A direct-drive turntable is among the three major phonograph layouts now being made. The other designs are the belt drive turntable as well as the idler-wheel kind. Each name relies upon the type of coupling used between the platter of the motor and the turntable.
Direct-drive turntables reduce the separation of platter and motor by using the plate as the rotor in the synchronous motor of the turntable.
This implies that there isn’t any motor, per se, in the turntable – the platter is driven by the magnetic field induced by the stator of the turntable. In all turntables, a metal disc spins at a steady rate.
Higher torque means the platter will hasten to its correct rate quicker when the record starts to play, so less distortion is heard.
In direct-drive turntables, the slipmat helps isolate the record from motor vibrations picked up by the stylus.
Top 5 Direct Drive Turntable
1. Audio-Technica ATLP120USB Professional USB Turntable – Best Vintage Direct Drive Turntable
The Audio Technica LP120USB is a tough player that plays with records but can reproduce phonograph records directly to your hard drive.
It seems much like the late, lamented Technics SL1200/1210 – and that is no bad thing. A direct-drive design, its target light, a stroboscope, /- a reverse switch, as well as 20% pitch control.
It is provided with an aluminum platter, Audio Technica AT-P2 cartridge, and a tonearm and plays at 33.3, 45, and 78rpm.
Round the back, there is a switch for the built-in preamp (meaning the AT LP120 USB may be utilized with an amplifier’s line-level input signal and a committed ‘phono’ input signal) along with a USB output signal.
All of which makes the AT LP120 USB seem like a formidably priced proposal. It is a tonally evenhanded listen, with low-frequency solidity, midrange detail, and top-end crispness all nicely incorporated. However, that does not change that this is a strong record player who does everything one could expect at a fair cost.
2. Stanton T.62 MKII Professional Direct Drive DJ Turntable – Best Direct Drive Turntable Under 200
The Stanton T.62 MKII is an easy-to-work, direct-drive turntable perfect for DJs of any design or expertise degree. It provides you with a fantastic setup for optimum operation.
Predicated on the T.60, Stanton’s top-selling favorite, the T.62 turntable features a powerful motor with strong torque. A straight-tone arm provides exceptional tracking ability for scratch DJs. The Stanton T62B Turntable also comes equipped with the Stanton 500.v3 cartridge, along with a high-quality slipmat for extra control.
The T.62 MKII is a durable, professional-quality turntable with a high-torque, direct-drive motor and two accessible playback speeds (33 and 45 RPM). Two start/stop switches are contained for mix or battle orientation. A pitch control fader allows you to alter the tempo/pitch using a plus or minus 10 percent range.
This phonograph record player is simply excellent. I nearly can not describe in words what this player has done to my listening experiences. The one thing you should add to this purchase is a 20 to 30 dollar preamp.
This can increase the sound from the player to the unequaled degree. The sound is fantastic — this is an excellent turntable for money.
3. Stanton T.92 MKII USB Professional Direct Drive DJ Turntable – Best Cheap Direct Drive Turntable
The T.92 MKII is a direct-drive professional turntable with built-in USB connectivity. Provided applications and the USB port make it simpler than ever to digitalize vinyl records. With characteristics like a key lock and a pitch range of +/-, the T.92 USB effortlessly fits in with a standard DJ setup.
The Stanton T.92 USB is not your typical audiophile turntable. It is a DJ turntable. The incredible thing about DJ turntables is they are constructed to withstand an excellent deal of punishment and are relatively simple to set up.
The T.92 is a direct drive turntable, i.e., no belts, and comes with the standard DJ accouterments, such as rate and pitch controls. The T.92 comes complete with an S-Shaped Tone Arm, as well as a Stanton 500v3 cartridge. The T.92 has, unlike many turntables, a built-in phono stage, meaning you can link it to any RCA style input signal on your preamp or receiver, which is a plus.
Besides, it has a USB, as well as a S/PDIF digital output signal. The reason behind the digital and USB output signal will be to ease to MP3 via the enclosed applications in the transport of your favorite records.
Stanton is not the only manufacturing company expecting to cash in on (or maybe beginning) the LP to MP3 movement; Music Hall and others have products offering the same functionality.
When it comes to sound quality, the T.92 is a great performer, pretty much middle of the road among budget tables, and by no means good enough to cut it for the dyed-in-the-wool audiophile bunch.
Regardless, the T.92 is aimed at the no-frills music lover, who cares more about playing back and listening to their favorite LPs than they do about tending to them.
