Product Review: Denon DN-HD2500
The DN-HD2500 by Denon DJ, is a hard drive based media and dual CD deck controller that was first unveiled in 2006. This “nerve center” readily lends itself to being the most pivotal piece of gear in your entire system, especially if you use it in conjunction with a Computerized Performance System. With 40GB internal storage capacity, the HD2500 can easily perform the task of backup too should your dual CD deck go on the fritz and/or your CPS craps the bed - making the switch to a backup as seamless and quick as it can get!
Denon’s design dream-team came out years ahead of the competition by actually incorporating a drive directly into the controller as well as making it fully compatible with a number of the existing dual CD decks, such as the DN-D4500 and the DN-D4000 CD/MP3 players or the BU-4500. Those who are already familiar with this players will have a very short learning curve as the HD2500 controller was designed around the D4500/D4000 controller, making the transition a breeze. The only thing that even comes close to matching this unit is the club standard Denon DN-HC4500.
Check out this unit’s creature-features here: Denon DN-HD2500
The Denon DN-HD2500 was also awarded the CPSDJ Certified Product Seal in 2006. Read more about here: Computer DJ Summit Press Release.
Personal Experience:
While I only had a limited amount of time to play with one of these babies, I have to say that I was quite impressed with it. The unit itself is a bit chunky - thanks to the internal hard drive, sound card and mini display screen - but it is jam-packed full of useful functions. I am not a fan of teeny-weeny screens either, but at least the Denon unit’s was crystal clear, making it very readable in low-light conditions - even if I had to squint a bit to see it.
The searching, cuing and mixing features offered by the included software made manipulating my WAV files a snap. The only real downside I could see was the fact that you cannot store a lot of lossless audio on the internal 40GB HDD. My continuing wish list also includes a means of identifying visually those tracks that were already played, perhaps in a later edition of the software they have/will address this. I also had a boo-hiss moment when I seen that the unit uses USB to connect to a CPS where I would have much rather seen a Firewire interface - however considering the fact that the unit will likely be used as a stand alone in many cases with an external HDD, a keyboard and so on, it is at least understandable. Last but not least on my list of cons would be the location of the power button - located on the side of the unit, which would require removing it from the case in order to shut it off and reboot if the need ever arises.
Complaints and personal preferences aside, Denon did a helluva good job putting this thing together and from what I hear from other happy HD2500 owners, they wouldn’t trade it for the world. The quality is top-notch (which I hear is standard fair for Denon products), the device is extremely flexible/adaptable and it is also very intuitive to use - making it rediculously easy for CD holdouts to make the transition nearly painless.
For the Denon DN-HD2500 I give 4.5 out of 5 stars!
Psst…Silvio. Add a Firewire port and move the power button and you got 5 out of 5 stars!!!
Tags: computer, controller, cps, denon, digital, disc jockey, dj, dn-hd2500, hd2500, laptop, review
