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Old 04-07-2006, 08:59
gillw
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Hi all,

I need your advice. I am looking to buy a small hifi to fit on a book shelf. The shelf is about 10" deep and 19" wide. Ideally I would like a DAB tuner and CD player. I have looked at various retailers but haven't managed to find a DAB unit to meet these specs.


Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.
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Old 04-07-2006, 09:18
Astaroth
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Budget ?
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Old 04-07-2006, 10:40
gcatterall
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there's the goodmans 1104: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...392441-0193205

Dimensions:
Unit - W145 x H167 x D204mm
Speakers - W 134 x H208 x D148mm
Weight - 9.5Kg

bit cheap maybe but it made the 'Stuff' magazine top 10......
http://www.stuffmag.co.uk/top10.asp?id=39

The denon DM35 would be a nicer bet but is a bit big for your shelf. You could also consider Onkyo CR505 or Teac reference 255 and find the best speakers you can that fit.....
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Old 04-07-2006, 11:20
gillw
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Originally Posted by Astaroth
Budget ?

Up to £250 max I think.
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Old 04-07-2006, 11:22
gillw
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Originally Posted by gcatterall
there's the goodmans 1104: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...392441-0193205

Dimensions:
Unit - W145 x H167 x D204mm
Speakers - W 134 x H208 x D148mm
Weight - 9.5Kg

bit cheap maybe but it made the 'Stuff' magazine top 10......
http://www.stuffmag.co.uk/top10.asp?id=39

The denon DM35 would be a nicer bet but is a bit big for your shelf. You could also consider Onkyo CR505 or Teac reference 255 and find the best speakers you can that fit.....
Cheers for the info. The Goodmans is only 5w - is that likely to be a problem?

I wouldn't touch a Denon due to a previous bad experience - I'll have a look at the other models you mentioned though...

Thanks
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Old 04-07-2006, 14:55
bronx2282
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I wouldn't hesitate in saying go for the Yamaha CRX-M170. Its small but the sound is stunning for the size. Obviously not as good as higher-end separates, but it sounds top notch for what it is.

http://www.yamaha-uk.com/pianocraft/?product_id=118

Managed to get ours for cheap at Comet, the display model.
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Old 04-07-2006, 16:05
gcatterall
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I'm going through the same process and as I've just discovered most of the decent units that are mentioned above are very deep and may not fit on the shelf!

The denon is the 'least deep' at 328mm which I guess is around 10 inches.

The yamaha and onkyo are 360mm and the onkyo 370mm, so would protrude and probably not look too clever. Why are they all so deep?
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Old 04-07-2006, 16:32
bronx2282
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Originally Posted by gcatterall
I'm going through the same process and as I've just discovered most of the decent units that are mentioned above are very deep and may not fit on the shelf!

The denon is the 'least deep' at 328mm which I guess is around 10 inches.

The yamaha and onkyo are 360mm and the onkyo 370mm, so would protrude and probably not look too clever. Why are they all so deep?
Oops, yeah, forgot to mention that.
It's mainly due to the amount of electronics inside, theres a power transformer in there that probably takes up half of the case along with the amplifier section..
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Old 04-07-2006, 18:05
clockworks999
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Don't forget that the quoted dimensions will exclude the plugs - these will add another 2 inches or so.

I needed to get a micro system to fit inside a standard kitchen wall unit, max depth 11" (280mm). The only decent quality unit that I could find was the JVC EX-A1, which has proved to be very nice for the price. It doubles as a DVD player.
The main unit is 9" deep, so, even with the plugs, it comfortably fits in the 11" unit. I've just measured it, and the front feet sit about an inch back, so it will fit on a 10" shelf with a slight overhang.
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Old 05-07-2006, 08:34
gillw
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Originally Posted by clockworks999
Don't forget that the quoted dimensions will exclude the plugs - these will add another 2 inches or so.

I needed to get a micro system to fit inside a standard kitchen wall unit, max depth 11" (280mm). The only decent quality unit that I could find was the JVC EX-A1, which has proved to be very nice for the price. It doubles as a DVD player.
The main unit is 9" deep, so, even with the plugs, it comfortably fits in the 11" unit. I've just measured it, and the front feet sit about an inch back, so it will fit on a 10" shelf with a slight overhang.
That looks like a nice unit that may well fit my bookcase. The only thing is that it doesn't look like it's has a DAB tuner...although I am beginning to wonder whether DAB is worth it?
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Old 05-07-2006, 10:34
gcatterall
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I do like the looks of the JVC one you mention - if only it had DAB though.
After getting used to my brilliant Pure DAB radio in the kitchen, I can't go back to FM in the lounge...!

this site might be useful:
http://www.radio-now.co.uk/dab_separates_hifi.htm

I just spotted the Pure Legato DAB system on there. Haven't heard of it before......
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Old 05-07-2006, 11:19
gillw
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Just found this which looks like a very nice unit..

http://www.pure-digital.com/Products...PageType=Intro

Need to find a local store that stocks these so I can have a closer look.
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Old 05-07-2006, 17:16
clockworks999
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The JVC EX-A1 doesn't have a DAB tuner, but I think that the new replacement model does.

