Urei 1601S VS Ecler Nuo4
I have the Ecler. I love the build quality, sound quality, buttery smooth EQs, and faders, but I decided that the wide band on the MID-EQ isn’t for me.
I’ve been trying to use less decks to help me simplify my mixing and to see what comes out of the process.
On the Urei: I like the LEDs, channel meters, compact size, sampler.
Not so keen: Is the layout cramped for someone with big hands?
Pretty Much: Based on the above, is the Build quality, Sound Quality, and Durability of the Urei enough for me to make the switch over?
I can get the Urei for $250, possibly less.
Do you have the Nuo 4 or the Nuo 4.0? Unfortunately I have never had the chance to use an ecler or a urei but they look like great mixers. What exactly don’t you like about the EQ on it? The 4.0 looks pretty sweet with proper meters, the layout of the 1601 looks a little odd to me but I would have to try one and it could be pretty intuitive.
The “problem” on the nuo (the old an new) is that the mid. freq. band is very wide, the hi. freq. is set really high, so it take some time getting used to. But its personal preferences, i totally see that its not for everyone.
I’ve used an urei ( not the s, so no sampler i can’t comment on it), it’s surely a different layout than most mixer, but you get around very fast, i wouldn’t say cramped for sure.
But for that price, i would say def. go for it !
Check the review at skratchworx
http://skratchworx.com/reviews/1601s.php
I’ve got a UREI 1601S. Built like a tank. Been to many gigs with it. Haven’t treated it very well.
I have now managed to break the sampler selector switch however. No biggie as I never really got my head around the sampler. My housemate has big hands and never had a problem with it.
I have the nuo4 and was talking with a guy on DJF who was selling a urei before the site went down. I was going to purchase as a backup/mobile mixer.
I dont remember which 1601 it was but It was well taken care of.
Wish the site hadnt gone down. I could probably have been able to help you more.
Good luck in whichever you choose.
but i would buy the urei just for the price alone.
I’d consider the Urei at $250 if I were looking for something like that, but I’m not sure it’s worth it. When I worked at GC, we had a lot of them get returned.
Considering that Soundcraft (the people who owned the Urei brand when those came out) have basically discontinued all of their DJ gear, I’d be worried about ever getting it serviced if something went wrong.
It’s probably the best battle-style mixer you’re going to get for $250 if that’s what you want, and I’d buy it over a xone:22 if you just want a simple 2-channel mixer. But, I’d be really careful about the condition it was in, because if/when it breaks, you might be SOL.
Thanks for the responses.
I have the Nuo-4 (NOT 4.0)-the High-eq and Mid-eq might as well just be one knob since there’s very little room left for the High-eq knob in terms of frequency range.. On the plus side, the Low-eq does a good job of taking the perfect amount of bass, including kick, to make good acapellas on-the-fly.
I haven’t used the MIDI on the Nuo-4 since I got my Kontrol X1.
On the Urei 1601 series, the Microphone and FX Routing channels double up as audio channels, and I never use more than 3 decks.
It’s supposed to be “Almost New” condition and in the box, wrapped up.
just found out the Urei does NOT have center-detents on the EQs.. 
I think what appealed most to me about the Urei vs Ecler are the LED meters, and the possible improvement in sound quality..?..
Urei-
Pro: individual LED meters, “aural exciter” section
Con: EQ spacing, no EQ center-detent, I dont want to depend on using the sampler for a routine then not be able to use it on a club mixer.
Ecler-
Pro: fat knobs, traditional layout
con: Wide-band range on Mid-EQ, no individual led meters, not easy to see in badly lit environment
I love my 1601s, but unfortunately went to power up the thing and all I heard was a clicking sound 
now I have no idea as to how or where I can get her repaired. I’m in Toronto Canada. Any suggestions would be appreciated.