Being looking around at buying a pair of CDJs and wondered if anyone has ever
used the Pioneer CDJ1000MKII, the previous version was the industry standard
and now they've got the MKII out.
What Im trying to find out is any problems anyone has had or know off, Ive been
thru a few of the Pioneer 'freak' forums and there have been a few hassles mainly
by what I would think is down to careless use.

I know they're darn right exspensive but Im going to wait till August I think as I hope the prices will fall, if they dont then Im off to the USA to buy them (pair)
UK price £699 each x2 = £1398
USA price $999.96 =£555.62 x2 = £1111.24
Might aswell grab a flight over there for the savings and spend a weeks holiday
umm not a bad idea, but will it happen.

Cheers

Save your money and buy the denons or new technics cd players they ar a million miles better than the pio's also if you bring stuff back from the us you may get stung by import tax

The CDJ~1000mkII is viciously overpriced, for a cd deck which offers only 3 hotstarts and one seamless loop. The unit that the MKii was based on, the mKI, has also had big problems with some brands of CDR and also a hate of anything other than very clean mains power...eg: no wandering voltages, no spikes in the power.. so the Pioneer forums are littered with posts recommending Power Conditioners...whether or not importing CDJs back into this country would be a good idea, when thinking about running a voltage dropper & a power conditioner at the same time.

If you're after a cd~deck which costs the same, or in fact slightly less, than the Pioneer MkII, and does infinately more, then take a look at the Denon DN~S5000...

Alpha track: enables you to mix 2 tracks from the same CD at the same time, into different channels of your mixer, at different pitches, with full cueing.

Hot Disc: eject the playing cd, itll still play and/or loop while you load and cue your next track

4 hot starts

4 seamless loops (including the ability to play loops over other loops)

Seamless splice, for removing unwanted sections of track

2 x 15 second samplers (loopable and reversable)

Motorised platter for that real old vinyl turntable feel

user replacable cd~drive

User upgradable software, via a data cd, free from Denon website

5000 memo points for instant recall of favourite loops, splices, hotstarts, cue points and pitch

Two units can be linked to share their memo points, so you dont have to remember which deck you stored the memos for "that" disc, on.

MP3 playing, looping etc

MP3 search by artist name, song title etc, even while the unit is playing another mp3

Also, several members of this forum own them already, including me.





For the same price

LMAO i was waiting for ya to come along gary i knew you would be able to give a better argument rather than my post. the only reason i would buy a pio is that if i only ever played in the same club every night and that club had a pio and if the pio's were 200 pounds cheaper

btw i own the denon dn-s5000 but was a pio lover before i used a denon

Lol - Gary can sniff a Pioneer post out in seconds!.

Also bear in mind that buying in from another Country means that the UK Service Depts won't touch it with a barge pole. Meaning either paying for the repair yourself or shipping it back to the US for any warranty issues.

Goods bought in from Europe / Far East / US are called Grey Imports, and service depts can tell them from UK versions by their serial numbers. Very Few manufacturers will honour the warranty if shipped / taken to another country after purchase (they tell you to take it back to the shop you purchased it from), so bear this in mind if you decide to have a holiday

For straight beat-mixing tempo's, then yes, the Pioneer is a good standard setter and has a nice 'feel'. However, if you are looking for that little bit more, then the above suggestions are worth considering.

The MkII's have had a lot of criticism from Pioneer users, true. From technical points, pricing, function and even flight-case mounting.

The Mixers Pioneer introduced for 'mixing systems' vary as much as the CD players. Although many top clubs are happy with the Pioneer Mixer for durability, there are many other top quality choices around.
The DJM600, in my opinion, is not as good as the DJM500 in output quality, especially microphone quality and EQ.

Sometimes it can be very difficult to judge which way to turn when it comes down to purchasing any piece of equipment.
If you can, why not get a demo of the Denon, Pioneer and other makes, and also see if you can have a 'test' your self.

You may also wish to have a look at the mp3 based 'hardware add-ons' that are emerging as competent 'straight beat-mixers'.

BTW, I use the Pioneer Mk II's for straight mixing - they're fine for that!

Regards

Excellent response, thanks a stake and Im considering looking into the Denons
as they were my 2nd choice, why? I dont know. (sob)

Gee here I thought I was in love with Pioneer, have there 5 star DVD player,
Wicked Car radio, (I wont brag, promise)

But as WITH any product there'a always problems, the Pioneer offers 'Lagoto link'
which seriously improves on sound from a CD like no other and that is a bonus as
we all know nothing beats a quality needle skimming a BLACK dics, ok vinyl

I suppose what I need to ask myself is am I going to change my style of mixing,
do I need all these extra features that both Pioneer and Denon offer, I tend to
phase mix alot, depending of course on the type of gig but maybe I should expand
my style more, if not what the heck, why not.
As for mp3 Im not interested until better quality bitrates are achieved in which
I might aswell stay with the true wav form, just bare in mind that BLUE ray is on
our doorstep and offers sound quality thats unbeliveable.
By the way I see there are also problems with Denon so hell knows but one things
for sure I wont import as I realised that just after my posting of this topic

Once agin thanks for the replys, much appreciated
Cheers

I wouldnt worry about Legato link, your audience wont. Especially once any/all the Legato benefits disappear in the audio's passage through the rest of the sound system.