I've never bothered with DAB, because reception is not very good in this area, or so I've been told by people that have tried it.
I also have bad FM reception, despite having a new FM roof aerial (bad analogue TV as well).
Since the only radio station that I listen to is R4, I just use a Freeview box for radio. I find the quality is better than a good FM signal, and may even be better than the severely bit-rate limited DAB that we now get.

I managed to find a Daewoo Freeview box in Tesco that's exactly the same width as the JVC stereo.
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Old 05-07-2006, 17:19
clockworks999
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Originally Posted by gillw
Just found this which looks like a very nice unit..

http://www.pure-digital.com/Products...PageType=Intro

Need to find a local store that stocks these so I can have a closer look.
It's 10" deep, but, don't forget the plugs!
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Old 05-07-2006, 20:50
gillw
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Originally Posted by clockworks999
It's 10" deep, but, don't forget the plugs!
Yeah, I could do with a closer look. I think the speakers connect directly into the unit and don't have plugs. The only issue may be the DAB aerial!
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Old 06-07-2006, 07:47
clockworks999
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Originally Posted by gillw
Yeah, I could do with a closer look. I think the speakers connect directly into the unit and don't have plugs. The only issue may be the DAB aerial!
The mains cable can be a problem, if it's detachable - most small appliances use a "figure-of-eight" connector, and I've never seen a rightangled plug.

If you plan on connecting anything to the aux input, such as a TV or mp3 player, the required phono cables get in the way, too.
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Old 06-07-2006, 11:25
gomezz
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Originally Posted by clockworks999
If you plan on connecting anything to the aux input, such as a TV or mp3 player, the required phono cables get in the way, too.
Something cheap and easy for the designer to think about but OTOH it does make sure the box has enough ventilation space behind it.
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Old 06-07-2006, 13:19
gcatterall
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From looking around, it seems there's a trend to reduce the height of these 'micro' stereos, and increase the depth. (e.g. Denon DM35, Onkyo CR505, Teac reference 255 etc)

This means that they look great from the front, but no longer fit on most standard bookshelves that are around 10" deep.... partcularly when you need to leave room for the plugs etc..... Seems a bit silly really.
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Old 06-07-2006, 14:39
A-Friend
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Slightly over budget, but should fit in the space you have: Pure Legato DAB Micro System. Total width (ie with the speakers alongside the main unit) is 42cm (~16.5inches) and depth is 21.5cm (~8.5inches).

£299 from John Lewis, but may be cheaper elsewhere (plus you could use their "never knowingly undersold" promise to match the price if you have near you).
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Old 06-07-2006, 15:00
gillw
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Originally Posted by A-Friend
Slightly over budget, but should fit in the space you have: Pure Legato DAB Micro System. Total width (ie with the speakers alongside the main unit) is 42cm (~16.5inches) and depth is 21.5cm (~8.5inches).

£299 from John Lewis, but may be cheaper elsewhere (plus you could use their "never knowingly undersold" promise to match the price if you have near you).
Cheers for the info - I'll take a look at that. Might be a better fit for the shelf than the DMX-50. Not sure about the style though - may take some getting used to. A guy who works in the same office as me heard this unit at the Bristol What Hifi show and he said it sounded fantastic!
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Old 06-07-2006, 15:08
A-Friend
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Originally Posted by gillw
Cheers for the info - I'll take a look at that. Might be a better fit for the shelf than the DMX-50. Not sure about the style though - may take some getting used to. A guy who works in the same office as me heard this unit at the Bristol What Hifi show and he said it sounded fantastic!
I know what you mean about the styling ... you almost need the rest of the room to be similar for it not to stand out. But if it fits and sounds good, it may be worth it.

Happy shopping!
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Old 06-07-2006, 15:10
gillw
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Originally Posted by A-Friend
I know what you mean about the styling ... you almost need the rest of the room to be similar for it not to stand out. But if it fits and sounds good, it may be worth it.

Happy shopping!
Luckily there's lots of pine funiture in the room where it is going so I might get away with it!

Thanks again.
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Old 10-07-2006, 12:18
gillw
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Originally Posted by A-Friend
Slightly over budget, but should fit in the space you have: Pure Legato DAB Micro System. Total width (ie with the speakers alongside the main unit) is 42cm (~16.5inches) and depth is 21.5cm (~8.5inches).

£299 from John Lewis, but may be cheaper elsewhere (plus you could use their "never knowingly undersold" promise to match the price if you have near you).
Went and had a look at this in John Lewis on Saturday - liked it a lot so I bought it. So far, I am well pleased with it. It found all the main DAB stations and all have a good strong signal. The unit & speakers fit nicely into my bookshelf. It's a nice, compact unit with a high build quality.

Very happy.

Thanks to all contributors
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Old 10-07-2006, 14:09
A-Friend
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Glad you like it GillW, and glad to have been of assistance!
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