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-- Pioneer CDJ-800 MK2 vs. Denon DNS-3500


Posted by trancematic on May-08-2007 20:22:

Pioneer CDJ-800 MK2 vs. Denon DNS-3500

I've had a pair of Numark Axis 4s and a BCD2000 hooked up to my Event TR8s for about three months now. I've outgrown that setup. It's time for an upgrade. (To the decks and mixer, not the speakers, obviously.)

I'm stuck, though. I've been reading reviews for weeks and I just can't make a decision on which CDJs to buy.

I've ruled out the c314s, the Axis 9s, and the CDJ200s. Each seems to be missing something critical. However, I need to keep the total cost of the CDJs and a good mixer to around $1600 US... so that knocks me out of grabbing a pair of CDJ1000s or DNS-5000s.

It seems like I'm left with a choice of either the Pioneer CDJ800s or the Denon DNS-3500s. The DNS-3500s look cool because of the motorized platters. But are they better than the 800s? Are there more features on the 3500s? Is the vinyl emulation more convincing? Is the spinning platter even worth a damn? I don't scratch much. I mix trance, house, and the occasional electro set.

I'm thinking that the CDJ800s are the way to go. But that leaves me with another huge question: which mixer? I've looked at both the DJM400 and the Numark 5000FX. I like the 5000FX because of the number of channels but I don't know about the quality of the FX. I've heard that the DJM400 is damn good in that department.

Thoughts, anyone? A pair of 3500s will run me $1210 brand new and the CDJ800s will run me $1232. I can get either mixer for right around the $400 mark new. So, it's really a question of quality.

Any input would be appreciated.


Posted by Mmanu on May-08-2007 20:48:

I would say Djm800, for the reliability, though I like the spinning platter on the denon


Posted by Jarvmeister on May-08-2007 21:09:

I've heard that anyone who owns the Denons switches off the spinning platter to mix cos it's horrible to work with.

Which means the pio's are the solid choice here......


Posted by trancematic on May-08-2007 21:41:

quote:
Originally posted by Jarvmeister
I've heard that anyone who owns the Denons switches off the spinning platter to mix cos it's horrible to work with.

Which means the pio's are the solid choice here......


I've heard the same. Sounds like I'm going with 800s, then.

So... what about the mixer? Should I spring for the DJM400 or is there something that is better for the same price or cheaper? (Obviously, I'd grab an Allen & Heath or a Rane if I could... but I can't.)


Posted by stan229 on May-08-2007 21:49:

id go with the CDJ800s and maybe if you cant afford a DJM800, try maybe a 600? definately dont get a Numark 500FX


Posted by trancematic on May-08-2007 22:07:

A DJM600 is way out of my price range... and I don't think I'd ever use four channels to be honest.

How about a 400?


Posted by stan229 on May-08-2007 22:10:

Are you going to be using effects? If not, check out Vestax Mixers. I use a VMC-004 and its built like a tank and solid as hell


Posted by wotyzoid on May-08-2007 22:19:

quote:
Originally posted by trancematic
A DJM600 is way out of my price range... and I don't think I'd ever use four channels to be honest.

How about a 400?


the 400 is just fine, you wont regret it.


Posted by miamitranceman on May-09-2007 02:22:

quote:
Originally posted by wotyzoid
the 400 is just fine, you wont regret it.



+1...I've got 800 mk2s and a DJM-400. It is a great setup. I love the mixer but I'm actually looking to upgrade to a DJM 800. PM if you're interested in the 400 or just have any general questions about it.


Posted by Ryan0751 on May-09-2007 13:16:

Hehe, you couldn't have had the DJM-400 that long... resist the upgrade bug!

Within my first year of DJ'ing... I went from:

1. Software only
2. 2 Denon DN-S1000's and a numark DXM-01.
3. Upgraded mixer to a DN-X1500
4. Added Numark TT-200's
5. Upgraded CD decks to CDJ-1000's
6. Upgraded TT-200's to 1200 MK5's
7. Upgraded mixer to a Xone 92

It's an expensive addiction to get better gear


quote:
Originally posted by miamitranceman
+1...I've got 800 mk2s and a DJM-400. It is a great setup. I love the mixer but I'm actually looking to upgrade to a DJM 800. PM if you're interested in the 400 or just have any general questions about it.


Posted by sleepydragon on May-09-2007 13:37:

Re: Pioneer CDJ-800 MK2 vs. Denon DNS-3500

quote:
Originally posted by trancematic
I need to keep the total cost of the CDJs and a good mixer to around $1600 US... so that knocks me out of grabbing a pair of CDJ1000s or DNS-5000s.


the 5000's are cheaper than the 3500


Posted by david.michael on May-09-2007 13:47:

What are the CDJ-200s missing for you, just out of curiosity?


Posted by nutsan on May-09-2007 14:05:

quote:
Originally posted by david.michael
What are the CDJ-200s missing for you, just out of curiosity?


yeah i was just gonna ask the same question? i love mine


Posted by agentdansmith on May-09-2007 14:11:

quote:
Originally posted by nutsan
yeah i was just gonna ask the same question? i love mine


Vinyl mode?


Posted by nutsan on May-09-2007 14:15:

quote:
Originally posted by agentdansmith
Vinyl mode?


thats kind of obvious just wondered if there was anything else.


Posted by david.michael on May-09-2007 14:17:

quote:
Originally posted by agentdansmith
Vinyl mode?


That's what I thought, until he said he doesn't really scratch, so that indicated it was probably a non-issue to me.


Posted by agentdansmith on May-09-2007 14:41:

quote:
Originally posted by david.michael
That's what I thought, until he said he doesn't really scratch, so that indicated it was probably a non-issue to me.


I don't scratch but I can't stand using CDJ mode - I hate the stutter and I like to cue my tracks manually by hand.

Just a personal preference of course.


Posted by nutsan on May-09-2007 14:45:

quote:
Originally posted by agentdansmith
I don't scratch but I can't stand using CDJ mode - I hate the stutter and I like to cue my tracks manually by hand.

Just a personal preference of course.


well in thats case then dont the denons suffer from a cue slippage problem? if so pioneers all the way!


Posted by david.michael on May-09-2007 14:48:

quote:
Originally posted by agentdansmith
I don't scratch but I can't stand using CDJ mode - I hate the stutter and I like to cue my tracks manually by hand.

Just a personal preference of course.


Understand


Posted by sterilis on May-09-2007 14:48:

quote:
Originally posted by agentdansmith
I don't scratch but I can't stand using CDJ mode - I hate the stutter and I like to cue my tracks manually by hand.

Just a personal preference of course.



thats why i prefer the 800s. that stutter is aggravating and hurts my ears.


Posted by agentdansmith on May-09-2007 14:52:

quote:
Originally posted by sterilis
thats why i prefer the 800s. that stutter is aggravating and hurts my ears.



I know what you mean, it just sounds so mechanical and un-natural and since I came from using vinyl TT's, vinyl mode seems the way to go - for me anyway.


Posted by miamitranceman on May-09-2007 17:11:

quote:
Originally posted by Ryan0751
Hehe, you couldn't have had the DJM-400 that long... resist the upgrade bug!

Within my first year of DJ'ing... I went from:

1. Software only
2. 2 Denon DN-S1000's and a numark DXM-01.
3. Upgraded mixer to a DN-X1500
4. Added Numark TT-200's
5. Upgraded CD decks to CDJ-1000's
6. Upgraded TT-200's to 1200 MK5's
7. Upgraded mixer to a Xone 92

It's an expensive addiction to get better gear



Haha I totally know what you mean. That's why I bought a UC-33 in the meantime.



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