The NICE thing about the couple of problems on the Denon's is that Denon released free of charge, software upgrades to correct them. Have a look at www.dn-s5000.com, which is a user group site for, you've guessed it..the Denon DN-S5000.

The not-so-nice thing about free of charge software updates, which incidently take just a couple of minutes to install, is that reviews and some dealers arent used to having to change their views, and update their sales staff with the new features. So, if you've read somewhere about a problem, its probably already been fixed via software updates.

So what actually put you guys off Pio, they do have a reputation and note that alot
of big clubs use the MKI and MKIIs but I DO like the fact that you can change
the drive units on the Denons, this definetly a serious +, dont get me wrong Im
not knocking the DENONS and as we converse Im looking for legite reviews
I would appreciate any links if possible to such reviews ie mag sites etc but
for obvious reasons not retailers, Im sure the BIG 'en here would approve.....

I must admit - if I was using any gear that 'powered off' or 'shut-down' during a performance, I would be very annoyed.

That said, from experience, I really can't complain about the Pioneer gear - except for the price tag.

If Denon support their product like you say, then Pioneer have a lot to learn.

It's rare for me to actually be 100% satisfied with a product - and the Pioneers I have would be in the 95% bracket!

But when I have to upgrade again - I'll give the future Denon's a very good examination first!

Dont worry, we know you're not knocking anything £600+ (per item) is alot to spend on anything.

What put me off the Pio's, was software (The MKI had 4 software revisions, each about 9 months apart), each of which needed the unit to be returned to Pio for 2~3 weeks). Software let Pio users down again on their CMX-5000 units (Dont worry hugmaster - only serial numbers lower than 0002600...)... even the CDJ-800 has a software hiccup, but you've got to be playing in a very shakey, bouncey, environment to replicate the fault (its to do with the Anti-shock buffer not being emptied/wiped between disc changes).

As for reviews, The DN-S5000 is effectively half of the DN-D9000 (the Denon dual CD-deck), but obviously the 5000 has a motorised platter for scratching, but other than that, the features are very similar. So, have a read of the in-depth review of the DN-D9000, here on DJU.

Remember that any "old" reviews on the DN-S5000 will not be covering software enhancements, released free on the Denon website.

Incidently, the product placement of Pioneer gear in clubs, has a fair bit to do with Pioneers "interesting deals" that they offer some of the higher profile clubs. This is especially true of quite a few "big name" DJ's also being given "freebie" gear.

The CDJ-1000mkII is a really nice £199 unit. Unfortunately Pioneer want about 3.5 times that amount.

A tag which its good build quality, but lack of features, doesnt justify anymore. 4 years ago, the MKI was fairly unique and the price tag was fairly £unique too, but the MKII was more of a bug-fix, than a sensational new model, bursting with new and exciting features.

If you've got any questions about the 5000, and its functions, just post them up here on DJU, and about 5 of us will be able to answer.

Ok, Im looking at the denon s5000 single units (Im not into rack mounted players)
and the price is not that much cheaper, one thing loking at the denons right now is
those large pause/play buttons, are they easily pressed as i can see a few mishaps
is so.
The plus isde has got to be the replaceable drive unit and could easily be changed
by the look of things in a matter of say 2 minutes tops.
Pity it doesnt have a IEC socket on the rear, maybe the newer production run has?
Another annoying thing on ALL these single CDJs is there dispays are flat, they
should have manufactured them on a 45 degree angle for easier eye contact
I see Pioneers VDJ has the display angled, but who in the blue heavens is going
to really use DVD mixing, I cant think of anything more boring than having
screens all over the bloody place.

I'll keep adding as I go and thanks for these prompt replies so far, really swell.

The display "cover" on the DN-S5000 is flush, but beneath it, the display is angled by about 5~10degree's. Also the entire unit will perform normally with upto a 15degree tilt.

I've not activated the large play/pause buttons accidently, to my recollection, indeed their size is good for stutter starting. Their location sets them aside from any of the "during play" buttons eg: Pitch slider, Pitch bend, alpha track, loops, splices, samplers etc.

Incidently, a couple of interesting features that prevent accidents from happening...like several CD-decks, the Denon's wont eject a playing CD if you tap the eject button.

