Denon DNS3000 vs. Pioneer CDJ-800?

FlameBoy

FlameBoy

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Hi - I'm thinking of maybe replacing my Technics 1200s with some CD decks (am getting by at the moment by using Serato Scratch Live to mix MP3s on my laptop with the 1200s: http://www.rane.com/scratch.html - this actually works very well, and is great for finding the track you want easily, but the setup is a bit fiddly to connect up in a club situation, also not all psy-trance parties will have vinyl turntables setup, and I don't want to always have to bring my own decks, so I think I should learn how to use CD decks - Serato Scratch Live can work with these too BTW if I wanted to still use this) .

Anyway, with a potential budget of around £800 - £900 the two main choices I've been looking at are the Denon DNS3000 and the Pioneer CDJ-800. The former is a new design, has a spinning platter and supports MP3 CDs, the latter does not, but I guess is the little brother of the industry standard CDJ-1000. To be honest, I've been thinking that the Denon looks like a better choice, and I've heard Denons are built quite well, but I'd like other people's opinion. Also - how similar in operation is the Denon to the Pioneer decks (apart from the spinning platter)? Would like to not feel like a fish out of water if I have to use Pioneer decks when playing out etc.

Thanks

FB
 
If you scratch or beat juggle, then the Denon is a superb choice...

Also check out the Numark CDX1...uses a vinyl platter and works *exactly* like a record deck! (tis also cheaper)
 
Can't say to much about Denon cause I haven't used them, but I love my Pioneer 800s, found them so easy after using technics 1210s for years. Intuitive design (use vinyl mode) build quality is a little plasticy... but if you intend on moving them all the time or taking them to parties its probably better to buy 1000s for the toughness. And like you say I went for pioneers so that I feel at home playing clubs or parties, everybodies got pioneers... Iv'e played on 1000s and the small 500s since and found them really easy to pick up from the experience the 800s gave me. I have heard Denon to be really good build quality. But I had technics 1210s cause they were industry standard, same reason I went for pioneers (wish I could afford 1000s though, or them new technics CD dex ummmm, anyway back 2 reality) :D
 
geoffwiffen said:
Can't say to much about Denon cause I haven't used them, but I love my Pioneer 800s, found them so easy after using technics 1210s for years. Intuitive design (use vinyl mode) build quality is a little plasticy... but if you intend on moving them all the time or taking them to parties its probably better to buy 1000s for the toughness. And like you say I went for pioneers so that I feel at home playing clubs or parties, everybodies got pioneers... Iv'e played on 1000s and the small 500s since and found them really easy to pick up from the experience the 800s gave me. I have heard Denon to be really good build quality. But I had technics 1210s cause they were industry standard, same reason I went for pioneers (wish I could afford 1000s though, or them new technics CD dex ummmm, anyway back 2 reality) :D
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BTW I had a go on the Technics CD decks a few months ago, really didn't like them at all (and this is from someone who mixes vinyl on a pair of Technics 1200s), I've had a brief go on some Pioneer CDJ-1000s, which I much preferred. Would like a pair of CDJ-1000s to be honest, but they're so expensive. I've heard the CDJ-800 are 95% the same (and much cheaper), but they don't look built as well as the CDJ-1000 (or even the Denon DNS-3000) which is a bit of a worry

FB
 
The Technics CD dex are buitifully built...They "operate" well and logically, too, except they put the buttons on the inside of the spinning platter!! Doh! Design fault...They also are tiny buttons and are silver on silver (unlit) so would be a pain if there wasn't adequate light...

The Denons are supremely well made (best of the lot, really) and have a huge gamut of facilities and features...However, the operation of the spinning platter is a pain as they are designed for scratching or beat-juggling rather than beat mixing...

There is, btw, a new model called the DN1000 that is similar in size and price to the CDJ 500s Pioneer and without a spinning platter...

