Customer Reviews

Numark PT01 Portable DJ Turntable

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

I bought this turntable to a) replace an older turntable from the 70s and which weighs more than me, for which new needles cost 30-40 bucks, and b) to transfer old 78s into digital files for a podcast. It's one of the few turntables that I found with both a built-in speaker AND audio out ports, in both RCA and headphone cable form. Usually, I found ones with either one or the other. It's lightweight, it has excellent sound quality, much more tone and pitch control than you'd ever expect in a 100 dollar turntable, and the new needles cost only 12 bucks. I could not find where to buy the needles online, so after contacting Numark, I discovered that they would sell them to me directly for only 12 bucks each (even if it involved giving out my CC# via eMail). Being a very new turntable, I don't expect it to be phased out anytime soon, so the needles should remain cheap for a while.

Perhaps the only thing I would change is the fact that the table only starts spinning once you move the arm over it - there is no 'start spinning' button beyond the on/off switch. Also, there have been a few times when I accidentally dropped the stylus onto the metal surface and it's left a visible gouge, and I can't help but think that this kind of thing should have been somehow protected against.

I'm not a hardcore audiophile. I don't know the difference between the sonic clarity of a CD and an mp3, and honestly, if it sounds full, that's good enough for me, but this was incredibly simple to set up and plays excellently, and pretty solid (if mostly plastic).

I bought the Numark PT01 for the purpose of transfering vinyl albums and 78's to my PC for digital remastering and taking the scratches and noise out and then transfering them to CD's. For the most part, I can't complain. The turntable was easy to set up and use. At this point, I must give information about replacement styluses. Regretfully, Amazon does not sell these, so you'll have to get them from other sources. Don't worry, I'll help you find them. Just Google the numbers you see below and you'll quickly find sites which can sell you these styluses at very reasonable prices.
793D7
793S3

These are special Fansteel numbers which are used to designate the exact styluses needed.

The 793D7 is the stylus for 33/45 RPM vinyl disks and uses a diamond tip. The 793S3 is the stylus for wide groove 78 RPM disks and uses a sapphire tip.

Now, a word about using this turntable for remastering sound. After you've recorded the record audio to your hard drive, you'll need to adjust the equalizer of your third party recording client so that the 200HZ level is brought down by -12Db. This is because this turntable has an anoying peak at that frequency and especially in the right channel. Also, it's best to turn the volume all the way up on the lineout jakcs (that's right, the volume also effects the auxiliary output jacks which is not a good thing) because you'll want to minimize the amp noise going in to your sound card. Also, you will need to use a lower setting on the track bar for the line input on your card than you may be used to. This is because both headphone jacks and the lineout jacks are fed by the same amplifier and thus the volume; as indicated before, works them all. Barring those factors though, It's a nice little turntable which, provided you're not too demanding of your equipment, will serve well. OF course, it would have been nicer if the cartridge was user replaceable thus allowing the freedom to choose what ever combination of stylus and cartridge you wanted; and, the 200Hz peak in the right channel, which I suspect is the result of the tonearm receiving vibrations from the built in cartridge, would need to be eliminated for me to give it a 5; but, as I said, nice buy if you are not too demanding and are on a tight budget.

I have a massive record collection, and had continued buying records even after the Aiwa turntable I had stopped working. I saw this on Amazon and saw it was small, reasonably priced, and had a pitch control. Initially I played my 7" records on it, and it was just fine. Once I started playing my 12" records the trouble began. About halfway through any record I play the pitch begins to waver (subtly speeds up and slows down). I contacted Numark and told them about the problem. I got a response telling me I needed to buy a different needle to play 78 RPM records on the turntable. This was a confusing response as I hadn't even mentioned 78 RPM records in my e-mail (nor do I own any). So I write again and explain that my question wasn't answered. So then I'm told I should try to balance the arm properly. I write back again and say that I mentioned in BOTH my e-mails that the unit I was inquiring about was a PT-01, and this model has a pre-balanced (non-adjustable) arm. Numark wrote back "oh you're right, just return to dealer". Unfortunately it's too late for that, and Numark was NO help. Their customer service 'team' couldn't even be bothered to read e-mails and answer accordingly. Do not buy this unit, I wasted $100 and now I have to buy a new turntable. I assure you, it won't be a Numark!

