Compared to what?

Compared to SL1, probably slightly, it comes down to what spearkers your running,
and file quality too though... Although the SL4 has hotter output, I don't think the SL1 sounds bad in any way...

I think the difference between how my sl4 and a SL1 or ttm57 is night and day.... I use all good HQ files and video (like we all should be. I would say yes! especially when used in the 96k setting.

On a high-end HIFI system the difference is obvious, on a PA system normally not so much IMO. Again, also if playing on a high-end slub sound system (Funktion One or similar) you will obviously hear the difference. (highend systems do not normally use DJM700 btw) That said, if buying an SL box these days, i wouldn't consider the the discontinued SL1.
Reasons: lower output volume, 44.1k, 16 bit, USB 1.1, no Core Audio drivers.

I upgraded, last year from the old SL1 to Sixty Eight & SL4, especially the dual USB is a godsend.

Unless using 96k tracks, there will not be any added sound quality when switching from 48k.
I only have 44,1 and 48k tracks in my SSL library currently.

Code, are you producing music yourself in 96k? Or are you buying HD 96k tracks online?
I'd love to know online stores for HD 96k music.
Thanks, Warp

I wold hope any club has a system good enough to tell the difference. The Martin Audio PA at either club I have residency's at are more than good enough... I guess if your clubs running community of peavey PA, your not gonna tell....


Is there a big diff in the Sound Quality of 700 vs an 800 (which is standard in most clubs still) the 700 is newer, so i didnt think it would be any worse... But i could be very wrong on that thought. I would assume hes asking because he want to play out. and the mixer he has at home is less important.


That makes sense..... But what doesn't is the fact it does sound better... I dont have any 96k tracks but i can hear the difference when comparing the two. Its not much but even the local pro sound techs who came to play with my SL4 when i bought it all agreed. We are talking about a such a small difference, but its there.

I realize how it must sound like im talking out of my ass when saying that last part... But i have been in the audio industry a long time.. .Not just DJing. I was a Sound Quality Car Audio competition judge (Iasca) and have been trained some very very experienced guys who all they do is run FOH at big concerts. I dont know everything, but i can tell when something sounds better or worse (unless its above 19k, cause i cant hear anything above that, and yes me and some buddy's set up tests to see how far we could hear, side note 1 guy went all the way to 22k)

I got to admit, there's some time since I tested my old SL1 now.
When it comes to the 700, one of my residencies have it installed. To me, it feels worse than my 68 on the same system, but I have never tried the 800/900 on that particular sound system. Also feel the 68 sounds better than the 800, never tried the 68 head to head with the 900.

Have you done proper AB-XY testing 48k vs 96k ? I tried with 44.1k/48k files,
neither I, nor the sound techs could accurately tell when which was playing.

I struggle for the highest possible sound quality myself, so Id be interested in your thoughts on this. I keep my main backup library at Apple lossles, but normally convert to mp3 320k for SSL. Mainly because ALAC does not carry the key field, and SSL has id tags bugs with mv4 & mp4.

Gentlemen, sorry for the belated answer or contribution to my intial question... Im currently using a SL4(upgraded from sl1) and Djm700, i can definetly notice the audio quality output. Sounds louder without having to redline my mixer as well as cleaner. I use all hi quality audio/video files.

As to the comment about the 700 not being club standard, i would have to disagree, all the internal components regarding sound output are the same as to the 800 which is still (standard).

and i was comparing to a SL1 and djm 400 mixer.

Thank you all for your feedback!

the sound out of your SL4 is beautifully crisp and lacking almost all background noise. rane has done a proper job eliminating as much ground hum as possible coming from the laptop. With the 700/800 the best way to clarify your sound fromt he mixer to PA is to use shielded cable and an isolating power conditioner or isolating surge protector (cheaper route but not one of the throwaway ones from the dollar store. They are garbage).

In my experience in the comparison you were referring to, the SL1 lacks a general warmth in the audio. That wideness of the stereo field was missing until the SL3. With the djm400 pioneer release a great project with an amazing line and stereo output but the mixer itself lacks any regulated balance on the outputs and inputs. When using vinyl, the preamps were total garbage as well.

As far as industry standard. The new standards are becoming a djm900 nexus or djm2000 everywhere I play in the US. Both have amazing output with an amazing quality coming through the channel inputs. The only downfall of any new pioneer mixer lays in the optical input for CDJ's. Even with shielded cables I noticed a general loss in audio quality compared to just using RCA's.

I have to agree with you on that! The surge protector and cables have tonz to do with sound quality. You can have the best equipment but if you have a crappy surge protector you can still hear humming out of your speakers. Same with Cables... Anyone know when serato will come out with updates for CDJ 850s?
Saw a hardware update on the players were released shortly(about damn time) but still waiting on Seratos end to update the HID mode feature.