Reloop has announced the RP-7 (here’s our full review), claiming it as the industry’s first professionally mass-produced DJ turntable designed exclusively for 7″ vinyl. At £499 (€549/$599), it brings the technical capabilities of the company’s RP-7000/8000 MK2 series to the 45 RPM format.
Let’s be clear from the start – this isn’t for everyone. In fact, it’s not for the vast majority of DJs. But that’s precisely the point. For those who “get it”, who understand the unique appeal of 45s culture and the joy of digging through crates of 7″ singles, this could be brilliant.
The turntable features a newly developed brushless DC motor with 2.5 kg/cm torque, which Reloop tells us ensures “maximum precision and optimum performance”. The spec sheet shows three speeds (33⅓, 45, and 78 RPM), adjustable pitch ranges of ±8%, ±16%, or ±35%, and the straight copper tonearm design adapted from their established RP series.
A turntable just for 45s?
Yes, and there’s something refreshing about that level of specialisation. While the DJ world races towards ever more features and digital integration, here’s a product that does one thing – play 7″ records – and does it properly.
The technical specifications are solid: a precision-machined die-cast aluminium platter, internal switching power supply to reduce interference, and switchable phono/line outputs with gold-plated connectors. The tonearm is statically balanced with no anti-skating requirement, which should simplify set-up.
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What’s fun is the attention to 45-specific details. Sure there’s an aluminium vinyl puck adapter with its own storage slot, and a detachable LED needle illuminator for visibility in low light, but the fact that the whole thing measures just 350mm x 270mm – considerably smaller than standard turntables – is undeniably attractive.
I personally do not like DJing with 7″ singles on a 12″ platter, and have been using cheap, plastic, battery-powered turntables in my 7″ set-up (until now) to avoid doing that.
All that said, these could work for DVS too: there is such a thing as 7″ control vinyl, and of course Phase should work fine with this. So as compact turntables to control DJ software these would also fit the build nicely – at least I can’t think of any reason why they wouldn’t.
“For the collectors?”
Reloop’s tagline “For the Collectors. For the Culture” might sound like marketing speak, but there’s truth in it. The 45 RPM format has always been special – from Northern Soul to reggae, from hip-hop to punk, 7″ singles carry a different energy than their 12-inch counterparts.
For DJs who specialise in 45-only sets, the current options are limited. You either use standard turntables (oversized for the format) or portable 7″ players (usually lacking professional features and build quality). The RP-7 sits between these extremes.
The recessed connection terminal is a nice touch for flush mounting in set-ups, and at 5.7kg, a pair would be considerably more portable than standard decks for mobile DJs who play specialist 45s events.
First Thoughts
This is undeniably niche. Most DJs won’t need or want turntables that only play 7″ records, or see the need for 7″ DVS control. But for those immersed in 45s culture – whether that’s Northern Soul nights, reggae sound systems, or collectors who’ve amassed thousands of singles – this fills a genuine gap.
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The price point of £499 per deck isn’t cheap, but it’s not outrageous for specialised professional equipment. Whether it justifies that price will depend entirely on build quality and real-world performance, particularly that motor torque and the tonearm’s ability to track worn vintage singles.
I have no reason to believe the RP-7s will be anything other than solid in these areas (based on previous Reloop turntables), but we’ll be reviewing a pair of these properly in the coming weeks. As someone who collects 45s and plays 45-only sets as an escape from the modern DJ world, I’m genuinely looking forward to putting them through their paces, both in the studio and at gigs.
The Reloop RP-7 is available now for £499 (€549/$599) – note that headshell and cartridge are sold separately. For more info, head over to the Reloop website.
Phil Morse
