JVC KDSHX750 CD Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)There's two incredible reasons to buy this thing- It puts out a true 50W RMS into all 4 channels, and it will do time alignment. It's a really unique head unit in that sense, and it's why I bought it. Besides that, it's 2005 tech. A nice color LCD, SD card MP3 support (only up to 2GB), and the basics.
But to get real time alignment and a really powerful amp in a head unit was downright awesome if you want a mid-range setup without a trunk full of equipment.
It would get 5 stars if the MP3 browsing didn't suck so hard. But it's worth it.

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Sony Portable Sports CD Player (DSJ15) Review

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(More customer reviews)This baby does not skip.. hit it, shake it... it simply doesn't skip. Excellent sound with enough volume unless you want to destroy you ear drums! Having a radio built in is a waste of money. This is the best Sony yet and you don't have to worry about water and sand. The seal works perfectly. It only takes one mistake with sand and you can toss those other units in the trash. Plays for hours on rechargable batteries. Maybe the make a better unit but I haven't seen it..............

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This hot-looking new Sports Portable CD Walkman« can go anywhere you want it to...it's even Water Resistant to keep out water, moisture and dirt! Don't tip-toe around worrying about it skipping either...it features Skip-Free G-ProtectionM-^Y, making this model the ideal on-the-go companion. (Not meant to be immersed or come into continous contact with water.)

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Mx406 - Mcintosh Am/fm/cd Player with Aux Input Review

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(More customer reviews)Ten years from now, when the compact disc format finally reaches complete obsolescence, we will be able to look back at the McIntosh MX406 and it's big brother the McIntosh MX4000 as perhaps the high-water mark of car audio excellence. (However, a tip of the hat must be made to the legendary Alpine 7909 (introduced in 1989!) and the follow up 1998 Alpine 7909 Anniversary Edition.) I owned a few other stereos, however the sonic quality of the MX406 was such that audiophiles and non-audiophiles alike were astounded by the loudness and detail of the stereo, (McIntosh amps and ten Oz Audio speakers, when the name "Oz" used to mean something). The MX406 utilizes Dual 20-bit Burr-Brown digital to analog converters and put out a whopping 9 volts on the preamp outs, helping to account for the stupendous clarity and headroom it provides and boasts a signal to noise ratio of an unheard of (in the car audio realm) of 110 db and a dynamic range of 100 db, making playing of transients very lifelike and accurate. Incidently, Clarion, parent company of McIntosh Labs, Inc. made a Clarion-badged version of this deck, the Clarion DRX 9255, also a fine source unit, and benefits from a scan forward and backward function which the MX406 lacks! So if you want to listen to a ten-minute long song and your favorite passage is at 09:00, then you're just going to have to wait, buddy. And pay attention because you can't rewind it either! This is a single-purposed machine indeed.
Cosmetically, it is beautiful with a black, onyx-like glass front panel and a soft, blue electroluminescent display bracketed with extruded and brushed aluminum accents on either end of it--signature McIntosh styling. I matched these with a set of matching dash-mounted analog (needles) stereo power output meters for an over-the-top presentation.
I owned one for six years or so, and had to send it back repeatedly for the laser pick up and various other issues. (In its defense, an idiot car detailer sprayed vinyl cleaner all over it and followed that up with a shot of compressed air!) After the fifth or sixth time back to Binghamton, NY, McIntosh replaced the then-six-year-old stereo with a brand new one in spite of being far out of warranty! I sold it online and got exactly what I paid for the original one, sort of like putting up a refundable 800-dollar deposit for the privilege of enjoying one of these for six years. The upshot of all this is that McIntosh obviously stands behind what they sell.
I'm not in any position to blow $3000 on a big car stereo system anymmore, but I will always remember with fondness my McIntosh MX406.

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Denon DNC615 Pro Rack Mount CD Player with Digital Output Review

