I have that mixer and I liike it a lot. I use it for mixing house and trance, the other thing I like about it is the efx send and return if you have an effects unit. Other people tell me rane is the way to go but i dont have the money for that mixer. The difference between the 170a and the 17 is the 17 doesnt have the kill switches and the 170a does, at least thats what i was told.