I am hoping to upgrade my setup and decided to get a mixer to replace my BCD3000. My choices are either Xone 22 or Ecler Nuo 2.0 . I would like to try both these mixers out side by side to decide what I like best. The guitar centers in my area do not carry Eclers.
Are there any small DJ-focused stores in the Chicago area that would carry these two mixers (and have them connected to something so I can actually test them). I would hate to buy a mixer without really knowing how it is going to sound.
If there isn’t anything small, does anyone have any experience with any Pro-Audio store in the Chicago area that do carry both these mixers in store?
There aren’t any “small” stores like that in the Chicago-Land area. Even more so, those mixers are very common in ANY dj store, but I would recommend looking at Denon gear if you looking something Traktor Scratch Certified (the DN-X600 & DN-X1600).
What I will say is there are a few DJ stores in the area, and I have dealt extensively with them all. Heres my breakdown and quick summary of the stores: [alphabetically]
123dj.com [http://www.123dj.com/]
Breakdown: Big Inventory, Good Deals, Decent Service
Summary: These guys are cool; they are by no means experts of their products, but they do any damage (by lieing) either. From the times I have shopped with them, I have been able to get really good deals on a lot of things. And they are the only store in-town (beside GC) with a real inventory of technic turntables.
Bottom-Line: These guys should be on your list of stores to drop by.
AudioLines [http://www.audiolines.com/]
BreakDown: Huge inventory, very expensive, Bad Deals, Horrible Service
Summary: These guys are probably the biggest store in the area, but to be honest, they are the biggest a**-holes. They think cuz they are big, they are doing you a favor by letting you shop with them and the owner is a even bigger a**-hole.What makes them worse is they sh*t-talk about every other store in the area and they LIE about them. Telling you they are given the best price and no one else has it, which would be far from the truth.
Bottom-line: DON’T shop there, unless ABSOLUTELY necessary
-Expert Audio Center [http://www.expertaudiocenterusa.com/]
BreakDown: Medium Inventory, Great Deals, Decent Service
Summary: These guys are very nice, but similar to 123dj.com, they don’t know that much about their products. Its not really their fault they aren’t licensed to carry a lot of stuff and to be honest, they don’t have a lot of Pro gear. They have a lot of beginner equipment, but if you ever need a last minute rental or some adapter, they’ll have it. They really push Numark brand, but thats because thats the most reputable label they carry. And by pushing, they don’t do any harm (you can see right through it).
Bottom-Line: Not a lot of pro stuff, but really good prices on the stuff they do have.
Midwest Pro Sound & Lighting [http://www.midweststereo.com/]
Breakdown: Big Inventory, Ok Deals, Good Service
Summary: These guys were the most knowledgable of the stores I have dealt with. But they suffer from some of the same elements as AudioLines; they can be jerks sometimes. Though they carry good brands, if they feel your not serious about the purchase they may not give you enough attention. And with all that knowledge there is some arrogance.
Bottom-Line: They should be one site you check with when shopping
Last but not a Chicago store, agiprodj.com is probably the best store I have ever shopped with. They gave great advice, have a technical hotline incase anything goes wrong and really follow-up. I bought an odyssey bag from them (for $80) and when it broke 2 weeks later, they were very attentive to make sure I got a new one right away. These guys really are experts, and they only carry great gear, and will give you the best price. If it was something I didn’t need right away, I would buy from them, even if I didn’t see the product, just trusting their advice.
Hope that helps, you can contact me direct anytime if you have other questions.
Thanks so much for taking the time to write all of that. The closest thing I have ever really been to was a Guitar Center. I do most of my purchases online so I don’t have much experiences with actual brick-and-mortar stores. I will definitely check out these stores (maybe not Audiolines hah).
Thanks for recommending the Denon - I shall take a look at it.
This place I discovered over Xmas… North suburbs however. Way north. They have a showroom however limited. Prices seemed fairly competitive at the time.