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(More customer reviews)A review on Amazon of another CD player, the Teac CD-P1250, said that it was the only single-disc CD player on the market. Nope, there's two. Well, one and a half anyway.
The Denon DN-C615 isn't exactly consumer gear, but it isn't exactly pro gear, either. It's got rack ears and pitch adjustment, and it's set up for a wired remote and output cascading, but the outputs are unbalanced RCA plus SPDIF. It has auto cuing and audible manual cuing within a track, but doesn't allow you to save cue points. So I think "semi-pro" is a pretty good description.
It's aimed at DJs, community radio stations, and sound reinforcement applications, and it wouldn't be out of place in a small studio for applications like sampling. And, what matters to my family, it drops right in to a home stereo system, so long as your cabinet can manage the rack ears (which don't look like they're removable except with a hacksaw).
The sound (even before break-in) is typical Denon: clear and airy, with both good definition and satisfactory thump in the bass, free of noticeable spurious harmonics. The controls and displays are easy to use and understand and don't have any immediately obvious ergonomic problems or bugs. It plays CD-Rs fine, both audio CD-Rs and MP3 CDs, and it allegedly plays CD-RWs, but I probably won't find out because CD-RWs and my computers don't get along.
MP3 files sound as good on the DN-C615 as I've ever heard them. You don't need to burn a special MP3 CD: it'll take plain data CDs with MP3 files on them and even lets you navigate through folders. But if you do give it a disc that's been burned as an MP3 CD, it'll run the playlist in order, which is a big improvement over my DVD player which plays MP3 files in some strange order I have yet to figure out. And I have to admit, seeing the song titles change as it plays is positively decadent.
The price is a little higher than I'd have liked, and unless you want to build a wired remote or have your chair real close to the player, you'll need a special remote (another US$40). But I do like the player so far.

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The Denon DN-C615 is a professional CD player housed in a single 2RU rack-mount chassis. The successor to the popular DN-600F, it includes CD-RW playback, shock memory, instant start and CD text support. Auto Cue to music ensures there are no blank spots at the beginning of the track to be played. A user adjustable menu has also been added so the unit can be custom tailored to a particular application. Designed for use in a wide range of applications such as schools, restaurants, aerobic studios and backup systems, the DN-C615 provides solid performance when quality sound is required. For background music applications, the DN-C615 supports MP3 decoding for hours of music playback.

Full CD Playback The DN-C615 plays back CDs, as well as CD-R/RWs discs. Select from several playback modes--single, continuous, random, or various repeat modes (single track/all tracks/program & random repeat).
Other playback features include Instant Start, display of CD TEXT data, and an auto cue feature that avoids those blank spots before tracks.
MP3 Playback Access hours of music on a single disc with MP3 playback, complete with folder and title search.
Direct Track Select Buttons Direct track access is provided through the 11-key keypad.
Program Play Enter up to 99 tracks for programmed playback.
Pitch Control Adjust playback speed +/- 12% with the variable pitch control.
Coaxial RCA Digital Output (SPDIF) A digital SPDIF port is located on the back panel for connecting to digital systems along with sync and cascade connectors for use with multiple DN-C615 units.
Shock-Proof Memory Avoid skips with approximately 10 seconds of shock-proof memory.
Analog Outputs The DN-C615 features a front-panel headphone out and a rear-panel RCA out.
Remote Port The external remote control port, mounted on the rear panel, is compatible with the optional Denon RC-620 wired remote control unit.
What's in the Box Denon DNC615, User's Manual

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Sony MHCEC98Pi Mini Hi-Fi Shelf System with Digital Media Port and 530-Watts RMS (Silver) Review

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(More customer reviews)I did not purchase this from Amazon, but I wanted to write a review anyway. I have been looking everywhere for a stereo system that has clear sound, great bass, an iPod hookup and cd changer. If it had a cassette deck, that would be even better, but I could deal without one. I really liked the idea of an extra subwoofer. I wasn't going to purchase this system because it only has a 1 disc tray for cd's, but I figured that's where the iPod comes in for continuous music, and I should at least try it. Needless to say, I bought this stereo and hooked it up immediately (set up was a piece of cake).
I was immediately disappointed when the wires for my speakers were extremely short. Maybe only about 3 1/2 feet long. I like to spread out my system a little so I can get the best sound. Now, I'm not talking about placing speakers all around the room - they wouldn't even extend to the edges of my entertainment center.
The worst part of all, and the main reason why I am returning this system, is the sound is muffled. Even when I changed the preset EQ settings, the only one I was somewhat happy with was the "MP3 SURROUND"... but it still muffled my music. I could barely hear "s" sounds in the vocals... when I could, they sounded more like an "f". I should say, I am also very picky when it comes to electronics, but when I'm spending $200 + dollars, I think it's allowed! All I am asking for is crisp sound.
So, here are my pros to the system:
--Very nice looking stereo system
--DSGX feature really boosts the sound, along with the subwoofer
--LOVE the included iPod dock, which also charges
--7 different EQ settings for sound (my old stereo had 4)
--530 watts for loud sound
My cons, which severely outweigh the pros for me:
--Muffled sound. Vocals and music bits are not clear at ALL
--1 CD playing capability
--Wires and chords aren't long enough to spread out components to my liking
--Expensive for the things it is lacking
Hopefully this review will be helpful - I wish I had one that was this detailed when I was looking. Mind you, everyone has their own taste.
I would not recommend this system to anyone who is looking for crisp, clear sound. But if you like a nice strong bass and a lot of power... you may want to take a look.

