Stanton STX Scratch Turntable Review
Are you in search of a portable turntable specifically designed for scratching or scratch training? Then you should take a look at the Stanton STX. This small turntable has a lot to offer and impresses on many levels. With its solid construction, high-quality Innofader Nano Crossfader, and good sound compared to similar devices, the STX is a good choice. Additionally, it is equipped with practical features such as a rechargeable battery.
However, upon closer examination, there are some points to consider. Unlike other competitors, the STX can only play 7-inch records, which may be somewhat surprising to many. Furthermore, the tonearm is somewhat unstable, although it performs well in scratch tests. But let's delve into more detail:
First Impression
The initial impression and setup of the Stanton STX leave you wanting more. As a long-awaited product from Stanton, a former heavyweight in the DJ scene of the 90s, the STX promises to be promising. Right out of the box, the distinctive X-shaped housing catches the eye, giving the device an individual look.
Although the housing is slightly larger compared to other portable scratch turntables, such as the Omni or the Reloop Spin, the STX offers a particularly stable construction for it. Thanks to the generously sized rubber feet, the turntable is firmly anchored to the surface. A smart design decision also allows the housing to be used simultaneously as a stand, doubling the unit's height. A practical aluminum carrying handle completes the thoughtful design.
Also included in the package is a set of stickers specifically designed for marking scratch vinyl records. It's a nice touch, but unlike similar products from other manufacturers, unfortunately, 7-inch scratch sounds vinyl records are missing.
But what exactly can the Stanton STX do?
If you're not familiar with this type of product, it's called a "Portablist" scratch turntable. This means you can scratch anywhere and anytime, as the STX features an integrated battery and speaker.
Connections and More...
Furthermore, the STX offers a variety of connections and features that make it a technically sophisticated turntable. It has a 1/8-inch mini jack input (for playing music for scratching), Bluetooth (for wireless scratching), 1/4-inch and 1/8-inch headphone outputs, a USB-C charging port, an Innofader Nano Crossfader, pitch control, three speeds, an "Ultra Pitch" option (for creative pitch changes), curve adjustment, fader selection/reverse function, volume and tone controls, USB recording... in short, the STX is technically advanced and well-equipped for a portable turntable.
The included 45 adapter fits perfectly into a recess on the front panel, keeping everything securely together. There's even an aluminum carrying handle. Additionally, the STX features a built-in rechargeable battery - a novelty for portable turntables.
So, on paper, there are many positive attributes. But how does the Stanton STX perform in practice?
The STX in Action
When using the Stanton STX turntable, we were initially impressed by the surprisingly good sound quality of the speakers. It sounds much better than comparable devices and delivers a high volume for its small size. It also doesn't surprise us that the Innofader Nano also feels great. In our overall impression, it has been found that the STX is great for scratching. While it doesn't have the same torque or "pull" as a professional turntable, but that's to be expected from a battery-powered turntable. Nevertheless, we had a lot of fun with it.
However, there was a first big surprise for us - the STX can only play 7-inch single records. This is not a size limitation, but a deliberate design decision. For comparison, the Omni turntable, a direct competitor, can easily play 10 and 12-inch vinyl. Although the STX is not designed as an all-purpose turntable (essentially, it's a tool for scratching), some DJs might feel that Stanton missed an opportunity here. The fact that the tonearm is so close to the platter and that 12-inch records cannot be played actually makes the turntable more stable during pure scratching. So, there's also an advantage in this.
Another point that we didn't particularly like is the wobbliness of the tonearm. It's a standard plastic tonearm, as found in many similar turntables (and we believe also in the Numark PT-01). However, in the case of the STX, the tonearm feels particularly wobbly on the pivot, although it's not bothersome during operation.
In conclusion, we can say that the Stanton STX is well-built and robust and definitely portable (although it's slightly larger than most other models).
Our Conclusion
If you can live with the limitation of vinyl size, it's worth considering if you're looking for a portable turntable for scratching (and can handle the wobbly tonearm). It has many advanced features that are unabashedly aimed at the scratch scene and offer lots of fun: additionally, it handles advanced scratch techniques effortlessly.
However, if you also want to use it as an all-purpose turntable (for example, for crate digging on the go or scratching with your 12" vinyl), then it's definitely not the right choice for you. Stanton tells us: "This product is aimed directly at mobile scratch turntablists and not at the sampler/vinyl preview audience, so it's designed exclusively for playing 7" vinyl (the primary size used by this audience)."
It's important to consider your requirements and usage preferences to determine if the Stanton STX is right for you. If you're a passionate scratch DJ looking for a portable turntable with advanced features for on-the-go use, the STX will bring you a lot of joy. Its impressive sound quality, powerful speaker, and integrated Innofader Nano provide an authentic scratch experience. Plus, the integrated rechargeable battery is a big plus for portable use.
However, if you desire more versatile usage options and want to play 10" or 12" vinyl records as well, you should look for alternatives. In this case, the STX will not be able to fully meet your needs.
Ultimately, the decision is yours. The Stanton STX offers solid performance as a portable scratch turntable and is popular among scratch DJs. However, consider the limitations regarding vinyl size and the wobbly tonearm to ensure it meets your individual requirements.