Cd / radio for kitchen

[counterofbeans]

Looking for a new radio / cd unit for our kitchen, something like a Bose Soundwave but cheaper!

Must be one box (so no separate speakers)

Radio would be internet for preference

Good sound would be nice!

So far have seen Ruark R4 (but as dear as the Bose and radio not internet) and Roberts 64i

Any recommendations from audio experts more up to date than I am? (so, everyone...)

Thanks

CofB

[belleair302]

Why a CD player when today everything is streamed?

[counterofbeans]

Not wishing to be sexist but the clue is in the title - it's predominantly for the mrs to use and she has a cabinet full of cds she likes to listen to...

[Brian Trizers]

The Ruark would be my choice, based on what I've heard of the lovely R2i. Wouldn't want my CDs in the kitchen but they'd sound good on one of those. I've been less impressed by Roberts's recent efforts, which seem part gimmicky (cheesy touch screen displays) and part fusty (styling and design that appear to come from the 1980s.)

I'd be inclined to take a few CDs along to John Lewis and find out what good sounds like - and what it costs. Cabinet work and power supplies are what make a box sound good, and they tend to be expensive if done well. Tivoli is another maker that puts more into the basics; not heard their kit but there is a CD player in the range.

[counterofbeans]

Brian Trizers said:

The Ruark would be my choice, based on what I've heard of the lovely R2i. Wouldn't want my CDs in the kitchen but they'd sound good on one of those. I've been less impressed by Roberts's recent efforts, which seem part gimmicky (cheesy touch screen displays) and part fusty (styling and design that appear to come from the 1980s.)

I'd be inclined to take a few CDs along to John Lewis and find out what good sounds like - and what it costs. Cabinet work and power supplies are what make a box sound good, and they tend to be expensive if done well. Tivoli is another maker that puts more into the basics; not heard their kit but there is a CD player in the range.

So we've dropped the requirement for cd and will have radio only

The R2i looks great but is £400 - a lot for a kitchen radio, but might just go for it anyway

CofB

[allnighter]

counterofbeans said:

Looking for a new radio / cd unit for our kitchen, something like a Bose Soundwave but cheaper!

Must be one box (so no separate speakers)

Radio would be internet for preference

Good sound would be nice!

So far have seen Ruark R4 (but as dear as the Bose and radio not internet) and Roberts 64i

Any recommendations from audio experts more up to date than I am? (so, everyone...)

Thanks

CofB

You cannot beat the PURE Chronos CD , DAB and FM all in a compact nice sounding unit. I have one in my kitchen and it's superb.


Yours for £99.99 at John Lewis

http://www.johnlewis.com/pure-chronos-cd-series-ii...

[Brian Trizers]

counterofbeans said:

The R2i looks great but is £400.

Crikey! That's the R2 Mk3; the R2i was £279 when I tried one. Might be worth seeking out an end-of-line one if you can do without Bluetooth and wifi streaming - which you could do from a docked iPhone anyway, as I do in my kitchen. Mk3 is more future proof, I suppose, but that's a big step up in price when the electrics and acoustics - the expensive bits - are much the same. The Bluetooth and wifi hardware won't have cost more than a few quid to include.

[counterofbeans]

Brian Trizers said:

Crikey! That's the R2 Mk3; the R2i was £279 when I tried one. Might be worth seeking out an end-of-line one if you can do without Bluetooth and wifi streaming - which you could do from a docked iPhone anyway, as I do in my kitchen. Mk3 is more future proof, I suppose, but that's a big step up in price when the electrics and acoustics - the expensive bits - are much the same. The Bluetooth and wifi hardware won't have cost more than a few quid to include.

That's good advice and I've managed to do just that, an end of line R2i for £230

Thanks for your help!

CofB

[Brian Trizers]

You're very welcome. Hope it works well for you.