Stanton ST-150 turntable

[Haselsh1]

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab240/Haselsh1/ST150%20for%20AOS_zpska2ah82m.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/Haselsh1/media/ST150%20for%20AOS_zpska2ah82m.jpg.html)


Just bought ourselves a brand shiny new ST-150 turntable to replace the Thorens TD160. We have installed the old Benz Micro Silver HOMC cartridge and are using a Pro-Ject DS phono stage.

OK so it has only had around two hours use but it is so obviously different to the TD160. The sound is quite clinical in comparison with no obvious warm colouration and has masses more detail and resolution. Loving the treble definition but have raised the arse end of the tonearm slightly as it sounds better or smoother.

Need to move on the TD160 now as I just couldn't set it up correctly.

[walpurgis]

Unusual choice Shaun. I've heard of them, but know nothing about the unit. Looks decent.

[Haselsh1]

The Stanton is made under the guise of Gibson USA, home of the Les Paul, however it is assembled in China along with Audiolab and KEF and many more. It has one of or maybe the highest torque of any DJ deck and weighs around 17kg. This thing is very substantial and was readily available from Gear4music in York. My choice was either a piece of MDF with a rubber band costing well over a grand or a nice weighty piece of tech with massive torque and the correct rotational speed. I have stood it on a Pro-Ject isolation platform and it is easily outperforming the TD160 with the same cartridge. We are currently loving this thing especially on Leftfield's Alternative Light Source. I currently think we made the correct decision.

[Macca]

. My choice was either a piece of MDF with a rubber band costing well over a grand or a nice weighty piece of tech with massive torque and the correct rotational speed..

Careful now Shaun, you'll frighten the horses...

[brian2957]

Careful now Shaun, you'll frighten the horses...

:D

[CornishPasty]

I'd want a piece of polished black plastic if I was spending a grand.

[Haselsh1]

Very very witty guys, I think we understand each other perfectly

:eyebrows:

[Haselsh1]

OK, I have now had a really good listen using Metamatic by John Foxx, 5th Exotic by Quantic, Endless River by Pink Floyd and a selection of Ozric Tentacles.

The midrange is way more neutral than the TD160 with far more bite and control. The stereo image is wider and much more stable. Top end is far more detailed and a lot less grainy but the bass just doesn't quite go as deep. I do intend to try it with a way decent turntable mat but unfortunately it has the same platter lip as the 1210 so this kind of narrows things down a lot.

Yes OK it is impressive having a turntable that can start and stop rotation in less than thirty seconds and yes OK so this now sounds remarkably like compact disc but just think of the cost compared to MDF and elastic bands. The tech bling factor is massive and it sounds so much better than my TD160 did even when using the same cartridge.

Absolutely loving it.

[Jeff Wood]

I used to own a pair of STR150's.

Great looking turntables, built like a tank, and sooo heavy :)

About 18kg arnt they..

[Jeff Wood]

and whats amazing is the reverse feature and how incredibly quick they can change direction !, its quite unbelievable :)

[Haselsh1]

The sound quality over and above the Thorens is just as much of a bonus

;)

[walpurgis]

and whats amazing is the reverse feature and how incredibly quick they can change direction !, its quite unbelievable :)

Now all you need is a few records that were made backwards Shaun :)

[Ian7633]

I could make my fruitbox play backwards by twisting the belt, where are the backwards records......other than my school reports.....

[rigger67]

I've DJed with Stanton, Vestax and Technics and used to own a pair of Kam DDs to use at home as well as my Linn.

All four of the "pro" DJ brands I mentioned do a very similar job and there's not that much to choose between them IMHO.
When you're DJing, obviously you don't worry so much about fidelity - it's all about torque when you're mixing as the moment you release that disc it absolutely MUST be up to speed instantly so you hit the beat correctly.

I've often wondered what a non-Technics heavyweight DD deck would sound like fully modded with a fancy arm, etc.

There seems to be three schools of vinyl users in here : Linn, Technics and everything else.
I wonder if anyone on here has modded a deck like I said, especially given the price of 1200/1210s compared to some of the other decks ?

[Haselsh1]

Really the only thing that made me buy this deck was value for money. In 2009 I owned a Technics SL1210 and this deck as it stands is every bit as good. The big difference is that this deck cost me £355 brand new albeit in a special deal. Over and above the Interspace I was going to buy I now have a deck that sounds better than my TD160 did and I have around a grand to spend on vinyl. It goes without saying of course that I also made a definite decision to give up the Hi_fi rat race in the style of Andre and concentrate on what is now important to me; the software.

[struth]

I've DJed with Stanton, Vestax and Technics and used to own a pair of Kam DDs to use at home as well as my Linn.

All four of the "pro" DJ brands I mentioned do a very similar job and there's not that much to choose between them IMHO.
When you're DJing, obviously you don't worry so much about fidelity - it's all about torque when you're mixing as the moment you release that disc it absolutely MUST be up to speed instantly so you hit the beat correctly.

