surely someone can help me...

Don't even think of getting anything less than techs, yes, I am doing something you asked not too do, but to even think of getting something other than techs is uncivilized.

Peace,
Steve

can you tell what difference it makes having a straight tone arm compared to an S shaped arm? or is there any...

Straight tone arm prevents the needle from skipping when you're scratching, but it wears out the record slightly faster (I think :P)
And although I agree technics are the best, I'm probably gonna get myself a couple stanton decks soon. Why? Well... I can't justify spending $2500 (canadian dollars) on just a hobby.... if I *knew* I was gonna get somewhere with DJing maybe I would, but after I buy the stantons I can always sell them and get technics if I become professional.
Excuse me if I don't make any sense right now, I'm high on pseudo-ephedrine (cold medicine) right now

I agree that one does not need to have 1200s (although I am guilty of owning a pair) and you can be still very satisfied with a pair of 'sub-1200s' turntables, especially after playing with a couple of Gemini turntables myself. But when making that precious investment, keep in mind that 1200s are like Honda Civics, you can still get good money for them if you decide to sell them later on, whereas few ppl are willing to give you good cash for used 'sub-1200s'.

An S-Shaped tonearm will have a better sound than a straight tonearm, so for trance/techno/house/whatever DJs, it will be a better choice.

However for anyone who do a lot of scratching (hip-hop, jungle, etc.), the risk of skipping with a straight tonearm is nearly impossible.




Martin

Ok, for those who see technincs as the only option when bying turtables today are so norrowminded that their opinion is worthless! Yes, the technics 1210 is good, but only because it's stable and can take a big beating! But if anyone has ever tryed the Vestax 2000 turntable then I don't think you will ever go back! This spinner can has adjusteble torque which means that you can spezifie it to your own personal preference! As for pithcing you have a regular 10% +/- and 50% +/- ultra pitch! now this is insan, imagine mixing club with trance at 138-140 bpm and still get a good sound! You can adjust both breakdown and breakstart which is a little cool thing to be able to do I think! It's fun anyway! As for how much suffering the tables can take before breaking down I don't really know, mine never has! And if youre not planning on using 'em as chairs or pour beer on them, I don't think they will break down for a long time either! So what my point whith this inquiery is the old saying, "don't knock it until you've tried it"! In my opinion, it rocks technincs! And saying that the only good table today is the 1210 is crap and is a result of big dj's saying that nothing else matters! Bullshit! Bye what feels good for youre area of usage and style, some tables are meant for scratching, others for mixing, and those with both! Try everything! Cheers man!

Ok halcyon, if 1200/1210 are not the best tables, I challenge you to find a club that doesn't have at least one pair.
You have one week, your time starts now.

--
DJTJ

I think that's more because they're the standard, not because they're the best. 90% of computers have windows on them.... doesn't make windows a good operating system

Ya!
To the guy who originally posted this thread...
I just got a pair of Stanton STR8-80's and their great.
You can also like plug in any device with the 3.5mm outlet's... Say your CD or MD or if your PC is next to your tables you can hook up your PC to your TT's and play Mp3's off them then like mix them...
I dunno if the 1200's have that feature though...
I chose the Stanton's coz they were much cheaper than the 1200's and I read reviews on the net and they said it was "everything you wanted w/ the 1200's plus more"...
Go to http://www.1200s.com... They sell loads of DJ equipment...
Hope this helps.

To Slipstream (or anyone): why does an S-shaped tonearm sound better and in what way does it sound better?

Surely the needle/vinyl relationship is the only factor in sound quality.