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PIONEER FH-P8000BT DOUBLE DIN IN-DASH CD/MP3/WMA/ITUNES(R) AAC/WAV RECEIVER Review

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(More customer reviews)I have installed lots of stereo's this one is my favorite. The options are great, The sound very customizable and the connections give you every function you need from audio. Tiny gripes would be the folder\file tree structure on the usb flash drives playback and the lack of dimmer functionality but over all the bluetooth is great, the usb-ipod options are great, the audio input was great fro sirius,and the modern sleekness(with a touch of 80's Big Button)

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Sony D-FS18 Portable CD Player Review

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(More customer reviews)I just got this CD player for working out and it is the best!! I had previously tried a panasonic cd player which skipped while I was walking on the treadmill at a fast pace and stopped entirely when I started running. The Sony Sport is unstoppable!!! I can run, jump up and down, swing it around, and it keeps on going! Nothing interrups the play, the quality is amazing. Also, the sound is incredible! I had the best workout, I love this Sony Sport!!!!

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Sony LBTZUX9 Mini Hi-Fi Shelf System 1000W RMS Total Power (Silver) Review

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(More customer reviews)I took time to go to several stores to try different systems. With each system no matter how innovative or divers the system with the latest capabilities, the only thing that made any difference that was noticeable in the store was the number of watts to the speaker. I tried positions and that was pretty much negligible. So now my mission was to find a mini-stereo that would be a shelf system to replace my poor old 25 year old system that finally bit the dust.
I actually tried the Sony LBTZX9 Mini Hi-Fi Shelf System and found it pretty good. Then I spotted on line the Sony LBTZUX9 Mini Hi-Fi Shelf System. 1000 watts meant 250 watts per-speaker. I do not want rock sounds that will breing every fire engine for the surrounding neighborhood. I did not want a system that you have to ware sunscreen to listen to Prokofiev on a cool evening while reading. So I took a chance and ordered this monster. I was aware that it came in a shipping box that would require a team to deliver; how ever I thought it was just well packed. Expecting a mini-stereo, a shelf system I did not expect just one speaker to be larger than the whole of my older stereo system. Naturally I realize that this animal was never going to fit on a shelf (book shelf) as it has twice the depth and would tip out. The tape-to-tape system opens up on the top instead of the front which again makes it impossible to place on a book self. I am also starting to question the term "Mini".
I was able to retrieve Cargo cases from another room to replace the book shelves. It took five of these animals (one for the stereo and one each for the huge speakers.) there are two remotes because there is not enough room on one remote to hold all the buttons. The speakers were simple to setup. Everything works fine out of the box. However this system may be tad overkill. But the purpose is not for great volumes as great ranges to hear the subtle sounds that you can only get in a concert hall. Many of the time I have to pick the "flat" option to keep the boom box effect to overwhelm the music.
Well with its new home and a little adjustment this is the system to take me into the next couple of decades before the technology will make it obsolete.


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Nakamichi SoundSpace 5 - Audio system - radio / 3xCD Review

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(More customer reviews)I loved this system when I first bought it four years ago. Sleek, cool, and stylish; I bought it more for the way it looked than for the way it sounded (and it sounds great). It still looks great, now if it only PLAYED as well as it looks.
After four years it's almost unusable. I've already had to have it repaired twice because of poor soldering inside, and just about any CD I put into it skips. It's gotten so bad that I need to burn a new CD just about any time I want to play something. The shuffle feature is terrible -- it plays the same songs over and over again, which is pretty bad considering that even cheap boomboxes "remember" which songs they've already played and remove them from the playlist. The remote has lots and lots of tiny, tiny buttons, impossible to use or read in dim lighting.
Yeah, it's possible that I got a lemon, but getting it repaired was also an incredibly difficult chore. None of the 800 numbers listed in the manual worked, none of the e-mail addresses I tried worked, and even when I got a valid address, it took four e-mail messages and three angry phone calls before I finally got the address of an authorized repair center. The guy there told me that if I needed new parts I may as well buy a new system; if the parts arrived at all, they would be very exepensive.
I know that only used versions of this are available, and maybe it would be worth buying if you can get one for less than three hundred and have immaculately dust-free, brand-new CDs. I paid almost eight hundred in 2003, and I wish I had the money back.

