Great turntable for beginners and beyond (Numark TT1610)

Member Name: drakesdrum

Product:	Numark TT1610
Date:	30/07/09 (199 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to use, two play/pause buttons, belt drive motor, cheap

Disadvantages: More advanced DJs will want better

My old turntable which would probably pass for a museum piece sadly broke a few weeks ago so I set out to replace it at a good price. I didn't want to spend a fortune and I came across this turntable, the Numark TT1610.

Numark are a highly respected firm who specialise in DJ equipment so I was surprised to see a turntable at the cheap price this was on sale for. On amazon as I write it is available new for £79.99 and this is typical of the price this turntable goes for elsewhere too. I bought mine from a local shop for £75, I've seen prices range from £75-90 new. Naturally at this price I thought I may have to sacrifice on some quality but this wasn't really the case.

The turntable comes well packaged in the box. I should warn you that a couple of parts are hidden within the polystirine and it took me a while to find them! When I look back I was a bit stupid not to find them but it certainly wasn't easy to spot them especially when I'm excited to get it running. The turntable also comes with instructions which are basic but that's all you need really, it keeps it simple.

The turntable was very easy to set up. There are only a few parts to deal with. Firstly you have to put the belt drive around the motor and the table. This is fairly easy to do, although I had to use a pencil because it was difficult to get my fingers under the belt to put it around the motor when it was fastened against the table. This was a minor inconvenience but it wasn't mentioned in the instructions I may have to do this. However, it was reassuring to know the belt was made of fairly tough stuff.
All that was left to do was to sort the tone arm out. The tone arm has a weight at the back with is adjusted to best suit and the instructions tell you how best to sort this out. It didn't take me very long. The tone arm also has an anti-skate function which prevents the arm flying around the record, especially towards the middle of the record this function really helps.

The turntable feels generally sturdy. The base has four large rubber feet on it to stop it nudging off the table. The frame of the base is plastic but it still feels and looks quality. The platter is aluminium and its a very solid unit. The tone arm is also aluminium. The tone arm feels very slightly flimsy but I have had no problems with it after a few weeks use and to be honest you'd have to give it a huge wrench to break it. When the turnable isn't being used the tone arm has a stand that keeps it in place sturdily.
Aesthetically, the turntable is a stylish piece that would fit in with any modern stereo system.

The turntable has two large play/pause buttons which are useful especially in tight spaces such as a bedroom. I can put the turntable on my desk and I don't have to reach over it to play and pause it.

The turntable can play at 33 and 45 RPM which is standard for albums and singles respectively, this is changed easily with two buttons. There is also a pitch control: +/- 10%. The turntable plays perfectly at both speeds mentioned but the pitch control is slightly off. In my experience Technics turntables have a better pitch control, more accurate. However, for me I just use this turntable to listen to records, nothing more nothing less so I never use the pitch control. A professional DJ would need a more upmarket turntable than this but it's great for beginners. Also included is a Numark Groovetool cartridge. This is easy to attach and secure in place and comes with a protective cover to stop dust building on the needle.
There is also a protective slipmat which is hard-wearing but soft.

The turntable has phono plugs which I plugged straight into the back of my amp, very easy to do.

It is important to point out this turnable does not have an USB function. You would have to buy an adaptor to do that. Many of cheaper USB turntables are of a similar price to this one. I felt that those turntables maybe sacrificing on quality in favour of having the USB function so that's why I got this one.

This turntable is a good quality piece that is great for beginners. I'm not a beginner but I am a big fan of it too. Perfect for listening to records but DJs will no doubt require something more than this. Highly recommended.

Summary: Numark turntable worth looking at

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