Pioneer PLX-500K – Direct-Drive Turntable [Plug & Play]
The Pioneer PLX-500-K is a high-torque direct-drive turntable designed for both DJ performance and home vinyl listening. It combines a layout inspired by the professional PLX-1000 with a built-in phono/line output switch, allowing it to connect directly to a compatible amplifier, AV receiver or powered speakers without requiring a separate phono preamplifier when using line output. The PLX-500-K also features USB output for digitising vinyl records to a computer and supports 33⅓, 45 and 78 rpm playback. It is supplied with a cartridge-equipped headshell, stylus, slipmat and dust cover with record-jacket stand, making it ready to use out of the box.
Key Features
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Direct-Drive Turntable: Servo-type direct-drive system provides high torque for stable playback, mixing and scratching.
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DJ & Home Listening: Designed for both vinyl playback and DJ applications.
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Plug & Play Setup: Supplied with a headshell, cartridge, stylus, slipmat and required accessories.
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Built-In Phono/Line Output: Selectable phono or line output allows connection to a phono-equipped amplifier or directly to compatible line-level equipment and powered speakers.
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USB Output: Connects to a PC or Mac for recording and digitising vinyl.
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33⅓ / 45 / 78 RPM: Supports the three standard record speeds.
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±8% Pitch Control: Provides speed adjustment for DJ mixing and performance.
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High-Torque Motor: Starting torque of more than 1.6 kgf·cm and start-up time of less than 1 second at 33⅓ rpm.
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S-Shape Tonearm: Universal S-shaped tonearm uses a gimbal-supported bearing structure and static-balance design.
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Electronic Brake: Provides controlled platter stopping.
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Aluminium Platter: 332mm aluminium die-cast platter provides a rigid platform for record playback.
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Dust Cover with Jacket Stand: Dust cover incorporates a stand for displaying the record sleeve while listening.
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rekordbox DVS Compatible: Can be used with a compatible DJM mixer, rekordbox DVS setup and RB-VS1-K Control Vinyl.
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Black Finish: PLX-500-K is the black version of the PLX-500 series.
Turntable Specifications
| Product Type |
Direct-Drive Turntable |
| Drive Method |
Servo-Type Direct Drive |
| Motor |
3-Phase Brushless DC Motor |
| Braking System |
Electronic Brake |
| Platter Material |
Aluminium Die-Cast |
| Platter Diameter |
332mm |
| Rotation Speeds |
33⅓ rpm / 45 rpm / 78 rpm |
| Pitch Adjustment Range |
±8% |
| Starting Torque |
More Than 1.6 kgf·cm |
| Start Time |
Within 1 Second at 33⅓ rpm |
| Wow & Flutter |
0.15% or Less WRMS |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio |
50dB or Above |
Tonearm Specifications
| Arm Type |
Universal S-Shape Tonearm |
| Bearing Structure |
Gimbal-Supported |
| Balance Type |
Static Balance |
| Effective Length |
230.5mm |
| Overhang |
16mm |
| Tracking Error |
Within 3° |
| Arm Height Adjustment Range |
6mm |
| Stylus Pressure Range |
0g – 4.0g |
| Stylus Pressure Scale |
0.1g |
| Suitable Cartridge Weight |
9.5g or Less – Single Cartridge |
| Cartridge Type |
VM Type |
Headshell & Cartridge
| Headshell |
Included |
| Headshell Model |
PC-HS01-S |
| Headshell Weight |
10.0g |
| Shell Length |
52mm |
| Finger Length |
21mm |
| Cartridge |
Included |
| Stylus |
Included |
| Cartridge Type |
VM Type |
Audio Connectivity
| Analogue Output |
RCA × 1 |
| USB Output |
USB Type-B × 1 |
| Output Mode |
Phono / Line Selectable |
| Line-Level Connection |
Yes |
| Phono-Level Connection |
Yes |
| Built-In Phono Stage |
Yes |
| Digital Recording |
Yes – Via USB |
Plug & Play Connectivity
When the PLX-500-K is set to LINE output, it can be connected directly to compatible powered speakers, integrated amplifiers, stereo receivers or other equipment with a suitable line-level analogue input. An external phono preamplifier is not required in this configuration. When the turntable is set to PHONO output, it can be connected to a compatible phono input on an amplifier or receiver, or to an external phono preamplifier.