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Nakamichi's SoundSpace 5 is a 3-CD compact stereo designed for places where full-sized audio components just won't fit. The 3-piece system is small enough for the kitchen or bedroom and stylish enough for your library or office. Why settle for bad sound, cheap build quality, or ugly equipment? SoundSpace 5 was designed to deliver stereo reproduction to rival the concert-hall quality of full-sized Nakamichi components. Its 3 components, styled in contemporary brushed metal and acrylic, can be arranged in different ways: standing, tilted like easel frames, or even hung on the wall. Your choice of charcoal, blue, and green speaker grilles are included for coordination with any decor.The main unit houses a MusicBank 3-disc CD changer, an FM/AM tuner, and the system preamplifier and volume control. Operational buttons are arranged conveniently on the top panel, and a front window lets you witness the operation of the changer, which subtly illuminate in blue or amber (user selectable). The MusicBank changer needs no magazine and is as easy to load as a single-disc CD player. It permits fast, safe disc handling and never touches the disc's playing surface. This changer allows full control over playback functions, including all-disc memory play, random play, all repeat, and memory-repeat play.The speakers are unique in housing their own power amplifiers. Each uses a 3.9-inch midrange/bass driver and a 1-inch semi-dome tweeter. The power amplifiers are optimized for the speakers they drive, ensuring proper stereo "imaging" and wide dynamic range.Nakamichi's FM/AM tuner offers one-touch preset settings for 20 FM and 10 AM stations as well as convenient preset scan or seek tuning. A high-performance quartz-synthesis tuner provides stable, high-quality reception.SoundSpace 5 includes an optical digital output for feeding accurate, digital CD signals to a minidisc or a CD recorder. There are stereo analog RCA inputs and outputs for a cassette deck, as well as auxiliary inputs for a video source. The RCA-type subwoofer output permits connection of any optional subwoofer with a built-in low-pass filter. Plugging in headphones automatically mutes the speakers.For your convenience, the system comes with two separate remote controls. The primary remote engages all functions, including disc eject, while the secondary remote controls major functions and allows blind key operation.What's in the Box Main unit, 2 speakers, 3 sets of speaker grilles (charcoal, blue, and green), 2 remote controls, remote batteries, a 220-240V AC power adapter, a user's manual, and warranty information.

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Sony LBT-ZX66i iPod Ready Mini Shelf System Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been listening to my new Sony LBT-ZX66i for the past 3 hours. It does everything it claims to do and does it well. Unlike last year's equivalent model which had a (now obsolete) cassette deck, this year's model gives you a much more useful iPOD dock.(for most full-sized iPODs, such as my iPOD Classic, you can insert your iPOD directly into the LBT-ZX66i's dock. Some older or smaller iPOD's may require an adaptor)
The Sony features a 5-disc carousel-type CD changer, an iPOD dock & AM/FM radio, plus the ability to do Karaoke(there's two microphone inputs via quarter inch plug) and a headphone output which uses full sized quarter inch headphone plug.
This system is powerful and clean, and the "X-Groove" button will provide the outrageous thumping that your disco,rap, hip-hop & Dance music enthusiast craves. But here an important difference: unlike many similar systems from other manufacturers, when the thumping mode("X-Groove") is switched off, the LBT-ZX-66i can provide clear,natural sound, with crisp midrange and highs for those of us who prefer rock, pop,jazz and other types of music. Believe me: even without the added thumping, the LBT-ZX-66i is no slouch in the bass department. The 3-way speakers(with horn-loaded tweeters) are better than you would normally get in a system of this type.
There are number of effects modes optimized for various types of music(Rock,Pop, Salsa,Reggae,Dance,Jazz,Samba,Tango). "Rock" seems to yield the clearest and most natural sound. There's also a simulated surround mode(which I have yet to try), and a 3-band digital equalizer(you can create your own custom E.Q. settings in the unit's memory). I'll eventually experiment with these features. And if you have a turntable, there's a phono input. Programming the FM/AM tuner was easy and the reception and sound quality was fine.
My only complaint is this: the remote control is a bit too basic. There are too many features of the LBT-ZX66i which can't be controlled from the remote control. These features(including the effects modes) can only be selected from the main unit's front panel.
I normally wouldn't comment on the merchant here in a product review,but I'll say this:I've had a great experience buying from "J&R Music World" for the past 29 years, whether directly, or more recently through Amazon. After buying a Plasma T.V. from J&R(via Amazon) and seeing J&R drop the price $200 lower ten days later, I contacted J&R, who gave me a $200 store credit, which I used towards this Sony compact stereo system.
One other thing:this system is fairly large. It is not exactly a shelf system, but if you've got room for it, then go for it. You won't be disappointed. Not that many companies are making this sort of system anymore(JVC doesn't make systems of this size & power any more), but Sony can make this sort of system better. The manufacturing quality is excellent, and it's got enough features that can either be used or not used, so it can be tailored to produce good sound no matter what your musical tastes are.
AS AN UPDATE TO THE ABOVE:The effects modes CAN be selected on the remote control, via a button called "EQ".
Important additional note: if you are planning on playing CD-R's on this unit, I would advise you to try a few of your CD-R's on this unit before buying. While the LBT-ZX66i had no problem playing CD-R's that I recorded on my rack mount pro audio CD recorder or CD's that I recorded on my iMAC computer, I have hundreds of CD's that were recorded by my friend on several PC's that he's owned over the past 5 years. None of these discs can be played on the LBT-ZX66i(which cannot read the table of contents on these discs). The LBT-ZX66i is one of 14 pieces of equipment(and one of four Sony products) in my home which can play CD's, and the only one that can't play these PC-burned CD-R's. All of these CD-R's feature standard CD Audio.

