The CDJ 900. Worth its price tag?
I currently own a DJM 800 and two CDJ 1000s mk3’s and in the next year or two will be looking to upgrade to usb compatible CDJ’s. Realistically i want something reasonably priced so have ruled out 2000 or 2000 nxs. 900s and 850s are extremely rare to find second hand and just wondering if anyone would have any idea when 900s and 850s would be marked down? or when pioneer would release are 1900 or something. $1300 australian for 900 is too steep for me.
Pioneer products are never marked down. Keep looking for used ones.
You don’t see many (if any) second hand 850’s or 900’s for less than that to be honest. I’ve been looking since I moved over last May.
1000’s are expensive here though so you’ll get some decent cash for them when you come to sell them.
Forgot to say that my mate has 900’s and they are a pleasure to use. Whether they are worth the cost depends on whether you can afford it and whether you are willing to pay it. Price aside they are one hell of a cd deck. So are the 850’s.
I’m considering the 900’s myself at the moment. But with the release of the 2000 nexus players last year, I’m thinking the 900 nexus will be out before the end of this year. The price will be pretty much the same, just waiting on a spec sheet really.
Not sure that makes sense. The ‘nexus’ badge would add features to the 900 that would put it above the 2000.
Suppose if they decide to discontinue the 2000 maybe? but until then I cant see there being a 900 nexus. I may be proven wrong though.
Own a pair of 900s and love em. I bought the pair used for $1500 though. If you want quantized looping, gotta go with the 900s. Otherwise, 850s should be just fine.
I don’t expect it to add features to put it above the 2000 nexus, but they are bound to do an update. I’m just waiting to see if any of the extras are worthwhile.
Do you use the hot-cues on the 1000mk3s much? This is obviously one of the big trade-offs to get the usb functionality of the 900 (it’s frustrating that Pioneer deem only their flagship players worthy of these). Also worth pointing out the difference in feel between the 900s and 1000s- I know it’s a bit superficial but I found the 900s disappointingly lightweight after the 1000mk3s. This is more a sign of the times though and true of most modern CDJs post-CDJ1000.
I would definately go for the 900s over the 850s however (for Quantize looping etc, Link, and Slip Mode alone), but the price is difficult to stomach on them if you buy new. Second hand they also seem to hold their value well but this does mean if you buy new then you shouldn’t lose too much if you ever sell them.
I brought my CDJ900s brand new and actually managed to trade them back into the store (after about 9-10 months home use) for most of their original value when the Denon SC2900 was finally released. Meant I got to upgrade to the 2900s and got a small bit of cash back too.
The SC2900 is well worth a look as it is essentially a CDJ900 (it has quantize, link, slip mode etc) but with hot cues, jog torque adjust, and (in my opinion) a better jog-wheel. It’s also a bit cheaper.
But if you are set on sticking with Pioneer then I’d go with the 900 (whether it’s worth the price- as with any Pioneer product- only you can decide ), but if not then I’d go and try the 2900. For me it’s the perfect middle ground between the CDJ2000 and the CDJ900, whilst only costing as much an an 850. I also really like that it’s laid out and functions exactly the same as the Pio CDJs I’ve had, so there are no issues with the whole ‘being familiar with Pioneer equipment’ angle.
Also worth pointing out that my experiences of pricing is here in the UK, I can appreciate it may be different overseas.
Get some refurbished directly from Pioneer. You usually will save about 40% from buying new.
they dont seem that much similar and only 300 oz cheaper than 900. I prefer the looping options to hot cues tbh. No rekordbox on denon either which sucks
dig deeper
I have two cdj 900’s and I love them. Pioneer is expensive but they make nice and reliable equipment. buy used if you can. If you wait long enough on Ebay a good deal pops through.
Yeah in the progress of picking up a pair for $1500 australian. Hopefully it happens if not can get 850s for $1200
I really like the CDJ 858-K…try to find one used.
Yes check the buy and sell, I have seen some there! 