USB Recording
| USB Connection |
USB Type-B |
| Computer Connection |
PC / Mac |
| Primary Function |
Vinyl Digitisation / Recording |
| Digital Recording |
Yes |
| Software Support |
rekordbox |
DJ Performance Features
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High-Torque Direct Drive: Suitable for mixing and scratching.
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Pitch Control: ±8% adjustment range.
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Electronic Brake: Supports controlled platter stopping.
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Three Playback Speeds: 33⅓, 45 and 78 rpm.
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rekordbox DVS: Supports a compatible rekordbox DVS setup when used with the required compatible DJ mixer and control vinyl.
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Universal S-Shape Tonearm: Suitable for conventional DJ and vinyl playback applications.
Dust Cover & Accessories
| Dust Cover |
Included |
| Dust Cover Feature |
Record Jacket Stand |
| Slipmat |
Included |
| EP Record Adapter |
Included |
| Headshell |
Included |
| Cartridge |
Included |
| Balance Weight |
Included |
| Shell Weight |
Included |
| USB Cable |
Included |
| Audio Conversion Cable |
Included |
| Power Cord |
Included |
| Operating Instructions |
Included |
Dimensions & Weight
| Width |
450mm |
| Height |
159mm |
| Depth |
368mm |
| Approximate Dimensions |
450 × 159 × 368mm (W × H × D) |
| Weight |
10.7kg |
Power Specifications
| Power Consumption |
11W |
| Power Supply |
AC Mains |
System Compatibility
| Powered Speakers |
Yes – Using Line Output |
| Integrated Amplifier |
Yes – Line Input or Phono Input as Appropriate |
| Stereo Receiver |
Yes |
| AV Receiver |
Yes – Compatible Analogue Input |
| External Phono Preamplifier |
Optional – Required When Using Phono Output with Line-Level Equipment |
| PC / Mac |
Yes – USB Recording |
| DJ Mixer |
Yes |
| rekordbox DVS |
Yes – With Compatible Setup |
General Specifications
| Brand |
Pioneer DJ |
| Model |
PLX-500-K |
| Product Type |
Direct-Drive Turntable |
| Finish |
Black |
| Drive |
Servo-Type Direct Drive |
| Motor |
3-Phase Brushless DC Motor |
| Speeds |
33⅓ / 45 / 78 rpm |
| Pitch Range |
±8% |
| Platter |
332mm Aluminium Die-Cast |
| Tonearm |
Universal S-Shape, Static Balance |
| Cartridge |
Included VM-Type Cartridge |
| Outputs |
RCA × 1 / USB Type-B × 1 |
| Output Selection |
Phono / Line |
| USB Recording |
Yes |
| Dust Cover |
Included with Jacket Stand |
| Weight |
10.7kg |
| Dimensions |
450 × 159 × 368mm |
| Power Consumption |
11W |
In the Box
- Pioneer PLX-500-K Turntable
- Headshell with Cartridge
- Stylus
- Slipmat
- Dust Cover with Jacket Stand
- EP Record Adapter
- Balance Weight
- Shell Weight
- USB Cable
- Audio Conversion Cable
- Power Cord
- Operating Instructions
System Integration
The Pioneer PLX-500-K can be used as a straightforward home Hi-Fi turntable or as part of a DJ setup. For a simple system with powered speakers or an amplifier without a phono input, select the line output and connect the RCA cable to a suitable line-level input. For an amplifier with a dedicated phono input, the turntable can instead be operated in phono mode. The USB output provides a separate connection for digitising vinyl to a PC or Mac. For DJ applications, the high-torque direct-drive mechanism, ±8% pitch adjustment, S-shaped tonearm and three-speed operation make the PLX-500-K suitable for mixing and scratching.