If you are looking for an affordable stereo system that combines a CD player and DAB radio receiver then you should look no further than the Yamaha M-170. I have had the CRX M-170 model now in my living room for nearly 12 months and it is one of those purchases that will raise a smile when you look at it. Priced at £150 the system was cheaper than the DAB radio I had my eye on.
The whole system is slim and finished in a brushed steel to give it an edgy look that wouldn't look out of place in a million pound penthouse overlooking the Thames but the speakers are plain boring old black and are something of an embarrassment. Thankfully the 2 speakers are small enough to hide away behind chairs and plants.
The CD player can playback an assortment of files including CD, CD-R and CD-RW but can't play MP3 files recorded onto a CD, slightly annoying as my laptop can! The radio picks up a huge number of channels and does so with no static at all. I had never listened to a digital radio prior to buying the Yamaha M-170 and I just couldn't help but sit and listen waiting for something to interfere with the reception. I waited a long time!
Being ugly aside, the speakers are reasonably powerful at 25w per channel and in terms of sound quality cannot be faulted at all. They are not speakers to be used in an effort to recreate gigs at Wembley Stadium but they are sufficient for home listening and bass and treble can be altered using the control panel or remote to suit individual tastes.
Perfect for the home music lover who wants to appreciate music without upsetting the neighbourhood.
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