Pioneer CDJ1000 vs Denon DHHS5500

[shanesmith243]

I am tossing up the decision to buy either 2 x CJD1000's or 2 x DHHS5500's, however as I haven't used the Denon product, wanted to ask the opions of the ITM'ers who may have used both.

Have you used both products? What is your opinion on both?

My requirements are fairly simple. I don't plan on ever playing in clubs, however private parties etc.. more likely. I do like the Denon feature of interfacing with a hard drive.

However, as the prices are very similar don't want to make the costly mistake of buying one product only to wish 3 months later I'd made a different choice.

Thanks in advanced.

[pomrocks]

i havent used the denon unit, i've used some of their other cd players and quite liked them.

though i'd think that the DHHS5500 is more comparable to the Pio CDJ400 rather than the CDJ1000.

If you want the cabability to play from laptop/hard drive as well as CD's then the either the DHHS5500 or CDJ400 is the go. I think that the CDJ1000 is a bit of overkill for home use (as much as i love them)

There's a big thread on the CDJ400 id suggest having a read though that.

Plus go into a store that has both and have a fiddle

[hoppuspears]

i love 1000's that is all

[Garthyboy]

I own a pair of DNS-3500's and play on a pair of CDJ1000's regularly

The only feature I think that Pioneer have the up on, is the play and cue buttons
Occasionally the buttons on the Denon don't fire if you hit them off centre - eg right in the corner as they are rubber vs the Pioneer metal buttons.

I suppose I like the hot cues of the CDJ1000, but the Denon's have two loops instead of a single which makes up for this.

People will talk about industry standard etc etc, but if its for home use, get whatever unit you like best, you can easily adapt when and if you start playing out.
Also, i've had my Denon's for a few years now and given them a real work out and they are still running strong.....no issues with build quality...if anything, they feel as though they could take more of a beating them a CDJ1000

I am looking into a single HS5500 for Midi and digital control at the moment - they are a solid unit with a lot of features
You can also have the optional CD drive installed in place of the HDD caddy and this is what I would recommend.

2 x HS5500's with CD bays - linked together using a crossover cable (so they can share access to a single HDD) and then link one of the units to an external HDD.
Then you have digital control of mp3 or wav files on your HDD from both units and the ability to throw a CD in either unit and use them in the same way as a CDJ1000.

Also, if you want to use Traktor or any PC dj software, they are midi enabled so you can use them for this purpose also.

Basically, you can have way, way too many options off playing with these units.

Also, you can push different retailers to give you a pair for a touch over 2K

Hope this helps you mate

[Spicy]

one thing that shits me about the denons is rubber buttons. as explained above they are not good for pushing. :)

[shanesmith243]

Hmmm...thanks for the replies.

I was just quoted <$1400 each for brand new 1000's, is this considered a good price?

Also, do the HS5500s interface with a normal mixer, ie DJM600, or do I need a different mixer?

[JKWITS]

I own a pair of DNS-3500's and play on a pair of CDJ1000's regularly

The only feature I think that Pioneer have the up on, is the play and cue buttons
Occasionally the buttons on the Denon don't fire if you hit them off centre - eg right in the corner as they are rubber vs the Pioneer metal buttons.

I suppose I like the hot cues of the CDJ1000, but the Denon's have two loops instead of a single which makes up for this.

People will talk about industry standard etc etc, but if its for home use, get whatever unit you like best, you can easily adapt when and if you start playing out.
Also, i've had my Denon's for a few years now and given them a real work out and they are still running strong.....no issues with build quality...if anything, they feel as though they could take more of a beating them a CDJ1000

I am looking into a single HS5500 for Midi and digital control at the moment - they are a solid unit with a lot of features
You can also have the optional CD drive installed in place of the HDD caddy and this is what I would recommend.

2 x HS5500's with CD bays - linked together using a crossover cable (so they can share access to a single HDD) and then link one of the units to an external HDD.
Then you have digital control of mp3 or wav files on your HDD from both units and the ability to throw a CD in either unit and use them in the same way as a CDJ1000.

Also, if you want to use Traktor or any PC dj software, they are midi enabled so you can use them for this purpose also.

Basically, you can have way, way too many options off playing with these units.

Also, you can push different retailers to give you a pair for a touch over 2K

Hope this helps you mate

I have DN3500's and think they work well but I have never liked the using the platter to bend the pitch and instead ride the pitch for beatmatching. Since you have experience with both to you find using the platter easier for beatmatching on the 1000's? Theoretically using this should match fine tuning easier since you don't have to be keep your eye on exactly where the pitch is when you are riding it forward and back.

Any thought on this?

[Garthyboy]

I have DN3500's and think they work well but I have never liked the using the platter to bend the pitch and instead ride the pitch for beatmatching. Since you have experience with both to you find using the platter easier for beatmatching on the 1000's? Theoretically using this should match fine tuning easier since you don't have to be keep your eye on exactly where the pitch is when you are riding it forward and back.

Any thought on this?


Yeah differing techniques required for each but honestly until you mention it, i haven't really thought about it until now - i suppose i mix and match techniques on both to tell you the truth - when i am home tonight i will be more conscious of this and can probably provide a better response

You know you can turn the rotating platter off on the Denon and operate it in almost indentical manner to the 1000 right? I don't do this though.


Anything under 1400 for a CDJ1000 is a good price indeed.
Only other thing to be wary about and its purely gossip at the moment, but i am sure given Pioneer just released a dual rackmount MIDI capable media player - that the MK4 which I am hoping has the same features as the HS5500 can't be too far off......when i say too far I mean under 24 months :lol:
But I suppose you are not keen to wait that long!


And you only need a normal mixer - RCA outs on the HS55000 - but two pairs per deck if you want to do that multimix option that they have


Finally - be prepared for the Pioneer or die groupies to give you a hard time if you decide to go Denon option :slap:

[pomrocks]

Hmmm...thanks for the replies.

I was just quoted <$1400 each for brand new 1000's, is this considered a good price?

Also, do the HS5500s interface with a normal mixer, ie DJM600, or do I need a different mixer?

ive seen the denon units for $890 ;)

[Garthyboy]

ive seen the denon units for $890 ;)

The 3500's or the HS5500's?????????

I seen the 3500's for that price but not the HS5500 - otherwise tell me where and i will get one

[JKWITS]

Yeah differing techniques required for each but honestly until you mention it, i haven't really thought about it until now - i suppose i mix and match techniques on both to tell you the truth - when i am home tonight i will be more conscious of this and can probably provide a better response

You know you can turn the rotating platter off on the Denon and operate it in almost indentical manner to the 1000 right? I don't do this though.


Denon option :slap:


Yeah I have tried that on the denons but in my opinion it feel rubbish. Also like the spinning mode for cueing and also for my rather inadequate scratching ability.

[minhbo]

However, as the prices are very similar don't want to make the costly mistake of buying one product only to wish 3 months later I'd made a different choice.

Why not get one of each? Who says you need to have the two of the same? Then you get to play with two different pieces of gear :thumb:

[Garthyboy]

Why not get one of each? Who says you need to have the two of the same? Then you get to play with two different pieces of gear :thumb:


No way
I've played with two different and its a pain in the ass - you reach for the wrong places, go to push the wrong buttons
Nature made all things symetrical for a reason

Personal preference but i would never get two different CDJ's or turntables even if i could help it


PS - i know everything isnt symetical too

[minhbo]

^ hmmm... yeah good point

It seemed like a good idea at the time when I was typing it :slap: