Ecler Nuo vs Allen Heath Xone vs Pioneer DJM vs Numark DXM
I am an audiophile. First mixer and players I owned was Numark DXM02 and CDJ200s. It was good enough sounding setup. The input fader started bleeding, then I got a Xone 32, one of the better mixers regardless of price. It really makes anything sound pleasant, but adds color and little good distortion. Then I sold the CDJ200s and Xone 32 because the Xone didn't have enough LEDs per channel and Cue PFL LEDs. So I got Ecler Nuo 2, Audio 2 DJ card, and CDJ101s midi decks. The sound changed completely, it became very dark green but still analog sounding. There was no distortion at any level unless I was a dickhead. The little excitement of the Xone 32 was lost, but I feel like the sound was much easier to listen to for longer periods. The Ecler has a dark yellow color in terms of sound, but the Audio 2 card makes it sound greenish. The Ecler warms up fully in about 30 minutes and that's when it sounds best. I will not sell this mixer until I have a major need of FX or superior sound quality. I've heard the DJM mixers, 600, 400, and 800 in clubs. They sound too refined to my ears, like there's some filtration/equalization going on or something. Ecler sounds more analog/smooth than any mixer I heard so far. It's hard to make it sound bad unless you're stupid. Though the clearest sound I heard so far was from Rane Empath. I haven't heard the DJM 909 but I am positive it sounds great too. So conclusion is, Pioneer sounds clear/refined, Allen Heath sounds warm/excited, Rane sounds clear/euphoric, and Ecler sounds warm/smooth.
And for those that want to get a vintage rotary Bozak/Urei, don't waste your money. Just get a stereo tube preamp and have it after your mixer. Results are much better and you don't have to get used to the Bozak/Urei workflow.
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