Cheap mixers: Numark M3 or Master Audio DJ-843

[AndreasBN]

So i'm looking for a cheap mixer, and i have my eyes on either the Numark M4 or Master Audio DJ-843.

Here are their respective specs:

Numark M4 (http://www.numark.com/product/m4)

Inputs:

Line: 10K ohm input impedance; 80mV RMS sensitivity for 0dB output
Mic: 600 ohm input impedance unbalanced; 1.5mV RMS sensitivity for 0dB output; 400mV RMS max input
Phono: 47k ohm input impedance; 1.3mV RMS sensitivity @ 1kHz for 0dB output
Outputs:

Line: 7V RMS max
Headphone: 0.5W into 47ohm
Signal to Noise Ratio:

(maximum output JIS-A weighted)
Line: Better than 100dB
Mic: Better than 95dB
Phono: Better than 85dB
Frequency response:

Line: 20 – 20,000 Hz ±0.5dB
Mic: 20 – 15,000 Hz ±0.5dB
Phono: ±1dB; -3dB attenuation at 20 Hz to reduce rumble and feedback
Channel Equalizer:

Bass: +12 / -35dB at 20 Hz
Mid: +12 / -25dB at 1.3 kHz
Treble: +12 / -20dB at 15 kHz
Channel fader kill: Better than 90dB at 1 kHz
Crossfader kill: Better than 75dB
Crosstalk: Better than 80dB at 1 kHz
Distortion: Less than 0.05%
- See more at: http://www.numark.com/product/m4#sthash.l2yjjoa9.dpuf




DJ Mixer 4 channels, Audio Master DJ843 (http://www.dba.dk/dj-mixer-4-kanaler...r/id-97000928/)

Input Sensitivities:
Phono 5mV/47kOhm
CD/Line 200mV/10kOhm
Micro 1mV/2kOhm

Output levels:
Balanced Out +21 dB
Master (unbal.) +12 dB
Aux -6dBm
Rec -6 dBm
Headphones 0.5W/8-600 Ohm

Tone controls
High -12/+26 dB (12 kHz)
Mid -12/+26 dB (1 Hz)
Low -12/+26 dB (80Hz)


Weight 3.4
Frequency Response 25 Hz - 30 kHz (-3dB)
Distortion THD <0.02% 1 Hz
Dimensions (HxWxD) 98 x 295 x 310 mm


Which one should i pick based on the specs? and the price is about 100 usd for Numark and about 60 usd for DJ-843 (i'm living in denmark)

[the_bastet]

DJ-843 because it is not the numark.

[deevey]

Which one should i pick based on the specs?

NEITHER !

I'm being serious. Specs mean nothing on most low end audio gear.

While I'm not a great fan of Numark Mixers, I've played on plenty, owned a few and used to work in a Numark Dealership and I've never come across one of their mixers that could not take a beating, even the low end ones even if they did rattle a little when shaken

They sound a lil "dull" IMHO - but really hard to beat for the money and better built internally than alot of other low-end brands (e.g. Gemini).

I'd certainly take a Numark any day over a No-Name $60 OEM thingamajig which the "Audio Master" appears to be.

Personally I'd try and pick up a secondhand Vestax, Pioneer or something like that depending how many channels you need - DJM300's seem to go for around $100 secondhand in decent condition.

[overcast]

I've had Numark mixers too and I can attest to the fact that they can take a beating. If you're looking for something cheap to get you into DJing, Numark isn't a bad choice to go with.

That being said, it will be very hard to resell if you ever try to get rid of it. Used marketplaces are usually filled with more experienced folks, so no one is going to want to buy your Numark M6 (which I'm trying to unload right now)

[AndreasBN]

Okay, thanks for the replies guys - will look into the numark because i need at least 3 channels for both for my play style and for my NI audio 6

[Chris Lange]

plastic knobs on the numark mixers are a PITA. I had a Numark M6 for about 3 weeks before I got so fed up with the thing I almost chucked it out the window. Ended up saving my pennies for a few months and using my NI Z1 to tide me over till I got a Xone:62. Moved up to a :92 last summer and haven't looked back. I would look for a used Xone:62 if you're looking for audio quality and that style of multi-channel mixing. Can't stand the feel of Pioneer mixers personally, their knobs always feel "grainy" to me and I'm not a fan of the way they sound. You could do far, far worse than a used Xone:62 in half-way decent condition, and they are relatively easy to repair if a fader or pot goes bad. I changed two line faders on my 62 in less than 10-15 minutes.

[AndreasBN]

plastic knobs on the numark mixers are a PITA. I had a Numark M6 for about 3 weeks before I got so fed up with the thing I almost chucked it out the window.

How is the plastic different and annoying?

[Chris Lange]

How is the plastic different and annoying?

They are hard, non-rubberized plastic with coarse edges. They are not enjoyable to use one bit.

[johney]

^ never had an issue with that, rubberized knobs that are torn up are much worse imo :P

i and my mate went halves on an M2 and it's going strong after 2+ years, but all the knobs' curves are pretty bad. Not sure if this is same with M4.
They have a big 'deadzone' from 12 to 9 o clock (EQs) and gains are feeling similar, as are the faders.
You can get used to it pretty easily though, i actually enjoy mixing on the mixer a lot.

anyway out of those 2 you should deffo go with the Numark