Stanton Str8-80s Ive heard had a reputation for being built for scratch, I have some Stanton Str8-30s and do the job just fine, scratching and mixing both. You can get them for about 250, with mounted headshells

for 300US per unit, you can get Used Tech12s for cheap, but that tt500 you were looking at will also be fine for mixing/scratching, its the same as the TTX but without the digital stuff, as for the Str-80, I don't think there to bad, but if your lookin at Stanton, look for the Str-150s, as for the Str-30, man that has hardly any torque for scratching, I ain't flaming you man, but either you are an amazing scratcher who can get around the lack of torque, or you can't scratch all that great to realise what there like, I had a pair of Soundlab decks that had the same torque, you could mix with them (but have to be on the pitch the whole time) but theres no way you could scratch with them, as soon as you let the record go it takes like 5 seconds to get back upto speed.

Best of luck man, you got the cash to get some fine decks.

Okay, seriously, there are about 349032093209 threads currently asking the same question. It's getting a little out of hand.

___________________
Helping girls make bad decisions since 1979

I have a TTX and a TT500 and I can tell you that the TT500 is a monster when it comes to torque. It actually has more than the TTX. Pitch control is analog, so that shouldn't be any different than anything else out there. Wow and flutter is greater on the Numarks than on Technics but I don't have any problem mixing with them. The only area that they remain unproven in is reliability, and only time will tell that. For your budget, I think the TT500 is a great value.

EDIT:

I should add though, if you ever are interested in playing out though, most clubs (from what I've heard, not from experieince) usually have Technics as they are the industry mainstay. As I get more and more involved in mixing this has become a concern for me, as I've never touched another turntable beside my own. I know it may not seem important now (I know it didn't for me when I bought mine) but it likely will if you ever wish to play in front of an audience. Something to consider.

___________________

Last edited by Ygrene on Oct-19-2004 at 20:45

i have a quick question how long have you had the tt500s and did they come with a cartridge and all the materials needed to play a record? did it come with a slip plate? also was installing it a pain or was the cartridge already on like the stantons.

___________________

I've had the table now since March. It does not come with a cartridge; that must be purchased seperately but, it does come with a slipmat, albeit not the best.

I bought a complete cartridge so all I head to do was attach it to the tone-arm. In that regards, it was very easy to set up.

___________________

what cartridge did you buy also how much would a case cost so dust doesn't get in while the turntables aren't in use. I also am considering buying a used technics sl-1200mk2 off ebay for the same price, would that be my best way to go.

___________________

quote:

Originally posted by spdandpwr what cartridge did you buy also how much would a case cost so dust doesn't get in while the turntables aren't in use. I also am considering buying a used technics sl-1200mk2 off ebay for the same price, would that be my best way to go.

If its in good condition, then you can't go wrong, the TT500 is a great deck, but they use the Techs in world DJ battles (mainly cos Tech sponsors them) and those scratchers have no trouble, really you can't go wrong with either deck, but for piece of mind, I'd recommend the Tech as there proven.

How much is the Tech???

EDIT: I'm not sure if there are cases for those Numark decks, I've never seen any, but I could be wrong.

quote:

Originally posted by spdandpwr what cartridge did you buy also how much would a case cost so dust doesn't get in while the turntables aren't in use. I also am considering buying a used technics sl-1200mk2 off ebay for the same price, would that be my best way to go.

I bought a Numark CS-1 cartirdge as it was my first forray into mixing records. I wanted to get a decent cart that I wouldn't feel bad about ruining being that I was new. I don't think that cart would be good for you though, since it is not necessarily a scratching cart.

Getting a good used Technic is not a bad deal at all. My only concern wouldn't be with the product but rather with purchasing thru Ebay. With something used like that, I would like to have the opportunity to see it and test it out prior.

Regarding a case, I don't know. But here is a link for you:

Link Here

and there are alot more places like that online too.

___________________

what i mean by case is a dust cover so dust doesn't get in.

heres the LINK to the table i am looking at. Also i was thinking of buying stanton s-250 cd players for a temporary fix til january where i can buy the technics for 500 new!

___________________

As far as I know, there is no dust cover for the Numarks.

That table you linked looks like a good deal; my guess is that the bidding will get pretty competitive though. Ebay is a hotbed for djs looking for deals. If you are able to get it though, I think that would be top-notch.

On the cd players however, I would just save the money and wait until January for the Techs and not worry about the mean time. Be patient a bit and save your dough.

___________________