DJs all have to start somewhere. And whether it’s with controllers, turntables, or some other way of spinning your tunes, there’s no real need to splash out thousands on gear just for the initial spark to fizzle out. So the updated Reloop RP-2000 MK2 is a ideal place to toe dip the turntable market without breaking the bank.
Plenty of Reloop words follow:
RELOOP RP-2000 MK2
QUARTZ-DRIVEN DJ TURNTABLE WITH DIRECT DRIVE
The RP-2000 MK2 is a dependable turntable for prospective DJs. The MK2 version features several improvements, including a newly developed top panel construction and improved metallic buttons with enhanced feel.
Quality direct drive motor and precision-engineered die-cast platter:
Compared to belt-driven turntables, the RP-2000 MK2 transfers its motor force directly to the drive
hub – this way a higher torque generates power faster on the precision-engineered platter with minimal wow and flutter. The adjustable pitch control with a range of +/- 8 % is suitable for the finest pitch adjustments.
Statically balanced s-shaped tone arm:
The RP-2000 MK2 features a statically balanced s-shaped tone arm with hydraulic lift and anti- skating mechanism. Thanks to the universal SME connection, a large number of pick-up cartridges can be connected.
Newly developed top panel and sturdy housing design:
The new deep-black metallic top panel is equipped with metallic buttons for start/stop and speed settings. The improved touch upon hit offers a clear haptic feedback. With the push of a button the aluminium target light can be extended, so that the needle position can be seen in dark surroundings. The sturdy construction with optimized damping features and shock-absorbing feet improve isolation from unwanted vibrations.
With pick-up and headshell (made by Ortofon in Denmark):
The RP-2000 MK2 comes with the high-quality OM Black pick-up, handmade by Ortofon in Denmark, pre-fitted to a headshell ready for immediate playback.
Features
NEW in the MK2 version:
- Newly developed top panel and reinforced housing construction
- Reworked metallic buttons with improved feel & tactile response
- Precision Pitch with selectable ranges of +/-8 %
- Superior finish in deep black metallic
- Quartz-driven DJ turntable with direct drive
- Perfect for beginners
- Precise motor control with 2 speeds selectable (33 1/3 & 45 rpm)
- Precision-engineered, die-cast aluminium platter with stable rotation
- Statically balanced s-shaped tone arm with hydraulic lift and anti-skating – mechanism
- Universal connection for pick-up systems (SME)
- Extendible needle illumination
- Shock-absorbing feet for vibration isolation
- Sturdy, heavy construction with optimized damping features
- Prepared for dust cover (available as optional accessory)
- Incl. slipmat, removable headshell and ready-mounted OM Black pick-up made by Ortofon
technical details
Turntable:
- Type: direct drive turntable
- Drive: quarz-driven direct drive
- Motor: 8-pol., 2-phase, brushless DC motor
- Turntable speeds: 2 speeds, manual (33 1/3, 45 RPM)
- Starting torque: > 1kg/cm
- Brake time: < 1 sec.
- Start-up / rpm change: < 1 sec.
- Wow and flutter: < 0.15% WRMS
- Signal-to-noise ratio: > 50 dB (DIN-B)
- Brake system: electronic brake
Platter:
- Material: aluminium die-cast
- Diameter: 332 mm
Tonearm:
- Type: universal, statically balanced, s-shaped
- Effective length: 230.5 mm
- Overhang: 16 mm
- Tracking angle error: < 3°
- Applicable pick-up weight: 3.5 – 8.5 g (incl. headshell 13 – 18 g)
- Anti-skating range: 0 – 7 g
Connections:
- 1x PHONO out (gold-plated), 1x GND
General:
- Power supply: AC 115/230 V, 60/50 Hz (US/EU)
- Power consumption: 13 W
- Dimensions: 450 (w) x 352 (d) x 144 (h) mm
- Weight: appr. 6.75 kgAccessories included:
- Platter, OM Black pick-up system (by Ortofon), headshell, slipmat, counterweight, power cord, operating instruction manual
- Price: 249 € | 259 $ |£ 219Available: now
TRAINING WHEELS OF STEEL
I don’t think anyone would claim that these turntables are for anyone but beginners, and they do offer a good starting point for those wanting the smell of new turntables in their DJ den. There’s clearly a market for them otherwise Reloop wouldn’t have seen the need for a MK2.
Personally, I’d be pushing these towards the new and frankly weird phenomenon of the vinyl collector who doesn’t own a turntable. Yes, it’s a thing that I just can’t fathom myself – vinyl is meant to be played, not revered as an artefact and left to languish on a shelf as a badge of honour. But what the RP-2000 MK2 offers is a decent starting point, and it comes with a head shell and Ortofon cart, plus it looks considerably more pro (i.e. it looks like a 1200) than a Crosley or similar.
One last thing — I’m left in a state of confusion (easy at my age), but while researching this piece, I came across an RP-2000 MK3 on the Reloop site, a unit which appears to be somewhat older than this new MK2 release. Temporal anomaly? Should this release be a MK4 but nobody has spotted the obvious faux pas?
SUMMING UP
The new Reloop RP-2000 MK2 is available in shops and stores now for $259/€249/£219.
GALLERY
