Sony have built their impressive reputation around such products as the Walkman, Discman and Playstation, but have until now shown little interest in the DJ market. Granted, Sony headphones are used by DJs the world over, and their MDS-DRE1 was an attempt to introduce the MiniDisc format to DJs, but the launch of the PMPK-DJ9000 package – featuring one MX-DJ9000 mixer and two PS-DJ9000 decks – is their first excursion into the DJing mainstream.
PS-DJ9000 turntable
The PS-DJ 9000 is finished in a metallic graphite paint with contrasting aluminium red pitch shifter and play buttons, whilst the general layout and appearance in very Technics-like. The power switch is located to the upper left of the platter, and is handily recessed to avoid accidental switch off. Power is supplied via a kettle lead which plugs into the rear of the deck, whilst the phone and earth leads also attach here too. The usual array of accessories are included with the deck; dust cover, 45rpm adapter, and Stanton cartridge, whilst the inclusion of a Sony slipmat is an added bonus. After setting the PS-DJ9000 up, next we tested its mixing performance. As the tonearm has height adjustment, the maximum amount of downforce at the needle end can be achieved. In effect, this means that both cueing and tracking are highly accurate, and the needle rarely jumps.
Turntable torque was adequate for a machine in this price and quality range, but mixing is a slightly haphazard affair, as you have to be very light-fingered as you manually guide your mix. The PS-DJ9000 does also have pitch bend buttons, and these are a handy feature which allow you to manipulate the mix without physically touching the platter or record. In practice, it take a while to get used to the touch, but after a while they become a handy little tool to use when needed. Another neat feature is the inclusion of a quartz lock button, which is located just to the left of the pitch adjuster. This button, when pressed, returns the record to its original speed irrespective of the position of the pitch adjuster, and this can be especially handy when checking the amount of change of key before making a mix.