The Pioneers are, IMHO, nowhere near as well built as the others....However, most DJs will play on nothing else. Persoanlly, I wouldn't buy another Pioneer if it was the last deck available as the support is shite...properly shite and the parts are extortionately expensive.

The Numarks are, despite the looks, superbly built and come with excellent features at a price that makes the others look expensive....The CDX1 is, IMHO, again, the best of the "top-range" decks...they feel great, work well and simulate vinyl precisely...The drawback is that they are as big as the TTX1 (full size turntable)
 
Fushion Julz said:
The Denons are supremely well made (best of the lot, really) and have a huge gamut of facilities and features...However, the operation of the spinning platter is a pain as they are designed for scratching or beat-juggling rather than beat mixing...

There is, btw, a new model called the DN1000 that is similar in size and price to the CDJ 500s Pioneer and without a spinning platter...
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Might try to see if I can check out the DN1000 somewhere, I'm not interested in scratching or beat-juggling at all, but want something that's good to beat mix on and holds pitch well for long mixes

Fushion Julz said:
The Pioneers are, IMHO, nowhere near as well built as the others....
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I've not seen the CDJ-800s, but the CDJ-1000s I've used and seen looked pretty robust

Fushion Julz said:
However, most DJs will play on nothing else. Persoanlly, I wouldn't buy another Pioneer if it was the last deck available as the support is shite...properly shite and the parts are extortionately expensive.
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That is obviously a concern, and something I will bear in mind.

Paul
 
I'd go for the Pioneers all the way. THey've stood the test of time, they're very easy to use, and very robust (I only have experience of the 1000s though). Most importantly they are the industry standard and you see them everywhere so you don't have to adapt your style as soon as you play in a club.
 
Compared with (say) the Denon DN3000/5000 and the Numark CDX1, the Pioneer CDJ1000 are built like a kiddie's toy!

I can't say if the Denons stand the test of time, but I CAN say that Denon and Numark are, in my experience, customer focused to an extent that Pioneer are not.

Perhaps if you are buying decks for your studio or bedroom, or you can afford a spare, then the 3 week wait for non-stock parts, the lack of authorised service agents (and Pioneer's unwilling attitude when it comes to supplying other repairers) won't matter and, in any case, the chances are the decks will last well in a domestic environment.
As a touring rig, though, toughness and durability is a prime consideration...
As is the ability to get simple items (such as a knob or a fuseable link) in a reasonably quick time-frame. Pioneer, I'm afraid, just don't cut the mustard in that department and that is what makes them poor value.

If you phone Numark up, they will help you out and send parts (reasonably priced) next day delivery...and I wouldn't call Numark the cutting edge in Pro-quality gear...
Pioneer, on the other hand, can't or won't assit if you have a problem or need a part...Their spares service is poorly run by people who don't know anything even remotely technical and don't care about you as you aren't a priority to them in any case....And this is from a company that calls itself a supplier of professional quality equipment..Pah!

Pioneer, btw, are not especially reliable or durable....Almost everyone I know who uses Pioneer equipment (CDJs and Mixers) in anger out n' about have had to have them fixed...often regularly.

I own equipment from many different manufaturers in my PA set-up...The only one that has been problematic to deal with is Pioneer...
I own kit from:
EV
QSC
C-Audio
BSS
Behringer
Formula Sound
Omnitronic
Numark
Technics
P-Audio
Prescion Devices
Beyma
Martin
Optikinetic
Antari
OHM
Eminence
Motorola
Inkel
Warrior (Definitive Audio)
Tascam
Soundcraft
Samson
Apollo
Shure
Ortofon
Stanton
Sennheiser
and Pioneer

Anyone wanna buy some CDJ 500 IIs?
 
I for one, rate the Denon DNS3000 very highly - even tho i broke 3 in Miami this year :unsure: - it played everything we threw at it in stupid conditions, and even plays MP3's

the vinyl mode does feel just like a turntable (perhaps a touch light) turn that off and it performs better than any pioneer, added to that it can be software upgraded whenever new features are developed, mostly this will only be changes to the MP3 software, but nice feature non the less.