However, nearly all CD-decks will let you leave your audiences in stunned silence by allowing you to nudge the "Next Track" or "Previous Track" buttons, mid play...The Denon's dont. A recent software enhancement added "Play Lock" to the DN-S5000's feature list. With Play Lock "on", you can only change tracks if the CD isnt playing.

I share your views on DVD mixing...will "Notting hill" really mix in well with "Bridget Jones Diary"? during the snow scene intrumental maybe?. Just kidding. I dont see anyone other than a few clubs coughing up around £3000 for a pair of the DVDJ-1's (or whatever the model number is). Scratching and looping DVD music videos is a bizarre failure to my mind.

The IEC sockets are the "kettle" leads, that are used for 240volt. Uhmm, computers and monitors have them.

Its always a fine balance, whether its better to have a removable lead, which is better for packing away/unpacking, but "might" fall out accidently mid-gig, or to haev a captive lead, which goes straight into the back of the unit, which can never fall out, but has to be rolled carefully up when packing the unit away.

Yes, yes up till now I was convinced the Pioneer was the way too go, but it looks
like Im slowly changing my views about the CDJ market and Denon is comming
out with more plus's than the negatives, after reviewing their specs in detail its
a sure winner and it looks like I'll be going the Denon route once I can get my
hands on a pair of both makes to try, I'll be deciding on which way to go
Thanks so far for those excellent posts.

Cheers

Check out the vids:

[COLOR=red]PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE WEBSITES WHICH CONTAIN MATERIAL UNSUITABLE FOR MINORS.

Denon - Your link has been removed by a moderator since the site contains porn and adult links the posting of which are against our rules and common sense.

Please excercise a little more discretion - we have a large number of minors on this forum and by advertising and making pornographic material available to them, is against our rules and that of our hosts. This type of behaviour is NOT acceptable here and is illegal within the UK.

This is not the type of behaviour that I would expect from somebody who is here representing a leading manufacturer, nor will it be tolerated here. Your IP details are logged, and should you continue to behave in this manner then I will have no hesitation in reporting your behaviour to the abuse department of the ISP in which it was posted from.

WOOHAA THERE HOLD ON!

Yes, the link was correctly edited and removed from DJU. However a little explanation is required, and the IP threats weren't.

The link linked to a site, run by a DJ who has made a number of DJ performance video's and posted some pretty good video clips on his webpage of DJ'ing in action.

The same site also features a few video clips which, shall we say, have nothing whatso ever to do with DJ'ing, and are indeed of a more adult nature, and as such have no interest to DJU members, and no place being on a link.

Still out of order and it seems this gentleman tends to cause a fuss whenever he posts,I bet the denon company are very proud to have him onboard and having their name linked to such interesting adult sites

For 100% safe links to video clips for the DN-S5000, and the new DN-X1500 mixer try any of the "video Clip icons" on here

Denon's own main website.

i have one, my dad has 2 and i intend to buy another.... the denon beats the pioneer all the way

i would strongly recomend you dont get the pioneer, and especialy not this dvd thing theyre doing? the dn-s5000 is the ulitmate cd turntable and i recomend it to anyone!

I don't see why "Denon" should be above the rules on this forum just because of whom he is associated with, I prefered to deal with the gentleman in question, as I would tend to deal with anybody else who thought that it was okay to post links to or containing any adult or obscene material on here, especially since it would be me, personally, who would be liable for any fall out from it. I had also noticed that his signature had been edited to remove his full name and position at Denon, before the link had been posted! - Coincidence?.

Gary, would you have wanted your Children to accidentally come across such material when browsing the internet? - especially when clicking a link professing to be promoting an "innocent" subject such as Denon Equipment, which would be of course be of interest to all ages - especially the younger members. This forum is advertised as a safe place to visit for all age groups and will remain so, I really don't see why we should allow a person with a handful of posts to jeopordise that.

There is enough of this material around the internet and sent via email without us promoting it on here.

To my knowledge there was no warning given on the post, to warn against the other material contained on the website and that is just plain irresponsible. I would have to wonder at the reason why innocent material and that of a more adult nature was even sharing the same space and freely accesible to all ages without any form of age disclaimer. I believe that adult hosting has some very strict guidelines, it is certainly forbidden on our hosts without a licence and some form of password protection / disclaimer.

Since you have indeed linked to safe PG rated video material containing similar information, I would have to wonder at Why "Denon" wasn't aware of these and didn't provide the same links??. Surely being associated with DENON itself, he is more than capable of providing links to genuine video material contained on Denon Webspace and knowing their existance?.

Many younger members have disclosed their age at some point on their posts, and it is evident to even the occasional vistior that we have a large number of under 16's visting the forum. Had I have posted something like this - then no doubt that I would have been heavily criticised - you should see the amount of complaints that I receive from people regarding the amount of swearing that goes on here. People do complain, and take serious exception to this sort of thing.

