Pioneer DJ PLX-500 Direct Drive Turntable - Review & Test!  

I've been using this turntable for the last 4 years and I love it.

I get such good information from you, very honest! Thank you!

Another great in-depth video, Record-ology. It's great to see Pioneer back into the game of having turntables manufactured. :)

8:25 Yes, that headshell is cast aluminium. They added a 3600L because it's cheap just to get you going, but you're supposed to get a proper aftermarket DJ cartridge that suits your taste, like the Ortofon Concorde MKII Mix. 11:30 Instead of a taller cartridge, you could get a thicker mat instead.

Wow, great turntable! I've been thinking about replacing the cheap belt-driven turntable in my bedroom, and this might be the one to get! Thanks for a great video and thorough review, keep up the great work! 👍

Nice to see your excitement about this turntable!!😎 Happy spinning from IOWA!!!!

using this one for the last 3 years pretty much every weekend. works just great :) nice review!

The issue for me is the lower quality fixed audio cables. One would think that since this thing costs roughly $369 brand new, that Pioneer would at least offer better fixed cables like Pro-Ject offers on one of their turntables. Technically the cables can be upgraded by a professional or even have them removed and replaced with audio output jacks however that's an added expense. Buying the Audio Technica LP120 at $349 makes better sense in my opinion. It has everything the PL-500 has (it weighs 17.6 lbs which is fairly hefty) except for the vertical tracking which is not that big of a deal, but that's just me.

I NEED THIS IN MY LIFE!!!

This turntable looks really nice, with great features (minus the built in RCA cable). I'd say a great value for the money. Nice review.

This appears to have much of the chassis - the positioning of the AC cord and phono lead, the arm and adjustment assembly are virtually identical to the original AT-LP120, but maybe also features the totally silent motor, and much improved pre-amp of the LP120X; you can tell it's from the same manufacturer !! 😆 It looks gorgeous though in its bright white finish! Seeing you handle and use it, it also seems very solidly built, with good quality tonearm bearings. Nice one! 👍

I'm saving up for an LP120x primarily for 78's. Hope to see a future video with this one 🙂

Use to have one of those technics turntable. They are great starters as they are lots of them in the market and they are not super expensive.

I am still looking for a TT. I gotta look at this one. Thx for sharing this. I like this. 👍

I just bought one and it's on the way as I write. I will only use it to listening records so I guess will perform well. Great review. Thx.

Another good one, Mr. R!!! Could you do a show on the Audio Technica LP 140XP? Yes, it costs more than a AT LP 120XP, but IMHO it’s worth the upgrade. It too is a DJ turntable that’s great for listening, too. I request this because the 140 doesn’t get the attention it deserves. I know your channel is aimed towards vinyl hobby beginners.However, this TT is worth checking out for beginners or for those who are ready for an upgrade. It’s also a good service to let those who are just starting to also give them a FYI as to where they could go once they’ve been in the hobby for a time. The more information, the better!!!

The cover works just like the Uturn Orbit does, or at least the 2nd gen of the Orbit that I had. I suspect the hinges are 100% plastic without anything else. This would save money on the build of each unit. Not much but enough to make a difference.

Okay, after watching this I broke down and bought one on Amazon. It should arrive sometime this Sunday. I got a "nearly new" one as well for $302.00 Still looking to transplant my BSR MA65 into a new cabinet though for extended listening and to be able to play my 16rpm records again. I play most of my 78's on a vintage Brunswick-Collander Company console from 1917, but I do have a few modern 78's with microgrooves that need a modern width stylus. The newest 78 of mine was made in 2019 by a company called Rivermont records. They come in early 20th century style paper 78 sleeves with a 1920's retro look and their labels have that retro look as well. You do know that modern 78's have a better sound than 33 1/3 and 45's too, right? The higher speed gives more range I believe, which is why they didn't really make a lot of 16rpm music records, most of them just being spoken word.

I use the 3600 series to dj with it back cues fine and because it's conical it is very forgiving , reminds me of Stanton 500al