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Panasonic SLSW869V Shockwave Portable CD Player with Radio (Silver & Blue) Review

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(More customer reviews)Often i was having trouble deciding which discman to get: The choices were the non-rugged versions of discman, with great features such as a remote control and AM/FM tuner, or the Shockwave model, which could withstand daily abuse (I am a student, so it gets bashed around quite frequently in my backpack). However, the shockwave models never offered a headphone remote or a useful radio tuner.
I am the owner of the previous Shockwave model (the fat 10 second anti-shock model). It has served me well, but left me wanting more.
This new model incorporates the best of both worlds: feature rich, rugged design, and relatively thin cross-section, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a great discman that is almost indestructable, as far as discmans go.
PROS:
-great XBS sound from Panasonic
-super rugged design
-thin, compared to previous plastic models
-AM/FM tuner
-headphone remote (for those wondering, this was never included on any previous shockwave models)
-great, solid design, all buttons and latches feel solid, and comes with embedded handgrip
-anti-shock 4.0 40 seconds, almost skip-free
-battery life rated for over 20 hours, uses AA batteries unlike some ultraslims, that use expensive AAA batteries
-rechargable battery capable
-comes with AC adapter to save batteries

CONS:
-for those who do not require a rugged model, go for a thinner, lighter discman. Will save money and pocket weight.

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Panasonic's SLSW869V ShockWave CD player/radio has a rugged aluminum shell and a thin, compact, water-resistant design for outdoor use. It has a one-touch lock-and-release system that is designed to play even when things get rough on the trail. The most important feature in this model is the Anti-Shock Memory System 4.0. This feature reduces skips before they even get to the memory buffer. It has an improved set of error-correction chips offering +100 percent and -75 percent error correction. It uses a digital servo in conjunction with a lighter and faster spindle motor that offers fast retracking speed.
For ultimate versatility, the SLSW869V has an AM/FM digitally synthesized tuner that ensures stations won't drift once they are set. You can also preset up to 30 stations, 20 FM and 10 AM, in memory. There are five preset buttons so you don't have to search for your favorite station every time.
A "hold" switch prevents you from unintentionally hitting "stop" while the CD is playing or accidentally changing the programming. In addition, you can save your batteries from drain with the power-saving auto power-off function. The batteries will last for up to 25 hours of playback. This model includes adjustable stereo headphones, an AC adapter, and a jogger grip. The Panasonic SLSW869V features 24-track random-access programming, repeat of one or all tracks, skip and search, and memory and recall keys, as well as resume play and random play.

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Sony D-NF420PSBLUE MP3/ATRAC3 Psyc CD Walkman with AM/FM Tuner (Blue) Review

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(More customer reviews)Bought mine last 15 Nov 2005 after reading different reviews from cnet and various sources. I had to try if this measures up to what ive heared from the feedbacks. Wow! im so overwhelmed with satisfaction that this cd/mp3 player totally rocks ! If you want the best sound, buy a seperate headphone i recommend Sennheiser PX 200 white color cost $59, so private that even the person near you cannot hear what your listening, i crank up a Wild Swans Bringing Home The Ashes CD, so absolutely superb. Its like carrying your stereo system in your pocket. If you want high quality sound dont skimp on choosing a high quality headphone or earphone, you will know what im talking about. This is only if you prefer headphone for a better wide sound ambiance. Its true that you cannot navigate easily at the dark, no remote control on the earphones provided. You had to read the manual first to understand all its functions.
My conclusion : Very satisfied and worth it.

