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AKAI Professional BT500 - Turntable - Black - Refurbished
AKAI Professional BT500 - Turntable - Black
This AKAI Professional BT500 turntable has been professionally refurbished and is in full working order, ready to deliver exceptional vinyl playback performance. Our skilled technicians have installed a new needle to ensure optimal tracking and sound quality. The unit presents in good overall condition with normal signs of previous use that don't affect its functionality or performance. Following the refurbishment work, this turntable has been thoroughly tested to confirm all systems are operating properly.
What's Included:
This listing includes the item only. Please see photos for complete details.
About the AKAI:
The AKAI Professional BT500 represents AKAI's commitment to bringing professional-grade turntable technology to serious vinyl enthusiasts and aspiring DJs. This belt-drive turntable is designed to deliver precise playback with reliable performance, making it an excellent choice for both home listening and entry-level DJ applications. The BT500 has earned recognition among vinyl lovers for its solid build quality and dependable operation at an accessible price point.
This professionally refurbished BT500 offers an excellent opportunity to own a quality AKAI turntable with fresh components at exceptional value.
The US$579 asking price is ambitious, sitting well above the median of US$212 and the 75th percentile of US$399 for comparable used Akai BT500 listings, making it significantly higher than the typical used market anchor. While the original retail price was US$399.99, this refurbished unit costs roughly 45% more than that new retail baseline and nearly triple the median used price, so it represents a poor value unless the refurbishment includes rare, high-end upgrades not standard to the model.
The BT500 is a solid entry-level hybrid turntable that handles Bluetooth streaming well and offers reliable belt-drive performance for casual vinyl listening, but it lacks the build quality or sonic fidelity of higher-end decks. At this inflated price, the buyer should verify the refurbished condition thoroughly, confirm all accessories (like the dust cover and RCA cable) are included, and ensure the Bluetooth pairing functions flawlessly before committing, as there is no meaningful upside to justify paying nearly US$180 over the top quartile.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Akai Electric Company Ltd. traces its origins to Japan, founded by engineer Masukichi Akai in Tokyo around 1929, with his son Saburo Akai playing a key role in its early growth. Initially focused on affordable radio components, the firm formalized as a full electronics manufacturer post-World War II, often cited as 1946. By the mid-20th century, Akai had evolved into a prominent name in consumer audio, peaking in the 1970s before financial troubles led to its exit from the industry in 1991.
The brand built its legacy on high-quality tape-based audio gear, including reel-to-reel tape recorders, cassette decks, tuners, amplifiers, and complete stereo systems that brought professional-grade sound to homes. In the late 1980s, Akai Professional revolutionized music production with the MPC series—starting with the 1988 MPC60, co-designed by Roger Linn—integrating sampling, sequencing, and velocity-sensitive pads into compact workstations that defined hip-hop and electronic genres.
Today, Akai holds a revered vintage-collector status among hi-fi enthusiasts for its robust 1970s components, prized for their warm analog character and build quality. In the pro audio realm, the MPC line endures as an iconic, mid-to-high-end tool for beatmakers, with modern iterations sustaining the brand through licensing. While not a current leader in traditional hi-fi like amplifiers or speakers, its heritage appeals to savvy buyers seeking timeless reliability over fleeting trends.
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