I've often wondered what a non-Technics heavyweight DD deck would sound like fully modded with a fancy arm, etc.

There seems to be three schools of vinyl users in here : Linn, Technics and everything else.
I wonder if anyone on here has modded a deck like I said, especially given the price of 1200/1210s compared to some of the other decks ?

plenty heavily modded techies here, thats for sure. Not many Stantons though, modded or otherwise, to my knowledge

[rigger67]

plenty heavily modded techies here, thats for sure. Not many Stantons though, modded or otherwise, to my knowledge

Yeah, that's what I mean, Grant - I guess the question I'm really asking is "Why ?"

Is it just because Technics is regarded as the industry standard ?


It's a bit like pimping a hot hatch back in the day : everyone wanted a Golf GTI but if you couldn't afford one you'd do up a Peugeot, Fiesta or something else, wouldn't you ? And some people did that not just because the base model was cheaper, but because they liked to be different.

[struth]

Not sure the base Techie is any better, though it may be, but folk like to use what others use coz there is plenty knowledge about it, and if others think it great then it must be; or so the thinking goes maybe. Ive had a golf from new, and quite frankly it wasnt much cop ;) ...just saying :uhho:

[Jeff Wood]

For DJ'ing the Technics is best (not that anyone DJs with vinyl anymore). (excluding time code vinyl which is still popular).

Technics have got betters motors and better speed regulation with is the important thing for mixing, ie to keep those beats together.

Torque isn't so important for DJ'ing, it is for scratching though :)

The Technics has enough torque, no problem there.

[Haselsh1]

The whole thing kind of reminds me of my favourite past time, photography, where those with the knowledge use Photoshop and those without use Paint Shop Pro. Those with fairly deep pockets also use Photoshop as it is the industry standard. Paint Shop Pro is just a dreadful way to manipulate images.

[Haselsh1]

I guess in a similar way, those who want a turntable to heavily modify buy a Technics whereas I just wanted a turntable to play vinyl. Yes, I could have gone down the traditional Hi-Fi route but why would I have wasted so much money on something that does exactly the same task...? I really would have liked a Nottingham Analogue Interspace but that would have cost around £1,400. This one cost just less than £400. I now have the difference to spend on brand new vinyl and indeed, have already started with the purchase of Ozric's Technicians of the Sacred and John Foxx's Metamatic.

[Haselsh1]

Also, on the ST150 you have the ability to turn up or down the torque of the motor which you don't get on a 1210 although quite why you would want to I do not know as I am not a DJ.

[jandl100]

Yay - well done Shaun - a nice purchase and a nice piece of left-field thinking. :thumbsup:

I bet it sounds great.
- perhaps they should charge more if the customer wants added colouration? :eyebrows:

[petrat]

The midrange is way more neutral than the TD160 with far more bite and control. The stereo image is wider and much more stable. Top end is far more detailed and a lot less grainy but the bass just doesn't quite go as deep. I do intend to try it with a way decent turntable mat but unfortunately it has the same platter lip as the 1210 so this kind of narrows things down a lot.


If you still have the arm with its arse raised, Shaun, the relative lack of bass may well be due to that?

[Jeff Wood]

I guess in a similar way, those who want a turntable to heavily modify buy a Technics whereas I just wanted a turntable to play vinyl. Yes, I could have gone down the traditional Hi-Fi route but why would I have wasted so much money on something that does exactly the same task...? I really would have liked a Nottingham Analogue Interspace but that would have cost around £1,400. This one cost just less than £400. I now have the difference to spend on brand new vinyl and indeed, have already started with the purchase of Ozric's Technicians of the Sacred and John Foxx's Metamatic.



You're right, It will sound great and it looks great, and better to have money to left to buy vinyl that's for sure.

What I think is the most important thing is to get a record cleaning machine.

Nicely cleaned vinyl sounds so much better, I really think getting an RCM should be the first upgrade people make, even before upgrading the cartridge...

[Haselsh1]

Thanks for the comments you guys. In response, I do have my vinyl cleaned using an RCM though not mine. I am really happy to pay for this service as it is so important. I also use brand new Naga Oka style sleeves every time too. I just do not see the point in putting a vinyl LP back into a very tight fitting paper sleeve that is contaminated.

I think my next move with the ST150 is to buy a decent turntable mat though.

Regarding the loss of very low bass, it could be the subsonic filter on the phono stage. I will find out soon enough.

[Haselsh1]

I have to be honest and say that I have taken a lot of note of what Andre from Sheffield once said and I have realised that once you get out of this ridiculous Hi-Fi way of thinking everything opens up and all kinds of possibilities present themselves. OK, I may put my views across differently but the end result is the same. I am currently loving listening to vinyl, not having to justify the extortionately high price.

[Jason P]

Nice one Shaun, looks like a well engineered product. Good enough for some to consider upgrades for it:

LINKY (http://shop.mapleshadestore.com/Stanton-ST-150-Turntable-with-Stage-2-Mods-and-Natural-Cherry-enclosure/productinfo/MOD-STANTONCH2/)