Stanton STR8-100 Turntable

Pros: Nice torque, good features, sturdy, good sound, affordable, headshells included.
Cons: No dust covers, but you probably should buy flight cases or a coffin anyway.

Now that I’ve actually got a few dollars to my name, I decided it was time to try to some of the musical equipment I had when I was younger, which I had sold long ago in a post-college fit of broke-ness. My first objective? Turntables. The turnta ...

Pros: Digital output, Key Lock, Reverse Playback, High Torque, +/-25% Pitch
Cons: Power button and cable access, plastic base

Buying your first real set of DJ-ing equipment is a tough decision. Do you listen to everybody and ...

Pros: They look spectacular, the straight tonearm system works great, excellent pitch control, high torque.
Cons: Feels gimmicky in general. the extra features don't really add substance to the turntable.

If you're buying new decks (as opposed to picking up a second-hand pair), the Stanton STR8-100s are an interesting option. The first thing you notice is the looks; the chassis is brushed metal and, when you power on, an array of blue, red and green LEDs...

Pros: Pitch control is very useful, along with other features
Cons: General feel of "flimsy", delecate buttons/control

Many people are too afraid to look uncool in front of their friends by purchasing a turntable that is not a Technics 1200 of some sort. However, most people don't realize that the Technics 1200 is almost the exact same product that was originally...

Pros: High Torque; Affordable; Digital, Phono and Line outputs; up to 25% pitch bend!!!
Cons: key adjustment sounds awful - sounds like the beat is doubled up

For the person that doesn't want to spend a fortune on turntables (or just doesn't have the patience to save up for Tech 1200's) I highly recommend the STR8-100's or the ST-100's. These tables have PLENTY of Torque (2.2 Kgf-cm as opposed to the 1200's...

Pros: great looks, blue leds, key lock feature
Cons: crappy platter, on/off switch location, sucks for mixing.

I bought this used for $150 at guitar center a few months ago. My first impressions were good, solid torque, array of features, nice brushed alloy finish. After using this for a while i cannot seem to beat mix w/ this table. Honestly i felt as though i...

Pros: Wide range of pitch adjustment, key correction, high torque, quick startup, extremely durable
Cons: None that I've found in the couple of years I've worked with them

These things are absolutely great. They look amazing, they sound amazing, and they've got everything I need in a deck. I DJ for a rock group, so I mostly scratch, but the features found on this thing blow Technics out of the water. The pitch adjustment goes up to 25% (opposed to the Technics 16%), and the key correction is a genius idea that prevents the "chipmunk" effect when you start increasing the pitch adjustment. I'm constantly transporting these, bringing them to practice and shows, and nothing's ever come loose or stopped working. The only problem these things have is that they don't have the Technics name on it, so people automatically assume they're crap. These things offer more than the Technics and at a better price. You can't go wrong with these.

Pros: Pitch Adjust, Str8 arm
Cons: Not as good as technics

I bought these and have been happy with them but they still do not compare to technics. They are a good purchase for beginners wanting a good solid deck to start with. I regret chosing these over technics

Pros: Automatic pitch bend, +/- 25% pitch adjust
Cons: Imperfect pitch adjust, lack of grounding cable (can cause problems)

The tables are pretty decent, however the pitch adjust is nowhere near the accuracy of the Technics. What compensates for the lack in pitch accuracy is the automatic pitch adjust buttons that allow you to correct the pitch without touching the plate or the record. These are good for Beginner to Intermediate DJ. If you are serious, or planning to be serious, stick with Technics, even used ones. There is a reason why all Dj's use them. At this point I regret getting these instead of paying more and getting the Technics.

Pros: 5.1 Surround with 70W to each of the four channels. Digital, Analog and Optical I/O.
Cons: Kitchen sink not included...

Digital recording directly to your PC couldn't get any simpler. Analog and/or Digital output can be directed to a digital A/V receiver as well.
LP's recorded to CD-R sound as good if not better than original artist cds. Lots of power to spare and a wide selection of effects to boot.