Vestax VCI-380, is it a wise purchase to make in 2017?
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- This topic has 9 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 11 months ago by
Chuck Van Eekelen.
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April 3, 2017 at 11:45 pm #2545141
Aaron Nicdao
ParticipantI own a VVCI 380 and and I’ve seriously considered picking up a backup unit for some of the prices I’ve seen.
Still, I’d steer someone away from picking this up only because of the lack of future support. From your list I’d select the Denon MC4000 if you want to stick with Serato.
Another consideration is to wait to Mixar’s Primo controller due out later this year I believe. If my 380 were to die today that would be my replacement purchase.
April 4, 2017 at 12:22 am #2545151Todd Oddity
ParticipantFrom your list the Denon is the only serious candidate.
Vestax, while awesome, is now long gone, and we have to accept that and move on (I have a VCI-400 that I’m turning into a cool wall-mounted decoration in my studio – my little shrine to Vestax). No current or future support is an absolute deal breaker in the digital game. Hercules make some interesting units, but they just aren’t up to the same quality of Denon or the other ‘professional’ brands.
If you aren’t in a hurry, I’d agree with Aaron – wait for the new Primo to come out. It may not amount to anything, but all the early indications make it look like a spiritual successor to the VCI-380. And that would be awesome.
April 4, 2017 at 1:07 am #2545171Armand Paulet
ParticipantAaron and Todd, thanks both for the swift feedback. You have suddenly given me a regain of hope to find something that presents itself as a promising alternative. I’ll just have to be patient and keep my eyes opened to see who’s retailing the brand in Portugal where I now live. This will also give me chance to consolidate my budget for it as it is likely to exceed the 400 euros with full Serato DJ! To be continued…..
April 4, 2017 at 11:15 am #2545241Ian Williams
ParticipantJust another note to agree with Aaron & Todd.
I also owned a VCI-380. It was brilliant & i loved playing on it. But i got rid of it last year, as i was concerned about a future OS update turning it into an un-supported paper weight.
If the Primo delivers on what they’ve promised, it really does look like the controller to wait for. But if you can’t wait, the Denon MC4000 or 6000 would do the job nicely.
April 6, 2017 at 12:02 pm #2546501Mike
ParticipantI want to chime in and advise that if you haven’t already got the full version of Serato yet, it’s 50% off at the moment: https://serato.com/ . That way you can purchase a license at a good discount and then when you get the appropriate controller, you can hit the ground running with recording sets, which you can’t do with the Intro version.
Good luck getting back into the game! 🙂 I have a Denon MC6000mk2, which is the Serato version of the controller, and it’s a beautiful piece of kit, although I foresee it losing the spotlight to the new devices that Denon are bringing out now. The MC4000 was developed after the 6000, after they were bought out by Inmusic, but it got good reviews. I would think that Denon and Serato would be a great combination.
April 9, 2017 at 11:01 pm #2547571ParticipantIan and Maku, thanks for the additional feedback. Looks like it’s either going to be the Denon MC4000 or even more likely the Primo. For info I contacted Mixars through their FaceBook page, though they responded pretty fast and confirmed that they do not have a distributor in Portugal. However I could purchase from Spain at ZentralMedia or Amazon. When I checked the sites there was no Primo on either sites nor anywhere. When I got back to them they failed to answer my questions about the availability date of the controller and the Euro RRP even though they remain at my disposal ! Seems as if the controller is likely to retail near the 600 euros, I understand with the full Serato DJ version, in which case I should not have to purchase a discounted license. Staying tuned of course.
April 10, 2017 at 11:20 am #2547641Terry_42
KeymasterHonestly I would rather go for the Denon.
While Mixar have an OK rep, the Primo is their first controller ever, so they are bound to be more troubled than others by birthing problems.
Of course this can be a non-issue, but Denon is making controllers for years and years and they have their kinks down. I mean all the minor complaints I had with my MCX8000 have been addressed really quickly with firmware updates…April 10, 2017 at 10:41 pm #2547951ParticipantThanks Terry. Just when I had somehow reduced my choice to the one forthcoming controller now I am back onto rethinking the formula! But fear not, in fact I do appreciate your comments. I already own a few Denon HiFi products and I do love the brand, so going for the MC4000 would probably be a wiser move all around plus I could get it at a much better price, fitting quicker with my limited budget. However I would have to upgrade to the full Serato DJ version to be able to record my mixes. I believe I should be able to get half price upgrade with the included voucher offered with the controller. I have seen the presentation demo by Phil Morse which was really good and the reason I had then dismissed the MC4000 is because he pointed out that the AUX jack input at the rear would not be suitable for use with a turntable. However Serato customer service tells me that I should be able to. Can you advise on this? as I would need a controller with the capability to link my Stanton STR8-150 for use as described in my original post.
April 11, 2017 at 7:49 am #2548011ModeratorLucky for you that particular turntable offers both phono and line out. So you can indeed use the aux input. Be sure to set the switch on the Stanton to line though!
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