Luckily Karen edited the post quickly, however had our host been made aware of this issue or any formal complaint have been made, then I could be facing immediate termination of the hosting account - forums have been closed in the past for far less of a reason.

Where do we draw the line at any "exceptions"?? - Would you prefer pornographic material to be here?, If you prefer, then I'm happy to cover the site in porn popups, the traffic it creates is more than enough to make it worth my while.

To say that i'm seriously annoyed at this point, would be an understatement.

Chris,

I really don't know what the fuss is all about.
My original link was 100% genuine to demo videos and neither of porn nor does it have links to adult sites!
There is one video that may be considered inappropriate for minors, (which is password protected anyway) but even that video is suitable for public television like BAYWATCH. The girls in the gallery are CAR MODELS with clothes on, no nudity whatsoever. I would never post links to porn or adult sites, please people.

Thanks for your understanding.

Hold fire! The reason I edited was because anything of a "hot babe" nature to me doesnt warrant investigating to see how hard/soft core it is... By the very fact that the link is accessed by a password would, in my opinion, give any minor the incentive to investigate further! Any link of this nature will be removed by myself and other mods im sure - and crispy doesnt have to go "public" explaining himself. It is his forum and his rules. Lets not get into a heated debate about it - just respect that what one person may see as "tame" may seem totally out of order to a parent and those taking the responsibel role of trying to keep out any level of porn on the already overrun www!!



Right then, these denon cd players... are they the brand new ones retailing at approx £275 plus vat? If so, I can happily report that Del took them out to road test at the uni last night and rates them very highly.

Whether you choose denon or pioneer its personal taste.... just because you own one make doesnt make it better than another - this comes from me, who incidentally owns both denon and pioneer!

kazzachi,

With all due respect, I'm sorry but your wrong.
The reason the link is password protected is to NOT exceed his monthly bandwidth, as it is a very large file. The content is safe enough to view on public TV, sorry. Who else other than YOU actually seen the page to verify my good intensions?

Denon.... Can you show me where in my post I wrote anything about bandwidth?

Did you read the post properly before telling me that my opinion is wrong?

Being a mother of 3 children - one of whom is a teenager, I can tell you with 100% certainty that if a teen comes across a site with a link to anything that is "password protected" - the first thing that will be done is to gain access to see what the forbidden fruit is. Whether the "models" linked to your site were clothed or not, the link was suggestive and as such, would appeal kids trying to look at porn sites - as I said "hot babes" is synonomous with "porn" on the www. Perhaps responsible, protective parents such as myself, would deem any link with a "hot babe" description not suitable for the younger surfer. I did say that I did not deem it necessary to even bother to look at the link in question - word association and all that.

Im also interested why your "good intentions" of including a link to what could be deemed as a "porn site" (due to the wording) are beneficial to anyone? If your target market is people who would be interested in seeing "dolly birds" on cars then I dont think that says a lot for denon! Fortunately though, all my denon products are bought from people who dont think I need to be inticed to buy them because they show "hot babes" on a web site to get my interest!

I am sure I dont have to tell you that an "opinion" CANT be WRONG - it is my opinion, and however much you might disagree, it is my opinion and I find it very bold of you to tell me it is wrong.

Can we please get this topic back on track..... Wasnt is supposed to be about PIONEER - great strategy though Denon!

Talking of Pioneer....wait till you see the new surprise they launch......that'll be interesting on the forum debates!!!!!

Exactly (he said hopefully, but not expecting much)...we've had risque'r stuff on here in mere signature blocks/avatars.;)

The topic was, if I recall, was "has anyone tried the Pioneer CDJ1000 mkII?"

In short, if you've tried the 5year old mk1, you dont need to try the mk2. The differences are slight.

*An extra pitch range on the pitch slider

* A silver ring around the platter

* slightly brighter display (for djing in bright situations)

* The digital out on the mk1 only worked with the pitch control at Zero, this has been resolved on the mk2 ;digital out works at any pitch.

*The software/firmware encompasses all 4 software debug revisions of the mk1's various incarnations.

If looking at some kind of tabletop platter'ed cddeck, do indeed compare the mk2 with the DN-S3000, or better still the DN-S5000, both cheaper, and more functional than the Pioneer mk2,
. But its all down to personal taste of course, so try to get a "hands on" if at all possible.

Just to add to Gary's excellent info....

For multi-format mixing (DVD, CD, CD/R CD/RW)
Look out also for innovative products like the Numark DVD01 - another DVD mixing system priced currently at around $1100.00 - with apparently more or less the same features of the Pio X1..... but with a lot more to offer than Pio's £999.99inc VAT price tag (Seim-official UK launch April 04)!

Apparently, the CDJ100mkII can be purchased as low as £599 per unit if anyone wanted to hunt around the length and bredth of the UK (but there may be hidden small print - at your own risk!!!)


Looks like 2004 will be good for the consumer, eh Gazza!

Cough Cough