Sony CDPCX455 400 Disc MegaStorage CD Changer Review

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(More customer reviews)I owned a perfectly wonderful Pioneer, 100 Disc CD changer. Since my CD collection had approached the 400 mark, I decided to purchase the Sony CDP-CX455 unit, so that I could randomly listen to my entire collection, without constantly changing CD's. After reading some of the reviews on Amazon, I was reluctant to purchase this unit. Unable to find another unit that would accomodate 400 CD's, I decided to take a chance and went ahead with the purchase. Big mistake! After spending hours loading the CD's into the system and setting it to play on random(shuffle), I soon discovered that several of my CD's were skipping. I am meticulous with the handling of my CD's, so I know that the problem was not caused by my mishandling of them. I removed the CD's that were skipping, hoping that this was an isolated incident. The next day, I turned on the unit and again set it to play songs randomly. Once again, some of the CD's started skipping. When I removed them from the unit, I noticed that there were scratches on both CD's. I then called up Sony to explain to them that this particular CD changer has an engineering defect, and that it scratches CD's. Their response was that they have had no reports of such incidences. I asked to speak with a supervisor, who informed me that this CD changer has been taken off the market and is not being replaced with a similar unit. He said that stores still had them in stock, but once the stock was exhausted there would be no more available. I then asked him why they were not replacing this unit with another 400 CD changer model, and was told that they are getting out of the CD changer business, in favor of DVD/CD combo units. I offered the comment that the reason they are not replacing the CDP-CX455 with a similar unit, is because they know that the CDP-CX455 has an engineering defect, and they are not capable of building a 400 CD unit that is problem free. At any rate, I called the store where I purchased my changer from, and told them that I was returning it because it was scratching my CD's. I then started the long process of removing the CD's from the system and was astounded to find that almost 1 out of every 3 CD's had been scratched by this CD changer. I called back Sony, and their attitude was basically that they couldn't care less. Once you buy a Sony product, you are on your own. Their customer support is non existent. Despite the fact that over 100 of my CD's have been damaged by this unit, their response was that they were sorry, but there is nothing they could do about it. Based on this incident, I will never purchase another Sony product again. If you are planning to purchase this CD player, my advice to you, "Buyer Beware."

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Sony's CDP-CX455 400 Disc MegaStorage CD Changer is perfect for your extensive CD collection. Access your CDs with ease using Twin Jog Dial and enjoy MP3 and CD-R/CD-RW Playback. Utilize features like Custom File Memo, MegaChanger Control, Optical Digital Output, CD Text, and 2 Repeat Modes (Disc or Track) to make the most of your music. Keyboard Input, FL Display, 32 Step Program Play, Control A1 II, and a Remote Commander Remote Control are also included. So take control of your CD listening experience with the CDP-CX455!This 400 Disc MegaStorage CD Changer stores and plays CDs only

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GenevaSound All-in-One Stereo for CD, iPod, iPhone, Radio, Line-in (Large-Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)Previously, in my search for the ultimate "all-in-one" sound system, I purchased the B&W Zeppelin and Bose Sounddock 10 and put them head to head in my own home. The B&W zeppelin was the clear the winner of that comparison with clear natural sound that really brought out the beauty of recorded music. The Bose had more volume capability and slightly more bass in the lowest registers, but it struggled to bring out the tone, accuracy and depth of the Zeppelin and my refence system, consisting of Full range Dynaudio Towers and NAD amplification. Of course this led me to wonder if there were any other systems out there that could be better yet. This led to me to Geneva. The Geneva line of systems has been out for several years, but I had never listened to them before. Geneva has systems of various sizes ranging from S to XXL, and I went with one right in the middle, the L. When I received my Geneva L, I was immediately impressed with the packaging and the fit and finish of the product. The glossy paint was perfect and the system integrated perfectly with the brushed metal stand, an optional piece from Geneva. It was very easy to operate. I opened the wooden flap on top of the unit, plugged in my Ipod, and powered the system on. Within minutes I was listening to my playlist. Now it was time to see what this thing could do. I already had a playlist of about 50 songs encoded from my CD collection in apple lossless. This is the same list of songs that I used to evaluate my home reference system, the B&W Zeppelin and Bose Sounddock 10. I then played about 50 hours of music and full bandwidth pink noise through the system in order to break it in. I can't stress enough how much the sound changes in all of these systems during the break in process, the Geneva most of all. After listening to my playlist on the Geneva L, I was truly amazed. The sound was simply fantastic. It has the clarity and tonal excellence of the B&W with overall volume capability and deep bass that surpassed both systems. There were a couple of trouble tracks, such as Joss Stone's "Less is More" and Jack Johnson's "Taylor," which caused the Zeppelin to exhibit port noise and some loss of coherency. The Geneva L played both of those songs beautifully, at high volume, without issue. The overall impact of this system was something that completely took me off guard. Listening to these systems side by side also showed how much deeper the sound stage of the Geneva L was. In fact it projected a sound image that was nearly as wide and deep as my reference system. The Geneva did appear to have less punch with very low volume listening which may be due to less dynamic loudness in the DSP. I also very much enjoyed listening to CD's and FM radio which is all included with the Geneva L. It became obvious to me very quickly as I was comparing the Geneva to other Ipod docks that this was not really apples to apples. First, this is a more expensive product at $999, but it was also a lot more than an Ipod Dock. With CD, FM, ipod and such full range sound, the Geneva was the first system that I consider a true stereo replacement, and could easily be the primary music system in my home. It really has the sound quality, dynamics, and imaging of full size stereo system in one sleek unit with a single single power cord. This system is a unique product is an excellent value for all that it can do, and I look forward to enjoying it for some time to come. I hope this helps anyone who is on the eternal quest for an "all-in-one" system that really can do it all.

