Technics SL-DZ1200 V Pioneer CDJ1000 MkII

Anyone use either of these that can comment on the pros and cons im in the market for new CD players and these are my options, I love mixing vinyl and want to recreate the feel with CD's, the vinyl lovers amongst us will know what I mean !!!

For me, Pioneer CDJ1000 every time, so easy to use and full of features. The Technics does have a headphone socket and plays mp3 cds though, but it is not nice to use, and the display is rubbish.

Now Gary will tell you to get the DN-S5K

Strike the Technics off the list straight away. Put simply its got problems, which affect the audio when the Pitch Lock is used during scratching especially and during basic "vinyl-like" handling eg: nudging/dabbing the platter to keep beat matched tunes in sync.

Technics have always claimed that the deck had user-upgradable software, via the SD/flash card port, but a quick look at the Technics SLDZ forum shows that users calls for software bug fixes have gone unanswered and unresolved for over a year.

Pioneer, on the other hand have released no less than 5 software versions rigidly programmed inside the un-upgradable CDJ-1000 - four versions shipped inside the MK1 over its 5 years of active retail, with the purchaser getting whatever software version happened to be current at the time. (if you hold down "loop out/exit) for about 5 seconds, it'll display its software version ID).

The fifth version of CDJ-1000 software was in the MK2, which also had the digital output socket upgraded to work even when doing "dj things" like adjusting the pitch/speed of the track, and the MK2 also got a 10% brighter display and a trendy silver rim to the platter.

If you're looking for a cd-deck with ultra realistic sounding and vinyl-handling cd-deck then take a look at the Denon DN-S5000 (just like Brian said I'd say)

Theres a review of it in the DJU audio reviews, and several DJU members use them.

im a vinyl fan, i had this choice to make not so long ago.

i love the sldz's looks a feel.

But after playing with them all, im now the proud owner of dns5000's

pioneer are very good but the s5000 does so much more.....

come over for a demo5

Balls!! now you got me thinking i'll take a look at the DN-S5000 as well...

Cheers

I don't own either, but have played with both, and the Denon in dealers and at Plasa. Here are my views:

Pioneer CDJ1000 MkII
Easy to use, as I'm used to Pioneer CD players, but only having scratched with turntables in the past, I found the stationary platter hard to use. (I'm used to the feel of the platter pulling my fingers around on the forward movement. If you scratch by lifting your finger off on the forward movement, this won't be an issue.)

Technics SL-DZ1200
The sexiest looking deck. The moving platter feels very good, but the deck has no pitch bend buttons for keeping the mix in. This seams like a rather obvious thing to miss out. OK, you could pull and push like on a turntable, but personally I push by twisting the spindle, which the deck doesn't have one due to the display. The effects are pretty crap as well. This is one for the turntablist that just likes to scratch and cut. Not good for long running mixes.

Denon DN-S5000
Doesn't feel as good as the Technics, but not far off - you just need a lighter hand for scratching. Feature wise, this deck is amazing. Especially being able to scratch and mix two different tracks off the same CD together! This is the deck I would buy (although I'm thinking that my next move may be to PC, if I can find a controller that comes close to this deck).

The Denon pitch lock is inferior to the Pioneers.

Technics = Digital distrotion to the MAX!!!! stay away from them!!!!!

HAS to be the S5000's you will love them