Denon DJ VL12 Prime

Anyone who takes scratching seriously knows that there's no substitute for quality turntables — they're your musical instrument. Cheap ones only get in the way, but top-quality models like Denon's VL12 Prime direct-drive turntables really connect you to the music. Boasting the highest torque in the industry, its adjustable 5kgf/cm torque practically blasts off when you set it on high. Turntablists here at Sweetwater are particularly impressed by the Easy Grip Brake, whose chamfered platter gives it a uniquely solid feel. Similarly, the VL12 Prime's all-metal tone-arm base feels like it could survive the apocalypse, and with the S-shaped tone arm secured in Lock position, it would probably still play without a wobble.

The quality lies in the details

A wonderful thing about something as simple as a high-end turntable is that the quality difference lies in providing superior versions of all the same elements that make up even a budget model. An expert eye can pick out the little differences that put Denon's VL12 Prime among the ranks of the most revered models on the market.

The precision-machined platter and solid base are easy to overlook, but you'll hear the difference a set of isolation feet offer by killing vibration noise. Speaking of noise, by isolating the VL12 Prime's motor from the audio circuit, Denon managed to cut out tons of low-end noise, delivering a signal-to-noise ratio that's about as perfect as it gets. Top it off with a chic RGB light just under the rim, and you can even give your VL12 Prime a cool custom look.