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From Switzerland, GenevaSound is \'furniture music" – a renewed fusion of home entertainment and home décor that brings technology and design full circle. Visually, Geneva is a classic design statement. But beyond its striking simplicity, Geneva\'s clean lines embody an advanced acoustical array that\'s won the highest marks from leading audio reviewers. One look at GenevaSound reveals why it\'s sold in leading design and fashion houses from Milan to Manhattan. Listen to Geneva Sound and you\'ll know why its patented audio engineering is found in recording studios that repeatedly win Grammies and Oscars. Never before have such a variety of functions been integrated into one compact cabinet - a complete, powerful hifi system with a slot-loading CD player, an iPod-iPhone dock, a radio tuner with digital presets, and line-in jacks. Leading reviewers say it's the easiest multi-function stereo ever. Geneva Sound Large delivers room-filling sound, thanks to the power of its four 25 watt amplifiers, for a total of 100 watts of Class D amplification, a new generation of extremely efficient, low-power-consumption amplifiers. On the top of the GenevaSound Large is a slot-loading CD player. Ahead of the CD slot is the 30-pin iPod+iPhone connector hidden under a flip-up lid. Embedded in the GenevaSound cabinet is a digital radio tuner; no tabletop radio has ever sounded this big before. Setting your favorite stations as a present in the remote control has never been easier. GenevaSound Large also has auxiliary line-in connections - 3.5 mm and also RCA. These can bring in sound from almost any audio device. The cabinet measures: height 11.5 inches, depth 14.2 inches, width 17.6 inches. It weighs 38 pounds. This model comes with brushed aluminum feet with rubberized footpads. There are optional floor pedestals. The GenevaSound Large Gloss is available in three colors: white, red and black gloss lacquer.

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GenevaSound All-in-One Stereo for CD, iPod, iPhone, Radio, Line-in (Large-Walnut) Review

