DJ CD decks. Budget up to £500 - recommendations please!

[editor]

In my experience they don't go wrong anything ike as often as Numarks CD decks - I had to change them every week at one point until the club owner was convinced eventually to purchase some Denons...

But if they do go wrong? (and some do - the hugely expensive decks at JAMM have gone wrong several times)...

As for you having to change Numarks "every week" I can only assume the owner was spectacularly unlucky. Almost all of the club promoters here - PROD, HDIFTBL, Offline and the Windmill - all use Numarks, week in, week out. And they work just fine.

Don't get me wrong though: if I could afford Denons/Pioneers I'd get them. But I can't.

 

[pk]

As for you having to change Numarks "every week" I can only assume the owner was spectacularly unlucky.

Easily changed one system weekly at one place - trouble is when one CD player goes you have to replace the whole unit, rather than with separates, where it's easier to find the faults.

It's also why I prefer vinyl, to this day.

 

[pk]

Don't get me wrong though: if I could afford Denons/Pioneers I'd get them. But I can't.

You could hire them.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

You could hire them.

Nah, for the amount of gigs the Ed does hiring would cost a fortune in the long run...

 

[editor]

You could hire them.

No, I couldn't. Way too much cost/hassle.

I know you're having trouble getting your head around this concept, but I can't afford/justify the outlay for new Denons and I'm not prepared to risk buying second hand ones. If they go wrong three months in, I'm absolutely fucked.

I put on something like 40 shows every year and for most of those I've been using cheapo Numarks. They may have their flaws (lack of buffering being the biggest problem) but they sound fine and they've worked more or less perfectly for nearly three years. The Albert may not have the 'Tennents Super dripping of the ceiling' you mentioned, but it's a very lively pub where the decks can expect a fair bit of rough treatment.

Personally, I'd have no problem at all recommending Numarks to people in a similar position to me - they've proved great value and very robust - but if you're minted, then I'd strongly recommend getting Denons/Pioneers instead.

 

[twistedAM]

But if they do go wrong? (and some do - the hugely expensive decks at JAMM have gone wrong several times)...

As for you having to change Numarks "every week" I can only assume the owner was spectacularly unlucky. Almost all of the club promoters here - PROD, HDIFTBL, Offline and the Windmill - all use Numarks, week in, week out. And they work just fine.

Don't get me wrong though: if I could afford Denons/Pioneers I'd get them. But I can't.

Well you know what to do then....

As an aside, the guy at the shop where I buy a lot of stuff from is a pretty well known DnB DJ and he recommended keeping with the Numarks. Horses for courses etc

I bought two new SM58s on the money I saved.

 

[skyscraper101]

The Numarks look fine to me.

For what Ed needs them for I can't see why Denons would be so much better. As more of a beat matching DJ I agree the Denons are better for this (most notably in the buffering) - but weighing up the budget needs and the requirements here they look fine.

Sapphires (the store behind decks.co.uk) are a reasonably friendly bunch. They're based up in Cricklewood with a showroom where you can get hands on with the decks. I'm sure if you went up there and were prepared to collect and pay with cash they could cut you a deal also.

 

[skyscraper101]

Also, I'd get the ones in a case with a mixer included.

They're easier to setup, carry about and the case gives you a bit more protection from potential hazards around the electrical bits (beer etc.). The Axis ones would be more untidy, produce more cable spaghetti, and they'd be more vulnerable to breaking/dropping etc. The Numarks are a practical budget choice.

 

[ringo]

It's been really carefully handled, but whenever you turn if off you can hear a huge 'clunk!' and no sound comes out of it all. I've checked the cartridge connections and they're all good, so it must be something internal. I'll see if I can take it apart and have a closer look (thanks again for donating the TT by the way - it was really appreciated).

I think the Albert turntables are cursed as they seem to go wrong without any human intervention.

That's a shame, good luck with it.

 

[bang]

have a look here..updated quite frequently
www.whybuynew.co.uk

 

[twistedAM]

The Numarks look fine to me.

For what Ed needs them for I can't see why Denons would be so much better. As more of a beat matching DJ I agree the Denons are better for this (most notably in the buffering) - but weighing up the budget needs and the requirements here they look fine.

Yeah, it's a wear and tear issue and when you have a drunk Dj at 3am, you'll find they can destroy anything.

 

[editor]

Yeah, it's a wear and tear issue and when you have a drunk Dj at 3am, you'll find they can destroy anything.

My old Numarks have survived several dousings of lager!

 

[editor]

My budget has shrunk again down to around £300ish.



Which CD decks do you reckon are better for my needs: Numark CDN35 CDs or 2x Axis4s? (I'm thinking the CD35s look a lot more robust).

I can get this lot for £333 which seems a good deal:
Numark CDN35
Citronic CDM8.4 mixer (shit I know but can always be upgraded later)
Numark 242 Carpet case
http://www.decks.co.uk/package/Numark_CDN_35_Citronic_CDM84_22552

Or: should I pay a little more and get the Numark MP302 package for £350 (I like the fact the front of the unit it less cluttered):
Numark MP302
Gemini MM1000
Numark 242 Carpet case
http://www.decks.co.uk/package/Numark_MP302_Gemini_MM1000_22811

 

[ska invita]

...if i had the money i would definitely move over to a vinyl emulation package like Serato , though i hear there are some good cheaper alternatives. its the future...

full package:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RANE-SERATO-S...14&_trkparms=72:1690|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318

more on vinyl emulation:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinyl_Emulation_Software

 

[colacubes]

My budget has shrunk again down to around £300ish.



Which CD decks do you reckon are better for my needs: Numark CDN35 CDs or 2x Axis4s? (I'm thinking the CD35s look a lot more robust).

I can get this lot for £333 which seems a good deal:
Numark CDN35
Citronic CDM8.4 mixer (shit I know but can always be upgraded later)
Numark 242 Carpet case
http://www.decks.co.uk/package/Numark_CDN_35_Citronic_CDM84_22552

Or: should I pay a little more and get the Numark MP302 package for £350 (I like the fact the front of the unit it less cluttered):
Numark MP302
Gemini MM1000
Numark 242 Carpet case
http://www.decks.co.uk/package/Numark_MP302_Gemini_MM1000_22811

I know nothing about the tech specs but I agree the second one looks nicer and much less uncluttered. I get confused by too many buttons (I am such a girl with technology ) .