I've never played on any high end gear so I can't offer you an objective commentary. I have a pair of direct drive Numark 1625s, which are about as cheap as you can get. I have used them for a year and a half now with zero problems. Numark used to (and still do to some extent) catch a lot of hell about quality. Perhaps they have simply improved during that time. Maybe I got lucky and just got a good set of decks.

Yes, Technics are the industry standard and have been for decades - literally. But don't be afraid to look at other brands. And cheers to you for wanting to learn vinyl. Dying art/medium or not, there is nothing sexier than dropping a fresh 12" onto a platter (in my opinion). Happy shopping and let us know what you think of your vinyl experience when you start.

Ive got two numark direct drive 1650's, and they're really nice to use. Hold pitch nicely and the torque isn't too bad. All i did was upgraded the cartridges to ortofons when i got them.

Altenatively, theres the Kam ddx1200, which has tonnes of features for £129.00, but i dont know what the quality is like. Theres also the Kam ddx3000 which looks really nice.

I think the best buy in that price range is probably the Stanton T80, as it has key lock, and this is actually really good value as it actually comes with decent cartridges so you wont need to spend an extra £50 - £70 on cartridges, Also it has digital output and looks nice.


http://www.htfr.com/more-info/MR152800

Technics or Stanton ST-150's
the best you can get.

If you swap from one media to another I don't see much point in getting entry level stuff, you may as well get one top line tt to complement your CDJs.


Actually, I don't see much point changing from digital to vinyl, digital music is much more accessible than vinyl and cheaper too. Yeah vinyl's got that whole tactile feeling image, but I think sticking with digital is a better move long term. I'd go for a higher level CDJ than go to vinyl, some CDJ-800 or 1000's.

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**Man I'm Pretty**

I have to disagree with the "technics are best" comments... I had a pair of Vestax PDX2000's and my mate had a pair of Technics 1210's (mk3) and I much preferred the feel of my Vestax.

They started up faster, braked faster, had an insane second 60% pitch and a reverse button plus a straight tone arm.

I've also noticed a lot of top artists/dj's use these as their personal setup.

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::::: DjTrig.Com :::::
Afterward - July 2009 Mix

quote:

Originally posted by agentdansmith I've also noticed a lot of top artists/dj's use these as their personal setup.

but still, a lot more of them use technics

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THE HOME OF DJ SPOONZ

Techs. I've owned loads of decks, and wasn't happy until i got the Techs.

They're the DJs choice for a reason.

quote:

Originally posted by Dj_Es-Dva If you have the money you can go for technics if you want but id also suggest you consider Numark's, i have TT200's (which i bought for 650AUD with cartridges) and ive been using them for nearly two years, playing with technics is no different imo. Also if you have the cash buy Stanton ST-150's, leaps and bounds ahead of the SLK's

None of the Numark decks are a patch on Technics... when the TTX-1s came out there was a big deal about them being Technics' competition etc and loads of people swore by them - 3 years later, everyone I know with a pair of TTX-1s has had something or other go wrong (buttons stopping working, the deck constantly thinking the platter's not connected and not letting you play anything, etc) and wishes they'd got Technics.

Same goes for ST-150s - loads of people were saying they were better than Technics when they first came out, but time has shown that the same level of build quality just isn't there.

This is what you're paying for with a pair of Tehcnics - a pair of decks that will last as long as you will without any problems.

On the Vestax front - they've definitely got the build quality up to scratch and from there on out it's a matter of preference, they've always felt a little bit like toys to me (even though you know you could throw one down the stairs and it'd probably be fine) and even though people tend to say "the more torque the better", I think Vestax decks have actually got too much torque - something the TTX-1s suffered from as well.

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Stu Cox |

I used to love the straight tone arm on the Vestax 2000's as well - you could be as heavy handed as you liked and there was no way you'd make that needle jump.

I know what you mean about they looked like toys, what with the silver plastic case but they just felt so solid when using them.

As for the torque, surely the more the better - which is why CDJ's are a dream to use as they're just instant.

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::::: DjTrig.Com :::::
Afterward - July 2009 Mix

quote:

Originally posted by agentdansmith As for the torque, surely the more the better - which is why CDJ's are a dream to use as they're just instant.

I think for most people the point of having a lot of torque isn't so that releasing the record is as instant as possible - past a certain level it'll be near enough instant anyway and it'll slide smoothly under the record when you hold it... the idea is to have more control when you touch the platter (if it's really low powered then just tapping it will slow it right down so it's hard to adjust it accurately), so if the deck's got too much torque then it's actually really hard to push it on (to speed it up).

I know nowadays it tends to be accepted that the best thing to do is to ride the pitch slider to keep it in time rather than touching the record but for us old skool kids who started mixing before that was done much it matters a bit more. I've always maintained that a combination of the two (riding the pitch and touching the record) is the way to go anyway.

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Stu Cox |

quote:

Originally posted by Vero unfortunately i have to agree with this. buying turntables is not going to improve your mixing ability unless you want to ditch the CDJs all together and just be a vinyl jock. otherwise, stick with your CDJs and take a step forward (i.e. effects or software integration) instead of a step backwards in trying to learn something that you probably wont use. i say probably wont use because with the high cost of vinyl what is is today in comparison with the low cost of high quality mp3s and wavs, in addition to the technological benefits to CDJs (like cue points, loops, master tempo/pitch), your beautifully engineered and tank-quality built 1200s will most likely turn into very expensive and very heavy dust catchers. note: ^ my 3rd grade grammar teacher would kill me if she ever saw that run-on. in all reality; if you want to improve your DJing, keep practicing. maybe save up for an EFX-1000 or some CDJ-1000s. maybe a new mixer or add ableton or something. but adding turntables is probably a step in the wrong direction.

I hate the way you look at this situation.


LEARN VINYL. It's a useful tool. You haven't mixed a trac til you've mixed on records. It will help you become a better DJ, you won't have times or cue points or efx, so itll get you on your toes Also, the fact that vinyl is so expensive actually makes people appreciate the music their buying. You don't buy random records, you buy KICKASS joints that make you go crazy! Learn the value of this music and how to mix it.

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Fortuna Favet Fortibus.

i find the easiest thing about cdjs is that they display the pitch adjustment percentage

with simple math and writing your track bpms you can basically beatmatch before you even play it.


i started on vinyl and you sort of get to this point using your eyes to measure but it's not as accurate