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-- Purchasing my very first CD-player, help :)


Posted by BelgianGuru on Aug-26-2004 17:13:

Talking Purchasing my very first CD-player, help :)

Ok, before you get the wrong idea here after that 3 decks thread and this one, it's not really my first anything. I've been spinning for 3 solid years now, or maybe 4, can't remember. But only on vinyl. Sure I purchased some dual CD player in the beginning, but I got ripped off obviously, and they are worth shit (some basic Gemini crap, really really dislike em) So I've been spinning on my Techs for all these years.

Now, I wake up this morning, I pick up my mail, and there is an invitation from my dealer to view the new hardware and try it out. So this afternoon I go to the store, and I see this .. almost unreal CD player. I mean, if it was possible, I think I would want it to have my beautiful children !

The Technics SL-DZ 1200 ... holy crap ? I'm sorry if someone else has drooled over this CD player already in the past.

But now, I saw a shitload of possibilities on it that you definately can't do on a tech 12, like what the .. a sampler on a CD player ? Apparently this has been around for a while, but wtf ? Has to be neat to play around with !

What other good/great CD players are there to get your groove on with ? I'd only buy ONE and keep my decks I think, since they are soooooo extremely pricy ! And the CD player would be a lot easier for me so I can spin my demos more frequently ! And I only want names of the new/next)generation players that I can use and abuse untill my teeth fall out at the age of 65 or something. Like my decks, they will last forever I think

So forget about that technics turntable, gimme all the juice on really really good CD players. I already have good decks, so this CD player can't just be start/stop/loop, it has to add a lot of new things to my possibilities.

Let me know !

Cheers !


Posted by beats and beeps on Aug-26-2004 17:20:

If you like the techs, but find thier too expensive, you should check out the denon dns series (dns3000, or dns5000) they have spinning platters and samplers. You may also like the numark cdx, but its not very accurate when it comes to pitch (0.1)

Just so you know the sldz isnt selling very well, because there are some issues with the scratch sound, and also the fact that its just plain awkward to use, for some. I cant beleive they stuck the display, and controls in the middle of the platter.

Heres a list of players you should check out:
Pioneer cdj1000 (static platter no sampler 0.02% industry standard)
Denon dns5000 (rotating platter 2 samplers 0.02% alpha track)
Numark CDX (rotating 12 inch platter, a bunch of effects 0.1%)
pioneer cdj800 (0.05%)
Denon dns3000 (rotating platter 1 sampler 0.02%)
Vestax cdx-05
Numark axis 9

Ordered most expensive to least (i think)


Posted by BelgianGuru on Aug-26-2004 18:29:

dang ? Something wrong with the scratch sound ? Doesn't sound like technics perfectionism to me !

I read your sig about Zabiela, he loops/reloops stuff all the time, and he uses CDJ1000 no ? Or does he do all the relooping and all that with that fx box he carries around ?

Cheers


Posted by beats and beeps on Aug-26-2004 18:44:

He uses the 1000, but thats just because thats whats in all the clubs, dont be afraid to get a different player, the cdj is so easy to use youll have no problem using it in a club. There are many cheaper players, that are just as reliable, and do alot more.


Posted by BelgianGuru on Aug-26-2004 19:18:

Please, tell me what types exactly ? I haven't been following anything since the day I got my decks, so I'm clueless.. I see your list, I'm checking atm, but which one would you say are better then the CDJ1000 ? I'm really not going to buy something because it's the 'thing' nowadays, I want something that will be reliable for years to come, and that I can really do things with that I can't do with my vinyl (so I really don't care if I can scratch with the cd player, but I do care about all the rest -> that I can't do with vinyl). I thought those Technics were going to be owning the next couple of years .. but apparently not ?

Thanks again !


Posted by beats and beeps on Aug-26-2004 20:16:

quote:
Originally posted by BelgianGuru
Please, tell me what types exactly ? I haven't been following anything since the day I got my decks, so I'm clueless.. I see your list, I'm checking atm, but which one would you say are better then the CDJ1000 ? I'm really not going to buy something because it's the 'thing' nowadays, I want something that will be reliable for years to come, and that I can really do things with that I can't do with my vinyl (so I really don't care if I can scratch with the cd player, but I do care about all the rest -> that I can't do with vinyl). I thought those Technics were going to be owning the next couple of years .. but apparently not ?

Thanks again !


It sounds like you want a feature filled deck...that would be the dns5000 for sure. It has stuff like mirror mix, alpha track, samplers. As a result of having alot of features, some people say its "too complicated." If youre not using them in a club though, you shouldnt have a problem taking the time to learn all of the extra tricks.


Posted by beats and beeps on Aug-26-2004 20:21:

quote:
Originally posted by Nou
I just got a CDJ 800, should be here in a week or so... Everyone I know who has one likes them alot.