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(More customer reviews)Back in the day, actually before my time, televisions and stereos were designed to be both functional and beautiful - they were considered furniture, an essential complement to a well-designed room. Now, of course, function trumps form for most electronic gadgets, and most are ugly. With the advent of flat screen LCD televisions at least they don't look like the hulking monstrosities that overwhelm the room like the big TVs of the past couple decades, but it's still true that a decent sound system tends to be a box covered with buttons and indicators, and connected by endless wires to a range of speakers spread throughout the room.
That's not necessary if you've got one of these Geneva Sound L systems in the living room. It's an elegant blend of form and function - the sound is astonishing, especially considering that it all comes from a single wooden box. Did I mention wooden? The walnut variety, which is the one I've tried, is not just walnut coloring, it's actually encased in wood, and the metallic grating that covers the multiple speakers inside is just the right tint to match it perfectly. The whole system is small enough not to get in the way, but it delivers 100 Watts of stereo surround sound that can really fill a room for an immersive musical or theatrical sound experience.
Geneva Lab is known for setting an early high fidelity sound and design standard for iPod docking systems. This one is at the middle of their range -- they have one that's a bit bigger and one that's a lot bigger and a few smaller ones. I only have experience with this one and the smaller S model. For me and for my living room I can't imagine needing anything more. It feels solid and there is a serious heft to it - the system actually weighs about 40 pounds - it's not filled with cheap lightweight equipment that'll blow out when it gets loud. It can do radio and takes input from a television or other device, and there's a little, almost invisible, slot for CDs in the top, plus a panel flips open when you push it to reveal a universal iPod dock. It works perfectly with my nano and iPod touch. You can put it on the floor or a table, but Geneva Sound also sells a shiny and stable metallic stand that elevates it a couple of feet for optimum sound range. There's an LCD display that indicates the mode (radio with 6 preset buttons on the remote, iPod, CD or auxiliary), the CD track (will play CD-ROM and mp3 CDs as well as standard) and the volume (on a scale of 1-100) and the bass and treble values (each scaled from -6.0 to +6.0). All inputs, including the outlet plug, and L-R RCA input, are hidden beneath the box so that it looks good from behind -- and if you have the stand all cords can run from the device through the stand's support beam for simplicity and appearance.
Of course, it's the sound that matters most, and to my ears this really delivers. I've never really wanted a massive sound system in my living room but this one really fills the room with sound, both for watching movies and hanging out to music. While it's all in one box, there are actually two sets of speakers behind the screen - there's a pair of 1" tweeters and a couple of 5 1/4" woofers. While most of the sound is directed out from the front of the box, there's also a sound output slot in the rear, probably to help deliver a more expansive sound.The "sound test" CD that comes with the box is pretty amazing ... you drop it in and can literally hear sound coming from all directions, and this device is set to deliver that experience wherever the recorded input has the information. I didn't expect that level of "spatial differentiation" from a sound system that is this self-contained. I was also very impressed by the range -- even on a low volume it delivers what I can only describe as a "big" sound, that fills the room even without being "loud." But, I'm happy to say, it can get very loud without sounding "noisy" -- I've played jazz and hip-hop, rock and pop, and I'm very happy with the sound performance throughout, at various sound ranges.
There are a few problems, though, mostly minor but still annoying. One thing that bugs me about the design is that the buttons on the device itself (hidden along with the iPod dock beneath a wooden flip-up panel) don't do much. There's an on-off button a CD eject button and up-down volume buttons, and an input jack (for mp3 players that aren't compatible with the iPod Universal dock). What that means is that most functions on the system require use of the remote control -- and for me that is a drawback, both because in a house with kids like mine remote controls tend to wander around and are hard to find when you need them most, and because it detracts from the overall simplicity and ease. I imagine they left extra buttons off (pause, stop, song forward and back, mode switching, bass and treble adjust) in the interest of simplicity, but what that means is that the device itself isn't really self-contained, and so is inherently more complex -- to use it you have to have another thing lying around nearby. Of course it's nice to have the remote if you need it, but I like to consider a remote as an auxiliary rather than an essential. Why it's strange, too, is that there's plenty of room near the iPod dock for a few extra buttons that would still be hidden away and not detract from the aesthetics of the device. I like that I can play CDs here directly, and that it plays mp3 CDs, but I wish there was some more control in how it plays them. By default it plays them straight through (no random shuffle) and on repeat mode - and there's no way to change that. I tend to think that if a high end device like this supports a function (like playing CDs) it should support that function fully, not minimally as here.
Still, while I'd love to see an upgrade that fixes these annoyances, as a whole I think this is a beautiful device that delivers exceptional sound in an elegant and convenient package, and that's what it's all about.
About the video: I shot this as a quick illustration of the overall design of this device - shot against a green screen with a sky background because I like to play around with the green screen. One problem with that, as you'll see: there's a greenish tint on the sound system -- that's because I wasn't taking enough care to separate the lighting of the screen from the lighting of the device.

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GenevaSound Large in Walnut is the first of its kind to feature genuine hardwood veneer. From Switzerland, GenevaSound is "furniture music" – a renewed fusion of home entertainment and home décor that brings technology and design full circle. Visually, Geneva is a classic design statement. But beyond its striking simplicity, Geneva’s clean lines embody an advanced acoustical array that's won the highest marks from leading audio reviewers. One look at GenevaSound reveals why it's sold in leading design and fashion houses from Milan to Manhattan. Listen to Geneva Sound and you’ll know why its patented audio engineering is found in recording studios that repeatedly win Grammies and Oscars. Never before have such a variety of functions been integrated into one compact cabinet - a complete, powerful hifi system with a slot-loading CD player, an iPod-iPhone dock, a radio tuner with digital presets, and line-in jacks. Leading reviewers say it's the easiest multi-function stereo ever. Geneva Sound Large delivers room-filling sound, thanks to the power of its four 25 watt amplifiers, for a total of 100 watts of Class D amplification, a new generation of extremely efficient, low-power-consumption amplifiers. On the top of the GenevaSound Large is a slot-loading CD player. Ahead of the CD slot is the 30-pin iPod+iPhone connector hidden under a flip-up lid. Embedded in the GenevaSound cabinet is a digital radio tuner; no tabletop radio has ever sounded this big before. Setting your favorite stations as a present in the remote control has never been easier. GenevaSound Large also has auxiliary line-in connections - 3.5 mm and also RCA. These can bring in sound from almost any audio device. The cabinet measures: height 11.5 inches, depth 14.2 inches, width 17.6 inches. It weighs 38 pounds. This model comes with brushed aluminum feet with rubberized footpads. There are optional floor pedestals.

