Reloop RP-7 Professional 7 Inch Direct Drive DJ Turntable

The Reloop RP-7 (RP7, RP 7) is a professional direct drive DJ turntable made for 7-inch vinyl. It plays 45s as well as 33 1/3 and 78 RPM records, with a 2.5 kgf/cm brushless DC motor that reaches speed in under a second, an 8.5-inch (215 mm) die-cast aluminum platter, a pitch range of ±8%, ±16% or ±35%, and a short straight tonearm. A switchable phono/line output lets it plug into a DJ mixer's phono channel or straight into a line input. It measures 13.8 x 10.6 x 5.5 inches (350 x 270 x 139 mm) and weighs 12.6 lb (5.7 kg). The cartridge and headshell are not included.

Reloop calls the RP-7 the first series-produced professional DJ turntable for 7-inch records. It is built for 45s DJs and collectors who want pro DJ controls on a 7-inch deck: start/stop and speed buttons, a pitch fader with a reset lock, an LED stylus light, and a height-adjustable tonearm base adapted from Reloop's RP-7000 MK2 and RP-8000 MK2.

What else do I need to use the RP-7?

A cartridge on a headshell, because neither comes in the box, and something to plug it into. Set to Phono, it connects to a DJ mixer's phono channel, such as the Reloop RMX-22i that Reloop pairs it with in its own photos. Set to Line, it connects to powered speakers or any line-level input. A dust cover is sold separately.

Which cartridge should I use on the RP-7?

A standard cartridge mounted on a headshell with an SME-type connector, weighing 15 to 20 g in total including the headshell. Reloop's manual says one-piece cartridges, the Concorde style where the cartridge and headshell are a single body, are generally not recommended on the RP-7 because they cannot be adjusted, which leads to poor tracking and distorted sound. For the best tracking on the short straight tonearm, Reloop recommends mounting the cartridge on the headshell at a 9.5° angle, and the manual includes a 1:1 template for positioning it.

Ortofon's VNL Dance and VNL Trix come premounted on the same SH-2 headshell, and Ortofon lists the VNL Trix premount at 17 g, inside that range. A bare cartridge also needs a headshell, since the RP-7 ships without one.

Can I play 12-inch records on the RP-7?

No. The RP-7 is made for 7-inch records. A 12-inch LP is 12 inches (305 mm) across, which is larger than the 8.5-inch platter and wider than the deck is deep (10.6 inches). For LPs and 12-inch singles, look at the full-size Reloop decks compared below.

How is the RP-7 different from the RP-7000 MK2 and RP-8000 MK2?

The RP-7 is a compact deck for 7-inch records only. The RP-7000 MK2 and RP-8000 MK2 are full-size decks for 12-inch records, with adjustable starting torque up to 4.5 kg/cm and a ±50% pitch range, and the RP-8000 MK2 adds performance pads for Serato DJ Pro. The RP-7 weighs less than half as much as either.

Our DJ turntables page compares more decks, and Reloop turntables lists the full range.

Can I scratch and beatmatch on the RP-7?

Yes. Reloop tuned the 2.5 kgf/cm motor for reliable cueing and advanced scratching, and the platter reaches speed in under a second. The pitch fader covers ±8% with the range selector LED off or ±16% with it on; press and hold the selector for ±35%, and the LED flashes. The reset lock button holds the platter at its original speed wherever the fader sits, and pressing it again returns to the fader setting.

Does the RP-7 work with Serato DVS or djay?

Yes, with 7-inch control vinyl and a DVS-capable mixer or audio interface. The RP-7 is a standard analog turntable, so the cartridge plays the control record's timecode into your mixer or interface like any other deck. Reloop's own photos show a pair of RP-7s with Serato 7-inch control vinyl on its Elite mixer for Serato DJ Pro, and an RP-7 with djay control vinyl.

Can I connect it to powered speakers or a mixer without phono inputs?

Yes. The RP-7 has a built-in phono preamp. Set the Phono/Line switch on the rear panel to Line and connect the RCA output to any line-level input, or set it to Phono for a DJ mixer's phono channel. Connect the ground wire to your mixer's GND terminal. The output only works while the turntable is switched on.

What is in the box?

The RP-7 turntable, platter, counterweight, LED stylus light, an aluminum 45 adapter, slipmat, slip sheet, RCA cable with ground wire, power cable and instruction manual. A headshell, cartridge and dust cover are not included.

Does the RP-7 come with a dust cover?

No. Reloop sells the COVER-RP-7 dust cover separately, and the Decksaver PC-RP7 is a fitted protective cover made for it.

How do I set up the tonearm?

Balance the arm, then set the tracking force; there is no anti-skating to adjust, because Reloop says the statically balanced arm does not need it. With the counterweight on, lower the tonearm lift and turn the counterweight until the arm floats level, return the arm to its rest, set the counterweight scale to 0, then turn the counterweight until the scale shows your cartridge's recommended tracking force. If your cartridge needs it, release the tonearm ring lock and raise the arm by up to 6 mm (0.24 in), keeping the tube parallel to the record; do not go above 6 mm. A heavier cartridge can take an extra counterweight on the back of the arm, which is not included.

Why did my RP-7 go into standby?

It enters standby after 20 minutes without use, and only the pitch reset LED flashes slowly. Press any control to wake it. To turn auto standby off or back on, hold START/STOP and 33 while switching the power on.

Reloop RP-7 specifications

Specifications are from Reloop's RP-7 product page and instruction manual.

What case fits the RP-7?

These are made for it: the Reloop RP-7-CASE, the Odyssey VURP7 watertight case, the Odyssey KRP7 KROM case, the ProX XS-RP7BL flight case and the Magma MGA48064 hard-shell case. For the records themselves, the Reloop REC-CASE-7-150-BLK is a 7-inch vinyl record case.