Nice review, great work! A few nitpicks, though: (1) Not all SL-1200 lookalikes are made by Hanpin. Some are made by Yahorng, like all the old Geminis and some recent Numark stuff including their ill-fated Denon DJ VL12. (2) AlphaTheta Corporation actually IS Pioneer DJ, not a holding company. It (and Pioneer DJ) also is not a subsidiary of Pioneer, and hasn't been for quite some time. Since 2020, it has been owned by Noritsu Koki Co., a weird conglomerate that used to be in the photo processing business, but has now added Pioneer DJ to a strange portfolio from pen nibs to healthcare products. (3) Sad to hear that Pioneer DJ did not address the VTA height adjust problem (that was already present on the AT-LP120 and others). But there is another bummer almost all reviewers (and DJs) miss. The PLX-500 requires an 'overhang' of 53mm in the headshell (take a look into the manual, p.16), while the Concordes (and Technics) have an 'overhang' of 52mm. 1mm does not sound much, but significantly increases distortion esp. in the inner grooves. Judging from the specs, most of the 'Super OEMs' tts (like AT-LP240/AT-LP1240, Stanton 150, Reloop 7000/8000 et al.) seem to get it right. But not the Pioneer DJ PLX-1000 (which is also based on Hanpin's 'Super OEM' template). Pioneer DJ have modified the Hanpin tonearm (partially for good reasons), and here they even designed it with 54mm 'overhang' in the headshell, which gives an even worse incorrect alignment with Concordes.

I am surprised about the VTA with the supplied cartridge. You would have thought that that would have been designed correctly for that cartridge. Apart from that it seems like a very nice turntable

I've got a lot of mono records, so I have a mono cartridge which I put in the little hole on the back of the plinth.

It's bizarre when the platter is off of these as I am used to the Technics platter being part of the motor assembly on their direct drive units. I think my 1978 Pioneer PL-500 also is made that way. Again not a huge deal for the price point, but it definitely shows what you lose at the lower price and most likely where the cogging comes from. Those criticisms aside, still a great table.

Wow, ein fantastisches Gerät! Gratuliere!

Thats an AT-LP120X in white. The tone arm and tempo are also the same. Granted, it was a great turntable, but you might as well get an Audio Technica since it looks to be the same thing.

Just bought mine today! It will arrive on Sunday.

It's certainly a prettier/more modern style than a LP-120. You could also put a washer or two between the headshell and cartridge to help level it out. Btw, out of curiousity I checked my 1st gen LP-120 and at zero vertical adjustment the arm looks pretty level to me. Hanpin must've changed the tonearm base.

I love my PLX 1000 a great solid turntable, got a nice AT stylus. A very solid well made deck.

I have watch your video and .... order one ... got it today! :) thank you for the video, it was well done and very informative ! :)

The Made in China sticker made me decide to spent "some" extra money and go for the SL1200MK7

It's beautiful and really does sound great. I think the first track sounded a little distorted but I'm thinking it's the record itself. The second track sounded so clean and it's very detailed. Congratulations on your find for sure. It's probably a step up from the Audio Technica in my opinion.

Does this only do 16 / 44.1 on USB? I was disappointed with the LP 120x because the maximum for USB recording is 16 bit / 48 kHz. I prefer to record my vinyl to 24/96, or at the least 24/48, so I have to use the RCA cable with an adapter to my sound card.

Mine is spot on at 33 1/3rpm, but the dots travel just a wee bit on 78rpm and to get it perfect I had to move that tempo slide switch down to between 2 and 3.

The only thing I take issue with these decks is the overhang, despite it having a removable headshell it’s incompatible with Concorde carts because they only align with a 52mm or Technics and I think Pioneers are 49mm.

I got TWO Black ones three years ago. Came with FREE Odyssey case(s). Good upgrade Funkfirm Anchormat 3mil. Maybe should have got the 5 or even seven mil. No matter how far down you crank down the VTA it will never be “level”. I hear tell of people stacking slip mats. Anyway. Also put Ortofon 2M Blue. Had Ortofon Concorde Club but found them to me a bit “hot”.

That movement of the strobe dots is Not cogging. It is an instability caused by a lag in the response of the speed regulation circuit. Cogging is caused by a motor effectively starting and stopping instead of rotating continuously, which is a different matter altogether. Both are undesirable, of course, and neither exists in better designs.

Nice find! Great addition to any collection!

I own its big brother, the PLX-1000. And I am kinda envious that it wasn't available with the white finish. Also, the PLX-1000 lacks 78 RPM.

One thing that is better on the AT LP120X is the inclusion of a 78 strobe. Plus the anti-skate actually works. Other than that the original AT LP 120 has better features, including adjustable tone arm height. I also like the pop up light on the original as opposed to the plug in light on the X.

When the time comes to upgrade from my Atlp-60 (not the x model) I'm going to have to choose between this or the new LP3!

Использую с 2018 года. Полёт нормальный 😂.

Hey, I noticed you aren't using the weight screw for the headshell that came with the turntable. Is it a necessary part? I'm not sure what to do with it at this point. Keep it around or toss it.

However Rega and Thorens uses that same cart. Not a big issue, however not shocking to see it used at that price point.

