New Member Intro

[Centropolis]

Hi everyone. I am yet another newbie looking to get into the world of better sounding music. I currently don't own anything that I can say it's good stuff. I am running an iPod into a PA2V2 headphone amp from Electric Avenues into a pair of M-Audio CX5 powered monitors. Nothing too exciting to write home about.

Things I listen to:

Beatles, Radiohead, Coldplay, Oasis, Norah Jones, Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz, John Coltrane

I am just looking for a simple component that is a CD Player that has USB drive/iPod connectivity so that I can use my PA2V2 as intended rather that as a connection between my iPod and speakers. I should really use it with my Grado SR-60i's.

[AlienTech]

welcome aboard I'm not too conversant with what you are looking for, hope another member has some ideas for you

[Suave]

Welcome to the forum Centropolis! It's great to see another newbie getting in higher quality audio - based on your music playlist we seem to listen to a lot of the same stuff

There aren't very many, if any (to my knowledge), dedicated CD players that offer both a USB input and iPod connectivity. I believe that some of the less expensive Blu-ray players offer USB inputs... but I don't know about iPod connectivity. If you're looking for something with great audio quality (in a higher price range) you might want to consider one of the Cambridge Audio universal Blu-ray players like the 651BD Universal Blu-ray Player:
http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/summar...887&Title=Azur

but again I think it only offers a USB input and no iPod connectivity. iPod connectivity is usually a feature that's offered in receivers, amps or preamps.

Perhaps you should consider getting a two channel receiver (which offers USB, iPod and other inputs) and a seperate CD player.

[Centropolis]

I am looking at something like a NAD C715. It plays USB thumb drives and connects to iPod (I think). But if the unit plays either from USB drives or iPod I am good. Now that I think about it, when I use it at home, I don't really need iPod connection. Besides, USB drives are much cheaper.

[Suave]

The NAD C715 is a kind of all-in-one two channel receiver with a built-in CD player, and USB port. However I don't see any indication that it offers an iPod input/jack.

You might want to take a look at the TEAC and Denon websites as they might also offer similar types of components. In fact, I did find a specific TEAC model CR-H500NT that offers both the features you're looking for:
http://teac.com/consumer_electronics...ies/cr-h500nt/

Let us know if you find anything else on these websites that suits your requirements

[Centropolis]

The NAD C715 is a kind of all-in-one two channel receiver with a built-in CD player, and USB port. However I don't see any indication that it offers an iPod input/jack.

You might want to take a look at the TEAC and Denon websites as they might also offer similar types of components. In fact, I did find a specific TEAC model CR-H500NT that offers both the features you're looking for:
http://teac.com/consumer_electronics...ies/cr-h500nt/

Let us know if you find anything else on these websites that suits your requirements

Thanks! Although this unit comes with speakers, a few reviews sites says that the Denon D-M38 is the best system under $400. What is the general consensus on this unit considering the price point?

[Suave]

I just saw the Denon D-M38 at Bay Bloor Radio a few days ago... and it looks like it's got both USB and iPod connectivity so it should be right up your ally too. I noticed that it can be purchase with or without speakers.

If you've read good reviews of this unit on other sites than it should be a safe purchase Personally, I would still find it somewhere in a store and listen to it first (unfortunately I didn't get a chance to listen to it at BBR).

Let us know if you end up getting it!