Stanton ST.150 M2 & STR8.150 M2 Review
Turn for the Better
If someone had told us a few years ago that we would have DJ turntables in the test lab, we would probably have laughed at them and certainly replied that vinyl was a dying format and that all modern and future DJs would only use media players and laptops.
But the future has brought us some surprises: The end of the record never came, and on the contrary, this format seems to be constantly improving, with new turntables emerging in all shapes and sizes.
Today, vinyl enthusiasts are faced with a range of new professional products that have never existed before, especially when Technics was the only benchmark. Many devices on the market have benefited from technologies developed by Technics, while others have chosen not to merely copy the iconic brand.
Stanton is a company as historical as Technics and has found appreciation from many DJs looking for a high-end turntable. The original ST series has always been perceived as a quality product, and from this catalog, the American brand offers the M2 versions, perfect for modern DJs and vinyl enthusiasts. The two turntables have the same specifications and only differ in their tonearm shape: straight on the STR8-150 and S-shaped on the ST150.
A New Look
The M2 variants of the Stanton turntables, the flagship models, are lighter than their predecessors, but thanks to the technological advancement of the materials used, they offer better performance. This new series has been completely revamped and equipped with new materials and features to enhance its performance.
The adjustable feet help with cushioning and isolation, while the new, lighter platter is made from a damping material. Like in the original ST, the motor is one of the most reliable and powerful on the market, one step ahead of the original Technics 1210. New DJs looking for a high-quality turntable, perhaps in search of used gear, should also consider these two new models from Stanton, which can offer better performance than a turntable from almost 40 years ago.
New Emotions
The start/stop, speed, and pitch buttons on the top of the deck are recessed, with the start/stop button now accompanied by a subtle blueLED light. It flashes when the button is clicked and held for a few seconds, activating the reverse playback. The other buttons are also illuminated.
The speed indicator has a soft triangular shape, which differs from the round Technics standard. The STR8.150 and ST.150 can read 33/45/78 BPM discs and have a pitch control range from 8% to 50%. The pitch control can be locked with the pitch lock. The pitch control has a secure and precise grip with 0% per click. Mixing with the single slider pitch control (a fun pastime for talented DJs) works great as it includes both slides and controls.
The straight arm of the STR8-150 truly maintains its reputation as an exceptional anti-skipping device. No skipping of the arm or deck is heard while scratching. Previous turntables would have suffered from this, but this new version of the STR8-150 further enhances the already good performance of the original. The sound is great.
Switching the sound of vinyl to that of a CDJ, we noticed a significant difference: the turntable has a much warmer and deeper sound. The decks can be used in both phono and line modes, which can be changed with a simple switch on the back of the turntable.
On the back, there is the brake control to adjust the plate's braking speed (from slow to instant). On the back, there are a power input, RCA connectors, a power switch, and a grounding socket.
Conclusion
The Stanton turntables STR8-150 and ST.150 M2 stand out for an excellent value for money, especially compared to the new Technics 1200/1210 series. These turntables offer brilliant performance; we have used many decks in recent years, and we must admit that this new Stanton series is just as much fun to use and listen to as the old Technics models.