Dual DTJ 301.1 USB DJ Turntable with Direct Drive and Pitch Control

Pitch control lets you adjust playback speed, while the direct-drive motor gives the Dual DTJ 301.1 USB DJ Turntable a more hands-on feel than a basic record player. It also plays records at 33 or 45 rpm.

For everyday listening, its switchable phono preamplifier allows connection to a phono or AUX input. For digitising records, the USB port connects it to a PC or Mac, with the required software available to download online.

That combination makes it worth considering if you want one deck for home playback and occasional DJ-style use. A simpler turntable may suit listening alone, this model adds pitch control, adjustable anti-skating and needle lighting for more involved playback.

Tech specs

• Model: DTJ 301.1
• Type: Direct-drive DJ turntable
• Speeds: 33 and 45 rpm
• Pitch control: ±10%
• Pickup: Magnetic Audio-Technica AT3600 system
• Pre-amplifier: Built-in, switchable
• Connectivity: USB and line out
• Adjustments and features: Adjustable anti-skating, counterweight and switchable needle lighting
• Platter: Cast aluminium
• Dimensions: 450 mm x 151 mm x 365 mm (W x H x D)
• Weight: 4.75 kg

Best use cases

The USB connection is useful when you want to make digital copies of records on a computer, while the switchable preamp gives you a straightforward route into a suitable phono or AUX input. For a practical home setup, that means the deck can serve both as a conventional record player and as a way to bring vinyl into a digital library. The software is not described as pre-installed, it is available as an online download.

Pitch control, needle lighting and adjustable anti-skating point towards hands-on mixing and DJ-style playback, including scratching as described by the manufacturer. They also give a listener more control than a basic deck focused only on playing records. Buyers describe the sound and functionality positively, and some say it works well for non-professional use, those comments are impressions rather than a guarantee of results in every setup.

It suits you if you want a direct-drive turntable with both USB digitisation and traditional audio connections. Better avoided if you need digitising software supplied ready to use in the box, as the stated route is to download it separately.

What’s included

The supplied-item details list the turntable, counterweight, cover, centring puck, USB cable and an instruction manual. Manufacturer information also names a felt mat, audio cable, power supply and headshell with the Audio-Technica system. The manual’s language is not guaranteed to be English, so allow for that if you rely on printed setup instructions.

Is it worth it?

The DTJ 301.1 makes most sense for someone who wants more than straightforward record playback: direct drive, pitch adjustment and DJ-oriented controls sit alongside USB digitisation and a switchable preamp. That spread of uses is also reflected in buyer comments praising its functionality, sound and perceived value, including for non-professional use.

Its appeal depends on using those extra features. If you mainly want a simple player and have no use for pitch control, needle lighting or converting records to digital files, a more basic turntable may be a closer fit. If those functions matter, the combination of DJ controls and home-listening connections gives this model a clear purpose without requiring a separate USB record player.