The CD mechanism can be replaced by the user - just two screws - the same one fits both the DNS3000/5000 and the top of the line twin drawer unit.

The bloke that designed it is VERY keen to make the best units on the market, and demo's loads of them to DJ's every year. Tho his face when I told him I'd killed three in one afternoon, was a picture (20K Opus rig, and a badly built DJ booth almost vibrated them to death - until i put them ON the subs :) )

They are far better engineered than the pioneers, all told much better value
they do need a fairly light touch, (more so the 5000, the platter has been improved on the 3000) but worth the money

I reviewed these earlier this year, in a thread about the technics Cd players, the technics are ONLY intended as a medium for serious turntable addicts, they make no pretences about being pioneer replacements, they are designed to feel exactly like the Technics 1200's even to having the same drive motor system.

Steve
 
Plank! said:
I for one, rate the Denon DNS3000 very highly... *snip*
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Does the interface suck though?

J.
 
Fushion Julz said:
The Pioneers are, IMHO, nowhere near as well built as the others....However, most DJs will play on nothing else. Persoanlly, I wouldn't buy another Pioneer if it was the last deck available as the support is shite...properly shite and the parts are extortionately expensive.
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ditto. ive always hated pioneers and thought the performance is nowhere near their reputation. I know its a small gripe but ive always hated the facia on the 1000s too. Too many flashing lights and gimmicks like the display that shows you when the beats gonna drop. No pitch adjust buttons either (like on Geminis).
Ive used all the Pioneers, Denon 3000's, all the Geminis, Axis 8s, and technics.......... and to be honest my faves the Gemini 400x. Dont take my word for it tho, go to a place that demos them and try em all for yaself. At the end of the day its all personnal preference.
Peace.
N
 
does anyone know the exact difference in the basic operating features (eg cue finding/saving and dropping) between denon 1000s and pioneers?im gunna be using some in two weeks, but will have absolutely no practice on them before i go on...... please dont tell me to go to a shop and try them out, i live in cornwall ffs lol!!!

with pioneers you press pause, scroll to cue point then hit cue button....that is then saved until you do same process again......to drop you simple press play, to go back to saved cue point you press cue button.....

whats the crack with the denons?
answers WELL appreciated!! :)
 
Fushion Julz said:
The Numarks are, despite the looks, superbly built and come with excellent features at a price that makes the others look expensive....The CDX1 is, IMHO, again, the best of the "top-range" decks...they feel great, work well and simulate vinyl precisely...The drawback is that they are as big as the TTX1 (full size turntable)
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mate has just bought some of these so i got to have a play.

for me personally, they are the most responsive cd decks ive ever used!! i gave them quite a bit of abuse and they just took it.

the only downside i could see to them is the size, although personally i like the fact they have a full-size platter.transporting them regularly would be pretty wank i reckon.
 
Had our 800's a couple of years now, kept in flight cases at all times. No looking back (: Whether or not they are better I'm pretty certain you wouldn't regret the purchse, but I have no experience on non-pioneer decks...
 
Jim said:
does anyone know the exact difference in the basic operating features (eg cue finding/saving and dropping) between denon 1000s and pioneers?im gunna be using some in two weeks, but will have absolutely no practice on them before i go on...... please dont tell me to go to a shop and try them out, i live in cornwall ffs lol!!!

with pioneers you press pause, scroll to cue point then hit cue button....that is then saved until you do same process again......to drop you simple press play, to go back to saved cue point you press cue button.....

whats the crack with the denons?
answers WELL appreciated!! :)
Click to expand...

Try PMing Oli FTL, I seem to remember he went for the Denons a while back. Good luck mate!

Otherwise try Denon's website/forum if they have one?
 
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