Controller vs Modular: DDJSX/SX2 or A&H Xone:43c/Numark NDX500

So my Vestax VCI-300 mk2 that I learned on is becoming unreliable at more or less the same time as I've gotten good enough to play out. I'm not a professional DJ, but as an event producer I do get the chance to play on nice sound systems occasionally, and it's time to upgrade. And I'm pretty married to Serato at the moment. I know the controller vs. modular thing has been flogged pretty good, but the ability to get a modular setup that's completely Serato native (not just DVS) for $1400 is new.

I've settled on two options. The first is a Pioneer DDJ-SX/SX2. I could pick up a DDJ-SX with a road case for some $700 on craigslist any given day of the week. A brand-new DDJ-SX2 goes for $1000, and there's definitely comfort in buying new and getting a warranty and a controller that hasn't been gigged to pieces. The other option is a Allen & Heath Xone 43:C with two Numark NDX-500s, which I could swing for about $1400. The modular setup would be nice, especially because I could put away everything except the mixer when I'm not using it, the sound quality would be better, I'd get the fabled Xone filters and effects, and I could theoretically ditch the laptop. But is it worth the extra $400, the powered USB hub, and the loss of certain features? For what it's worth, I do have a good enough system at home to tell the difference in sound quality between different soundcards.

some thoughts for the modular setup

- numark ndx500 don't have a lot going on the screens with serato hid mode so you won't be able to "ditch the laptop" that way
- consider using older Xone mixer with SL card for cost saving and giging options