Overall User Ratings

"Trance/Techno DJ? Didn't win the lottery this week? Get this one!"

Feature:
This is where the 800 takes a hit. Compare the 800 to the cdj1000mk2 and you'll find the 800 has a lighter platter: for electronica dj's, the backspin slows itself down a little late; easily corrected by applying your finger to drag the platter. For scratch dj's this might become a nuisance, but no one else will really care. The scratch emulation is top notch! The only other compaint (or maybe wish) is that the quick return works a little differently than the 1000mk2. On the Mark2, AFTER the scratch it returns to your cue point. The 800 returns to the cue point as soon as you grab the platter. Each has its own usage though. Biggest gripe for trance dj's: Only two pitch control options. 10% and 100%. I'd rather have an 8% and a 16 or even 32 along with the 100%. Not too big a deal though...the pitch resolution is razor sharp (or so I hear from forum posts) Despite gripes, the best thing about this deck is that it has Pioneer's platter and Pioneer's platter display (little lcd display showing the "rotation" of what would be the record. Those two things outweigh the lack of mp3 playback and assorted features found on competing decks.

Quality:
Fantastic quality. I like doing the scratch that James Zabiela invented and after a beer or two I sometimes end up slapping the platter. No problems.

Value:
For the prices you can find, you can't beat this! The only tabletop style cd deck you'll find of similar VALUE is the Denon s-1000. The denon has a nice compact body, has built in effects and mp3 decoding, but YOU CAN'T BEAT PIONEER'S PLATTER AND PLATTER DISPLAY. I typically find the denon for 2-300 less than the Pioneer, but I think if i had to pick I'd still get the 800. The digital vinyl display is worth the money, its much nicer to scratch by an emulated display than to scratch (or cue) by the timestamp.

Desirability:
Not as impressive looking from afar as the cdj1000 mark 2, or the denons with the rotating platters, and the denon s-1000 looks really cool because it resembles a gamecube. But from in the dj booth I love the look of the platter and the display. Much MUCH more satisfying than a 2cd rackmount.

Sound:
Pioneer's Master Tempo is one of the best made pitch locks i've ever heard. Scratch sounds are phenom, just like the cd decks made for more expensive prices.

Support:
I haven't dealt with Pioneer (there's been no need due to the high quality of the unit) but there is a one year warranty. I'd like it to be longer.

Overall:
If I had the money to blow on a cdj1000 I might rather spend it on another 800 and put the rest of the money into elsewhere in my aresenal. I'm a progressive/prog. trance dj and I think this is the best option for people like myself.