Which all-in-one music system for CDs?
- Thread starter Nikam
- Start date
Bose is one manufacturer that I've heard with fairly good reports. They are on the expensive side though.
The main problem with "all-in-one" systems, particularly with organ music, is adequate bass note reproduction. My KLH 9154 speakers handle that quite well, but of course they are stand alone cabinets. I've heard a Bose system play organ music and, quite frankly, it wasn't too bad - although lacking the resonance that one feels using a pedestal speaker. I have never "felt" any bass emitting from an "all-in-one" unit ... small speakers just cannot do organ bass justice ... the 15's in my KLH do, though.
The other issue with "all-in-one" systems is that when one component breaks down the entire unit must be sent in for repair. That is why I much rather prefer stand alone components. I've had all my components (receiver, turntable, dual cassette, 5 disc cd changer and the KLH's) for almost 20 years and have had zero problems with any of them.
I used to work in a charity shop evaluating electronics as they were donated ... most all of the "all-in-one" systems had one component that had failed (CD unit or cassette unit or the LP turntable) and repairing these was not an option as we had no budget for such things. We often put them out for sale "as is" with a notice of which component was not working.
The main problem with "all-in-one" systems, particularly with organ music, is adequate bass note reproduction. My KLH 9154 speakers handle that quite well, but of course they are stand alone cabinets. I've heard a Bose system play organ music and, quite frankly, it wasn't too bad - although lacking the resonance that one feels using a pedestal speaker. I have never "felt" any bass emitting from an "all-in-one" unit ... small speakers just cannot do organ bass justice ... the 15's in my KLH do, though.
The other issue with "all-in-one" systems is that when one component breaks down the entire unit must be sent in for repair. That is why I much rather prefer stand alone components. I've had all my components (receiver, turntable, dual cassette, 5 disc cd changer and the KLH's) for almost 20 years and have had zero problems with any of them.
I used to work in a charity shop evaluating electronics as they were donated ... most all of the "all-in-one" systems had one component that had failed (CD unit or cassette unit or the LP turntable) and repairing these was not an option as we had no budget for such things. We often put them out for sale "as is" with a notice of which component was not working.
Nikam
New member
Appreciate your comprehensive reply Kh. Had been looking at Bose earlier this evening, but some of the reviews had cited inadequate bass reproduction. Hadn't realised the repair aspect of individual components, so a very useful comment there. Sounds as though I may need to reassess. 
Last edited:
Colin,
Here's the link for Bose Wave Systems.
[Note: above link is only presented as a reference to the discussion and not an endorsement of the poster or this forum's management as an attempt to sell a product]
Here's the link for Bose Wave Systems.
[Note: above link is only presented as a reference to the discussion and not an endorsement of the poster or this forum's management as an attempt to sell a product]
John Watt
Member
My bottom line is getting a good set of stereo headphones,
and using them until I can get a bigger system together.
The most popular cassette, CD and radio system around here is Sony,
a small unit, making me think a big alarm radio, not a hot player.
It's got the most expensive Sony CD and cassette motors.
It's got a plug in front to plug into it, and a plug in the back to plug out of it.
I read about it in a Toronto newspaper, questioning the expensive motors,
but not having any controls for the cassette, just a straight recording.
I went to the Source where I have friends, to order one,
and when they got them in they sold them all right away, me talking about them.
When I went back they sold me a return for $40, when I paid over $80 for the first one.
You had to push the play button twice sometimes, what the return was about.
That same model now has a dock and port for new stuff.
and using them until I can get a bigger system together.
The most popular cassette, CD and radio system around here is Sony,
a small unit, making me think a big alarm radio, not a hot player.
It's got the most expensive Sony CD and cassette motors.
It's got a plug in front to plug into it, and a plug in the back to plug out of it.
I read about it in a Toronto newspaper, questioning the expensive motors,
but not having any controls for the cassette, just a straight recording.
I went to the Source where I have friends, to order one,
and when they got them in they sold them all right away, me talking about them.
When I went back they sold me a return for $40, when I paid over $80 for the first one.
You had to push the play button twice sometimes, what the return was about.
That same model now has a dock and port for new stuff.
Last edited:
John Watt
Member
I now have the best answer for watching any DVDs, and you have to be Blu-Ray.
That's not just a better focus or more detail, it's opening a door to a newly accessed world.
How is the best way to be on top of modern technology, with traditional reliability?
You should buy the most expensive Panasonic Blu-Ray player ever made, $159 here.
It has a USB, not talking about that, and it has a LAN, to plug it into your modem and be online.
Mechanically, if this machine can't play a disc because of formats, listing foreign formats it accepts,
and if this machine can't play a disc because it's scratched, no other machine can.
What I'm saying about online access is nice,
but Panasonic comes with all the media conglomerates it's partners with or owns,
so, for example, for Movies, there are 22 choices you just put up as an icon, all free.
Just not Netflix, a direct line, a direct line to YouTube too.
Indian media, Spanish, South American, German, all the world is in there.
I was excited about what I was going to be able to see in this new 4x 3D,
where I have four depth selections as popping out,
but seeing all the global media just waiting to be clicked on is amazing.
This is my one and only recommendation for you.
$159 might seem like a lot of money for a machine to play discs,
but everything computer is built into it,
so as long as you have this unit, you can plug it in to any screen.
There is a section for storing your own videos and music,
another section for photos, all stuff you need for self-promotion.
I got a little carried away, seeing Jimi this way for the first time.
When he started shooting his arm out along the neck, coming at the camera,
I reached out, thinking he was going to drop his pick, but he didn't.
With the USB, you can plug in a camera and use it like a TV camera,
and move it around and watch yourself on TV at the same time.
You don't have to be singing booba-booba-booba along in your head,
but that helps.
That's not just a better focus or more detail, it's opening a door to a newly accessed world.
How is the best way to be on top of modern technology, with traditional reliability?
You should buy the most expensive Panasonic Blu-Ray player ever made, $159 here.
It has a USB, not talking about that, and it has a LAN, to plug it into your modem and be online.
Mechanically, if this machine can't play a disc because of formats, listing foreign formats it accepts,
and if this machine can't play a disc because it's scratched, no other machine can.
What I'm saying about online access is nice,
but Panasonic comes with all the media conglomerates it's partners with or owns,
so, for example, for Movies, there are 22 choices you just put up as an icon, all free.
Just not Netflix, a direct line, a direct line to YouTube too.
Indian media, Spanish, South American, German, all the world is in there.
I was excited about what I was going to be able to see in this new 4x 3D,
where I have four depth selections as popping out,
but seeing all the global media just waiting to be clicked on is amazing.
This is my one and only recommendation for you.
$159 might seem like a lot of money for a machine to play discs,
but everything computer is built into it,
so as long as you have this unit, you can plug it in to any screen.
There is a section for storing your own videos and music,
another section for photos, all stuff you need for self-promotion.
I got a little carried away, seeing Jimi this way for the first time.
When he started shooting his arm out along the neck, coming at the camera,
I reached out, thinking he was going to drop his pick, but he didn't.
With the USB, you can plug in a camera and use it like a TV camera,
and move it around and watch yourself on TV at the same time.
You don't have to be singing booba-booba-booba along in your head,
but that helps.