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Combining a lightweight body, stylish good looks, and an impressive array of technical features, this Sony Psyc CD Walkman is a great fit for music fans of all stripes. The Walkman boasts an intriguing dimpled cover encircled by a translucent light blue ring, giving it a high-tech yet playful look that's quite unique among personal CD players. The flashy appearance extends to the pair of stereo headphones, which also offer light blue highlights. More significantly, the device is far more than just a straightforward CD player, as it's compatible with MP3, ATRAC3, and ATRAC3PLUS formats when burned onto a CD-R or CD-R disc, and it includes a built-in digital AM/FM tuner (a rarity among contemporary personal CD players). ATRAC3PLUS is a high-quality audio-compression technology that reduces the size of digital audio files while preserving much of a track's original sound quality (similar in concept to MP3 or Dolby Digital sound formats). With ATRAC3PLUS, music can be burned and compressed at 132, 105, 66, 64, or even 48 kbps (kilobits per second), letting users select the right balance between fidelity and storage space. The end result is a huge increase in CD-R/RW capacity, as each disc can hold as many as 490 ATRAC3PLUS songs when compressed to 48 kbps.
To assist listeners in managing the ATRAC3 and ATRAC3PLUS files, Sony has included a copy of its SonicStage software with each Psyc CD Walkman. The simple-to-use program helps you create your own music compilations on CD-R/RW media using your computer's CD burner. The software is also compatible with Sony's Connect Music store, which offers an extensive online music library with a huge catalog of songs available for quick and easy download. Once the songs are burned to a disc, listeners can glean track, album, and artist information from the Walkman's three-line LCD text display, which comes with multi-language support for greater versatility.
As with any good personal CD player, the Psyc CD Walkman offers anti-skip protection in the form of Sony's Skip-Free G-Protection technology, which helps the device quickly recover from both horizontal and vertical shocks to improve the listening experience. G-Protection is particularly valuable while jogging, skating, or pursuing other outdoor activities. The Walkman's impressive audio performance stems from such features as its Digital Mega Bass Sound, which produces rich, deep bass tones with extremely limited harmonic distortion; Sony's Parametric Equalizer II, which gives listeners extremely precise control over the tonal balance; and a two-position Automatic Volume Limiter System, which consistently maintains the volume output at levels below the distortion threshold so that the sound is always clean and precise.
Should listeners tire of pre-recorded music, they can turn to the digital tuner, which offers not only standard AM and FM stations, but the audio tracks of VHF TV channels 2 through 13 and seven weather stations. The tuner offers a great way to listen to your preferred public radio show, catch the local baseball broadcast, and jog to your favorite DJ's rhythms while running, skating, or working out at the gym. It's also easy to flip among the channels thanks to the 51 station presets, which include 30 FM, 10 AM, seven TV, and four weather band presets. Additional features include a five-direction control key, which gives you single-button control over five individual functions; 18 playback modes, including repeat, program, and random; and an automatic shutoff feature that powers the player down when it's not in use to conserve battery power. The Walkman runs for up to 41 hours on a single AA battery when playing ATRAC3 files or 30 hours when playing the radio and comes with a one-year parts warranty.
Sony's Connect Music store tailors its recommendations to reflect your mood and tastes. About Sony Connect Music Store and ATRAC3plus Sony's Connect Music store offers one of the most extensive music collections online. Customers can choose single tracks or entire albums from independent and major-label artists for purchase and download. Sony's proprietary ATRAC3plus is an advanced audio compression and Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology offering multiple bit rates that allows you to create music compilations tailored to your listening preference. Songs downloaded and burned onto CD-R/RW media using ATRAC3plus technology can be played on any device that supports ATRAC3plus.
What's in the Box Sony D-NF420PSBLUE CD Walkman, stereo headphones, SonicStage software CD-ROM, user's manual.

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Kenwood DPX-302 - Radio / CD / MP3 player - Double-DIN - in-dash - 50 Watts x 4 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This radio fits very well as a double din replacement, and includes the brackets to install it. Sound quality is good in what you would expect for this price range. Setting this radio for the first time is a bit confusing though, because the instructions don't match what you need to do in practice. It takes a while to figure out. The use of a joystick to select bands and stations is a curious experience in a car radio. My only concern is in terms of the durability of the device compare with the classical buttons. But on the other hand you have the remote control to do the same thing.

