Pioneer PLX 1000 vs Technics SL1200 Turntables

In the DJ world, two turntables are the foundation of every good mix that everyone needs. As DJing becomes more and more digitally acquainted, it’s easy to lose sight of the basics. With all the abilities you need to call yourself an aspiring DJ: from beat matching, scratching, and blending, one truly needs to own the important tool. DJ turntables are essential for anybody who wants to be the main source of music on the dance floor or any event and this is especially true now that vinyl records are making a comeback. For what is worth, you should own at least one pair if you’re a starting or even a veteran in the industry.

With that in mind, the Technics SL1200 MK2 and the Pioneer DJ PLX-1000 are widely regarded as the greatest DJ turntables on the market today. You can examine the benefits and drawbacks and evaluate its functionality below.

Technics SL-1200

The Technics SL-1200 is still the most durable and dependable DJ turntable available in the market, experts suggest. They say that if you take care of SL1200, you can expect it to last a lifetime. To this day, the latest MK7 continues the style and feel of its predecessors. Along with its 21-pound weight, it assures you that it will continue to be sturdy and effective at sound mixing and playing. It has a running torque of 2.2 kg/cm, perfect for fantastic turntablists.

Cons:

The SL-1200’s lack of customization in its pitch faders is a further drawback. The MK2, for example, has a pitch range is just +/-8% of the song’s pace, but the PLX-1000’s is +/-16%. Although simple beatmatching can get you through it, some might argue that that’s about all you’ll be able to get away with. If you’re not careful, you might get the unusual “chipmunk” high to your beats.
While SL-1200’s platters are like those of the PLX, they are noticeably slower when compared. Perhaps, you can usually get between 33 and 45 revolutions per minute. But, for the SL1200, they take 0.7 seconds to get going which truly makes a difference. Take its MK2 model, for example, it has longer lag periods between a spinning record and less precise pitch bending. Furthermore, people have also noted that scratching is more difficult on it than on the PLX-1000.

Pros:

The turntable has external dimensions of 17.8 inches in width, 14.1 inches in depth, and 6.37 inches in height. This means that it’s lighter in comparison to PLX with its 11.5 kg weight.
In terms of pricing, the Technics SL-1200 ver. MK2 is reasonably priced, albeit this may be because it is mainly sold from 3^rd party merchants. Moreover, you should probably go for the MK2 if you’re cutting the price for budgetary reasons. The MK2’s manufacturing discontinuation might be an advantage if you want to buy it secondhand from unauthorized sellers. Even though this isn’t right for everyone, it’s great for anyone who wants to try something cheap and doesn’t care if it’s fresh and brand-new.
It has a conventional headshell and an S-shaped tonearm, and its decent pitch range makes it a good choice for beatmatching. With that, ver. MK2 makes it perfect for beginner DJs who are looking for an affordable yet already established DJ setup.
Professionals thought of MK2’s construction and structure as rather impressive overall, albeit nothing too unusual. Although its metal shell and chassis aren’t nearly as well-made as the PLX-1000’s, they are proven reliable, nevertheless.

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Pioneer PLX 1000

On the other hand, the Pioneer DJ PLX 1000 holds a reputation as one of the top choices within the DJ industry. Its sturdy construction, crafted from die-cast zinc minimizes vibrations and produces punchy basslines. Featuring a starting torque of up to 4.5 kg/cm and a pitch adjustment range of +/ 50%, the PLX serves as an upgrade for turntablists.

Cons:

It is slightly heavier than the SL-1200. With its standard 13 kg weight, it’s noticeably hefty than the former’s 11.5 kg weight. If you’re into lighter DJ turntables, you may opt out of what the PLX has to offer.
One of its biggest drawbacks is its premium price. For example, the Technics SL-1200’s ver. MK2 may be obtained for a reasonable price despite its pre-owned state which is around $1,000. Whereas, a brand-new PLX-1000 would be bought for a much higher cost, which will set you back for roughly $1,400. Do note that some individuals would consider paying an extra $400 for a high-quality tool. However, for some (particularly those who are only starting in the business), the idea of spending that much money in an instant can be quite nerve-racking.

Pros:

The PLX-1000 boasts in terms of platter speeds. Although it has the same 33 and 45 RPM as the Technics SL-1200 MK2, its start time is only 0.3 seconds, making it significantly quicker than SL-1200’s 0.7 seconds. To the same extent, the torque here is 4.5kgf, which is substantially more than the MK2’s 1.5kgf. Because of this, it can conduct a wide range of pitch fader changes, which in turn allows for tighter pitch bends and less delay between its maximum speed and immediately after a scratch.
The PLX 1000, similar, to Technics SL 12000 MK2 has an all-metal chassis. What sets the PLX 1000 apart from its competitors is its construction. Although this extra weight doesn’t affect the portability of the turntable it does offer protection against bumps or vibrations.
Additionally, a small advantage of the PLX 1000, over the MK2 is that it doesn’t require power cables or professional repairs. The PLX 1000 comes with power connectors allowing you to use any RCA cable or three-pronged adapter. Simply getting a cable and trying it out is all you need to do to solve any of the underlying issues.

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In general, both the Technics SL 1200 MK2 and the Pioneer DJ PLX 1000 are widely promoted as top-notch DJ turntables that can hold their own in today’s market. Ultimately, the decision of which one to purchase for your setup is still up to you as a buyer. With this, we hope that this article had assisted you in making an informed decision before leaping into your next-level purchase.