But yea, it was a tough deciscion between the 800 and the Denon s3000... but I chose the Pio's caz they are more like the 1000's and those are the most common (beside dual deck) cd players.

Yeah i must admit i did love the cdj800's for the time i was using them, but then started using them with vinyl, as a third deck, and i realised that 0.05 with pitch bending wheel was just not as good as 0.02 with bend buttons, so i chose the dns3000. the 0.05 on the 800's is accurate enough for normal trance mixing styles though.
(im an accuracy whore)


Posted by jago on Aug-26-2004 23:00:

what ever u do dont get the technics, there a bag of shit. For starters, when u have the key lock on and scratch the sound is really distorted, sounds like something from packman. Also all the essential buttons are in the middle of the deck and they are really small, like hotstarts and loops.

If i were u i'd purchase a denon 5000 as u wiil 2 cd players in one, because of alpha track, mixed independantly through different channels on ya mixer. Also u can use hotstarts in alpha and set memo points, to be recalled at a later date, to be slammed into the mix, NICE!!!!!!!!!! Nice other feature called mirror mix, which i like as it plays 2 of the same song, just delayed slightley, either behind or infront, depending on which setting u have it one, creating an echo effect. Go and try them all out and make up your mind that way!!!!!!!!


Posted by YellowG555 on Aug-27-2004 01:51:

Like jago said, go try them all out first. Make your final decision based on what you like, and use other people's opinions as guiding references. You can't go wrong with the CDJ1000 though, but I am biased as that is what I use .


Posted by BelgianGuru on Aug-27-2004 12:16:

I am going to test out the technics this afternoon .. but damn they really suck huh ?

but b&b and jago's posts make me cream lol. All those features ? Sounds amazing to me. If someone could explain me what alpha track is I would appreciate it, I knew it had this feature, and I thought it was a new way of moving around the CD lol ! And if it makes 1 CD player turn into 2, that's just the greatest shit I've ever heared the last couple of months hehe So far the only brand that hasn't let me down a single time in any gig is my technics decks, so that's why I was going for the SL-DZ 1200 cd player, but hearing you guys describe that denon baby, woooh !

Please do explain the alpha tracking !

CHEERS !

PS : The denon is cheaper then the cdj1000 apparently ?_? What the hell ?


Posted by brian on Aug-27-2004 12:42:

quote:
Originally posted by YellowG555
You can't go wrong with the CDJ1000 though, but I am biased as that is what I use .


Agreed -- I love mine!


Posted by jago on Aug-27-2004 13:15:

Sure Belgianguru: Alpha track is a worlds first from Denon, first started with the denon 9000. At the back of your cd player normally u have one lead that goes into a channel in your mixer. Well with these badboys u also have another lead going from the back of the cd player into another channel of your mixer, say channel 2. On the cd player front u have controls, start, stop, pause for both normal track and alpha track, giving u full control, as well as having control over pitch for both channels. U can also preset the machine to hotstart both main and alpha, slamming in those all important key moments of your track. Now imagine having 2 of these badboys and a four channell mixer think of the endless possiblities. But if your looking for one player, this is the way to go, number one it has far more cabilities than any other cd player, and its cheaper than the pio 1000 mk 1 and mk2. I would ditch the technic as it sucks, if you read my ealier thread u will understand why, its poor, scratch is a joke, when in key lock mode it is distorted, really bad!!! Also all key buttons are way too tiny and in the middle of the player, i mean what is that about Also u guys who own the cdj 1000, there beautifull machines no doubt, but have u spun back and tried to hotstart instantly, i believe theres a little lag, doesnt quite start instantly, denon doesnt do this. For the pound or dollar, i'd go for the denon, its for the dj enthusiast, so if u got time to learn its capabilities, it will take your djing to whole new level.


Posted by BelgianGuru on Aug-27-2004 13:25:

Damn man, I love this forum
Thanks for the helpful replies, and I'm guessing I'm going to be owning that denon baby pretty soon. I totally love what I hear already I have nothing against the CDJ1000 or anything, but you understand I want as many thingsa s possible on it and still have a solid player, and apparently that's going to be it (heck if I like it SO much I might buy a second, who knows what brand it'll be ? )

Cheers !


Posted by brian on Aug-27-2004 17:35:

quote:
Originally posted by jago
Also u guys who own the cdj 1000, there beautifull machines no doubt, but have u spun back and tried to hotstart instantly, i believe theres a little lag, doesnt quite start instantly, denon doesnt do this.


Just tried this on my 1000MK2 and had no lag whatsoever -- what exactly did you try when you noticed the lag?

Quick side note - this is one of the better CDJ threads I've seen. Cheers!


