Thinking of a turntable…..

I think that if you’re going to go vinyl and stay that way, then stick to the tables you’ll likely find in a booth. I have 1200s, but I bought them in 1993…when no other similar tables existed. When Technics’ patent ran out though, I’ll admit even a pair of Gemini Direct-Drive tables worked nicely.

I personally think most of the direct-drive tables out there work well, and when one claims they aren’t as good as 1200s, they are partially right. In many cases though you have to understand each brand/model has a different feel, so going from one to another will end up with you doing a small learning curve to get used to how those tables act. When I played on my friend’s Gemini tables years ago, it took me 10 min to get used to how they act, but after that I felt like I could play on them as well as on my 1200s.

The Stantons I think are solid. I’ve heard from many they are probably the leader now that 1200s are off the market.

STR8.150s are good, I can vouch for them having reviewed them: http://www.digitaldjtips.com/2010/12/review-stanton-str8-150-digital-dj-turntable/

groovemixer, post: 7174 wrote: … I better cool it a bit, just ordered a Macbook Pro and bought my S4 a couple of months ago. Thats on top of my EVO5 and Denon HS5500 I bought 3 years ago! I need to sell some equipment! LOL

The dreaded RGAS strikes again…..

The problem with second hand 1210’s the inevitable wear, these things tend to get hammered and a novice probaly wont be aware what to check for and how to check.
The usual favourite faults are the tone arm bearings and the pitch control. Intermittent faults with internal breakages in the RCA leads, faults where the cartridge plugs in (Yeah i have spent what feels like a lifetime blowing down the terminals for the cart plug to clean out the inevitable rubbish that collects down there as each dj swaps his own over – dirt down there means no or limited sound to the mixer) and ham fisted attempts to alter the pitch control range and brake characteristics Pots under the platter
Factor in a couple of hundred for a service and replacement of any worn items and those £200 decks dont look so cheap

The Stanton’s are looking the best way to go by a long chalk

One note on the Numarks. There is a TTX and TTX1 model. The TTX1 is the first generation and is what I have. There are reports of them over heating and blowing the IC chip in them, which is a cheap fix but a pain in the arse. Of course, I found this out after I got them (though I only paid $200 for the pair). The TTX1s also don’t have the much lauded variable torque found on the TTXs which will come into play if you are a scratch DJ. Having said all that, I have not yet had any issues and do scratch on them.

I did own 1210s for 15 years and was a complete monkey-bucket to sell them a few years back. I still want to go back to them as it’s a love affair that will never end….

I already posted this on the review of the STR8-150 on the Digital DJ tips website but this forum may be a better place to get an answer….

Does anyone know where you can get hard plastic (or other material) dust covers for the STR8-150s? I already have flight cases but I am now using the turntables on a custom-made unit at home so have them out of their cases except when I need to bring them to a venue. Thanks.