Side-by-side specifications and a plain-English account of the recorded differences. Full profiles: Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB · Pioneer DJ PLX-500.
| Specification | Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB |
Pioneer DJ PLX-500 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Highlighted difference. $399 | $449 |
| Category | Budget | DJ |
| Status | current | current |
| Years | 2019–present | 2016–present |
| Drive | direct drive | direct drive |
| Speeds | Highlighted difference. 33/45/78 rpm | 33/45 rpm |
| Operation | manual | manual |
| Cartridge supplied | AT-VM95E | PC-HS01 (fitted) |
| Phono stage | Yes | Yes |
| USB output | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth direction | Not listed | Not listed |
| Platter | die-cast aluminium | die-cast aluminium |
| Tonearm | S-shaped with detachable headshell | S-shaped with detachable headshell |
| Wow & flutter | <0.2% | <0.15% WRMS |
Highlighted cells show a lower reference price, support for more listed speeds, or the presence of a convenience feature. They are not an overall score.
On price alone the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB costs less, coming in $50 (about 11%) below the Pioneer DJ PLX-500.
Both are direct-drive, so that part of the experience should feel similar on either deck: instant start-up, rock-steady speed under load, and enough torque to nudge or backspin the record — the reason DJs and scratch decks are built this way.
Bottom line: these sit in different classes (Budget vs DJ) more than they're direct rivals — pick based on which use case matches what you're after, not the spec sheet alone.
Reference prices are dated catalogue guides. Live offers are current checks; retailer searches are routes to relevant shops and do not assert stock. Exact internal matching identifiers are not exposed as public product facts without corroboration.
17 US retailers are listed in our Audio-Technica retailer guide — linked directly to the product page where we have one, otherwise to a site search for the deck.
| Retailer | Type | Shipping | Product link |
|---|---|---|---|
 LP Gear |
parts specialist | Free shipping to the USA on orders over $79.99 (some products excluded). | View at LP Gear ↗ |
| Sweetwater | music retail | Free shipping on almost every order, no minimum. | View at Sweetwater ↗ |
 Turntable Lab |
hifi independent | Free shipping to the continental US on most orders (bulk/oversized items excluded). | View at Turntable Lab ↗ |
| Adorama | electronics chain | Free shipping on most orders over $49 in the contiguous US. | Search at Adorama ↗ |
| Amazon | marketplace | Free shipping on $35+ orders (free on most items with Prime, often same/next day). | |
 Audio Advice |
hifi independent | Free shipping on most orders. | Search at Audio Advice ↗ |
| B&H Photo Video | electronics chain | Free expedited shipping on most orders in the contiguous US. | Search at B&H Photo Video ↗ |
| Best Buy | electronics chain | Free shipping on orders $35+; free store pickup at most locations. | Search at Best Buy ↗ |
| Crutchfield | electronics chain | Free shipping on nearly all orders, with free 2-day delivery on most gear. | Search at Crutchfield ↗ |
 Elusive Disc |
hifi independent | Free shipping on orders over $79. | Search at Elusive Disc ↗ |
| Guitar Center | music retail | Free standard shipping on most orders $25+. | Search at Guitar Center ↗ |
 Music Direct |
hifi independent | Free shipping on orders over $49. | Search at Music Direct ↗ |
| Reverb | used marketplace | Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. | Search at Reverb ↗ |
 Target |
department store | Free shipping on orders $35+ or with Target Circle Card; same-day pickup at stores. | Search at Target ↗ |
 Upscale Audio |
hifi independent | Free USA shipping on orders over $99 (exclusions for oversized items). | Search at Upscale Audio ↗ |
| Walmart | department store | Free shipping on orders $35+ (free with Walmart+); store pickup available. | Search at Walmart ↗ |
 World Wide Stereo |
hifi independent | Free shipping on all orders. | Search at World Wide Stereo ↗ |
9 US retailers are listed in our Pioneer DJ retailer guide — linked directly to the product page where we have one, otherwise to a site search for the deck.
| Retailer | Type | Shipping | Product link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sweetwater | music retail | Free shipping on almost every order, no minimum. | View at Sweetwater ↗ |
| Turntable Lab |
hifi independent | Free shipping to the continental US on most orders (bulk/oversized items excluded). | View at Turntable Lab ↗ |
| Adorama | electronics chain | Free shipping on most orders over $49 in the contiguous US. | Search at Adorama ↗ |
| Amazon | marketplace | Free shipping on $35+ orders (free on most items with Prime, often same/next day). | |
| B&H Photo Video | electronics chain | Free expedited shipping on most orders in the contiguous US. | Search at B&H Photo Video ↗ |
| Crutchfield | electronics chain | Free shipping on nearly all orders, with free 2-day delivery on most gear. | Search at Crutchfield ↗ |
| Guitar Center | music retail | Free standard shipping on most orders $25+. | Search at Guitar Center ↗ |
| Reverb | used marketplace | Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. | Search at Reverb ↗ |
| Walmart | department store | Free shipping on orders $35+ (free with Walmart+); store pickup available. | Search at Walmart ↗ |
Speeds: 33/45/78 rpm versus 33/45 rpm. Cartridge supplied: AT-VM95E versus PC-HS01 (fitted). These are the two displayed models’ recorded specifications. They do not establish sound quality or replacement-part compatibility.
