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Forum: General Discussion

Topic: Mixer Opinion - Denon or Pioneer

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Hello all. I'd appreciate an opinion or two. I have already killed my Numark mixer and I'm not going to spend the money to replace a crossfader since I'll likely be doing it every month. I am choosing between two mixers right now.

The Denon 300. It has 3 channel which aren't essential to me and a penny and giles crossfader.
http://www.pssl.com/bitemdetail.tpl?waGroup1datarq=[waGroup1datarq]&eqint_KeyIDdata=38868&itemNumber=[item_number]&UID=2004070212472196&disp_IMG=Y&catgroup=%5BcatGroup%5D

The other is the Pioneer 707 - which has an optical crossfader. Both have all the features I need. I'm not that familiar with what an optical crossfader is although I believe it means no contact which means now wear. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/fg=101/g=dj/s=mixers/search/detail/base_pid/630305/


I scratch heavily and beat mix a wide range of music. I'd appreciate some thoughts. Thanks.
 
Posted Thu 12 May 05 @ 5:11 pm
pioneer doesn't have EQ-kill buttons. I like to see them on external mixer. I have Denon 300 at home. I never tryed pioneer 707, but i can tell you 300 works great!



Dj Nikki
 
Thanks Nikki. How long have you had it and do you scratch? I just want to be certain I purchase one that the crossfader will hold up for a while.
 
I have both both mixers. You can see my 707 in the TCV videos...and see my dnX300 in the club video with my denons. I can say flat out the the DNX300 is a better mixer. It sounds better (I think) and everything feels reeally nice on it. also- the crossfader is MUCH better than the 707 mixer. and as nikki said- it has kill switches... which are killer! everything on that mixer is great. DEFINITELY go for the denon. I do alot of scratching...and have recently done a battle with the denon- worked perfect. I've heard many a great thing about penny and giles crossfaders...So i wouldn't worry about it wearing out for at least 3 or 4 years of heavy use.
 
 
what more can i say? :) TechnicalDJ told everything you need. I actually just started with turntables, but i used mixer long time ago with cd-players. I can't live without kill switches :)


Dj Nikki
 
The kill switches are key I agree...even the 3rd channel I can find something to do with. I wonder what the zero sounds like on the 707 though...might be just like kill and I've found doesn't really make a difference mix wise b/c you can do it fast enough. If you read the forums of the link a few posts above, they say the P & G crossfader broke down on a few. I think I'm leaning towards the Pioneer. But that would be against DJ Righteous and that seems wrong. These forums are incredible. Thanks to everyone for sharing.
 
I re-read Technical/Righteous/VDJ Video Guy post and I'm sold. I'll go Denon on this one. Just ordered it. I'm sure it's got a replaceable crossfader if I need it. I hope heavy scratching is "beat the crap out of the stuff" as he mentioned. Quick plug for TT - 500's turntables....they are solid and underrated. The Numark mixer...1002 MKII was great. It had all the features I was looking for and performed well for about 3 months. The crossfader is cracking now. But I really did abuse it, so if you're just learning it's a good mixer. (I just had to lay it to rest nicely....it's been good to me :))
 
hey also- on that numark mixer- you might need to just put a LITTLE oil on the contact strip. Some tuner control spray works great- you can get it at radio shaak. if not a little vegetable oil would work. This can fix some cracking sound coming from the crossfaders.
 
djej.

Also visit the www.denondj.com for other features.. Denon has a great support program where if your unit has issues you can phone them under warranty and they will issue a call-tag to get it on the bench in 48hrs and returned to you on their dime. This is great support and a solid stance by them to support what they sell...

Enjoy that unit I have a 1500 and thats a good crossfader...

Also, if you are into scratching check out your local Guitar Center - they are having Scratch competitions every Wenesday evening..

Musically Yours

http://www.cpsdj.com
 
The Denon is on it's way..Thanks for the help. I'll write if the crossader fails too quickly.
 
UREI 1620 Original

Got one, Not for sale.
 
I remember her well. Too funny that it's a hot item now. I really didn't like it. True you can turn a knob as fast and quick as a traditional crossfader but it alway's seemed strange. Man I spent about two years in a club with this mixer...good memories, thanks WDJ. I didn't know it was still around.

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/news_story/a/news_id/e/168

I spent days/hours/nights with that mixer...never failed :)
 
Alright..I have to finish this thread with some thanks. I love the Denon. Received it last night and beat the hell out of it for an hour. I am amazed at the difference going from a $100 Numark mixer to the Denon 300. The crossfader adjustments improve scratching 200%. Thanks to all who shared their personal experiences. This mixer feels wonderful and sounds even better. Now one question I have, is that going from a Numark 1002 MKII to the Denon was a leap of about 300%. Is it the same leap again if I went for a $1000 Pioneer or Rane mixer? I am really just amazed at the difference in scratching with this mixer vs. the Numark (which I confess I was quite happy with performance wise other then the crossfader started to crackle).
 
from MOST $300 mixers, jumping up to the rane or pios that are more WOULD be a big difference...but jumping from that X300 to the rane really isn't that big a difference. My buddy has a rane...and we've played on both QUITE a bit. Yeah the rane is a little nicer...a little smoother...but I can't see the justification for spending $400 more for it. If anything I think the Denon should be around 500.
 


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