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Tivoli Audio MSYTPE Music System Digital AM/FM/CD Hi Fi System with Cherry/Metallic Taupe Finish Review

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(More customer reviews)[After using this machine for two months, I've got to express some displeasure with the 21 tiny buttons on the face. Unless the unit is in a lighted area and in front of your face, count on some intensive sessions devoted to nothing but memorizing the uses and locations of the buttons--and be sure to rehearse those assignments every week. Even punching the right ones when you first awaken is no more of a picnic. For a company that seduced the public with the elegant simplicity of its first radios (we have 2 of them in the house), Tivoli appears to have had a newly licensed airline pilot run amok with the design for this one. They've succeeded in creating a sleek face panel without telling you it's the consumer's job to solve each of the "pimples" on the instrument's visage to get it to play right! I'd gladly settle for 2-3 big knobs to cover the volume, tuning and time set, along with two conspicuous protruding buttons for eject and on/off. Better yet: knock off a few dollars and make it available without the clock radio.]
Call it the Bosendorfer of clock radios or the Volkswagen of compact, one-piece audio systems, it works either way. And when I see the current cost of a Tivoli iPod radio (good sound providing you keep the volume backed down), the price of this model seems less extravagant. Even though Tivoli keeps throwing in new "performance" gimmicks, the primary appeal is still the audio quality. It's not "miraculous," and it won't cause true audiophiles to forget the days of building a system from the ground up, beginning with a four hundred dollar cartridge, but the sound quality is nonetheless unlikely to leave you wanting. It replaces a Model One, which had a bit too much bass (why anyone would want to add Tivoli's "sub-woofer" eludes my understanding) and too little treble (a ride cymbal has got to sizzle). This machine addresses the problem, since it has a bottom-firing speaker and a tone control, permitting you to tease more treble out of the speakers. Moreover, it solves the problem of getting only a single channel from your input source. Finally, this machine smokes my Tivoli iPal. Fuller, better defined bass, sizzling ride cymbals (I cheated on the tone control a bit), "true" piano tones, some power to spare (thus eliminating distortion problems), and beautifully balanced sound. If you've got a well-recorded CD, you won't find a system of comparable size and weight capable of realizing its potential as fully as this Tivoli.
The clock radio takes some practice--for example, to get the sound source and volume set just right, especially if you choose to nod off with a different sound source or to plug a pillow speaker in the headphone jack. I love the CD player, but it too requires gentle handling. It seems to balk at the slightest bit of moisture, or even fingerprints, on a disc, and it takes its time responding to the listener's commands. At one point I nearly returned the machine when it appeared to eat my CD, refusing to give it back. Going over the instructions, I noticed a single sentence directing the owner to unplug the machine for 60 seconds when such an event occurs. Problem solved, though it will recur, especially if you become impatient. Treat this instrument like you would a Steinway, not a player piano, and it should respond in kind.
It's a quality little unit, but it doesn't butter your toast--or even toast it, for that matter. Or perhaps, like setting the alarms and operating the CD player more efficiently, that's simply a maneuver I haven't mastered yet. (later) I've moved this out of the bedroom, permitting me to crank it up a bit and listen from 12 feet away. The unit sounds sweeter than ever (even if I'm occasionally questioning the how much and why of the clock radio).

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The Tivoli Audio Hi-Fi Music System is a full-featured tabletop system that gives you the ultimate in high-fidelity stereo sound.With its concert quality sound, the Hi-Fi Music System is designed to bring stunning audio to the ears of the most discerning audiophile and music lover.It includes a slot-loading CD player, digital AM/FM radio, and a built-in powered subwoofer with amplifier.The CD player has shuffle and repeat functions, and is compatible with CD, MP3, WMA, CD-R, CD-RW, and CD-Text formats.Both AM and FM antennas are included for optimum radio reception, and six presets are available for AM and FM radio stations.An easy-to-read LCD automatically adjusts to lighting conditions and shows CD/MP3 text or Radio Data System information (where available).The Hi-Fi Music System offers full and expansive high-fidelity stereo sound via its two 3" drivers with SpacePhase equalization.A built-in, down-firing 5" magnetically-shielded powered subwoofer adds rich musical bass and features a separate volume control.The unit also features a bass reflex design for extended bass response, and separate amps for maximum power efficiency.A front panel stereo headphone output, a stereo record output, and auxiliary and mixing inputs give you additional flexibility.The digital clock with battery backup has convenient dual alarms with snooze function.The Hi-Fi Music System also comes with a credit card-sized remote.It is all housed in an attractive furniture grade cherry cabinet.

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GenevaSound All-in-One Stereo for CD, iPod, Radio, iPhone, Line-in (Xtra Large-Red) Review

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(More customer reviews)I have bought many products through Amazon and yet this is the first time I have felt the urge to leave a review.
If you are looking for natural studio reference quality sound reproduction with style and simplicity, you have now found it.
True stereo sound from one beautifully designed enclosure and no wires!
One remote control handles all functions.
This unit plays CDs, I-Pods and I-Phones and will accept connection to all other manner of inputs. The only drawback is that the built in FM radio antenna does not receive strong stereo signals but why bother when you can play any world radio station through an I-Phone with a wi-fi connection and charge your phone at the same time. I have not switched on my expensive high-end music system since buying the Genevasound. The speaker enclosures are a wonder to hear and also look great.
Very highly recommended.

