mp3 shelf system?

[orangejulius]

Am looking for an MP3 shelf system, ideally the size of a <a href="http://images3.ichotelsgroup.com/cq/content/dec/pc/1/en/points/us/bm/points5/bose.ItemInfoPar.Single.ItemImage.gif">Bose Wave Radio</a>, that plays MP3-CDs.

Everything I've come up with on Google is tacky looking and comes with separate speakers. It would be nice to see a self-contained unit with decent sound and a clean, professional design. Price range is $200-$600.

Any suggestions?

[az]

With built-in speakers?

AZ

[orangejulius]

Built-in would be best, but separate is OK.

[UtwigMU]

Stack a server with sufficient HDD space somewhere (which you can remotely administer through living room PC) or get a SFF system (cube or new Antec desktop multimedia cases or similar) with huge IDE drive for MP3 storage.

Get a good sound card, connect it to AMP, use LCD or similar monitor to choose MP3s, connect to Amp/receiver (if you have Hi-Fi or connect to Aux on your boombox).

Any shelf solution will have smaller hard drive (if any) and cost more than computer would.

http://techreport.com/etc/2004q2/kitchen-pc/index.x?pg=1

Check this article out for a few ideas.

http://www.antec-inc.com/us/pro_en_lifeStyle.html

Check Antec lifestyle cases.

As for LCD - if you have computer in the room:
- get KVM (keyboard video mouse switch) and administer media server through your main monitor
- stack a server somewhere in the house and administer it through your room PC

If you don't have computer, check out POS systems (expesnsive) or get 15" slick black LCD.

[gt40]

I've seen a few HDD solutions based on Atmel AVR you can build yourself if you are electronically inclined.

[Wombat]

If you already have a stereo around, what about a squeezebox?

http://slimp3.com/

[agallag]

Here's some models that all seem to fit the bill. They all seem to have detachable speakers these days, but they mostly look decent. Prices are from FutureShop.ca in canadian dollars.

Sony CMTHP7 - 5 CD / MP3 HiFi Micro System - $299.99
Panasonic SC-AK520K 5-CD Mini System - $349.99
Aiwa JAXS5 MP3 Mini System - $249.99
Aiwa XRMN5 - 5 CD/MP3 Micro System - $269.95

[orangejulius]

Thanks everybody. This is a graduation present for my sister, so Wombat and Agallag's suggestions came in handy. (within budget, easy for her to setup) Will post when something is decided on.

[az]

There's also the Philips Streamium, Terratec M3PO, Turtle Beach forgotitsname

AZ

[orangejulius]

Thanks AZ. That <a href="http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/Articles/PrinterFriendly.asp?ArticleHeadline=Terratec+M3PO" >Terratec M3PO</a> looks interesting.

[Maggi]

Hi OJ,

do yourself and your sister a big favor and go to a local store for actually hearing the sound quality of those systems !!!

seriously, the difference when it comes to decoding MP3s is vast and you might end up with a system that offers crappy sound and maybe even lacks some decent error correction.

some players were erratically skipping with dark layered CD-Rs and had horrible sound, while others offered quite good sound, but refused to take any CD-R with dark blue and dark green dyes ... just to name a few problems you might run into.

When I was on the hunt for a mobile CD/MP3 player, I came across more than a dozen of lousy el-cheapo-plastic crappers, until I found the Philips Expanium 511, which was some sort of revelation to my ears ...

For proper judgement, you should use a compilation of your own MP3s, so that you know what to expect, because you heard it before.

[Maggi]

btw, why not take a DVD player that is capable of MP3 playback ?

those came down to really affordable prices nowadays and offer pretty good sound quality, so that you would get a 3in1 system for DVD, CD and MP3 ...

[Pace]

<a href="http://www.cambridgesoundworks.com/store/category.cgi?category=aud_radio&item=c174rczzz">Ca mbridge SoundWorks "SoundWorks" Radio CD 740</a>

[orangejulius]

Wow, thanks Pace! That's exactly what we're looking for. How'd you find it?

[VJ]

Perhaps a bit late:

http://www.onkyo.net/uk/cms/products/homestyle/hs_mserver/MBS1/

(has a harddisk)


Jörg