In the market for a new mixer: Xone 92 too outdated?
Hey all, just recently migrated from DJForums because its been down forever, really need some solid advice.
I know for a fact this has been discussed before, DJM-800 vs. Xone 92, yada yada, and I’m pretty content with an Xone 92 right now.. but do you guys think its too outdated to invest in at this point?
I outgrew my Denon X-120 a year ago but didn’t have the proper funds to get a new mixer, but now I do. I already have Traktor and an Audio 8, so an internal soundcard isn’t really necessary, but what do you guys recommend I do? I’ve got ~$1300 USD I can drop.
Xone 92 will never do a person wrong (so I’ve read), but is it worth investing in since its what, like 7-10 years old? Proaudiostar.com is selling brand new, with warranty, no tax, free shipping, black, Xone 92s for $1250 USD, and that seems to be one of the lowest I’ve found for a new one.
Should I just try and find a used one on Craigslist? Most of the ones I’ve seen posted (rare where I am, Washington D.C.) are $900-1000, or “B-Stock” from vendors for like $1050… and at that rate, why not spend more money, get a warranty, and have it be fresh, amirite?
I appreciate any suggestions! Thanks ahead of time.
Allen and heath are not Pioneer, their gear lasts and they rarely fix things that are not broken.
The '92 is a True club “Standard” mixer at this point and one of their biggest sellers, I genuinely can’t see a discontinuation for the next 3-5 years at least, even then it would probably just be an update (color or something).
Either a Xone or Rane would be my choice with that kinda cash to drop I don’t think you’ll feel let down in 10 years knowing you dropped your cash on it now even if they did release something else.
For the sake of $150 or $200 I’d probably buy new .. just for the “new smell” normally would only buy S/H so thats saying a thing or two.
Thanks, man. I appreciate the quick response. I think you raise a valid point- that’s why I’ve been toying with the idea of a 92 for quite some time. If you think 3-5 years at least before some significant changes, that’ll give me enough time to grow with that mixer, and get more funds before I upgrade to the next thing.
Sometimes I regret selling my 92 but it was replaced with a DB4 so…
As for longevity I wouldn’t worry as others have already stated given the 92’s sound and build quality. It’s destined for hall of fame status and would be a collector’s item in the years to come in terms of its “signature” sound.
Outdated? Hells no. Apart from the 4-band EQ (which I just couldn’t get used to), the Xone:92 is probably the best mixer I’ve ever used, it sounds great, it’s built like a tank, everything is just “right” (except possibly for the logarithmic channel fader curves), and those filters… drool
Crossfader is shit though (if you want to scratch)
Rest of it seems solidly built enough, but at the bars I play where these are the house standard I take my own mixer, or use my VCI (with a Pro-X-Fade) as a midi mixer
The only adjustment you seem to be able to make of the Xone 92 fader is whther or not you have a continuous transitiion of sound or a ‘dip’ in the middle, you cna’t adjust the cut in or the curve - whilst I’m sure this is fine for the majority of EDM, it’s a PITA for mixing old funk/hip-hop.
From looking at a copy of the manual I downloaded on an iPhone screen whilst trying to play records in a club (so I’ve done some, rather frantic, research) I couldn’t see an obvious way of doing this
Just had another look - it claims that the crossfader sharpness can be adjusted, using the crossfader knob
“Turning the crossfade curve control fully anticlockwise gives a progressive curve with a dip (4dB) in the centre position. Rotating the control clockwise gradually reduces the centre dip and sharpens the attack. Fully clockwise the response is almost instantaneous and full signal level is reached as soon as the crossfader knob is moved from its end stop.”
I worked out the dip bit, but the instanataneous cut seemed to be a bit pansy - maybe it was just a slightly knackered mixer where I was playing?
The xone92 is the LesPaul of the Dj world: signature sound, built like a tank, coveted.
i don’t think you’ll be regretting. while this is not a good mixer for hip hop (faders too long, 4 eqs), I personally can’t live without it. As for the 4 eqs, I know a lot of people don’t ‘get’ them but I just love em. The 4 vs 3 eqs is one of the things that’s keeping me for updating to the DB2.
My only beef with this mixer is the record out levels that are too low. But that’s it.
i bought a brandnew xone92 about two weeks ago and i researched LONG if their is a other equipment out there which better fits my needs or is built in better quality, but i didn’t found one ;o)
never thought one second about something like “out dateiness” its just the best analouge dj mixer ever built (for edm, which is the sound i play ;D)
and until someone builds a better one this will stay like this ^^
(and it looks like the other companys not even try xD)
The x-fader can be upgraded in the 92 anyway, if no amount of credit-card-modding helps. I’m not sure I can compare my new 42’s xfader to it, don’t think it’s the same Penny&Giles part but the cut-in could be reduced on it for sure if that’s any indication.
To weigh in favour of the 92 even more : I have a 42, I still lust over a 92 just to get the two filters and some taste of the 4band eq again..