Re: Best way to connect 9 changers?

Short answer: You can do it.

Long answer: The Sony changers have a switch on the back that lets you set each changer to CD1, CD2 or CD3. I believe this basically governs the remote control command set to which the changer responds. Don't sue me if I'm wrong, but I am pretty sure you can do what you want by putting up to 3 changers on each Slink-e port, with each changer set to a different control code. 3x4 does indeed make 12. You can also add more Slink-es if your wallet is plated with gold.

There is one minor wrinkle, which is if you buy Sony changers capable of taking command of other changers, certain combinations of the 1-2-3 switch settings will cause the "master" controller to try to tell "slaves" what to do, and this can really muck up CDJ, which wants to do all the bossing itself. If you don't own the changers yet, what you want to do is buy the LOWEST-end model that supports both the S-link bus and--I would argue for this criterion--gives you optical digital out. (You don't absolutely need the latter if you have some alternative way of mixing down 9 changers, but Colby's DXS unit is the most elegant solution to this problem. Can I buy Nirvis stock yet?) Buying the cheaper changers means you get units without the Master/Slave fetish and such units will work better in your configuration. Happily, it also means you save dough. The unit you probably want is CDP-CX225.

If you already have units with the Master thing going on, there is a 1-2-3 switch combination that will keep them from being bossy. If you need 300-disc changers, i.e. the CDP-CX300, be aware that they are all capable of playing Master, but again you can set up a switch configuration that works. I imagine if you were to buy only CDP-CX300s, that might take care of the problem since I doubt one of those changers will try to control another. Check that point before you plunk down $3,000 for nine changers on my authority, however.