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One look at GenevaSound reveals why it’s sold in leading design and fashion houses from Milan to Manhattan. Listen to Geneva Sound and you’ll know why its patented audio engineering is found in recording studios that repeatedly win Grammies and Oscars.From Switzerland, GenevaSound is "furniture music” – a renewed fusion of home entertainment and home décor that brings technology and design full circle. Visually, Geneva is a classic design statement. But beyond its striking simplicity, Geneva’s clean lines embody an advanced acoustical array that’s won the highest marks from leading audio reviewers. Never before have such a variety of functions been integrated into one compact cabinet - a complete, powerful hifi system with a slot-loading CD player, an iPod-iPhone dock, a radio tuner with digital presets, and a line-in jack. Leading reviewers say it's the easiest multi-function stereo ever. GenevaSound XL can fill a dance hall with music, thanks to the power of its six 100 watt amplifiers, for a total of 600 watts of Class D amplifiers, a new generation of extremely efficient, low-power-consumption amplifiers. On the top of the GenevaSound XL is a slot-loading CD player. Behind the CD slot is the 30-pin iPod+iPhone connector. Embedded in the GenevaSound cabinet is a digital radio tuner; no tabletop radio has ever sounded this big before. Setting your favorite stations as a present in the remote control has never been easier. GenevaSound XL also has 2 auxiliary line-in connections, 3.5 mm and RCA, connecting to almost any audio device.The cabinet measures: height 24.1 inches, depth 14.5 inches, width 21.7 inches. It weighs 84 pounds. This model comes with brushed aluminum feet with rubberized footpads. The GenevaSound XL is available in three colors: white, red and black gloss.

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Sony LBT LCD77Di Shelf Stereo System (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)My AWIA tanked a while back, and I was forced to get a new unit. AWIA was gonna be a tough act to follow. I'm not someone paid or 'encouraged' to write this either.
This is a pretty good unit. I hope it gives me lots of good years of service. It has a good, rich sound that fills my living room nicely. I have high ceilings and wood floors and the sound is good, not 'tinny' or high pitched. iPod, USB, aux. inputs are great. I like the audio controls O.K. but still want more than 3 layers/bands of an equalizer....The video screen is cool. GREAT picture. But it really has no appreciable function. Unless your in a dorm room maybe, but most folks probably have a laptop that has a much bigger picture anyway. It woud make for a decent digital picture frame, but it's still kinda small for that, and since it's sitting on a shelf or cabinet it's probably not gonna be in a great position to watch. At least that's how it is in my home. Still the picture is Very good.
SONY. All the bells and whistles on the unit, and no RDS?!?! (Radio Disply System) like on my cars radio?? How come that's not on here?? And why not a HD reciever? Those 2 things would have put this unit at 6 stars for me! And why not an option for some decent screen savers while the radio is on? If it's gonna have a screen saver, and the potential for great pictures! How come those LAME images? Since we can't play/see anything else while the radio is playing!
Forgive my whining...Those are just my ideas for improvements. For the money though, this is a good unit. It seems difficult to find a decent stereo these days, and this one fits the bill fairly nicely. Hope this helps. I'm satisfied. Oh and by the way. The distributor, and UPS got this there to me before the scheduled delivery date, and at Christmas Time!

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Karaoke: Karaoke-PON/Multiplex/Key control/Song Reservation/Scoring/Vocal-Vocal select (Only DVD Function)

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TEAC SR-100i-B Hi-fi CD/FM Radio with Retractable iPod Dock Review

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(More customer reviews)Well, I wasn't going to spend $600 on a B&W Zeppelin iPod Dock ... and then I saw this unit. Yes, it's look ... and price, sold me on it.
Along with an iPod dock (which is smart as you can push it in if you're not using it to keep the visual lines clean) it also has a radio AND a CD player that plays MP3/WMA disks AND a USB port. I have a 6th gen iPod nano on it and the overall look is very cool! It's rated at 50w per channel which is pretty powerful given that's it a souped-up speaker dock.
This speaker comes with a clean, simple ovoid remote that runs using a lithium watch battery. There is also a very retro-futuristic blue led display that lists status, volume, etc.
Teac isn't too well-known in the US, but it's your typical decent Japanese company (they're bigger in Europe).
Okay, and now to the crux of the review - how about the sound quality? For the price paid, I think it's pretty good. Note that I don't listen to music at ear-shattering levels. It has a few DSP settings including Loudness, Extra Bass, etc if you need more "boom" to your listening experience.
Verdict? 4 stars! Looks fabulous and sounds pretty good too!

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The SR-100i features a surprisingly powerful bass. It is designed to deliver clean sound, nicely balanced from top to bottom. The tweeters handle the high-end, while the mid-woofers round out the midrange. In the back, bass-reflex ports enhance the lows to fill out the sound. Possessing a superior range of features and versatility, the SR-100i is the ideal iPod audio system for anyone seeking a complete hi-quality, hi-fidelity system with superior design aesthetics at an affordable price.

