The Lowdown
The DJ PLX-1000 is Pioneer DJ’s flagship direct-drive turntable. It’s heavy and meant to be used in club and gig settings, though there have been complaints of hum and feedback when placed near monitor speakers, especially compared to the classic Technics 1200 which continues to be the standard in turntables. A good pick if you simply must buy brand new, though there are other cheaper options that are just as good such as the Reloop RP-7000MK2, or you can get a pair of used Technics for the same price.
First Impressions / Setting up
The Pioneer DJ PLX-1000 is a mid-level direct-drive turntable meant for scratching and club / gig use.
A couple of Amazon reviewers mentioned that the PLX-1000 is similar to the Technics SL-1200, though that’s to be expected since it basically copies the classic layout and look.
Gold-plated RCA jacks with removable cables means you can use any RCA cord and you don’t need to open it up in order to replace it (which was once of the bugbears of a Technics 1200). The power cord is also replaceable.
In Use
It feels very stable and reliable, with a quality build and components. The build quality looks like it will hold up for many sessions as the arm looks sturdy and all the connectors and controls feel solid. Even when turning it on and off, the platter is consistent in its speed.
Pioneer boasts that the Start/Stop buttons are dead silent and we can confirm that to be true and results in a smoother performance. The tempo control is very responsive without any hitches or dead spots.
The layout is very traditional and old-school turntablists will have an easy time getting use to the PLX-1000, no problem.
The reviewers on Amazon really love the PLX-1000, praising how great the minimalist design is. However, there are videos on YouTube that show the PLX-1000 producing significant hum and feedback when placed near a speaker monitor, especially when compared to a Technics 1200. This is undesirable in a club or festival environment where you’re more likely to use the PLX-1000 near DJ booth monitors or bass bins.
Conclusion
A good choice and one to have on your shortlist if you simply must buy brand new, though there are other cheaper options such as the Reloop RP-7000MK2 or the Stanton STR8 150 Mk2. You may also want to consider simply buying a pair of used Technics for the same price and then spending a bit of cash to make any necessary repairs or refurbishments.
