From: andrew pirie
Message:
Fuzzy
> So consensus is I should keep my ear to the ground for a Urei? Where do
> these generally surface?
apologies to everyone else, but here goes....
it's generally thought that the bozak sounds better than the urei. the
bozak was the original that the urei was based on. the bozak doesn't
contain ic chips which allegedly degrade the sound quality, which the
urei does.
from my personal experience the bozak does sound better. stronger and
deeper bottom end and a sweeter mid and tops. this is great when u play
well produced old disco, but i've found that the urei with it's more of
an edge to the sound does techy, modern things a bit better.
for in the house i'd probably prefer the bozak over the urei. though
it's not an enormous difference. the big difference is when u put either
of these mixers against a pioneer!!
the downside for the bozak and using it out is the fact that basic
models (vast majority) are very limited. 2 phono, 2 aux, and two mic.
there's also no booth control. this is the reason i went for the urei
over the bozak. the urei is very flexible with inputs, and has a booth out.
because of this the bozak is not as sought after as the urei, and
certainly doesn't compand the same 2nd user asking price. on eaby u
could pick up a great condition bozak for $800 and have to pay $1600 for
a urei.
by the end of the bozak's production run they had started to offer
different models with extra inputs, booth, extra phono cards, but it was
too late.
to check some of these models look here:
http://www.mickmusicpage.net/bozak_dj_mixer.htm
these specials do sometimes appear on ebay, but not often.
as simon mentioned there's a guy in new jersey, mario g, that sells
ureis. he also does custom work on bozaks as well. he is a friend of one
of the bozak engineers, so he has the schematics for all the
modifications. think the custom bozaks with extra auxs and booth come in
about $1600. he sells ureis for $2000. all are totally refurbished. new
pots, face plates, etc.
the other way of getting one of these mixers is on ebay. they are always
up there. i took 6 months to get my urei though. kept on being out bid
etc. in the end patience was a virtue and got a beaten up one for $1000.
sent it to an engineer in florida who totally refurbished it, and now it
looks brand new.
one thing that might make owning a urei a bit more affordable is the
fact that harman int'l, who own the rights to urei, are relaunching the
1620 dj mixer again under their soundcraft brand, after a 12 year
hiatus. word on the street is that it will retail at $2000. due in
january 2005. this will surely put huge downward pressure on the used
urei price. so be patient and u never know.
