🛑 BEFORE YOU BUY ANY GEAR
Did you know we’re in the biggest DJ equipment shortage ever?
If not, you want to understand what’s going on and what to do about it.
Watch/listen to The Great DJ Equipment Shortage of ’21/’22 podcast where The DJ Hookup CEO, Alex Pyatetsky, shares his front-row seat to what’s going on in the industry right now.
Inside, you’ll learn
- What exactly is going on behind the scenes
- How we got here (and could it have been avoided)
- 5 strategies for getting the stuff you need ASAP
- The 2 things that’ll double your wait time
- Silver linings: Unique opportunities in these strange times
The Great DJ Equipment Shortage of ’21/’22:
What’s Going On & What to Do About It [Podcast]
Pioneer DJ DDJ-1000 SRT Alternatives
1) Rane One vs Pioneer DJ DDJ-1000 SRT
- “The #1 Pro-Grade Flagship Serato Controller Alternative”
- How to think of it: Direct alternative, but 2-channel
- Price Difference: $250 more
- 2021 Holiday Availability: Extremely scarce most of 2021. Modest quantities available pre-holidays.
2) Denon Prime 4 vs Pioneer DJ DDJ-1000 SRT
- “4-channel, flagship, Serato-compatible standalone DJ system”
- How to think of it: Upmarket standalone dj system (vs controller)
- Price Difference: $650 more
- 2021 Holiday Availability: Extremely limited. Manufacturer’s ETA for next shipments = February 2022.
3) Pioneer DJ DDJ-SR2 vs Pioneer DJ DDJ-1000SRT
- “As long as it’s Serato compatible with pro-grade outputs. I’m ok without the 2 extra channels.”
- How to think of it: Downmarket 2-channel, with pro-grade outputs
- Price Difference: $650 less
- 2021 Holiday Availability: Extremely limited, blockbuster item. Has been available intermittently throughout the year with long backorder periods.
4) Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX6 vs Pioneer DJ DDJ-1000SRT
- “As long as its Serato, 4-channels and Pioneer DJ, I’m good. I’m ok with RCA out only.”
- How to think of it: Downmarket 4-channel
- Price Difference: $750 less
- 2021 Holiday Availability: Available!
Pioneer DJ CDJ-3000 Alternatives
1) Denon SC6000 / SC6000M vs Pioneer DJ CDJ-3000
- “What’s the #1 alternative, maybe even better?”
- How to Think of It: Direct alternative, with objectively larger feature set, lower price and optional motorized platters
- Price Difference: $800 and $600 Less (SC6000 & SC6000M, respectively)
- 2021 Holiday Availability: Moderate quantities available!
2) Pioneer DJ CDJ-900 Nexus vs Pioneer DJ CDJ-3000
- “I have to keep it in the Pioneer family.” Or “this is for backline/installation, not personal use.”
- How to Think of It: Previous generation and 1-step down market. Last remaining in production model that plays CDs.
- Price Difference: $950 Less
- 2021 Holiday Availability: Severe shortage. Intermittent availability. Preorder may be required.
3) Denon SC5000M vs Pioneer DJ CDJ-3000
- “If I’m not getting the flagship, let’s just get the absolute funnest, best bang-for-the-buck option.”
- How to Think of It: Direct predecessor of #1 alternative, SC6000.
- Price Difference: $1,274.75 Less
- 2021 Holiday Availability: Last remaining units. Will not restock after sellout.
4) Pioneer DJ XDJ-1000 MK2 vs Pioneer DJ CDJ-3000
- “Gotta have Pioneer, but 100% don’t care about CDs and wouldn’t mind saving some coin if I’m not getting the flagship.”
- How to Think of It: Last generation pro-grade multiplayer without CD drive.
- Price Difference: $1,200 Less
- 2021 Holiday Availability: Intermittent availability. Extended stockouts throughout the year.
Pioneer DJ XDJ-XZ Alternatives
1) Denon Prime 4 vs Pioneer DJ XDJ-XZ
- “The 4-Channel Flagship Standalone Alternative”
- How to think of it: Direct Alternative
- Price Difference: $400 Less
- 2021 Holiday Availability: Extremely limited. Manufacturer’s ETA for next shipments = February 2022.
2) Pioneer DJ XDJ-RX3 vs Pioneer DJ XDJ-XZ
- “What’s the closest alternative from Pioneer? I can live without 4 channels”
- How to think of it: Almost Same-Level, 2-Channel Version
- Price Difference: $400 Less
- 2021 Holiday Availability: Blockbuster new release. First shipment nearly presold. Subsequent availability TBD.
3) Denon Prime 2 vs Pioneer DJ XDJ-XZ
- “Love Prime 4, but Let’s Save Some Money if I’m not getting the XZ”
- How to think of it: Direct Alternative – 2 Channels
- Price Difference: $900 Less
- 2021 Holiday Availability: Moderate inventory available
4) Denon Prime Go vs Pioneer DJ XDJ-XZ
- “I’ll get the XZ later. What’s the most portable, money-saving alternative I can use for practice and smaller gigs even after I get the XZ?”
- How to Think of It: Down Market – Ultra-Portable & Battery Powered
- Price Difference: $1,400 Less
- 2021 Holiday Availability: Available!
5) Numark Mixstream Pro vs Pioneer DJ XDJ-XZ
- “If I’m not getting a flagship, what’s the absolute best bang for the buck standalone?”
- How to Think of It: Down Market, Absurd Value option.
- Price Difference: $1,800 Less
- 2021 Holiday Availability: Blockbuster new release. Moderate quantities available.
Pioneer DJ DDJ-SR2 Alternatives
1) Roland DJ-505 vs Pioneer DJ DDJ-SR2
- “What’s the single closest alternative?”
- How to think of it: Direct Alternative. 2-channel Serato DJ controller with pro outputs + Roland drum machine features
- Price Difference: $74 Less
- 2021 Holiday Availability: Moderate in quantities available
2) Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX6 vs Pioneer DJ DDJ-SR2
- “What’s the best Pioneer options near the same price point? I’m more interested in fun & flexibility than pro-grade fundamentals.”
- How to think of it: Down market, no XLR or 1/4″ pro outputs, but 2 extra channels and Rekordbox compatible in addition to Serato.
- Price Difference: $100 Less
- 2021 Holiday Availability: Available.
2) Pioneer DJ DDJ-REV1 vs Pioneer DJ DDJ-SR2
- “All I care about is a 2-channel Pioneer Serato controller. Wouldn’t mind saving some money while I’m at it.”
- How to think of it: Direct down-market version. 2-channel Serato DJ controller, no pro-grade outputs.
- Price Difference: $450 Less
- 2021 Holiday Availability: Intermittent availability.
Pioneer DJ DJM-V10 Alternatives
1) PLAYdifferently Model 1 & Model 1.4 vs Pioneer DJ DJM-V10
- “The absolute closest, analog alternative”
- How to Think of It: Direct Analog Competitor
- Price Difference: $50 & $1,000 Less (Model 1 & 1.4, respectively)
- 2021 Holiday Availability: Available!
2) Allen & Heath Xone:96 vs Pioneer DJ DJM-V10
- “The next most incredible digital House/Techno mixer”
- How to Think of It: Nearly direct alternative
- Price Difference: $1,100 Less
- 2021 Holiday Availability: Moderate quantities available. Multiple stockouts throughout the year.
Looking for alternatives we didn’t list here?
Looking for alternatives to another model?
Did our picks miss the mark?
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