Teac MC-DX 220 IDAB

Advantages: Nice looking, nice sounding, reasonable value for money.
Disadvantages: Upgrades are not that enticing and the remote control does not send out a strong signal.

...I was drawn to the Teac 500 system because I wanted something more "high-fidelity" than an Aiwa all-in-one unit but didn't want to mix and match units. The advantage of having separates is that you can change units and therefore upgrade the system. Over time Teac have added various options such as 7 disc CD player, DVD player, AV amp. The advantage of having separates all designed by Teac is that the system has one remote control, can serve as an alarm clock and is semi-intelligent. For example, if I switch the amp from CD to tuner, the CD player automatically stops. I added a pair of Mission 701s to it and have found that it sounds superb. I have two gripes though: The remote control looks good, has all the required functions but has to be used 10cm away from the unit. I have e-mailed Teac to ask if they have a solution but have... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Good Sound and Value
Disadvantages: Won't match anything else in your hifi rack!

...I have owned my Teac for some time. It has been a faithful performer, with a typical high-quality Japanese sound - very smooth, powerful, with fair 'air' and depth to the stereo image if a little bass light. It's a big, heavy old thing (big transformer) and has fan cooling (although I have never heard the fan cut in, even when pushed hard). Construction quality is fine, but the black/gold edge controls are a matter of taste. The remote is hopeless - you need to be directly in front of the sensor - but it drives other Teac components via their 'UR' (Universal Remote) system. By connecting the amp via a single phono cable to the matching Teac TR460 tuner you can use the amps remote to switch stations and the tuners power on/off is slaved to the amps. Neat! It handles two recording devices, including A-B and B-A dubbing. Only the main... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Sheer good quality honest sound reproduction, and the base woofers for such a small unit are exceptional.
Disadvantages: None

...I wanted a retro-looking music player for our newly re-furbished kitchen, and went for this in black. I had listened already, and knew it would be good. Particularly special are the bass woofers that give it a much "larger" sound. This probably adds to the overall weight, but when you un-pack it, it feels really solid and well-made. Whilst it's not DAB (I think they are planning this soon if not already), the radio is superb, with even the little thin aerial wire doing a great job with the signal (in my area anyway). The remote is just the right size and has the necessary functions for operation. The CD player is very accurate and has the most brilliant sound and this in a unit that cost less than £100 pounds. Overall it does a great job, and is a wonderful advertisement for the Teac brand name.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful