Denon DJ brings subtle changes to its latest version with the Prime Go+ and remains the category leader by a long shot. 

Roughly four years have passed since Denon DJ dropped the original Prime Go, which is still in my kit and remains one of my all-time favorite portable all-in-one rigs. What I love about this rig is that it packs so much into such a small footprint. The other thing is that it was well ahead of its time feature-wise and still dominates today. So, how can they improve this unit? 

The Go+ is by no means a significant overhaul, and most of the upgrades are on the inside, aside from the new silver finish and no more ethernet port on the back. To call it a Mk 2 would be a stretch; this is more of a Mk 1.5 with nice improvements to processing speed, battery power, and connectivity options. Below, I will go over the upgrades/differences, the features, and all the essential details. You can also read my original review of the Denon Prime Go below, which currently retails for $699 new, so you can still get the original for $300 cheaper while they last anyway. 

Denon DJ Prime Go+ ($999) 

Full Specifications

  • Number of Decks: 2-deck
  • Display: 7″ Multi-gesture Touchscreen
  • Compatible Media: USB (flash memory, external SSD), SD/SDHC/SDXC Card Slot
  • Compatible Files: AAC/M4A, AIF/AIFF, ALAC, FLAC, MP3/MP4, Ogg Vorbis, WAV
  • Jog Wheels: 2 x Touch-capacitive Jog Wheels
  • Pads: 8 x Dual-layer Performance Pads
  • Effects: 3-band EQ
  • Mic Inputs: 2 x XLR-1/4″ combo
  • Analog Inputs: 1 x Dual RCA Stereo (aux) w/ included ground for a turntable.
  • Analog Outputs: 2 x XLR (master), 1 x Dual RCA Stereo (master), 2 x 1/4″ (booth)
  • USB: 1 x Type A (media), 1 x Type B (computer)
  • Headphones: 1 x 1/4″ TRS, 1 x 1/8″ TRS
  • Other I/O : Built-in Wi-Fi (2.4GHz/5GHz), Bluetooth v5.0
  • Standalone Mode: Standalone Mixer
  • Looper: 2 x Loop/Beat Jump Encoders
  • Features: Embedded Lighting Control (Philips Hue, Nanoleaf, DMX)
  • Software: Engine DJ
  • Compatibility: Amazon Music Unlimited, TIDAL, Beatport, Beatsource, Soundcloud GO+
  • OS Requirements – Mac: macOS 12 or later
  • OS Requirements – PC: Windows 10 (64-bit), 11
  • Power Supply: Built-in Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery, 19V DC Power Supply
  • Height: 2.08″
  • Width: 16.18″
  • Depth: 10.78″
  • Weight: 8.11 lbs

Overview: How the Prime Go+ Compares to the Prime Go

The Denon DJ Prime Go model was initially a revelation—a battery-powered, standalone, and highly portable 2-deck DJ system running Denon’s powerful Engine OS. For mobile DJs, house party performers, and club jocks needing an on-the-go solution, it became a top choice. However, Denon DJ listened to the feedback and stepped up with the Prime Go+, which retains the same compact, battery-powered essence but refines it with mainly under-the-hood, performance-driven updates.

Key differences include a longer-lasting battery (6 hrs vs 4 hrs), no more ethernet port, more streaming services, new Engine OS features, and a more robust processor for faster loading and snappier performance. The faders and hardware feel the same as the original, so there’s nothing to note there; it’s all still fantastic. The updated and optimized Engine OS 4.1.0 has some new features and can accommodate faster BPM analysis and quicker track sorting.

Who is the Denon DJ Prime Go+ For?

The Go+ is a Swiss army knife type of rig with a sweet spot for Mobile DJs and Prosumers, but with plenty of power and functionality to drop a best-in-class set for the traveling festival/club DJs. One of the things that I liked about the original is that it can serve as a backup rig for pro DJs.

The GO+ is so portable that you can plug in some headphones and go over your tracks, mixing technique, track cues, etc., just about anywhere. The GO+ is also great for venues with DJs in tight spaces, such as small bars, retail, or street events, 

Prime Go+ New Features I love 

  1. Battery Power: A major highlight of the original Prime Go was its portability, made possible by its long-lasting battery. The Prime Go+ takes this further with a battery life of up to 6 hours, allowing extended play on a single charge.
  2. Updated Processor: Faster is better, allowing the OS to flex more as it evolves, faster key/bpm analysis, better buffering, etc.
  3. More Streaming Options – For those that have the guts to DJ live via streaming services, you now have more options, including Tidal, Soundcloud GO, Beatsource, Beatport, Amazon Music + Dropbox access
  4. Engine OS 4.1.0 Is easy to learn, has a desktop app, and is very stable. 

Denon DJ Prime GO+ Features Breakdown:

2 Decks + Aux – This is not a controller, but a proper DJ system that blends a 2-deck DJ design with standalone performance possibilities. Look, mom, no laptop. There is also an analog Aux input to plug in another source like a turntable (yes, they have a ground on it), with an Aux volume knob on the front of the unit to mix in like a rotary fader.

Wireless Connectivity – Diverse wireless connectivity includes Wi-Fi and 2-way Bluetooth for uncompromised sets in virtually any setting. BT in is just basic and works for streaming a playlist when you are not at the controls, and BT out works well with decent range connectivity. However, you will lose audio quality if you stream to wireless speakers, but most people will not notice. 

Pro Tip – This should be obvious, but if you are doing a paid gig or playing at a festival or club, DO NOT rely on streaming to get your music. Run it through the Engine’s analysis and load it on an SD card, hard drive, or USB stick. Also, there is a lag when loading in and analyzing tracks from streaming services, which can kill you if you do a last-minute track download.

Your Music, Your Way – Direct access to Amazon Music Unlimited, TIDAL, Beatport, Beatsource, and SoundCloud Go+ means seamless integration of over 100 million tracks. You will get requests, and sometimes you have to oblige, so you probably got this with all these streaming services. Wireless Dropbox access, SD card reader, and USB-A port ensure any song needed is eligible for full Prime GO+ performance. If you can’t find a way to get your music files on this bad boy, you probably are using vinyl, and even then, you can plug a turntable into Aux, which is a nice option if you like to mix in the occasional piece of wax. 

User Interface Flexibility & Intelligence – The GO+’s vivid, 7-inch full-color touchscreen supplies a diverse array of real-time feedback, effects, track analysis, and performance data for tight beat-building and mixing. This screen is small but mighty, bright enough, and customizable to dial it in just how you want it. The UI lets Engine’s features shine! The track analysis and visuals are especially helpful and really enables you to see what’s happening with the track. 

The Software – Engine DJ OS powers all song analysis, lighting control, wireless updates, Touch FX, and Sampler usage for all-encompassing performance power, regardless of source or internet connections. The fact that the software will do your track analysis on the fly is a lifesaver for those who like harmonic mixing and proper beat matching vs. sync. Wait, there is more; you can also control the lights! Engine Lighting is embedded for pain-free integration of Philips Hue, Nanoleaf, and DMX lighting control. I did not use this feature, but the UI is extremely robust and significant for mobile DJs who want all the control in one place.

Pro Input/Outputs – Versatile wired connections include 3-pin XLR and RCA stereo Main Outs, 1/4-in stereo Booth output pair, RCA stereo Aux input, and 2 Mic combo inputs. For such a small unit, you are getting professional-grade connectivity. I tried having a couple of MCs rapping at a small party, and the sound was decent; also great for mobile DJs that need to have people come up to give speeches, etc. 

Powerful Controls – GO+ gives you per-deck 3-band EQ, touch-capacitive jog wheels, dual-layer performance pads, and adjustable vinyl feel (with slip functionality as an optionl) to guarantee near-endless personalization of your mixing experience. The jog wheels are great for simple back cueing and nudging to get your mix locked, and the touch sensitivity gives you great control. If you like to scratch, this is possible, but remember, these are tiny jog wheels and might not be great if you are primarily a scratch DJ. 

Endless Effects Options – Touch FX, Sweep FX, and Main FX suite allow for near-endless creative contouring. You can make some exciting transitions when working with all these tools simultaneously. 

26 FX Channel Effects– Choose from 26 effects like Echo, Flanger, Roll, Delay, etc., that can be deployed by channel (one or both), dialed in by time parameter down to 1/32, and Wet/Dry control knob to dial in the intensity.

10 Track Pad FX – Some classic effects that can be used with the trackpad control, which you can have a lot of fun with, but it does take some practice to sound good.

Crossfader Echo – for fast mix outs (this is typically lame, so probably best to avoid unless you don’t care what people think of your mixing)

2 Sweep Effects Per Channel – Each channel has a Sweep FX knob with A/B effects; basically an echo and a filter are your choices.

In the box –  power cord, USB cable, sticker sheet, microfiber dust cloth, and quickstart guide get you ready to scratch and roll right out of the box.

Build Quality and Materials

The Prime Go+ is more or less identical, and despite being primarily plastic (jog wheels and surrounding faceplate are metal), it feels very robust. The reinforced plastic feels close to metal and keeps the unit light but tough enough for any road warrior. If you are traveling with it, you will need a soft case at the very least. I use a flight case style from Analog Cases that keeps it safe and easy to port around with all the cables, power, etc. All the faders, knobs, and inputs are all quality, with just the right amount of tension.

What People Might Not Like

  1. Lack of full-cut EQs on Each Deck: It is not the end of the world, but you are not losing the whole frequency when you cut low/mid/highs, and there is some remaining bleeding.
  2. Learning Curve for Engine OS: While Engine OS is powerful, it has nuances that may be unfamiliar to DJs new to the Denon ecosystem. First-time users may need time to adapt to the OS and its unique features.
  3. Not for Scratch DJs: If you are doing a lot of scratching, the tiny jog wheels will not cut it. Look elsewhere.

Final Thoughts: A Mobile DJ’s Dream, with a Few Trade-Offs

Denon DJ Prime Go+ brings the professional features of a high-end DJ setup into a compact, battery-powered device that punches well above its weight. Its durable build, powerful Engine OS, and high-resolution touchscreen make it an appealing choice for any DJ looking to break free from the laptop and power cords. While there are minor trade-offs, these are easy to overlook, given its strengths in portability, build quality, and connectivity.

Ultimately, the Prime Go+ doesn’t just add a few bells and whistles; it redefines what mobile DJing can look like in the modern age. If you’re a seasoned DJ looking for a professional-grade portable solution, the Prime Go+ might is the perfect addition to your arsenal.

Engine 4.1.0 Update Info

Because of database performance optimizations added with this release, Collection Databases used in Engine DJ 4.1.0 are only compatible with version 4.0.1 or later.

  • If a drive, USB stick or SD card is used with 4.1.0, the collection will be updated in a way that will only be compatible with versions 4.0.1 or later.
    • This process can take some time depending on your collection size. For larger databases on removable drives, it is recommended to use Engine DJ on the desktop for faster database migration.
  • You will be required to re-login to your Engine profile after updating to 4.1.0
  • For full compatibility, both Engine OS and Engine Desktop should be updated to 4.1.0

New Features

  • Bluetooth audio out support for the following Engine DJ devices:
  • Smart Headphone Cue feature automatically activates Cue on the channel of the most recently loaded track. This feature can be enabled or disabled in the Mixer tab of the Settings menu.
  • Engine Lighting enhancements
    • Increased Autoloop Count to 128 Autoloops
    • New visual feedback for active Autoloop and Autoloop Banks
    • Ability to trigger Autoloops at any time overriding scripted tracks
    • New Autoloop Repeat preferences
  • Add support for Denon DJ PRIME GO+
  • Slip Mode added to PRIME GO. This feature can be accessed by pressing Shift and Vinyl buttons.
  • High-quality FLAC audio support for Beatport / Beatsource streaming. A Beatport Professional or Beatsource Pro level subscription is required for FLAC support. Quality selection is now changed via the respective Beatport / Beatsource web portals.
  • Virtual DJ compatibility added for PRIME GO+

Improvements and Fixes

  • Connecting to a streaming service will now prompt to connect to an Engine DJ Profile, allowing you to utilize single sign-on for streaming services and access crowd-sourced streaming metadata and beatgrid information. The option to connect directly is still available.
  • Improved the lighting states for PRIME 4+ Sweep FX buttons for better visibility.
  • Fixed an issue where Match rules would affect search results, even when Match was disabled.
  • Fixed an issue where using the “Log out of authorized devices” function in Engine Profile would not always successfully log out of devices.
  • Fixed an issue that could result in a blank playlist tree after exiting Search.
  • Fixed an issue where instant double could cause problems with Bluetooth source decks.
  • Fixed an issue where engaging/disengaging some effect could lead to pops/clicks in certain circumstances.
  • Fixed an issue where on some devices, playing audio for the first time after turning a unit on could potentially result in an audible pop.
  • Fixed an issue that could result in devices coming fresh out of the box with empty sample pads.
  • Fixed an issue where the LIVE 4 could start in a state where the control surface LEDs and center wheel display would not light up correctly.
  • Additional misc. stability and other improvements.

The post Denon DJ Prime Go+ Review: The Ultimate Portable DJ Powerhouse Gets An Upgrade and an Editor’s Choice Award  appeared first on Magnetic Magazine.