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Denon DM38S Micro AM/FM, CD System Featuring USB Input and iPod/iPhone Connectivity Review

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(More customer reviews)Recieved my unit on 8/11/2010 from Amazon and I am very impressed with the quality of this product. It is easy to set up and program ie station presets, time etc. I know that this unit is billed as a shelf system, however I set it up in my living room and the sound is excellent. I have put in my favorite rock, reggae, swing and classical CD's and the music reproduction is full and distinct.
I looked at the DM 37 at a local store and while the two seem to be identical in performance the optional IPOD docking station for the 37 was a turn off. My son hooked up his IPOD direct into this unit and it was fully controllable from the remote. This was a prime factor in my purchase. The features that I really like are the separate FM/AM antennas, the analog inputs and the intuitive lay out of the remote. The only fly in the ointment, if you are visually challenged, is the size of the display, but given the size and percieved function as a shelf system, this didn't influence my rating.
While somewhat pricey, if you like music and don't want to spend some really big money this system deserves serious consideration.

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Combining legendary Denon design concepts along with a European-engineered speaker system, the DM38S micro component music system is the ideal choice for listeners who demand superb musical performance and leading edge connectivity. This versatile compact music system is perfect for a bedroom, home office, business office or college dorm. The DM38S system is "Made for iPod" and "Works with iPhone" featuring a USB input for direct digital connection of these devices. The front panel features a deluxe two line dot matrix fluorescent display, which provides clear indications of source and function status. The DM38S is can be used with optional ASD-11R, 51N and 51W iPod docks providing additional features. The systems built-in CD player features precision Burr-Brown audiophile D/A converters, and features CD-R and CD-RW disc playback compatibility, along with MP3 and WMA playback capability. The AM/FM tuner features 40 user presets for radio listening convenience. The unit is equipped with a convenient timer function, which can be easily set up for Once, Daily, and Sleep modes. The included remote control unit features ergonomically designed buttons, with logical groupings for easy use. The powerful 30-watt/channel amplifier section is backed by a robust power supply that features dual power transformers and features Denon’s simple and straight circuit design philosophy. A mono subwoofer pre-out jack is included. The powerful 5 inch woofer features Denon’s Double Layer convex cone technology, which provides deep bass and clear mid-range free of coloration caused by cone flex distortion, and also features air venting for optimum cooling during extended passages of high volume. The 1 inch soft dome tweeter features extended response to 40 kHz, along with wide dispersion and high power handling thanks to the advanced coil and dome air venting system. The DM38S is a compact system packed with performance, features and value.

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Onkyo C-S5VL C-S5VL Super Audio CD/CD Player Review

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(More customer reviews)I listen to classical music and have almost a thousand CD collections. I own a number of CD players as well as dedicated DACs. To my ears Onkyo C-S5VL is the first CD player that is able to reproduce the violins in orchestra as "violins". You could almost hear them being played individually as a group without sounding harsh nor bright. My Spendor BC1 now sounds almost up to its full potential. Many believe Wolfson WM8742 DAC is the best there is in terms of digital to analog conversion. Oh did I say C-S5VL also plays SACD. IMO a good recording of SACD disc with Onkyo C-S5VL is hard to beat. Heads off to Onkyo for the making of a good sounding affordable CD/SACD player.
**update**
I have this player for about 4 months. The strength of this player is its ability to select and use one of five different advanced digital filters that come with WM8742 (applicable to CD only, SACD uses different filters). Out of the five filters, the most notable one is Minimum Phase Anti-Alias Apodising filter (FIL 4). Minimum Phase Anti-Alias Apodising filter is regarded by many as a major break through in improving digital media play back quality in recent years (a filter of a similiar kind is implemented in Meridian 808.2 by a 150 MIPS processor and expensive customary circuitry). This particular filter not only removes the pre-echo artifact that is commonly associated with conventional CD players but also sweep away the digital "glare" that we have almost come to accept as inevitable when listening to music of digital media. To my ears when FIL 4 is employed musical instruments exhibit consistent and substantial improvement in timber, clarity, definition, and tonality. The resulting sound signature is close being analogue. Onkyo C-S5VL enables me to enjoy the music even after hours of listening.

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Sampling audio signals at a rate 64 times higher than CD, Super Audio CD gives you the closest possible approximation of being in the same room as the musicians. Little wonder, then, that it has established itself as the audiophiles\' format of choice. Now, with the C-S5VL, Onkyo makes quality audio more accessible than ever. The C-S5VL is a stellar playback solution for Super Audio CD—as well as regular CDs and WMA- or MP3-encoded discs—and makes an ideal partner for Onkyo\'s slimline A-5VL integrated amplifier. The C-S5VL incorporates Onkyo\'s VLSC\' technology, along with high-end Wolfson DACs, to ensure a pristine conversion of the audio signal from digital to analog. Meanwhile, a high-precision crystal oscillator and jitter-cleaner device work together to stabilize the clock frequency. You get meticulous timing for all digital signals and hence beautifully clear separation of musical instruments. So, if you want to get serious about digital audio playback, open your ears to the C-S5VL.

