 for pair)
?

I've heard that Numarks have more torque than Technics, but Techs has kickass durability of course, and the quartz lock system I've heard so much about...

Posted by MERiDiAN5i2 on Jul-22-2002 00:54:

I dont have a whole lot of experience with non-technics decks... but I keep hearing fairly positive things about the PT-2100s... Never actually spun on them, though.

Whatever you do, get direct drive decks. Don't even waste your time with belt drive decks... But I think all those you mentioned are direct drive

-mer

Posted by Matt on Jul-22-2002 01:31:

quote:
Originally posted by MERiDiAN5i2
Whatever you do, get direct drive decks. Don't even waste your time with belt drive decks... But I think all those you mentioned are direct drive

Don't worry I was planning on it
I know the difference!

Posted by Matt on Jul-22-2002 01:38:

can u guys tell me what to look for?

Like, what's a good amount of torque?

What's wow & flutter?

What should I know about the motor??

Needle pressure?

Tone arm types?

Posted by trancearmada on Jul-22-2002 03:48:

well you will most likely be playing trance, so you don't really need a straight tone arm, even though i have them on my decks.
i say just save enough and buy technics, but if you are that desperate to start that there are more than a few options, are you going to be using just for a hobby or do you want to actually advance your skills as time goes by and be a dj for a living?

as for torgue get as close as possible to 2 Kgf-cm that's what the technics have, belive me you need torgue! I have stanton STR8 - 100's my self (yeah well I made a alternate choice to Technics, but I am still going to get a 3rd decks which is going to be a Technics MK3D).
What ever you do, don't get anything bellow Str8-100's or ST-100's from stantons other wise you are going to regret it. I say go with the NUMARK's. I also hear good things about Citronic decks, so you might want to check them out.

do some more research and try to get the best deal for your money, shop around.

here are some helpful links for ya:
www.numark.com
www.stantonmagnetics.com
and check out the reviews of some decks in this great mag www.i-dj.co.uk

hope that helps a little

Posted by Matt on Jul-22-2002 04:58:

thanks man! that's the kind of post I was looking for!!

Also, seeing as you are in Toronto, can u recommend any stores in Toronto?

and can someone explain wow & flutter?

(edit: omg! those Citronic PD-1 decks sound pretty good! Got 4/5 stars too!)

(edit: SoundLAB DLP-32s turntables sound even better!!!)

Posted by trancearmada on Jul-22-2002 05:03:

I have not really shopped much around toronto but this is what I hear is the best place to buy any equipment!

METRO SOUND.
Just go to College and Yonge, and walk north on the west side, stop when you see a shop with guitars and shit in it's window.
it's about a 1min walk north of College itself.

Posted by GT_TraNcE on Jul-22-2002 11:29:

i got 2 microh turntables for 700 brand new they have da same features da da 1200's there pritty sick n cheap too

Posted by vmc on Jul-22-2002 12:12:

I'm planning to make an mp3=>vinyl jump next year (I can't afford it now) so I have checked the hardware in a local shop. There was a pretty interesting Omnitronic turntable, but I don't know if it is good. Is it?

Posted by bachatu on Jul-22-2002 23:23:

Before you go on and purchase something other than 1200s!!! Some things to think about!
1. Do you plan on spinnin seriously?
2. Mobile or Club or both?
If you plan on doing clubs, keep in mind that 1200s are standard. and if you u learn to play on certain decks (let say vestax) and then you play on technics, it will have a different feel to it, and may take some time to get adjusted. I remember playing on some Geminis. Man,,, i played like shit crap compared to what i normally play.... not because they are worse or better turntables, but cause i learned to play on 1200s and completely used to them.
U can make a point that it can benifit you in the long run to learn to play in all different types of decks and environments...but when talking about spinning in clubs, u will find 1200s, if not, somthing's wrong with that joint/venue
also, if you plan on buying them in the long run, i would save the money now and get them for two reasons:
1. If you buy inferior turntables than resell value is shit, bad investment. You prob will only get one half of what you paid, and then save up to three times the amount to get technics.
2. Technics have and will always maintain the resell value. People are are still selling these things for $400 a piece.

Im not saying that the Technics will make you spin like a pro or that they are gold (u will have to make urselve great). Im saying that they are a smart investment if you plan to buy turntables, and that you should not waste time and money on other decks unless you are not serious about djing.

Posted by MERiDiAN5i2 on Jul-23-2002 01:14:

well put.

-mer