Founded in 1946 by Walter Stanton, the inventor of the easily replaceable phonograph stylus, Stanton Magnetics is still an industry leader in audio gear for clubs, DJs and turntablists. With 70 years behind them, Stanton have managed to stay ahead of the trends, and are a go-to name for DJs that want a product they can trust. We received the ST.150 M2 super high torque turntable, and we couldn’t wait to give it a spin!

In creating the ST.150 M2 and STR8.150 M2 turntables, Stanton went back to basics. Taking their years of experience, the company has completely re-engineered these models, simplifying and re-thinking everything for maximum quality and no fuss. The result in the ST.150 M2 is a seriously cool piece of kit.

Let’s break down what’s on offer. The ST.150 M2 and STR8.150 M2 are pretty similar turntables, the biggest difference being a choice between a standard S-shaped tonearm on the ST and a ‘skin-proof’ straight tonearm on the STR8. Both models have a feedback-resistant, durable build; the heavy-duty aluminium units weigh in at 22.5 lbs/ 10.2 kg and have fantastically low resonance on their base. They also measure in at the same size: 450(W) x 353(D) x 146(H)mm. Marketed as ‘super high torque’ turntables, both models’ proudest features are their industry-leading torque motors, with the starting torque at more than 4.5 Kgf-cm.

In short, the ST.150 M2 features everything a DJ needs, and – what we really appreciated – it isn’t cluttered with extra faff that you don’t need. Adjustable play speeds and brake speeds, reverse play, up to 50% pitch adjustment, selectable pitch control with Quartz Lock [8, 25 & 50% range] – the list goes on. This turntable covers the essentials, and it does so at a high quality. It also features selectable Phono or Line RCA outputs, and comes with a removable target light and adjustable shock-absorption feet. The purchase also comes with a slip mat, 45 adapter and right-angled cable included, and well as a full version of Deckadance DVS Software to get you started.

Always a fun touch, you are even able to customise the look of your Stanton ST.150 M2 with Style Flip: the service allows you to send in your own patterns or images and have them turned into a protective layer to pimp up your turntable the way you want it!

All in all, we had a great time messing around with the ST.150 M2. My only con is that it didn’t come with a cartridge, so we had to buy our own. They flag this up in the product info, and there’s lots of great ones on offer from Stanton (the applicable cartridge weight for the ST.150 M2 is 13-18g) – just be aware when you’re picking up this bad boy to avoid frustration!
 

5 out of 5

Buy now

Pros:

Ultra-stable unit
Great sound
Low resonance base
All the features you need, but no clutter
User-friendly design
Slip mat, 45 adapter and right-angled cable included
Comes with full version of Deckadance DVS Software

Cons:

Cartridge not included