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JVC Kaboom System for Ipod Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)ok.. i have been waiting for this Kaboom to finally make it to the states.. i received mine today.. some things to mention.. this is a 40 watt kaboom.. not the 52 watt older kaboom.. the side firing subs are also smaller.. if you love the deep deep bass of prior Kaboom models.. dont buy this one.. if you like moderate "in your face" mid/bass.. then this Kaboom is for you.. it's almost the same size as older kabooms.. and has a managable wieght.. so carrying it around wont break your back.. item is "MADE IN CHINA" unlike older kabooms that were solidly biult in Indonesia.. and it shows.. cheaper plastics and parts were used in this Kaboom..
item lacks the durable shoulder strap/remote holder from previous Kabooms.. it's now a funky strap/plastic lachy thingy.. it also does not come with batteries for the remote.. a sign of cheapness.. is it worth $300? nope.. $150-$180 perhaps.. IPOD intergration is simple at best.. it does simpe functions.. but it's not fully intergrated.. but the main reason i bought it is that it protects the IPOD from damage.. this it does well.. i did not try the USB input.. but i'm sure it works as intended..
bottom line.. if you want the BASS that Kabooms were known for.. this will not fill that void.. stick with the older units
but if you want a nice compact carry anywhere self contained boombox for your IPOD this will do fine.. it does get plenty loud..
sign of the times.. the day of quality electronics is no more..

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The new RV-NB50 Kaboom boasts 40 watts of power and retains the original's general design -- a large cylindrical shape with a woofer at each end. Bass enhancement circuitry ensures room-rattling low frequency performance. Digital era upgrades include the iPod dock, which is shielded from the elements by a protective door, and USB Host for playback of music files stored on a USB mass storage device. In addition, there's a CD player that can handle MP3 and WMA file playback, and an FM tuner. For additional flexibility, there's a front audio input. A remote control makes it easy to operate while a shoulder strap makes it a cinch to carry.

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Sony LBT-GTZ4i 3-Disc CD Changer Mini Shelf System with Play Exchange Review

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(More customer reviews)Not much to say except this system is beautiful. I just set it up and turned it two half volume and it got my floors (literally) shaking. The bass is absolutely tremendous. It's really rich and deep. Definitely good for my techno.
I turned on some rock too and the other speakers pick up just as well. I'm am 100% satisfied.
The seller also shipped it to me within 3 business days. I was surprised it came today. I was expecting it later this week.

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Made for iPod – Charge, Play, Control, Dual USB Ports: Rec & Playback (MP3, WMA, AAC), Meter FL Display, Audio-in For Use with MP3 Player or PC, 3-Disc CD Changer w/Play Exchange, CD-R / CD-RW and MP3 Playback, 550W (RMS) Total Power Output, Z-Groove: rich, deep bass from all connected sources, MP3 Booster +, AM / FM Radio, Remote Control

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Pioneer FH-P8000BT Double-Din In-Dash CD/MP3/WMA/AAC Receiver with Built-In Bluetooth, iPod Control, and Rear USB Input Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This video shows the basic operation of the unit, since it's hard to explain.
The biggest pro for me is the sound. My stock speakers sounded good with the factory head unit, but they sound like brand new high end speakers with the Pioneer.
A close second is the feature set. The iPod integration is the best that I saw in any unit, and it sure beats the axillary input mod kit that I was running beforehand. The sound from the iPod is great. Also keep in mind that it's a USB input, not just an iPod input. Plug in an external hard drive or thumb drive and you're in buisness, too. The addition of the Bluetooth connectivity was a major selling point, and it delivers a great convenience that I would really miss now that I'm used to it. I can leave my phone out of reach (in the trunk even) and I can still answer it if it rings.
The biggest con is the user interface- it does take a bit to learn the ins and outs, but once you do, very few times is it a bother (the 'pause' option is buried in the function submenu, which is annoying, but since the unit automatically pauses the music for incoming / outgoing calls, it's only a problem in, say, drive thru's).
The pros VASTLY outweigh the cons, and the price is far below what I would expect for a unit with this feature set. That gets this unit a 5 Star rating - iPod, Bluetooth, CD, HD & Satellite Radio ready- there really aren't any features left for you to want!
I purchased it with the wiring harness and the dash kit for my 2005 Mazda3 and it looks quite nice. Check out the video!

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Upgrade your factory two-DIN system with Pioneer's FH-P8000BT. Enjoy hands-free calling or streaming audio with built-in Bluetooth capability, playback of CDs and MP3/WMA/AAC files, direct USB control for your iPod, and plenty more, through a 50W x 4 MOSFET amplifier. Need more? Expand your options by adding HD/SAT radio, or expand your system using the three 4V RCA preamp outputs.


FH-P8000BT Features
Built-in Bluetooth Solution Your calls come in loud & clear with advanced echo cancellation. Setup is easy with simple phone pairing and automatic phonebook transfer.
Simple Phone PairingSimply tilt, turn and push the Rotary Commander to register and use up to three Bluetooth-compatible cell phones.
Transfer All Your Phonebook Information and NumbersUse with Phone Pairing to transfer your entire phonebook at a single time to the headunit, which can memorize up to 3600 different numbers: 400 persons x 3 contacts x 3 phone types (cell phone, home, office, etc.). Compatible Phone with PBAP profile required.
New Echo CancellationAdvanced Echo Cancellation has three levels of adjustment to keep phone calls sounding sufficiently loud and clear.

