Audio-Technica ATLP1240USBXP Direct-Drive Professional DJ Turntable (USB & Analog), Black, Selectable 33 -1/3, 45, and 78 RPM Speeds, High-torque, Multipole Motor, Convert Vinyl to Digital

Solid unit. I am not a DJ, but I have touched on some of the features and it makes the experience even better

I was looking for another turntable for the longest time that would be comparable to my Technics 1200 MK5 I've owned for 7 years. The market for a good, used Technics 1200 has reached astronomical levels where one deck can set you back anywhere from $500 to $1000 dollars. Technics are the gold standard for DJs (pro or bedroom or just a casual listener) and the AT-LP1240 XP is a Super OEM that truly holds it's own against a 1200. I've spent months researching and looking for a turntable with the specs, reliability, and durability of a 1200. I looked at the Pioneer PLX 500/1000, Reloop, Audio Technica, and even that Roland 909. I kept coming back to the AT-LP1240 because on paper and in video reviews this TT packs a lot of punch into a quality production at a price point I am comfortable with.So I went for it. I'm a bedroom DJ who has two turntables hooked up through a vintage receiver (AUX input) via a Numark mixer. All playing through Advent 5002 speakers. I mainly spin soul, funk, 80s, punk, indie, and whatever else. Not a pro by any means, but I've been behind two decks for several years now and it's great to finally find a replacement for a loaned 1200 I had to give back.The LP1240 XP comes shipped in a box that keeps it completely secure and AT paid attention to making sure certain mechanisms are protected as well. Set-up is super easy, but I highly recommend reading the owner's manual before you start getting into the nitty-gritty of balancing the tone arm, adjusting the counter weight, attaching the cart, and hooking it up to your receiver. If you're a total n00b, read the whole thing before setting up anything.Pros:- Torque: Starts and stops on a dime. It takes no time at all to get up to full speed and a full stop is immediate. Cool thing, thing can be adjusted to have a slower start and a slower stop speed.- Body: It's built like a tank. Completely solid.- Style: I was ify about this at first because I wish the LP1240 was in the LP120 body so it would look like a Technics 1200. However, the body style has grown on me a bit. It's pretty damn sleek.- Tracking lights: Bright, blue LEDs. Easy to cue up records in a darker room.- Cartridge & stylus included- Phone/Line switch: Versatile, but I will only use the "phono." The internet says the "pre-amp" in the LP1240 interferes with the phono switch, but I cannot tell the difference and I think people are obsessing about this. Some even go so far to remove the pre-amp.- Sound: We my set-up, music is phenomenal- Removable RCA cables: The RCA cables are not part of the unit itself. You can swap them out. Genius if cables go bad and saves you a repair if they are attached to the unit.- Isolation: I haven't noticed any serious skipping when walking around. Only if I walk heavy nearby. I have wood floors and in an older apartment. I'm looking into a concrete paving slab for more isolation.- Dust Cover: I think it's OK. It kind of attaches around the top, so it can't move around. No hinges though.- It just works. If you take care of it and maintain it, I'm sure you will have it for years to come.Cons:Tonearm: It does NOT feel cheap, but it's lacking the weight and feel of a Technics 1200 tonearm. The mechanism itself is quality and the adjustment features feel solid.Tonearm lift control lever: This is my only gripe. It works fine. Raises and lowers the tonearm off the record smoothly and slowly. However, using it does feel a bit cheap. If there one's point of failure in the future, I can see this being the only thing that will break down.Counterweight: Not as heavy and solid as I thought it would be.Conclusion: If you're looking for a great turntable to spin records as a bedroom DJ and at house parties, you can't go wrong with the LP 1240 XP. It is a professional grade turntable and that's the quality you will receive. The LP1240 is an absolute unit. If you're a casual listener, the AT-LP120 is a better choice and an excellent deck. The LP1240 is certainly no Technics, but man, it is certainly a close second and a solid replacement for those who are in a similar situation as me.Note: Yes, I bought the AT-LP1240 XP. This product comes with the cartridge and headshell which makes it an excellent value. The XP is the newer model of the LP1240, but I don't think any of the specs have changed overall.

I did quite a bit of research on turntables. I was considering the Pioneer DJ PLX-1000. I just wanted a turntable for home use, to use with my (2) 120W mono amplifiers configured for stereo.I am using a DeLisle V2 Speaker switch box, having one amplifier driving one speaker and the other amplifier driving the remaining speaker. I am using one of my Android phones to drive each amplifier, one with right audio and one with left audio.I received the turntable within a couple days. It was double boxed. The packaging is incredible. There's lots of styrofoam packing material to secure the turntable in the box and and everything is secured with tape.I was initially concerned that the top cover might be cracked but it wasn't. Everything arrived in perfect condition.Set-up is very easy. Instructions are included in the manual as well as videos online to make set-up very easy.Set-up includes mounting the platter, platter cover, cartridge & stylus (included), counter weight, balancing the tone arm, setting the tracking force and anti-skating force. I had it all set-up within 15 minutes.What I really like about this turntable is that it has all of the features of the Pioneer PLX-1000 plus additional features that the PLX doesn't have.1, Dual Start/Stop Buttons2. Start Control Speed3. Brake Control Speed4. Reverse Direction5. 33/45 & 78 Speeds (78 not included on the PLX-1000)6. Cartridge & Stylus Included (Not included in the PLX-1000)7. Line/Phono switch (PLX-1000 is phono only)8. USB output to play & record records into digital format (Not capable on the PLX-1000)This is a direct drive turntable. Included is a right angle stereo phono cord, line power cord, USB cord and manual.The Audio-Technica AT-1240-USBXP is around $100 cheaper than the PLX-1000. I highly recommend this turntable. It comes with a AT-XP5 DJ cartridge. You can always change it to another brand of cartridge. The cover is not hinged. This is a manual turntable. There is no auto return.