Posted by jago on Aug-27-2004 21:16:

Thanks for the reply, but while the jog wheel is being spun backwards, try pressing one of your hotstarts, is it instant or is there a lag or drag sound while the unit picks up speed, cos the one that i saw, had a lag sound, didnt start instantly


Posted by Magnus on Aug-27-2004 22:28:

I just picked up a Pioneer CDJ-100. Not expensive at all and it does what I need it to do and that is spin CDs. I don't play out that often but when I do, this comes in handy and I don't have to worry about people stealing it. They always go for the 1000s.


Posted by beats and beeps on Aug-27-2004 22:32:

quote:
Originally posted by jago
Thanks for the reply, but while the jog wheel is being spun backwards, try pressing one of your hotstarts, is it instant or is there a lag or drag sound while the unit picks up speed, cos the one that i saw, had a lag sound, didnt start instantly

Yeah i saw that on a video somewhere, not a huge issue, but could get a bit annoying.


Posted by brian on Aug-27-2004 22:54:

quote:
Originally posted by jago
Thanks for the reply, but while the jog wheel is being spun backwards, try pressing one of your hotstarts, is it instant or is there a lag or drag sound while the unit picks up speed, cos the one that i saw, had a lag sound, didnt start instantly


Ahh, yes, now I see what you mean. The same thing happens on mine. There is a workaround for this, however -- which ever hotstart you want to do this with, press it and let it run for a few seconds before you start using the tune you're going to backspin. Once it's got a few seconds of that second track loaded in the buffer, start your first track, and when you get ready, do your backspin and hit that hotstart and it should start instantly. (The whole thing isn't quite as complicated as it sounds -- easier done than said)


Posted by jago on Aug-28-2004 07:42:

i know but its one of those factors that people need to understand before they let go of their hard earned cash. They are quality cd players theres no denying that. For me though, i wanted a player that did that little bit more, a more fun player, one that takes me a long time to master, keeps me interested and for me the denon does that. The denon also has upgradeable software, and theres one due out in september , cant wait.


Posted by D Dubya on Aug-28-2004 18:37:

I guess I am going to have to go try these Technics out. I have heard mixed reviews, and by mixed I mean completely opposite. Some people are like "the scratching is horrible". While I am not interested in realistic scratching noises since that is not my style, I still want a working "whole" deck. But other people say the video that everyone relies on for information was rigged -- that or they sorted out the problem and it sounds great now. Either way, if everything is fixed, Technics would be my way to go. I like the way they look and I like the brand. I am still not ruling out Pioneer or the Denon's.


Posted by jwear2004 on Aug-31-2004 23:01:

quote:
Originally posted by Dirk W.
But other people say the video that everyone relies on for information was rigged -- that or they sorted out the problem and it sounds great now.


Anyone else know anything about this? It would change my opinion of the Technics decks if it turns out that the scratch sound really isn't that bad.


Posted by DjVash on Aug-31-2004 23:31:

You say you want a high end CD player. Alright. Here goes, these are the best out there.

Pioneer CDJ-800

A very good CD player. Good scratch function, pitch accurate up to 0,05% in 10% pitch mode, very reliable. Also has some nice vinyl effects, for instance the same effect if you turn off the power on a deck while the record was playing. Seamless loop is also onboard ofcourse! Doesn't have a rotating platform but it's not necessary

Pioneer CDJ-1000MKII

To be honest, not my cup of tea. The features of the 1000 above the 800 aren't worth the extra money in my opinion. The CDJ-800 does everything one needs to mix. But ofcourse that's an opinion and there a loads of people who don't agree with me. Also doesn't have a rotating platform, but it has definetly been proven that you can work without one (these are standard equipment at every event nowadays).

Denon DN-S3000

Denon was the first to introduce a CD player with a rotating platform. This is a very good cd player, doesn't have the vinyl feel that much but once again that isn't really necessary Also supports MP3!

Denon DN-S5000

Same story like with the Pioneers: You don't really need the extra features. However I'd rather like a Pioneer, because these players haven't really proven themselves (but if that doesn't stop you, then you'll probably have a good cd player).

And now, top of the bill...

Numark CDX

If you want REAL VINYL feel, you should definetly have these babies. I got a chance to test them today at my dealer, and I must admit I felt no difference! This is definetly vinyl emulation, way better than what technics tried to do. This is definetly the most revolutionary CD player since Pioneer came up with the CDJ-1000 (which was revolutionary as well).

One player you shouldn't be buying is the Technics SLDZ-1200. Technics didn't make a good DJ product for YEARS, so now they're trying to milk out the name. This is NOT a good CD player! What they tried to do is perfectly emulate vinyl. They did NOT succeed. Numark did! Ofcourse the scratch sounds really bad (you all saw the movie, it's not fake) but the feel in this CD player isn't right as well. If you REALLY want a CD player that feels just like vinyl, Numark is your choice.



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