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Tivoli Audio Model CD Player, Cherry/Metallic Taupe Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Having come across the three preceding reviews, I feel obliged to correct the negative impression they leave. I bought one of the first Model CDs to be made, and it had a design problem. It didn't play all CDs and the drive mechanism was flaky. But it SOUNDED terrific - high resolution and warm, balanced sound - one of the best digital/analog converters I've ever heard.
I contacted the company immediately and learned that they were having problems with many units and that they were already in the process of fixing the design problem. They said that they could send a replacement immediately, but I opted to wait until they knew they had fixed the problem. At that time, they shipped me a new unit and allowed me to return the old one in the same packing materials.
It was a pain to wait for, but well worth it. This is a simple, "bare-bones" CD player that is perfectly matched to the Model One. The design problem was part hardware and part software, and it is completely fixed. What's amazing is how good the music sounds. If that's what you're looking for, you'd be foolish to ignore this CD player because of the other reviews. They are not wrong, but collectively they leave the wrong impression about this CD player. For the price, I doubt you can find any CD player that sounds this good.

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The Tivoli Henry Kloss Model Two Radio with companion speaker, the Tivoli Model Subwoofer, and the Tivoli Model CD are designed to be used together as part of a complete compact stereo system but are sold separately.
All the elements of the component system have classic styling that makes Tivoli products so distinctive. Simplicity and elegance are engineered into all three components and, for the most part, we came away impressed with what this little system could do in terms of sound quality, as well as its ease of use. It's worth noting here that all three components sport separate ports for AC and DC power, making them a great choice for boating or RV use.
Henry Kloss Model Two The Model Two serves as the base unit for the Tivoli component system. It is very similar to the Model Three clock radio, without the alarm clock section. Like other Tivoli radios, the Model Two is just over 8 inches wide, 4.5 inches high, and 5.25 inches deep--about the size of a toaster turned on its side. The unit also ships with a companion speaker which, unlike the monaural Henry Kloss Model One, gives the system full stereo separation.
The Model Two has a single rotary dial that handles tuning for both AM and FM stations. The dial is designed to move between stations at a speed that's a bit slower than the speed at which the user turns the knob--a five-to-one ratio, to be exact. This ratio dialing technique makes it far easier to tune stations accurately and quickly. It's a nice touch that sets the unit apart from other desktop radios. The tuner band selection and volume dials are easy to control, and they're well designed for hands of all sizes. A small LED power indicator, as well as an LED that helps determine signal strength, are positioned between the dials. We did have one gripe about the Model Two controls, though--the same gripe we had about the Model Three. Unlike the high-contrast labeling we found on the Platinum Series Model One radio, the Model Two's blue-gray lettering atop a taupe background is difficult to read, especially in low-light situations.
The Model Two's 3-inch driver is housed next to the tuning dial and is protected by a handsome metal speaker cover. The companion speaker contains the same driver in a form factor that is the same size and construction as the Model Two's main unit. A 15-foot RCA speaker cord attached to the companion speaker allows you to set the speakers well apart in a room--great for getting optimal stereo separation. There's a small balance dial on the rear of the main unit as well as a mono-stereo switch.
A coaxial antenna jack for the included FM antenna wire is provided, although the Model Two also has an internal FM antenna. Tivoli recommends using the supplied external antenna for tricky tuning in locales with a lot of closely spaced stations. There's a handy switch for alternating between the internal and external antennae, as well. A standard 3.5-millimeter headphone jack is also provided, as is a 3.5-millimeter auxiliary line-in port for plugging in the Model CD. For the really techno-savvy, there's also a 3.5-millimeter mixing input that permits audio from your computer to be mixed with the radio. A preamp-out jack is provided for the Model Subwoofer, and if you want to use the Model Two as a component tuner--not a bad idea given the overall quality and accuracy of the tuning circuitry--Tivoli has provided a 3.5-millimeter output port.
Model Subwoofer At 6.5 inches high, 9.5 inches wide, and 6.1 inches deep, the Model Subwoofer is a bit larger than the other components in the Tivoli system. While a 5.25-inch bass driver dominates the front of the unit, there's also a deep front port for added bass response. A bass-level dial lets you decide how much of the low end you want to hear. The on-off switch has a sensor that automatically activates the subwoofer when a signal is detected. With 20 watts of power, the Model Subwoofer is an impressive little box with the capability of dramatically extending the fullness and richness of the Model Two sound.
Model CD With its cherry wood casing, Tivoli's component CD player matches the Model Two perfectly while offering equally simple operation. We really liked the elegant slot-loading mechanism; it felt solid and reliable. Basic functions like play, stop, and track selection can be controlled on the unit. There's also a tiny little remote that adds shuffle, direct track selection, repeat, and intro-scanning functions. True to form, the remote is simple and easy to use. The Model CD's display is bright and crisp with the look of a high-end audiophile-class component. We played a number of CDs, including CD-R discs with nary a hitch. Tivoli says that the Model CD will not play CD-RW discs, however.
A 3.5-millimeter headset jack is provided on the back of the unit, as are RCA outputs and an AC power port that connects to a supplied brick-style AC adapter. The unit is also capable of running on DC power.
All Together Now Setting up the component system was fairly straightforward. All of the inputs and outputs are clearly marked, and each component ships with everything you need to make the right connections. Although it might be too much to ask for, it would be great if the Model Two main unit had an AC power input for plugging in at least one of the components. This is admittedly a minor quibble, and it might not be feasible in such a small device.
Just like our experiences with other Tivoli products, sound was impressive--full of clear highs and mids and rich, room-filling lows. The Model Two tuning feature felt less accurate than the Model One, but we still were able to dial in stations quickly and easily. Overall, we recommend the Model Two as a high-quality mini-component system, because systems this size rarely sound this good. Even without the subwoofer engaged, the sound was rich and resonant. As soon as we plugged in the subwoofer, though, we were transported to near sonic bliss. It's a must-have accessory for the Model Two.--Joshua Gunn
Pros
Simple, stylish construction on all the component parts
Great sound from such a compact system; good tuning accuracy
Subwoofer option adds exceptional dynamic range
Cons
Tuner is slightly less accurate than the Model One

