iPod Dock or Micro HiFi?

[admin_exported]

Good evening everybody! I am moving into my new flat soon and it isn't large enough to accommodate my separates. I'd like to get an iPod dock or micro hi-fi to stream music from my Mac via an Airport Express. My budget is around £300-500 max. Does anybody have any recommendations? The system should be no larger than a B&W Zeppelin ideally as space really is an issue! I've read this months reviews on the B&W & Arcam but just wondered if there are any other opinions out there? I listen to rock and alternative mostly (i.e. Muse, Avenged Sevenfold, Metallica, Foo Fighters, Radiohead etc etc.) Thanks for your time

 

[Anonymous]

Anybody?

 

[LEEMCCANN]

Have you considered the Epoz aktimate mini's?

I have a pair and they sound really good, the bass is very good and even at low volumes there is plenty of punch to the sound. i tested a zeppelin which to be fair i loved the look of but found that the aktimates just had a more full rnage sound.

i manged to get mine from superfi as an ex display for £220.

 

[shado]

My son has the Zeppelin and my daughter has a KEF Picoforte (kef dock with egg speakers) but I would seriously check out the Yamaha versions where the PX50 model transmits wirelessy with an attachment to the ipod. I was at a party 3 months ago where a Bose dockstation did an admirable job outside of projecting music. The new Arcam did well at £500 at a recent WHF test but looks like a Borg Cube.

You have to decide what you really want and audition them. I personally use SONOS where the S5 would work with a lead to your ipod and produces a credible sound. The app would work with PC/Laptop/iTouch/iPhone etc and you could upgrade later on, or you could save up for ADMI 9. Again your choice.

 

[chebby]

Denon M-38DAB with a decent pair of bookshelf speakers like the Monitor Audio BX1s. (£375 here)

Plug your iPod/iPhone straight into the USB at the front with the standard iPod cable and it uses the Denon's DAC instead of the iPod's internal one. (It charges the iPod/iPhone too.)

It also has a CD player and FM and DAB/DAB+ too. (30watts per channel which is pretty respectable through efficient speakers like the BX1s in a small room. Especially given that you enjoy quite high energy music.)

WHF Review

Also, if you ever feel like upgrading to seperates when circumstances allow, you will already have a great set of speakers!

 

[Anonymous]

Cheers all! I'm going to arrange a demo to hear the Epoz and hopefully the Denon with the MA speakers. The Arcam's review was positive but I have to agree with you shado - the aesthetics of the Arcam just don't do it for me!

 

[Che1]

Try find an Onkyo 725DAB. They're pretty cheap now and have an optical input, allowing you to connect your airport or mac with a toslink and use the Onkyo's DAC. It's a very good little unit, I'd say possibly better than the Denon (I've owned the DM37 as well) and you'll pay less for it.