Some deejays still do use turntables.

thanks for the video, one question tho, am I better off buying this and spending extra and get Ortofone for it or buying plx1000? my use is mixing every now and then at home so no scratching at all.

Thank you!

Good video, but what of sound quality performance?

I noticed that the counter weight was on backwards! Couldn't see the numbers!

My tulip is broken.is it posibble to re wire it , withkyt opening it?

Can I get the link for the acrylic player mat?

I wonder if a thicker platter mat would solve your height issue. Maybe a cork mat will get it to proper zero. My 1975 Technics SL-1500 which has no adjustment sits properly only with the rubber and/or cork mat on. It sits at an angle if I use a thin felt mat.

I have now a good turntable, but without a good cable

Which sounds better, Plx500 or AT LP 120, apart from other features?

I have a C200. Also not bad as a start up.

So at 15:30 , are you saying that it doesnt need to be plugged in to wall outlet to power up?

That Pioneer turntable looks way too much like a Technics 1200. I don't want to say of it was intentional or not, but the resemblance is uncanny.

I'll stick with my two 1200s

So how is it holding up after a year?

Dude didn't this come with the rubber platter mat like the PLX-1000 , the mat would have provided the right height for the tonearm also straight off the bat you should change the cartridge this would allow you to make sure it is aligned properly after all you would not want to damage your vinyl , i use the audio technica Shibata AT-VM95SH but looking at replacing it with the Nagaoka PC-X10 which is recommended for the Pioneer DJ turntables

Id prefer to get the 1000 model but the dust cover doesn't have hinges which is really stupid and puts me right off.

Mines have RPM issues after a little more than a year.. cannot mix with it anymore...

Can you replace high quality OFC RCA cable?

I have a question about the tonearm. When I have the height at the lowest level on the plx 500 (like it saids in the instructions), the tonearm is not totaly horizontal when touching the record. Is this something that is wrong with my turntable and do I need to return it?

Ah you fixed that near the end of the video!

What happens at the end of the record? Does it stop or does the needle hit the center and get damaged?

Hello, I have the PLX500 but I’ don’t now we’re the recording r ment to Go wot programs I can use 😢 thanks 🙏

Dust cover is probably acrylic, not poly carbonate. Just hit it with a hammer. If it breaks it is acrylic. Else PC. I could only dream of PC dust covers...

Love your show. Walk the dog. Try rice and fish a while. Keep doing your show with lol your feet for a while. Be well. I picked fluance, but I feel bad for betraying my people in Austria and Czech Republic. I’m going pro-ject soon.

I have never understood why anyone uses an acrylic platter. There’s no traction against the vinyl.

Where do you buy the better cartridges for this model?

Does the anti skate work?

Kind of bums me out that they threw a 3600L on there! The excuse of another commenter that you're meant to replace it with a DJ cart of your choice is just BS. Do they really think most of these bought will see DJ use? If so, they're really limiting their market. Should have at least thrown an AT VM95C or an Omega 1e on there to show the cart wasn't just an afterthought. My two cents.

Fantastic player ..is it manufacturing china ?

Swap the 3600 for an EN.

Where is the earth lead for phono?

Am I missing out on videos, or have you not posted any new ones? I read the one about 2nd Charles getting rid of the FREE bins and why, and noticed (but didn't watch) your invitation to a live video stream for last Sunday (1/22). Both were in the HOME section of RU-vid and not in your subscription channel Record-ology. I know you've been really busy playing catch-up (like I was until recently) so I'm thinking you've not had much time to record a video or two. Am I right? Or should I try unsubscribing and resubscribing (to hopefully find videos that should be there)?

Wtf is 22 lbs? I’m in uk i need kilos

It is hanpin

I bought lp120x over this. I dont know of that was smart 🙂

For a turntable with the same price the Reloop rp4000mk2 is way better than the Pioneer plx500

21 minutes in, shows you the deal breaker, wow

And because I have 5 different needles i don,t gonna buy a new one

don't regret selling LP120 -- its a a bad knock-off -- 100% THE worst anti-skate on any turntable I've ever owned --- btw, why not just get the PLX1000? u can pick one up used for close to same price as the PLX500

Ein Manko ist das festverbaute billige Kabel. Chinch Buchsen wären die bessere Option

Sorry guys but this is dud. Someone I know bought one and I set it up for them and for about the same money a 30 year old SL1210 beats it in every way

That's the dumbest location to display a record one is playing and if I need to explain why then that person shouldn't be collecting records.

I think there will be a great Turntable crash just like video games did. Because everybody and their dog is making them trying to cash in on the hysteria.

Djs don't use Turntables anymore , they all use a laptop powered system and mixers