Stanton Magnetics STR8-100

I ordered two STR8-100's over the phone with ProSound and Stage Lighting along with new cartridges to replace my old Gemini turntables which I had outgrown. I paid $350 each, totaling at $700.

These turntables are not only durable and reliable, but they are versatile and full of bells and whistles that are a pleasure to use. The high torque platter gives a very quick start, and the tracking of the straight tone arm is extremely good - it is very hard to make a record skip when sratching with this setup. The 25% speed adjust combined with the pitch hold is a remarkable tool that lets songs sound completely normal at different speeds, and makes remixes that much better. All of this combined with an overall ease of use makes this unit wonderful - on the same quality level as the Technics 1200 family, but with more bells and whistles.

There really isn't much to not like about the unit. Very solid all around, attractive layout, good to look at.

The construction quality is extremely solid. The unit is somewhat heavy, but it can take alot of abuse and lugging around from gig to gig without showing any signs of taking a beating.

Overall, I highly recommend this unit to anyone who wants a high end turntable and is considering buying a Technics. Save your money, and get a Stanton STR8-100. You won't be sorry.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

The STR8-100's straight tone arm is Stanton's approach to resolving skipping problems - and as far as I can tell, it does the job. There is some minor skipping once in awhile, but I feel that may be more in regard to cartridge selection and stylus pressure settings. The "line-in" feature of this digital table is a useful tool and its broad range in pitch adjustment allows for greater mixing possibilities. There is a "Key Correction" feature that allows you to speed tempo without affecting pitch and a "Reverse" feature that allows for some pretty creative mixing possibilities.

$300 USD

The STR8-100s were my first set of direct drive tables, but I had experimented on many before. It was a vast imporvement over the Gemini XL-400II belt-drives I started with and the sound quality was just as I expected it would be: great.

As long as you know how to use a turntable, the STR8-100 is pretty easy to just pick up and start tearing up on.

The owner's manual didn't give as much info as it could have on how to properly use the special features and right now I'm trying to figure out how to replace the track light that burned out on one of my decks. I had to have the "Reverse" button fixed on one of my tables as it seemed to "slip" out of place a little. It had locked the platter rotation in the reverse setting and I was unable to change it until the button had been fixed. The aluminum face plate on the table is very soft and can be easily scratched or dented. The construction is rugged and does not easily break, but even minor bumps and scratches can leave lasting scars on this equipment.

Overall, I love this deck. I a dedicated Stanton fan because they offer quality equipment that rivals (and even sometimes tops) a lot of the other heavy hitters in the DJ gear market for less. When I bought the Stanton STR-100s, they were the top of the line decks and have served me quite well. I've had a couple of frustrating issues with them, but in all fairness, I deal out a lot of abuse on them. Everyone's entitled to their preferences, but these decks are capable of allowing me to achieve my full potential as a DJ - and between all their featured "bells & whistles", it is a very crucial piece of equipment that gives you a lot of flexibility in whatever you are trying to accomplish as a DJ.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Shidoshi ( 1-, 2004)

I use them for 10 months now without any problems.
precise and complete pitch (choice: 8%, 16%, 25%), rapid start / stop, direct drive good KALIT in fact the only thing I find fault c ke the plato a bit less powerful touch on the ke technics. demarage Lorski but not the one pushes the skeud with your finger for example. but a good c more kestion usual.
to mix the tempo they are perfect.
nivo KALIT to report prices, I find them excellent, I needed a larger pitch ke 8% and for less ke the SL1200 and Stanton perfectly fulfill their role, no notch nivo 0 pitch (precision increased), reverse function, master tempo, 33, 45, 78tr, digital output for the sample example.
At present I incline more to the vestax ki me enormous pleasure.