Need really good stereo savvy advice

[DragonChi]

Hi There,

I would like some advice on what one-piece sound system under $1000 has exceptional sound. My mother is wanting to play her CD's and is not tech savvy. she wants something that is simplistic and easy to use.

What can you recommend? And where in Canada can we get it?

If you can help me in this regard it would be much appreciated, Thank you.



Sincerely,

David

[Suave]

Hi David and welcome to the forum!

I'll be glad to help answer your question, but first please clarify:

1. What exactly do you mean by "one-piece" system? Are you looking for all the components to be built into a single enclosure?

2. Do you want the speakers to be from the same manufacturer as the amp/cd player?

3. Are you looking for a compact solution or would a combination of a stereo receiver/cd player/bookshelf speakers work?

[DragonChi]

Hi David and welcome to the forum!

I'll be glad to help answer your question, but first please clarify:

1. What exactly do you mean by "one-piece" system? Are you looking for all the components to be built into a single enclosure?

2. Do you want the speakers to be from the same manufacturer as the amp/cd player?

3. Are you looking for a compact solution or would a combination of a stereo receiver/cd player/bookshelf speakers work?

Yes, what I am looking for is a compact solution for playing CD's. and the quality im looking for is Bose or better.preferably better, and around $500-$700, the idea being that the Unit is worth every dollar.

[Suave]

If you're looking for something that's truly compact and very simple to use - the Bose radio may be the way to go - although many audio enthusiasts will argue that when buying Bose products, you're paying a lot for the brand. I've heard their radios and they do sound pretty good, given the small enclosures. Other companies that make comparable, one-piece (micro) systems you might want to consider are Denon, Tivoli Audio, Cambridge Soundworks and Yamaha.

If you're willing to get something a little larger, you should benefit from a great increase in the sound quality. Take a look at the first two products on this Denon page:
http://www.ca.denon.com/ProductDetails/MicroSystems.asp

A mini-component series that I presonally really enjoyed (and bought for my dad after the review) is from TEAC. The only thing is that you would have to purchase the speakers for this system separately. I believe that TEAC offers matching speakers for this system also. Check out my review here:
http://www.canadahifi.com/review86.php

[AlienTech]

I've got the first gen of the TEAC mini system and it sounds great. Have the DVD player in the living room for now and the receiver in the bedroom hooked to a pair of cerwin vegas, sounds very nice Good thing about it is that it plays DVD's as well

[SoundGame]

Don't go Bose - Bose is for those who careless about hi's and low's - it's all mid-range that caters to older people who are losing their hearing.

Actually, if you looking for a small table top CD / DVD with twin speakers and a sub built in, I strongly recommend looking at the Roth Audio Alfie, which also has an iPod doc and radio built in. The company is related to Fatman, which Suave can attest to for their tube gear. They are distributed in Canada by Erikson Consumer, who distributes HK, JBL, Infinity etc. You can find it at Bay & Bloor Radio or American Sound of Canada. Price on sale is $599. Direct compared with the Bose, it beat it hand down for sound quality with a little less volume - probably a couple decibels less.

http://www.rothaudio.co.uk/docs/products_09/ALFiE.shtml

[Suave]

Good suggestion SoundGame - this seems like a nice all in one system. And yes, I absolutely love my Fatman amp - in fact, I've been using this amp much more than Classe Audio amp lately.

[SoundGame]

I've gotta hear your Fatman amp one of these days, Suave.