I actually own the PDX-A1s, and previously had PDX-A2s. A friend had some PDT5000s back in the day, and all these turntables are broadly similar as far as I'm concerned.

I picked the A2s up at Cash Converters for £60 (!) a few years back, mainly because I had previously paid £700 for A1s new way back - one of only 25 pairs of limited edition red A1s in the UK!

I have also had several iterations of the 1200s & 1210s, and the two are very different - the Technics are far more refined, while the Vestax are more industrial.
For example, pitch faders on all 1210s feel consistent and smooth, while on Vestax they can be affected by the inconsistencies associated with screws into wood.
However, the platter is very solid on the Vestax - possibly more so than the 12s - with little give.
The feel is very different - the Vestax are more responsive and direct in terms of pitch changes due to the optical sensor system, but in actuality I prefer the smoother nature of the 12s.
The tonearm is a much simpler affair, especially the early type, which has a plastic base - it looks cheesy, but materials are quality where it's important.

In summary, both decks will perform very similarly and the Vestax are definitely worth considering as direct competition for the Technics. I would personally also choose any of the above over the plastic fantastic PDX2000, which is known to have motor faults due to all the unnecessary gimmicks Vestax implemented. The only area in which Vestax lags behind Technics is stopping time, which is not so great - however I'm not sure if fast stopping time has ever been of any use to anyone!

So, should you consider these over 1210s? Well, in truth you will probably want to own 12s at some point in time. But, given that you can pick these up for next to nothing and Technics prices are soaring, they represent much better value.

Plus, there is a strong chance that second hand 12s have been very well used - but that the Vestaxes available have been stored in a bedroom unused.
Well used Technics have lots of issues with loose tonearm bearings and calibration, which is something to bear in mind.

It's still well worth paying £200 for a pair of these, especially in 2017 when everything available is basically rebadged Chinese OEM.

The high platter is very DJ friendly. =/-10% pitch is a plus too.

Slow startup and ineffective braking. Slow to respond to pitch adjustment

I Think mine are worn, they have been all over the midwest and used for Dj'ing for 12 hours at a time.

Similar Products Used:

Technics 1200mk2/3d, gemini pt-1000

The turntable is simply built like a tank...

The feet are fragile, filled with some kinda wax like goo..

This table is wonderful for those kick back nights when your scratchin' all by yerself... I spun some Dub sounds last night and this ol' machine really kep' the momentum up. The start & Stop is great for recording...This is very simplly a great machine. The Pitch is a plus for those psychedlic situations...
Good machine fellahs!

Similar Products Used:

Denon, Fisher, Sony, Sears.. Etc

';l.[';p.

Overall it is a technics killa!!!!, YEA, thas right!!!.. I am going against the grain. But, after owning both the ever popular and highly name reckonizable technic 1200's and the mighty and stealth underdog vestax, I would have to report that on strictly a performance standpoint, the vestax wins in every category, but one. The Pdt-500 is only last years entry level and has 100% replaceable parts all over and through it. The pitch lever, drive control control, swingarm, tone arm, etc. not to mention it also has a lighted v.u. meter for pitch speed( A plus in those dark low lite situations). The Pitch control is avalable in three max sppeds. + - 10 % stock, and + - 12%, and + - 14 % optional; extrodinary compared to the standard and fixed pitch control of the technics. Now the technics is understatedly the better looking of the 2 with its black and chrome (99 model) or its silver and chrome ( old school) finishing, and tons of aftermarket companies make cool colored shells., but when your spending $1000 bucks on a pair of "steel wheels"Who really cares that it comes in red, you should be asking yourself which one is gong to last longer and performs the best. "Who the hell is going to see the color in the dark, DUH!" ......One last major tidbit of info I overlooked, ervery year since the PDT-5000 has been avalable it has spanked the top of the line technic 1200's at the world dj and scratching finals, and this this the baby in the line up, imagine it's brothers and sisters, OUCH!!!!

Strong start up(torque),replaceable everything,removeable RCA cables,+10 & -10 pitch control,instant quartz lock....

Stop brake not as good as Technics,no measurements on arm heght adjustment

Read some of the other reviews for detailed specs.Bottom line,this turntable is excellent.I don't mix nothin but fruit smoothies,all scratching and beat juggling,the true test of a turntable,and it has yet to skip.Side note;I also use Shure m447s and tilt my cartrigdes ever so slightly,with no headshell weight.Also,the turntables come with a nice,thick slipmat,which is like fresh dairy butta,baby.I also got a sweet deal($500.00!)for the pair.As i previously stated,the only drawback I have yet to encounter is that it doesn't come to a stop as fast as Technics(about 1/2 a sec longer)but it's really not that important.Very well constructed and stable.I bought the illmatic Hosa RCA cables with the ground attached in between(!)for compact functionality.Get em if you still can cause I think they have about 4 new models out.

Similar Products Used:

Technics 1210 and 1200

everything

nought

better than 1210's, but will it last as long?

Similar Products Used:

1210's