Bose wave radio as a CD player?

[loz79]

Hi,

I've recently taken the plunge into getting a decent sound system and ordered myself an amp and some speakers. After much reading I went for a Marantz PM6005 and some Q aucoustic 2010i's. I know the speakers are fairly lightweight but it was a good deal (£425 for both) and reckon it will get me started.

The question I'd like to ask is whether using my Bose Wave radio as a cd player will be any good? My Mum bought it for me years ago for Christmas and, while it sounds alright, and without wanting to sound ungrateful, I've always kind of wished she'd asked me first so I could have said I'd rather have put the money towards some separates.

I've always been a bit suspicious of Bose as they seem to do your thinking for you - no bass or treble control on the Wave radio has always done my head in - but I was wondering about the quality of the cd player in these products. It's going to be a while before I can afford a seperate cd player so would this lined out do a decent job until then? Or would I be better off with something old for £40 from ebay for now?

Thanks

 

[AlbaBrown]

You might as well pop to Argos and get an Alba portable CD player instead. The mech in the Bose an embarrassment and more akin to what you see in portable/bedside units. Im always appaulled at how many people actually think Bose make quality products!

If funds are tight, consider something secondhand, but on the proviso that ANY older cd player's life expectancy will be on borrowed time. Some of the older Rotel RCD02/995 etc crop up (and despite popular opinion they were better sounding than many of the Marantz units - KI/SE or not) and sell for reasonable money. The more hyped units (Marantz CD63/67, Rega Planet, anything Arcam) may be solid products but the whole rose-tinted view on them normally means they fetch more money than they deserve (bearing in mind that getting laser/mech spares will be near to impossible).

 

[BigH]

You might as well pop to Argos and get an Alba portable CD player instead. The mech in the Bose an embarrassment and more akin to what you see in portable/bedside units. Im always appaulled at how many people actually think Bose make quality products!

If funds are tight, consider something secondhand, but on the proviso that ANY older cd player's life expectancy will be on borrowed time. Some of the older Rotel RCD02/995 etc crop up (and despite popular opinion they were better sounding than many of the Marantz units - KI/SE or not) and sell for reasonable money. The more hyped units (Marantz CD63/67, Rega Planet, anything Arcam) may be solid products but the whole rose-tinted view on them normally means they fetch more money than they deserve (bearing in mind that getting laser/mech spares will be near to impossible).

I agree about getting something else, I ahve the Bose wave and I think its pretty poor, so I would look at used ones. I don't agree about spare parts for thr Marantz 63 these are readily available at low prices and can be fitted by a specialist repairer for around £70. The other option would be a Blu-Ray dvd palyer, like the Sony 790 which can be bought new for about £150.

 

[Petherick]

Without entering a debate about the quality of Bose equipment, I say why not give it a go? You'll need a lead to connect from the Wave (I think you only have the headphone socket to connect?) to the amp, but this should only cost a pound or two. Then you'll know - and you can say to your mum '..and look, I can use the radio you got me!'

If you're not happy, then you can start looking for something else to perform the CD duties. Good luck and by the way, welcome to the forum!

 

[loz79]

Thanks for your replies...I had a feeling that was going to be the case. I am a bit a bit dubious about buying a second hand cd player for the reasons you mentioned. I've inherited a couple of pretty decent Sony systems before and both the cd players were knackered.

Considering the suggestion about getting a Blu-Ray player instead, I will be getting myself a PS4 sometime in the new year. Would this be a decent option for playing cds for now instead of the Bose?

Thanks

 

[loz79]

Thanks Petherick, it's nice to be here. There is actually a line out on the Bose (it's the mk1) so it wouldn't need to be through the headphone socket, but I think you're right, no harm in giving it a go.

 

[BigH]

Without entering a debate about the quality of Bose equipment, I say why not give it a go? You'll need a lead to connect from the Wave (I think you only have the headphone socket to connect?) to the amp, but this should only cost a pound or two. Then you'll know - and you can say to your mum '..and look, I can use the radio you got me!'

If you're not happy, then you can start looking for something else to perform the CD duties. Good luck and by the way, welcome to the forum!

What headphone socket? It has line out but I could not get it to work on mine. Yes no harm in trying it but the build is fairly flimsy, to see what I mean play a disc and then lift the cd lid and see how it spins.

 

[BigH]

Thanks for your replies...I had a feeling that was going to be the case. I am a bit a bit dubious about buying a second hand cd player for the reasons you mentioned. I've inherited a couple of pretty decent Sony systems before and both the cd players were knackered.

Considering the suggestion about getting a Blu-Ray player instead, I will be getting myself a PS4 sometime in the new year. Would this be a decent option for playing cds for now instead of the Bose?

Thanks

Yes the PS are meant to be very good at cdp, so thats a better option I think.

 

[loz79]

Thank you. Think I've got my solution

 

[JamesMellor]

Why does everyone seem to hate BOSE ? , afaik the wave is supposed to be a kitchen / bedroom radio , my GF's broke , it was a one they said okay we can't fix it but you can have the new one for 200 bucks it was like 10 years old , I have a pair of thier inearphones the cable broke , rubbing in my pocket , they said how old are they , I said 4 years , they said we can't warrenty them but you can have 50% off any 'phones as goodwill

you gotta give them thier due

James

 

[BigH]

Why does everyone seem to hate BOSE ? , afaik the wave is supposed to be a kitchen / bedroom radio , my GF's broke , it was a one they said okay we can't fix it but you can have the new one for 200 bucks it was like 10 years old , I have a pair of thier inearphones the cable broke , rubbing in my pocket , they said how old are they , I said 4 years , they said we can't warrenty them but you can have 50% off any 'phones as goodwill

you gotta give them thier due

James

If thats aimed at me then I don't hate Bose, I just think the product is vastly overpriced for what it is, no wonder it is marketed in the manner it is. For instance I bought a cheap Sony mini system off Amazon for £60 and its far better than the Bose, how much are Bose £400? You could buy a Marantz 603 with speakers for that.

 

[JamesMellor]

No way at all is it aimed at you Big H , I was just saying thier customer service and support is good to great in my experiance , now you can argue that you pay up front for that

 

[JamesMellor]

sent that post twice

 

[the record spot]

Popular perceived wisdom: Bose make overpriced tat. Their speaker pedigree is very decent, and while their corporate direction is away from traditional hifi these days, that doesn't make them rubbish overnight. Sounds like the customer service is to be warmly applauded for their focused approach. Quite a few could learn from it methinks...