I haven't listened to records since my old turntable broke down years ago. In the meantime, I have a acquired new amp, which does not include a phono option, and the idea of buying a preamp and all the other necessary accessories seemed like too much effort. Well, this compact little turntable does the trick with a minimum of fuss. It's not an audiophile product, but I must say that, hooked up to my main system, it provides good sound, tracks even scratchy, warped LPs well, and takes up very little shelf space. I even brought it into my kitchen one evening, hooked it up to a table radio, and some 1950s-era jazz records sounded pretty sweet. I'm going to be getting a few of these to give to my musically-included friends as gifts this holiday season! For those of you who have forgotten the joy of setting the needle into the groove and hearing that familiar 'swoosh' - this will bring it all back.

i've long wanted to own a numark...if only it wasn't too pricey, until this particular model came along. the functions are pretty basic but the sound is excellent for its range. the thing i like most is that you can carry it practically anywhere you go and for those old enough to be alive when vinyl was king, it brings back memories of playing your 45's on your small phonograph. certainly worth the money. I would've given it 5 stars if it had an auto start and stop funtion though

Purchased this Numark unit for the purpose of transferring old LP's to my iBook lap top and then to CD's and so far I am very happy with my selection. Keep in mind this particular model is fairly basic, no bells or whistles here, but if you do not want or need something expensive or state of the art, then this is a good bet. Simple to set up and operate. Appears to be sturdy and does not take up a lot of space. I'd give it a full 5 stars if there was a lever to raise and lower the needle/stylus instead of by hand but that may be a type of feature that a DJ prefers. But for the price, I really can't complain.

I purchased this soley for the purpose of recording my albums to MP3 and Burning to CD and it works flawlessly. To do this you first connect the two RCA connections out on the side to your soundcard line in; that would be the Blue one; then plug in electrical and turn the unit on. Now go download Spin It Again from Acoustica Software; not free but the best there is amd go through the trial with some of your records. The great thing is it takes all the hiss; pops; everything out of your recording and you can even burn them within the same program. They are digitaltized and sound great on my sound system. The Numark is a great buy and works great with Spin It Again; get both you won't regret it. I have been through 15 Albums so far without a single problem with the Turntable and the Software.

I am a college student, and I wanted to take LPs with me to school, so I decided to purchase this player. It is marvelous for what it is designed to do. I run the line out through my computer's speakers, so I can listen to it as well as make MP3s from the LPs. It is very compact, it sits on my desk, and it is easily transported. It's built-in speaker does what it can. I have heard complaints from others who have reviewed it, but you cannot get the sound that is best from any built-in speaker. What you need to do is run it through other speakers or headphones. Overall, this is an amazing buy, and it is nice to hear people say, "You bought a NEW record player?! I didn't think they still made those!!"

I got this as a secondary table for when I'm away from home, but I also use it occasionally when I'm out D.I.T.C. 'Works great in both scenarios. It's a tad bulky, but it's sturdy and has a lot of nice features like the various outputs, tone and pitch knobs, etc. I've got buddies who use this as their main turntable. Recommended.

I recently purchased the Numark PT01 Portable DJ Turntable as well as the Vestax Handy Trax Portable Turntable.

The first thing you notice about the Numark is that it looks and feels tougher, stronger. Both are lightweight plastic that I wouldn't want to bang around too much.

The Numark's built in speaker is much better than the Vestax. Both sound good when using headphones. I have not yet hooked either unit to a computer or sound system.

the thing that I dislike about both of them, is having to place and lift the tonearm on the records. Also you must move the arm towards the record to get the platter to spin.

they're more like good "record players" than high quality
turntables.

Remember your talking about a whole unit that cost less
than what some people spend on record cleaning fluids.

If your very picky and trying recreate the old days you'd
be better of with a more expensive direct drive turntable
with a nice cartridge.

I would recommend these for the casual user not the serious audiophile.

btw: mixing and scratching are not recommended.

I've only had them for a very short time but with the Numark's lower price and better sounding speaker, I'd recommend it over the Vestax.

I will write another review after trying them with the batteries and
recording with a laptop.