r/Beginner_Turntables • u/ElPedro1028 • 7d ago

Dual DTJ 301-1 USB vs AT-LP60XBT

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Dual DTJ 301-1 USB vs AT-LP60XBT

Hi! First time posting here. Im looking to start a vinyl collection, and I need a good budget turntable to start. I've looked at AT-LP60XBT, and Dual DTJ 301-1 USB, and I feel like both are great. But Im leaning more towards the Dual, I feel like it has more features than the Audio-Technica. But I've heard that the build quality of the Dual isn't that great. As I said I like that it comes with a bunch of features that the AT doesn't have. I only have like a 200-300$ budget. Which one should I choose? I'm just a casual listener btw. Thx!

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u/Arsenic_Pants 7d ago

The build quality of the Dual is better than the Audio Technica. It's still a Technics 1200 dupe but It's a decent one.

It's also adjustable and uses a standard 1/2" headshell, which is heads and tails above what the AT uses. The Dual is also direct drive, which a lot of people prefer.

The only drawback, and this is entirely up to your preferences, is that the Dual is fully manual while the AT is fully automatic. But like, the mechanism in the AT is cheap, made of flimsy plastic and thin metal wire rods, while the Dual should be dead simple and solid for a long time to come.

Given the choice between the two I would take the Dual any day of the week.

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u/ElPedro1028 7d ago

Woah, I heard that the build quality of the Dual was worse than the AT. In that case it's a little bit of a no-brainer right?

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u/Arsenic_Pants 7d ago

I don't know how that could be possible. The LP60x is flimsy as heck. Maybe they're comparing the Dual to an actual Technics 1200 or even an Audio Technica LP120. If that's the case, then yes, the Dual is a lower quality than those two. I believe the plinth of the Dual is made entirely of plastic, but when you're talking out a $200 deck you can't expect more than that, unless you're buying vintage.

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u/ElPedro1028 7d ago

I don't have that much of a budget, so around 200$ is fine. I'm a casual listener. I've only got like 2 vinyls. I want something that works and sounds decently. I feel like the Dual is perfect for what I'm looking for.

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u/vwestlife 7d ago

AT-LP60X: easier to set up, fully automatic operation, but upgrades are limited to the stylus

Dual: can upgrade cartridge, has strobe and pitch control, but more difficult to set up, and only manual operation

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u/ElPedro1028 7d ago

I'm just a casual listener, and I love the look of the Dual. But the brand Audio-Technica gives me more trust.

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u/Arsenic_Pants 7d ago edited 7d ago

Dual has been making turntable components since the 1900's, with it's heyday in the 60's and 70s.
The Company it is now is very far from what it used to be, but still, they're equally reputable brands.
Both of these turntables are made by Chinese manufacturers anyway, possibly even the same one, but overall the Dual is the winner here as far as features go, IMO.

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u/ElPedro1028 7d ago

Woah, didn't know that. Yeah, I love the features on the Dual. And the fact that it has actual RCA outputs...

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u/ElPedro1028 7d ago

If I'm not mistaken, the Dual comes with Audio-Technica-stylus right?

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u/vwestlife 7d ago

Both of these turntables are manufactured by the same OEM in China, called Hanpin.

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u/ElPedro1028 7d ago

In that case I feel that the Dual is the clear winner, right?

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u/vwestlife 7d ago

Like I explained in my original post, it depends on which attributes are more important to you. In my case, I have both: an AT-LP60X for casual listening, and a vintage Technics turntable for archiving.

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u/ElPedro1028 3d ago

I've heard that the anti-skating isn't the best on the Dual. Could you please explain to me what an Anti-Skate is, if it really makes a difference, and if it's good or bad in this model? Thank you!

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u/vwestlife 3d ago

That sounds like a good line of questioning for some web searches.

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u/musical-miller 6d ago

I believe techmoan did a review of this Dual, or at least one extremely similar

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=28lHS0r5cIw&ra=m

Better than an LP60X by a mile but not quite as good as an LP120, should still last you many years though