Price Paid:  $129.00 from Ubid

Summary:
It seems that everyone wants to be scratch DJ these days, which requires a certain type and grade of equipment (not to mentions lots of skill). But not every DJ needs to scratch, and not everyone buying a DJ turntable needs to scratch, either. I've used this turntable in a home stereo and it has performed admirably and flawlessly in that capacity. For its price it far outperforms similar so-called hi-fi turntables made by Sony, Pioneer, Aiwa, etc. While nobody will mistake it for a higher-end Rega or Linn, it beats the pants off of most piles of plastic that you can get for less than $200. It's a remarkably quiet turntable, especially for a direct drive. And it tracks like a champ on all but the most warped LPs. Soundwise, it's pretty neutral, with decent, but not spectacular dynamics. The turntable itself is pretty heavy duty, with enough plastic to remind you it's no $400 'table. The motor is powerful and the stop brake is pretty damn fast. However, one should note that the motor will cause a slight hum in more sensitive, less shielded cartridges. I mounted a Grado Green, and it would hum a bit especially on the inner grooves. It wasn't particularly noticeable, but I still replaced it with a more shielded Stanton DJ cart. I've also used this 'table for light-duty DJ work. It's a fine performer for doing straight-up part or dance DJ work, where all you need to do is segue songs and do a little beat matching. Back-queing is easy and the needle stays planted in the groove. The brake makes it simple to find the start of the song (or the beat) and get the record cued up quickly. The biggest defecit for me is the lack of quartz-lock. In general the XL500 holds its speed really well, but I typically have to adjust it a little right when I power it up for the first time. Then I usually don't have to touch the speed for hours of play. The strobe comes in hand for this, making proper speed setting a snap -- just try that on your plastic belt-drive Sony. Overall, this is a great turntable for someone looking to get back into vinyl with their home stereo, or DJs doing basic mixing duties with little scratching or turntablism. It beats just about every 'table in its price class, whether they're home or DJ 'tables.

Strengths:
A fine basic home turntable or DJ turntable for basic mixing (not heavy scratching). Has a heavy duty, strong motor, good brake. Tracks well, needle stays planted.

Weaknesses:
Lack of quartz-lock, some plasticky parts. Not the best choice for heavy scratching and turntablism -- but very few turntables are really good for that.

Similar Products Used:
Onkyo turntable, Technics 1200s, Project 1.2

Price Paid:  $280.00 from eBay UK (2 dex + mix

Summary:
As beginner decks go they are OK, and I wish people would stop comparing these to Technics as obv they aren't the same! The tonearm is a little shakey but provided you don't go crazy it's OK, bit hard to scratch though. Pitch adjuster is cheap and cheerful but works well enough, Deck plates and platter are OK; to sum the whole deck up it's OK. Not crap, not good, just OK. If it won't track then here's some advice, get better carts! If you're using Stantons then that's the reason it's jumping, not the tonearm! Once I put NinjaTune mats and Ortofon Conqs on they work quite nicely, although once you try more complicated tricks the low torque becomes annoying; hence why I'm upgrading, but there's nothing to stop anyone learning a fair bit on these.

Strengths:
Price Build Quality

Weaknesses:
Supplied Carts Supplied Slipmats Tonearm

Similar Products Used:
Technics 1210mk2, Numarks, Stantons

Price Paid:  $300.00 from ONE OF MY FRIENSDS

Summary:
I HONESTLY THINK SOME OF YOU HAVE BEEN A LITTLE BIT HARSH HERE!THESES DECKS ARE PRETTY STURDY AND FOR A BEGINNER THESE ARE PROBABLY THE BEST DECKS YOU COULD GET AT AN EXCELLENT PRICE.SCRATCHING IS QUITE TRICKY WITH THE TONEARM BUT NOT EVERYONE ARE SCRATCH DJ'S!FOR HOUSE AND TRANCE DJ'S THESE ARE IDEAL.BEAT MATCHING IS A BIT HARDER THAN TECHNICS ON(OBVIOUSLY)AND IF YOU CANT BEAT MATCH ON THESE THEN I SUGGEST BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD!!!!

Strengths:
STURDY TECHNICS LOOKALIKES WITH QUICK START BUTTON.MY FIRST SET OF DECKS BEFORE I UPGRADEDE TO TECHNICS AND THEY ARE WELL RECOMENDED.

Weaknesses:
A LITTLE TRICKY FOR SCRATCHING BECAUSE OF THE TONEARM WHICH MAKES IT JUMP AND THE TORQUE ISNT THE BEST BUT ALOT BETTER THAN THE NUMARK 1510s(ANOTHER BEGINNER TABLE)

Similar Products Used:
THESE ARE TECHNICS LOOKALIKES

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
There are multiple problems with this Gemini product. Not only is beatmatching near impossible, due to the torque problems, but scratching is far too sensative. The exaggerated S-Shaped tonearm and cartridge placement make phrasing and grooving difficult. The needles jump far too much. I would say that they're decent tables for beginners who don't wish to get into scratching or the hobby too seriously, however, for those who really wish to tackle this art fully should avoid these tables and get yourself some nice Stanton or Techniques decks. Wurd.

Price Paid:  $400.00 from PAWN SHOP

Summary:
I LOVE TO SPIN I JUST TAUGHT MY SELF HOW TO SCRATCH I LEARNED ON 1200 THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAVE WITH MY 500 R THE PITCH CONTROL IS HARDER TO MATCH BEATS AND THE SHOCK ON THE NEEDLES LOOSE YOUR CUE

Strengths:
THER CHEAP TABLES TO LEARN ON THEY WORK

Weaknesses:
MAGNITE VIBRATION

Similar Products Used:
1200