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Pioneer Premier DEH-P710BT - Radio / CD / MP3 player / digital player - Full-DIN - in-dash - 50 Watts x 4 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Well, after anxiously awaiting this stereo to be released by Pioneer, and then waiting for stores to stock it, I finally ordered mine on-line and had it installed about a month ago. In addition to the tuner, I am using an HD receiver (GEX-P20HD), my BlackBerry 8310 (no ipod or iphone yet), and Kingston DataTraveler 16 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive. I did not need the Motorola Antenna Y-adapter suggested by Amazon.
There are many things to love about this stereo:
1) The Bluetooth hands-free feature is great and I love the convenience and sound quality of being able to play music off of my BlackBerry via Bluetooth.
2) HD is well worth it, as radio stations sound very good and I love having new radio choices on the supplemental HD channels.
3) The two USB inputs are really convenient. Note that if you use the iPod connector you'll only have 1 USB input available as the iPod connector connects to one of the USBs. I bought my 16GB flash drive for ~$30 and it's so nice not to have to carry multiple CDs anymore in the car.
4) The display is gorgeous. It's surprising how cheap all other car displays now look.
5) The sound is fantastic
Some suggestions that would make the receiver even better (which maybe can be fixed with future firmware upgrades if Pioneer is reading this):
1) You can only preset 6 stations per FM band. Car radios have been around for many decades, we have put a man on the moon, iPods hold tons of music, HD radio is here, etc. It's silly that Pioneer still limits you to 6 stations. True, you do have FM1, FM2, and FM3, but they aren't connected. I'd like 18 or so stations on one band and program music on the other bands when I'm in a different city.
2) When presetting a station, you get a generic Preset Ch 1, Preset Ch 2, etc, vs. the call letters of the station or the frequency of the station (ie. KTCL, or KTCL 93.3)
3) When playing MP3s of a flash drive in shuffle mode, and you don't like a particular song and press next, the next song from that folder plays. I think it should shuffle randomly to any song on your flash drive.
4) I would suggest that shuffle capability be expanded. When playing from a flash device, I think it would be great to shuffle locally within the folder (e.g. the currently playing Rise Against CD), locally within the directory (e.g. all Rise Against CDs in the Rise Against folder), and then a total shuffle of all music on the flash drive.
5) Every now and then, something doesn't work. Maybe no radio stations come in, or the pressing the voice command to call a number on the remote doesn't work, or the unit powers down by itself. A power cycle always resolves the problem.


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Bose® Wave® music system multi-CD changer, Graphite Gray Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)My sister and I purchased this for our father for Christmas, and he absolutely loves it. One issue I have with it is the COMPLETE lack of manual controls, you are utterly reliant on the remote, and the remote is tiny. I ordered a second remote in the larger size, which is much easier for my parents to read without searching for the reading glasses. But the unit sounds like a dream and has worked just perfectly. So, order the extra remote, best to have one on hand just in case you lose one or the dog eats one (yeah, our dogs like electronic remotes, if they can find them), it's well worth the small amount of extra $. With no manual controls on the unit, you're better off having a spare!

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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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