A new Hi-Fi for Dad.....

[admin_exported]

Hi,

My Dad's, dare I say it, 'music centre' has recently expired and I think it's about time for a proper upgrade!

He currently records a lot of radio onto cassette as well as the occasional CD which he listens to on a walkman. I guess therefore the key elements would be a good DAB radio, a CD player and a way of recording onto a portable MP3 device, as well as the MP3 device itself.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

rikosborne

 

[Anonymous]

I think the cheapest option here is to buy ol' dad a mac and (someone slap me) an ipod... He can get most anything from the radio in podcast form and then just snap it on in.

I'm assuming the reason you're trying to go the other route is that he isn't computer literate? These old fellas are quicker than they admit with computers...

Seriously though, I think the computer is the easiest route.

 

[Anonymous]

I tend to agree with Ray

however you can get systems that will record onto CD if you prefer. I think Technics do one but I suspect you'll have to hunt around. It is still possible to get cassette recorders BTW and most amps still have a "tape out" connection to enable recording. Your local Richer Sound should be able to help out.

 

[chebby]

Your 'dad' enjoys recording to cassette. So I am guessing he has a lot of cassettes already recorded. If so, that is going to be a lot of work to transfer everything to MP3 (and you say his current hifi has expired leaving nothing to transfer cassettes from or play old ones)

Either way I suggest a cassette deck....

http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/products/42/60/421/CT-W208R/specs.html

The Pioneer CTW208R is only about £130 and is a current Pioneer model.

This can be plugged into an Arcam Solo-Mini (£650) which has FM/DAB/CD/Amp and USB input (and minijacks on the front for headphones and MP3 players). Arcam also make a rather good iPod dock which is fully remote controllable via the Solo-Mini.

I do not often recommend the Solo-Mini here on WHF but in this case I think it is ideal for someone who is used to an all-in-one 'music centre'. Along with the Pioneer cassette deck it should not take up any more space than most of those old music-centres.

http://whathifi.com/Review/Arcam-Solo-Mini/

If funds don't run to the Solo-Mini then Onkyo make some excellent all-in-one mini-systems with DAB etc from £200...

http://whathifi.com/Review/Onkyo-CS-325UKD/

http://whathifi.com/Review/Onkyo-CS-515UK-with-spkrs/

The Onkyo CS-515UK (with or without speakers) is still available in lots of places and Superfi do one for £179 (+ speakers). A pair of Tannoy Mercury F1 speakers will work a treat for less than £100.

Don't forget to add that cassette deck though, if your dad still has a large collection of old tapes that he wants to enjoy or wants to transfer to MP3.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi All,

Thanks for your responses. I fear that a Mac would be too much of a shift out of his comfort zone so the familiarity of a cassette deck would seem the way to go. Also as chebby has pointed out I didn't take into account the fact he has 100s of cassettes floating around!

I like the sound of the Onkyo and the Pioneer deck (do Pioneer still 'support' cassette heavily hence the suggestion??) but how could we add the ability to record to MP3/hard drive as well as tape into the set-up. Also, in terms of storage, since he probably keeps TDK in profit by buying cassettes what size MP3/hard drive would make sense?

Thanks again in advance.

rikosborne

 

[chebby]

If you are set on the Onkyo mini systems then here is another idea for the cassette deck....

http://www.eu.onkyo.com/products/product_en_2008_5872018.html

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/Product_ID/3070

Obviously it will match the dimensions and finish/aesthetics of the Onkyo mini systems and the system remote control will benefit from more 'functionality' because the cassette and system will 'talk' to each other. Only costs a few quid more than the Pioneer I linked to earlier.

 

[up the music]

Have you seen the Pure DMX60 mini system (200 to 250 quid).

It has a DAB with one week programme guide and an SD slot to record onto. Your dad need never miss a radio programme again. It's also stupidly easy to use and works a treat.
It's not got the class feel of a Teac or Denon though. Nor does it have a tape deck, but there are a couple of line ins and one out (fixed or variable).

If you add a tape deck to this (esp a Denon/Teac/Yamaha same colour mini type) and an IPod to the other input you'd nearly have it cracked.

Better still, add a better pair of speakers (I've not even tried my speakers as I use the digital out to my main system, but I wouldn't expect miracles) and maybe an active sub to the line out.

You're going to need a PC though to update tunes for the MP3 player, and to transfer and edit any DAB recordings he wishes to keep, before burning to CD.