Thanks. Not being a DJ or in shape to get a new bigger car to fit a dual DJ rig, a single small DJ CD player looks much more practical for my needs.
Any advice on the Pioneer CDJ-350 vs the CDJ-850?
The 350 is less expensive, much smaller and has fewer DJ features like advanced looping capabilities I would probably never use, I am just wondering about how it compares with the 850 or higher models with regard to
1) reliablility
2) ability to play difficult CDs
3) playing CDs without damaging them
4) durability for performances and
5) ease of use.
Can't vouch for the 350, haven't used one yet, but highly recommend the 850 or better (or used CDJ 1000, 750 etc..)
-and I'm not a DJ, I've used them for exactly what you are wanting them for.
I've found that if a CDJ-type player won't read the disc, then a computer drive won't either (assuming it's not a CDrom of files&folders -although the 850 or 2000 might attempt!)
I used to spend the time ripping presenters & performers discs but now just play it on the CDJ -seems faster and there's much more C-Y-A as nobody questions your laptop's ripping ability (and/or the question of file copy retention if it's a pre-release track)