I've got a pair of Numark TT-200s. I know that Numark had a bad track record with their equipment in the past and I tried looking at alternatives, but for the performance/price ratio just on paper alone was too hard to ignore. So, I went to a store and played with them a bit, side by side with the TTX-1 and the Technics. I have to say that the start up torque on the TT-200s is on par with the techs. Although during play, it's not as strong (constant torque), but for mixing, it's more than adequate. For scratching, I can see it may lag behind the 1200s but for mixing, it's great. The TTX is a monster on torque BTW (now I heard they ship with even a stronger motor).

The unit itself is very well made: Rubberized bottom, rubberized & metal top, aluminum tone arm & platter and overall they're quite weighty, solid and have a nice quality feel to them. (I can't believe the PDXs are made of plastic!).

Here are the Pros and Cons with the TT-200s:
Pros:
- Incredible value
- Quality construction
- Very good start up torque, good constant torque
- Interchangeable tone arm (Although when I got my pair, they stopped packing them with the S-shaped tone arms and target lights! )
- Very accurate pitch
- Holds the pitch VERY well (I've done many long mixes of 3 or 4+ mins without having to ride the pitch after matching)
- Decent pitch response
- Battle style option (although I prefer the mixing config)
- Removable RCA and power cables
- Reverse play (never use it though)
- Quartz button (pitch reset)
- Love it/Hate it Styling (I like it!)

Cons:
- No S-Shaped tone arms/Target light supplied with the Decks (must buy seperately now)
- The pitch slider knob is alittle tall (can easily knock it by mistake)
- +-10% pitch (wish it was selectable between +-8% and 16% - just nit picking here)
- 78RPM mode (USELESS!)
- Pitch response could be a tiny bit faster (Techs are heavenly in terms of this)
- Noise to the speakers if you tap the body of the decks (could be the way mine are squeezed into the coffin)
- When you touch the platter to slow it down, it speeds up slightly when you let go. You can easily get used to this and learn to compensate. (This could also be seen as a great thing because it makes me ride and use the pitch slider instead).
- Love it/Hate it Styling (some ppl HATE it!)

Overall, I've been incredibly happy with them. For half the price of Techs, they are a fantastic value. I'd give it a 7.5 or even 8 (if a Tech was a 10/10). I can't tell you about the reliabilty of them just yet; I only had them for 3 months, I take very good care of my equipment and I dont spin everyday.... but so far, they have held up beautifully.

quote:

Originally posted by TwiloNYC When you touch the platter to slow it down, it speeds up slightly when you let go. You can easily get used to this and learn to compensate. (This could also be seen as a great thing because it makes me ride and use the pitch slider instead).

I'm pretty sure every turntable does that..that's how a magnetic motor works.

BTW I'll add in a review of the str8-100 soon when I have time

___________________
-Jon
www.DJjoncaserta.com - - mixes and whatnot (melodic progressive house and trance)

Last edited by IntegraR0064 on Aug-12-2003 at 21:49

word . . .

I have the TT200s, and I love em as well. They're my first tables, and theyve been awesome to learn on, and I think I'll have them for quite some time. I dont think they get the respect they deserve alot of the time because of their bigger brother, the TTX1's . . . but these decks perform beautifully, and like Twilo said, their construction is great. The torque is like 1.7kg/cm, which was the industry standard until these beasts like the TTX1 and STR8-150 came along. My only complaint is the lack of target lights and s-shaped tonearms, I think its lame that the company decided to shaft their customers and not include em. As he says above, youll either love the way they look, or you like the "traditional turntable" styling . . . personally, I love em too, and they dont have that "plasticky" look up close, the top is aluminum, and the base has handles and and the wires all plug into the bottom (really nice idea if you ask me). So if youre looking for something in this price range, these decks are definitely a good choice, feel free to shoot me a pm if you have any questions.

___________________
No one's calling for me at the door.
And unpredictable won't bother anymore.
And silently gets harder to ignore.
Look straight ahead, there's nothing left to see.
What's done is done, this life has got it's hold on me.
Just let it go, what now can never be.

quote:

Originally posted by IntegraR0064 I'm pretty sure every turntable does that..that's how a magnetic motor works.

Yes that is true. I've owned a pair of Tech 1200s about 10 yrs ago (I've stopped spinning since then and just started again) and although I've notcied this too on the Techs, it seemed much more subtle. Maybe it's the 8pole 3phase motor in the TT200s or its digital pitch (not quartz)? Its definitely alittle more pronounced.