I’m involved now in a VERY interesting project that leads me to ask a strange question: did anyone ever research the subject of those Hi-Fi Mini Systems? What I need is a small source of FM and CD in a one small “comfy” box. I do not need that CD to do what CEC TL0 does with 16 bit or that the Sansui TU-X1 does with FM signal. However, I would like them to be still at more or less not reasonable level and considering the state of the today digital I do not see why it should not be. I’m targeting a Mini System that would deliver an average line-level performance of Sony 7700 CD player and Yamaha T-85 tuner but I would like to have it is a small integrated package.

There was a great number of contemporary “better” Hi-Fi Mini Systems with a range of $250-$500. I presume that they all are made insider based upon the very same few chips, regardless the brands. If not, then are any of them better sonically? I have seen some people who try to express something about Mini Systems but thier judgment was not exactly motivated me. The problem is that those Mini Systems come with own 20-40W amplifiers and a set of own speakers and the people why try to evaluate them listening those Mini Systems with on-board amplifiers and the default speakers.  I care less about those built-in amps and about those speakers - I will take the line-out, and even if the thing has an amp inside I will disconnect it.

So, is anything out there that somebody might point out to me? Perhaps there some people, sites, consumer reports or even some reviews that might just initially educate me on the subject? I was thinking about the Denon D-M33S (without speakers) with it’s Burr-Browns arond PCM-1741 DAC or something similar to it….

Hi Romy,

I'm not sure if you're looking for a seperate 'mini system' amplifier, but you might want to look at the handsome little T-amps from www.audiomagus.com

Regards,

Neil

I find it quite ugly, and who knows about the sound, but maybe another company has a similar product you could listen to...

MC-3 Music Center

2006.12 produce

Combining high quality CD player, tuner, dedicated i-POD input and tube power amplifier in one chassis. Philips VAM-12 pick-up mechanism coupled with CD-7II servo system for low jitter tracking. Classic tube amplification presented in stylish aesthetics. D/A conversion is accomplished by Burr-Brown PCM1738 DAC chip. High-quality FM/AM tunmg system. 2x6P1 single-ended tube output stage. Mini multi-functional lever, concealed input selector and volume control. All aluminum chassis with cylindrical support and internal screening

Did you buy the Denon?
I'm curious because Denon D-M31 (speakers not included) is on a recommended components list by the Swedish LTS (Sound Technical Society).

Things with zero or low detected coloration, after meticulous listening tests, end up on that controversial list.
The ultra-scientific approach and resulting recommendations tend to ...stir up a lot of feelings and long boring debates on statistics. :-)

Ronnie wrote:

Did you buy the Denon? I'm curious because Denon D-M31 (speakers not included) is on a recommended components list by the Swedish LTS (Sound Technical Society). Things with zero or low detected coloration, after meticulous listening tests, end up on that controversial list. The ultra-scientific approach and resulting recommendations tend to ...stir up a lot of feelings and long boring debates on statistics. :-)

Next I was trying to drive Tannoys 10 Red with my M31. Theoretically with low power handling of the Tannoy’s REDs the 22W of Denon M31 should be fine. However, the Tannoys sound insultingly flat with M31 with complete lost of bass. I was trying to drop the Tannoys impedance but the M31 was absolutely oblivion making Reds to sound very poor.

I settled with M31 driving SL600. This combination does not produce a good sound but from all available for me currently evils I have chosen lesser. The SL600 need way much more current to sound acceptable but I am not wiling to add an extra amp to the setup – I would like to go away with “small blood”.  I could go in more details and specifics describing how the Denon sound with each speaker I trued but what is the point? It is very possible that the Denon is fine and I juts need to find a good high sensitivity mini-monitor that would be able to work with the Denon (I do have a separate LF channel that I might plug in if it is necessary). However, so far the "reported advances" of the M31 did not manifest themself into a better Sound on my desk.

I relay do not recognize music with this unit – it makes everything to sound absolutely different and very muchwrong. It hard to explain: the notes are there but they have absolutely wrong meaning. It is even funny to hear in which crap the little mini-Denon is capable to turn music into.

I would take it even further: the regular NPR news. How little it is necessary to play BBC News, the “Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me”, the “Fresh Air” or the “A Prairie Home Companion”? Even when the Denon plays the BBC announcements then it is clearly audible that this unit does something incorrect with sound. Not in term of Hi-Fi but rather in tern of meaning… the meaning and… pleasure. The phrases and sentences with Denon are the same and it looks like nothing else is requires (for news programs) … but substituting the Denon with Melquiades/Reds it is clearly auditable that suddenly the regular BBC newscast might sound pleasant and elegant and those BBS folks with their magnificent Brits’ accent sound more like music.. With Denon is it juts radio. With better audio even a newscast becose an auditable and memorable event….