PLX-1000: Pioneer’s $699 Pro DJ Turntable Details Revealed

We’ve been paying close attention to the story of Pioneer’s new vinyl turntable that originally got leaked by QBert right after the NAMM convention in January, and today the details have dropped. The new PLX-1000 is a direct drive analog turntable that’s very similar in design to the Technics 1200s and many of the other super OEM models that have come after it. There’s a standard layout, long pitch fader with a range of tempo adjustments from ±8% and ±16% to ±50% and a reset switch, and a lighted speed guide on the platter.

A lot of DJs have speculated over the need and presence for additional I/O options besides the traditional RCA and power – and it looks like many might be disappointed as Pioneer has kept it completely analog in the unit, with just a single pair of phono outs, a ground cable attachment point, a Kensington lock slot, and a power supply. The lack of digital interface is something that we’ve heard from Pioneer is very much an intention to keep the sound quality very pure and analog – but we’re left wondering why easy connection for timecode users to a Pioneer certified mixer like the DJM-900 Nexus or SRT didn’t seem like the better play for the market.

The simple I/O on the rear of the Pioneer PLX-1000

Pioneer presents sound quality as one of the key core focuses of this unit in the press release, writing:

To create an extremely stable player and prevent vibration, Pioneer utilized a heavy-mass zinc die-cast chassis for the top section of the player, reinforced with a bottom section made of 8-mm thick resin. The base of the unit was further enforced with 9-mm thick vibration-damping material that results in extremely stable playback. The tone arm also received great attention in build quality and design to maximize performance, using rubber insulation to minimize howling effects during audio playback. The RCA jacks feature gold-plated machine-cut parts for low impedance for excellent sound quality output.

The street price is coming in at a pretty solid $699 for the PLX-1000 (including a dust cover shell for the unit, not something many super OEMs ship with), and it’s expected to be in stores in August (just two weeks away!). Would you grab one, or is the PLX not quite compelling enough for you? Let us know in the comments.