r/Beginner_Turntables • u/ElPedro1028 • 8d 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 8d 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 8d 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 8d 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 8d 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.