Pioneer DJ PLX-500
DJ turntables · 2016–present In production
£349 UK RRP
Pioneer DJ's affordable direct-drive: high-torque motor in the classic 1200 layout, but with a built-in phono stage and USB output for ripping vinyl to a computer. The bridge between DJ and home use.
A club-layout deck that doubles as a home USB recorder.
Checked against the manufacturer’s site: 2026-07
Who it suits
Best suited to: mixing, scratching and beatmatching — the torque and start-up speed exist for that job. Less ideal for: a quiet, vibration-isolated deck for critical home listening — belt-drive hi-fi decks are built for that instead.
Compatibility and setup
- Needs a DJ mixer or audio interface with a phono input to be usable — this is a mixing/scratching deck, not designed to feed a hi-fi amplifier directly.
- Manual operation: you cue and lift the tonearm by hand at the start and end of each side — there’s no auto-return or auto-lift.
Good to know
- Has a built-in phono stage, so it can feed a normal line input on an amplifier or powered speakers without a separate phono box.
- Has a USB output for recording vinyl to a computer.
Specifications
| Drive | direct drive |
|---|---|
| Speeds | 33/45 rpm |
| Operation | manual |
| Cartridge included | PC-HS01 (fitted) |
| Built-in phono stage | Yes |
| USB output | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Platter | die-cast aluminium |
| Tonearm | S-shaped with detachable headshell |
| Wow & flutter | <0.15% WRMS |
| Torque | 1.6 kg·cm |
| Dimensions | 450mm (W) x 158.5mm (H) x 367.5mm (D) |
| Weight | 10.7 kg |
| Finishes | Black (PLX-500-K), White (PLX-500-W) |
| Warranty | 1 year (AlphaTheta/Pioneer DJ manufacturer standard) |
| Years | 2016–present |
How it sits in the catalogue
Its direct-drive mechanism is shared by 18% of current models in the database (29 of 159). A built-in phono stage puts it with the 45% of current decks that plug straight into any amp or powered speaker. On price it sits mid-pack of its category — 50% of priced dj decks cost less.
Live merchant offers
Checking current in-stock offers for Pioneer DJ PLX-500…
Retailer searches
2 UK merchants stock Pioneer DJ — each outbound link searches the deck on that merchant’s site.
| Merchant | Type | Delivery | Product search |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gear4music | dj music gear | Free UK delivery over £99; fast dispatch | Search at Gear4music ↗ |
| Juno Records | dj music gear | Worldwide shipping; UK next-day options | Search at Juno Records ↗ |
Compare it
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