Pioneer DJ PLX-1000

Punchy deep bass, solid addictive rhythm and timing that makes you want to just turn up the volume and very smooth sounding as well. With the MP10 car...

These things are SOLID. Can tell they're really well braced, which is something I felt the Focals were slightly lacking in...but those also cost less than half of what these did. Excited to dig into these. Will be using the with a Denon PMA-A110 amp and Pioneer PLX-1000 turntable with a Denon DL-103R cart.

It is Da Bomb!. I was using a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit SB w/Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge and bought the Pioneer PLX-1000 as a second TT and one I could take out of the house on occasion to my local listening group.

The Pioneer PLX-1000 (despite being a cheap version of the Technics SL-1200) is a better turntable than your ProJect Essential, the Schiit Mani is a better phono stage than your ProJect Phono Box E. You imply with other sources the sound is not harsh, but still check / experiment with speaker positioning - with this type of floorstander start at least 50cm (1’8”) from side and rear walls, with a slight toe-in - and check speaker wiring for phase. Next check your existing turntable setup in terms of cartridge alignment, tracking force, and anti-skate. Next, try a better phono stage. If you’re in the US then I’d consider the Schiit Mani 2 phono stage, or perhaps the iFi Zen Air Phono.

Don’t short-change the most important piece… especially in this case, where the turntable switch comes at pretty much no performance cost. Also, ~~FYI **the 1200Mk7 doesn’t include a dust cover** whereas the PLX-1000 does. If this turntable is going to be used for home music enjoyment, where it will live on a piece of furniture (not stored inside a DJ flight case), you really want a dust cover.~~ Actually this may only be true in certain regions. Assuming you’re in the US, I would recommend using your budget on the Pioneer TT ($700), a set of JBL Studio 530 speakers on their current discount ($240), and a Yamaha A-S301 amplifier ($350, or $320 as a factory refurb).