Note: Not all Bluetooth phones may be compatible, and some features may not be available with all phones.
Bluetooth Wireless Technology for "Wireless Audio" Control and Streaming When you're not utilizing hands-free calling, the FH-P8000BT can use Bluetooth Wireless Technology to feed your appetite for entertainment. Using "wireless audio" control and streaming (AVRCP, A2DP), you can controland listen to a compatible audio player or music phone on your headunit.
Advanced Sound Retriever Hear the detail, warmth and clarity, the way the artist intended it, from all of your highly compressed MP3, WMA and AAC files stored on USB memory device, iPod and portable digital players. By restoring data (especially higher frequencies) that tend to get lost in the digital compression process, Pioneer's Advanced Sound Retriever technology enhances audio reproduction nearly all the way up to 20 kHz frequencies.
USB Direct Control for iPod and more Pioneer's FH-P8000BT is ready to roll with capability for direct connection to your iPod . USB 2.0's speed and capability allow an elevated iPod experience in the car, and nearly limitless expandability for portable media players and USB memory devices.
File search and access are extra-quick. The headunit keeps song, artist, time and album information displays very clear and user-friendly, and control is intuitive through the 7-Way Rotary Commander. The system's wired USB connection provides direct digital signal transfer from the iPod for clean, clear sound.In addition, Pioneer has developed the following new features to make using your iPod in the car extremely easy and convenient:
Alphabetical Speed Search When searching for artist/album, you can initiate alphabet search by pressing "List" button.
Link Search While listening to a specific artist you can hold "List" button down and it will pop up folders containing that specific artist.
Passenger Control Mode Allows passenger to use the iPod directly to browse and select music, while connected to the headunit for playback.
Random (Shuffle) Key Physical Random Button on faceplate (Shuffle) makes it easy to hear something fresh.
Full Featured and High Performance The FH-P8000BT is smartly designed to expand your system, customize your experience, provide superior sound quality and easy operation.

Supertuner IIID AM/FM Tuner Pioneer's legendary Supertuner IIID combines the best of digital and analog tuner technologies to reduce distortion to bring you exceptional FM and AM performance. If you live in an area where reception is weak, you'll hear a big improvement in signal strength. And when you're near tall buildings, Supertuner IIID reduces the effect of multi-path noise, which occurs when the signal is reflecting off of the buildings.
MOSFET 50W x4 Amplifier for the Power Hungry Compared to conventional power supplies, the MOSFET amplification circuit is smaller and more efficient, delivering power with less distortion and absolutely zero on/off switching noise. And that doesn't just mean a boost in volume: it means that your music will be cleaner at higher volumes because you're not pushing the limits of the amplification circuit. Clean, efficient power that will rock your vehicle.
For those who'd like a bit more power, three 4V preamp outputs are also included for system expansion (front/rear/sub).
FH-P8000BT Basic Specs

What's in the Box Pioneer FH-P8000BT Receiver, Wiring Harness, Installation Hardware, Owner's Manual

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Yamaha MCR-230BL Micro Component System (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've been a big fan of Yamaha receivers for many years. If you buy towards the top of the range, you won't be disappointed. I still own a DSP-A3090, an R100, and an MCR-E300GLC mini-system. All have performed heroically over the years with virtually no problems. When I saw the MCR-230BL advertised, the USB and iPod inputs were the draw. I assumed that since it was a Yamaha product, it would have intuitive controls and at least one aux input (shame on me for not checking this out beforehand). First of all, the controls are a mess. To make very basic adjustments in tone, you have to dive into a menu system that should be an example to designers everywhere of how to frustrate your customers. I suspect 80% of people that buy this will never figure out how to adjust bass and treble. There should have been dedicated knobs for this but I understand the necessity of controlling cost. Regardless, there are many examples of good menu driven controls. In this case, the controls are awful. Secondly, there are no aux inputs. Forget connecting anything else to this other than an iPod and usb device. Thirdly, this is available with or without the speakers. I was intrigued by the unusal depth of the speakers so I bought these as well. Save your money. The speakers lack any semblance of realistic midrange, bass or smooth treble. I've owned many speakers and understand these are basically throw-aways but was hoping Yamaha might have produced a diamond in the rough among cheap speakers. No such luck. So what's to like? The iPod functionality is good. The remote controls most anything you will need to control in the iPod. It has an output for a sub. The usb input is cool. I've connected several flash dives and a 40Gb portable, usb powered hard drive. All worked well. I finally ran a mini-jack to rca cable from the headphone output of this to my other Yamaha mini-system so I get the better sound quality and controls. If you are considering buying this, I'd look at something a little more sophisticated from Yamaha or Denon, something you will be happy to use for many years. If you want iPod connectivity with controls, there are many iPod docks that can be connected to any receiver, some of which have remotes and other nice features but all of which will cost far less than this unusual mis-step by Yamaha.

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Yamaha MCR-230BL Micro Component System (Black)

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