Electronics

Direct-drive quartz-locked motor eliminates the belt that's the primary failure point in belt-drive turntables. The motor is built into the platter itself — a large magnet over the spindle surrounds the coils, creating a drive system with essentially no power-transfer loss and no wear items. The die-cast aluminum chassis absorbs vibration and provides a stable base. The high-torque motor reaches 33 1/3 RPM from standstill in 0.7 seconds, which is why DJs have been beating on these in clubs since 1979 and they keep working. Produced continuously from 1979 to 2010 with over 3.5 million units made.

Low self-discharge NiMH chemistry retains up to 70% of charge after 10 years of storage — standard rechargeable batteries lose most of their charge within months. Rated for 2,100 recharge cycles (standard model) or 500 cycles (Pro model with higher capacity). Made in Japan at Panasonic's Osaka factory. The cells maintain consistent voltage throughout discharge rather than the gradual voltage drop that causes devices to slow down. Pre-charged at the factory using solar power. These replaced disposable batteries in the BIFL community years ago and the consensus hasn't changed.