Second Spin Audio

Buying a used Pioneer DJM-800

Three phono inputs, digital ins and a full booth set of outputs. Here's how to check a used Pioneer DJM-800, what it connects to, and when it's still all the mixer you need.

Updated

At a glance

Inputs
3 phono, 4 line/CD, 1 line, 4 digital coaxial, mic
Outputs
Master (XLR and RCA), booth, rec, send, digital out, headphones
Conversion
24-bit A/D and D/A, 96 kHz sampling
MIDI
MIDI out (5-pin DIN)
Power consumption
32 W
Weight
8.0 kg

What to check before you pay

  1. Mains version. The manual cited here lists a 220–240 V version. Check the rating label on the back and make sure it matches your country before you get attached.
  2. Crossfader and channel faders. Slide each fader slowly from end to end with music playing. Listen for crackle, dead spots, or sound bleeding through when a fader is fully closed.
  3. Knobs and EQ. Turn every gain, EQ and effect knob through its range on each channel. Crackle or a channel cutting in and out means a worn or dirty control.
  4. Phono inputs. There are three phono inputs. If you play records, test every turntable input you plan to use, not just the first one.
  5. Effects. Run the beat effects and the sound colour effects on a few different channels, and check the controls and display respond properly.
  6. Outputs and headphones. Check master, booth and headphone outputs, and cue each channel in headphones to make sure nothing crackles or drops out.

A proper booth mixer, minus the laptop bits

Look at the back of a DJM-800 and it’s clear what it was built for: three phono inputs, four line/CD inputs plus an extra line input, four digital coaxial inputs and a mic input. Out the other side you get master on XLR and RCA, a booth output, rec, send, digital out and headphones, with 24-bit / 96 kHz conversion in between. That’s a full club connection panel, ready for decks, CD players and media players.

Playing from a laptop

Here’s the catch for computer DJs: the DJM-800’s specifications list no USB connection. If you play from a laptop, plan for a separate audio interface, or look at a mixer with a built-in sound card such as the DJM-900NXS2. If you play turntables or players straight into the mixer, this doesn’t matter at all, and the DJM-800 can be a great-value way into a club-style set-up.

Check the model name

Several Pioneer DJM mixers look alike. Check the model name printed on the mixer and on its rear label, not just the listing title.

What to ask the seller

  • Has it been repaired, and were any faders or knobs replaced?
  • Which mains version is it? Check the rear label.
  • Is the power cable included?

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Manuals

Links open external manual archives or the manufacturer's site. We don't host these files.

Sources