to buy a second mpc. 2kxl vs 2500 build quality lifespan?

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to buy a second mpc. 2kxl vs 2500 build quality lifespan?

By BGBEATS Mon Feb 01, 2010 7:13 am
This isn't a feature versus feature decision as i know the 2500 wins that area,

features are not the concern

Already use a 1000 as midi master in home studio (has enough features but busy in other areas)

want to get 2nd mpc to sample vinyl mainly


would prefer the 2kxl 700 bucks

but have seen 2500's for not too much more like 800


2kxl is said to have better build quality yet is already 10 years old

will it go another 10 years if taken care of?

2500 is newer, yet unsure if build quality is long lasting

my technics is 16 years old still works like day 1 so i understand proven build quality.




anybody dropped a 2500 down the stairs and still works? ( not that i plan on doing that but is like ultimate electronics/build test)

heard of 2kxl's taken road abuse
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Re: to buy a second mpc. 2kxl vs 2500 build quality lifespan?

By dirtyrum Mon Feb 01, 2010 1:48 pm
What's up BG. I would go for the 2500 just for the facts, it's a newer machine with parts readily available for it. Man trying to replace a screen for the 2000XL is crazy money. I bought my 2500 for only $700 with full memory and 120 GB hard drive. I do know what you mean about build quality though, but if you dropped a 2kxl or 2500 they both would most likely be trashed. Only if all machines were built like the Technics 1200's. :)
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Re: to buy a second mpc. 2kxl vs 2500 build quality lifespan?

By sonseelye Mon Feb 01, 2010 2:05 pm
i know this will probably be bashed on but..i have all three,,and the 1k and 2500 sound alike while the 2kxl has a warmer sound to it..
so i would say it depends on the music u want to make..
im more of a boom bap type cat and i love the sound of the 2kxl,,it feels like a krs era machine..
but honestly after messing with the newer mp's i think i enjoy the workflow over the sound,,

wish they'd make a revamped 2kxl..

Re: to buy a second mpc. 2kxl vs 2500 build quality lifespan?

By BGBEATS Mon Feb 01, 2010 2:27 pm
thanks fellas, aww but dude had to bring up the "warmer" sound factor



is it the a/d converters?


being that i already have a 1000, I would like the 2kxl but to pay 700 bucks and then have something die just from age


i guess i should stop whining and just be happy in this economy that i even got 700 or more to even spend on a new music toy :)

Re: to buy a second mpc. 2kxl vs 2500 build quality lifespan?

By Sovereign Mon Feb 01, 2010 2:43 pm
There is nothing warm about the sound of the 2k or 2kxl.
I still remember when they were released people talked about how thin they sounded.
Now you have people claiming they sound warm. :lol:

You want warm go 60 or 3k.

Also $700 for a 2kxl is high unless it's a blue MCD.

You're in Richmond go up to GC they have a Blue 2kxl, go check it out.
They might not have a 2500 or 1k, so maybe you might want to throw your 1k in the car and ask them to let you compare the sound.
Or you could just grab it take it home, compare it and take it back for a full refund.
That way if it sounds warm you'll know, if it doesn't you'll know that as well.

Just keep in mind that the day you turn a 2k or 2kxl on and have lines is the day you'll regret the purchase the most.

Re: to buy a second mpc. 2kxl vs 2500 build quality lifespan?

By BGBEATS Mon Feb 01, 2010 2:52 pm
Sovereign wrote:


You're in Richmond go up to GC they have a Blue 2kxl, go check it out.




yeah the sales guy yancy up there at gc told me something is wrong with that blue 2kxl they have in the display case like something inside is f@#@#ed up yet they still have that 700 tag on it. I told him call me if another comes in

Re: to buy a second mpc. 2kxl vs 2500 build quality lifespan?

By Sovereign Tue Feb 02, 2010 12:56 am
BGBEATS wrote:
Sovereign wrote:


You're in Richmond go up to GC they have a Blue 2kxl, go check it out.




yeah the sales guy yancy up there at gc told me something is wrong with that blue 2kxl they have in the display case like something inside is f@#@#ed up yet they still have that 700 tag on it. I told him call me if another comes in


D*mn that would have been an easy way to test drive one.

Re: to buy a second mpc. 2kxl vs 2500 build quality lifespan?

By BGBEATS Tue Feb 02, 2010 12:58 am
i'm leaning toward a 2k classic now, if everything pans out and appears to be working properly


It's a piece i wanted back in like 97 but did not have 2 grand so now a few hundred and can full fill my teen dreams 8)
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Re: to buy a second mpc. 2kxl vs 2500 build quality lifespan?

By fasttrackpimp Tue Feb 02, 2010 6:14 am
Sovereign wrote:There is nothing warm about the sound of the 2k or 2kxl.
I still remember when they were released people talked about how thin they sounded.
Now you have people claiming they sound warm. :lol:

You want warm go 60 or 3k.

Also $700 for a 2kxl is high unless it's a blue MCD.


Ok, well look at when they said that about the 2k/xl. The previous mpc's that they compared the 2k/xl sound to were the 60 and 3k. That's not what we're comparing the 2k/xl to here. Now, compared to the 1k/2500, the 2k/xl does sound warmer and color the sound more. And yeah $700 is high. You can pick up a decent xl for $500 or less. Another option you could look at, if you're not looking at it for doing live stuff and just want some of the features/sound, is just picking up an s2000. You won't have the same issues of finding a screen if it dies like you have with the 2k/xl.

Re: to buy a second mpc. 2kxl vs 2500 build quality lifespan?

By BGBEATS Tue Feb 02, 2010 6:19 am
fasttrackpimp wrote:


You won't have the same issues of finding a screen if it dies like you have with the 2k/xl.




I think might be getting a 2k classic instead


but wandering, if the screen dies, can you still get it into midi out mode like after learning the buttons, do you need the screen to set that up..and use as midi pad controller? so atleast get use out of it if no new screen is available?

Re: to buy a second mpc. 2kxl vs 2500 build quality lifespan?

By Sovereign Tue Feb 02, 2010 6:41 am
BGBEATS wrote:


I think might be getting a 2k classic instead


but wandering, if the screen dies, can you still get it into midi out mode like after learning the buttons, do you need the screen to set that up..and use as midi pad controller? so atleast get use out of it if no new screen is available?


The original 2k's screens fail even moreso than the 2kxl screens.
Running blind on a unit that uses layer functions and menus is no fun at all. :(
Honestly I wouldn't even be concerned with the longevity of a 2kxl, if you want to try one out just go for it.
Shop for a good deal so if you don't likeit you can flip it or if 3 years down the road it fails you will have made money using it.
In todays world parts availability for something can end any day, just look at how Roland killed the VGA and OP cards for the MV.
Fortunately you get a VGA standard on the 8800 but still no OP card and that's current on the shelf unit.

One thing I'll mention, since you have a 1k and you are thinking of grabbing an old MPC why not look at the 3k?
Still think the 3k kills the 60 soundwise.
It's instant inspiration and once you mess with using the filter correctly on your samples you'll recognize that bang.
You'll pay more (about $799 or more) but you'll probably get more out of that with the 1k than the 2k.
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