Time for a New Mixer. Opinions Please!

[Gryz]

I have the Xone 42 and like it a lot, but I do want to try something else as well. I do not want to wait for the DB2, it's just too much for me to spend to be honest.

The two I chose to research a bit more are the usual DJM800, and the bit more interesting Ecler Evo 4. I like them both a lot but am mainly interested in them since I can have an FX section when I choose not to run software and they are both midi capable when I do use Traktor.

The other way I am leaning is the Ecler Nuo 4.0. It is also a 4 channel mixer but with no midi of FX. It does have FX return both post and pre fader but don't really see myself purchasing an external FX unit. I do use Traktor most of the time, but when I am not running software, I lose the FX I would have with the Evo 4.

The DJM and Evo are about evenly priced, and the Nuo is about half of their price. Worth the extra money just for BPM based effects? Or stick with Traktor and the cheaper Nuo.

Thoughts? Comments on sound quality? Dislikes if you have used either?

Danke!

[Gryz]

Anybody? I thought you guys love voicing your opinions!

[Fubar]

I've had NUO series mixers and they are very good, therefore my biased opinion rolls ecler over pioneer any time in quality and sound color. EVO vs NUO is a harder call. It really depends on how you like to mix and what do you really need.

[Gryz]

Thank you for your thoughts. Duly noted

Edit: I would also like the throw the Xone 92 in the mix with the DJM and Evo. What do you say now?

[Fubar]

Thats a harder one, Xone is a very good values product now that the price has dropped to a reasonable level after DB-series launched. Out of all of those, I'd most likely go for 92 if I found a good deal.

Pros and cons:

DJM:
+Standard equipment
+Easy to maintain, dealers in every corner
+Lots of techy stuff for those that like it, MIDI
-Sound color techy
-Build quality less than perfect
-Crap fx (IMO)

Xone:
+A&H quality
+Filter
+Simple layout
-Not much for the fx-people

NUO:
+Best value
+Quality near to A&H for half the price
+Love the knobs, my nuo worked for me for 5 years in harsh use with no maintenance and still working without ANY issues with the new owner after 8 years.
-No fx integrated

EVO:
+Ecler quality in sound and build
+Midi
- Not standard stuff, may up the learning curve if you're new to pioneers mixers

[Gryz]

Tough decision.

Thanks for the pros and cons Fubar. You are a gentleman and a scholar and your desire to help others should be bottled up like a fine wine.

[djproben]

I have the Ecler Evo 5 so it's really not on your list, but if the 4 is anything like the 5 this is an amazing mixer. The sound quality is phenomenal, really nice, and the build quality is solid. The knobs feel great to mix with and the crossfader is like butter -- I don't have the "eternal" crossfader but the regular one that's built on it is amazing to scratch with - no annoying clicking noises and nice clean cuts. I love this mixer though I am still considering pulling the trigger on the DB2 or DB4 so you might see it come up for sale soon, probably in this price range There are things on the Evo5 that aren't on the Evo4 (the effects crossfader in particular, which is really cool), but I am sure the sound quality and the build quality is the same. I really do like Ecler mixers; fiddled with a Nuo 3 some time ago and heard it in action and was also very impressed with sound quality. Also the Evo 5 is TSP certified, which is great if you like to use timecode. It's the one thing holding me back a bit from the DB4. Unfortunately I don't think the Evo4 is certified.

Pioneer is Pioneer. Their mixers are nothing to sneeze at - there's a reason they're industry standard - but they're not known for sound quality, great effects, or build quality. They won't fall apart on you, but you won't start getting wood every time you adjust an EQ. On the other hand, the advantage to industry standard is you know what to expect anywhere with it, you won't have any trouble finding parts if it ever comes to that, and if you have other DJs play with it you won't have to spend fifteen minutes explaining where everything is.

My experience with the Xone 92 is minimal but its reputation is outstanding. There are some rotary 92s on ebay for about $1100 or at least there were last time I looked; if you like a rotary mixer that's a great deal. But you can probably find a regular one under $1k which is a good deal. It's known for the filters of course, and the sound quality, and build quality... light years ahead of the DJM in every way.

[Gryz]

Thanks Proben! Your review is very tempting for me to pick up the Evo 4!

I just don't know if I can justify the almost double price of the Evo vs the Nuo when I use Traktor. I do have an X1 so I can map midi controls to that.
Djm is out, Xone is still up in the air...

Heck, I even wondering if the Nuo is even an upgrade to my 42. Do you think the Xone is a better mixer?

[Jeff Scott]

Sorry to maybe mess your decision up again but I would seriously look at a Denon DNX 1600 aswell, its an amazing mixer so flexible in what you can do with it. 4 channels, full midi, 4 channel sound card, FX section, a sweet crossfader and more!

[Gryz]

The Denon has been recommended to me also. I don't know, there's just something about it that turns me away. It's probably very good, but for the money, I would still lean Ecler.

Well after some more reading, looks like the 92 is not fully midi mappable like the Evo. Pioneer is out, which leaves me with the Evo on my higher budget end.
On the middle budget, I do like the Nuo, but don't know if it is worth trading for my 42. Thoughts there?