All,
I am looking for a compact all-in-one type system for my kitchen as a gift for my wife.

Requirements are that it has radio, can play CD's and has an auxiliary jack in (preferably digital) and of course sounds good given the limitations of a compact system.

No plans for a sub with this - it's for background music in kitchen while cooking/entertaining.

So far the thing that keeps surfacing (and please don't flame me here ) is the Bose Wave systems. Please suggest some other options!!!

Thanks in advance!

Wire some inwalls in there and make it zone 2

Seriously. That's what I did.

Great signature line Tom!

Zone 2 is a good idea but not an option for me. Wiring will be difficult now and my wife likes to hit one button to get radio on. However that's why I want the Aux input so the device can have access to our complete digital music library, Napster etc...

Dan, for a good, inexpensive compact system consider the Onkyo CS-325 . Here's a Canadian source.

Well, there's always Audiobytes, but you'd of course need a source with those.

I don't have this Onkyo system, but I have an Onkyo micro system (CR-n1) that I have used for years for a computer system. It is great, and has Burr-Brown DACs. (While that may make zero difference, I think it indicates that Onkyo built this unit with some aim at quality rather than just re-badging a random Chinese product, ala Sony.) My unit does not have i-Pod controls, but ifyou can find a newer version (such as the one John shows) with IPod control I would recommend it. Very good sound for small spaces, and in small package.

Good info, thanks. I did not know Onkyo also made compact systems.

Tivoli is another brand that was suggested to me. At least I now have options beyond Bose to start exploring.

Boy I love shopping for audio equipment, even when it's not for me (and yes I am sticking with that story! )

Don't forget Denon:

http://www.ca.denon.com/ProductDetails/3379.asp

http://www.ca.denon.com/ProductDetails/3378.asp

It doesn't meet your current specs (no 'physical' CD player.) However, if you believe, like me, that technology should free you from having to load 1 CD at a time, you could consider the Logitech Squeezebox Boom

Rip all your CDs to your PC, which you may have already done (itunes) and play them all without ever searching for or scratching up a CD again. Also brings in Internet Radio, many online music services and you won't need to run any wires if you have a wireless computer network at home already.

Also note: I own just a regular squeezebox hooked to an amp and M60s so I can't vouch for the sound quality of this self contained unit. Reviews seem to have been positive so far though.

Good call, Murph.

Murph, I am completely on board with digital music distribution. I rip all my music to a NAS for centralized distribution throughout my house. The physical CD player is a convenience item and not a necessity. The physical radio portion however is the necessity. I find streaming radio always lags behind live transmission by various amounts. My wife is an avid radio listener in the kitchen and will do the call in contests and the like, so 'real time' radio is important. However for everything else it will be used with a Sonos system which is why we need the auxiliary input.


Thanks all, the various suggestions helped me find more than just Bose to checkout! As well as the minisystems mentioned in this thread, I will be looking at Cambridge Soundworks, Polk and Tivoli (so far).

Use the Onkyo unit as the source and replace the speakers.

We had a Denon mini system in the kitchen for 4 years. Speakers were made by Mission.
The Denon had one of the best tuners i've come across. Never failed to pull in weak signals that my big Onkyo receiver could not.

I have a Denon mini system in my kitchen/dining area. I replaced the stock speakers with a pair of Polk Audio RT25i I picked up from a big box store for <$100 a few years ago. The CD player on the unit is broken, but I don't care since I use it purely as an FM receiver and amplifier. I have an semi-legal FM transmitter attached to an audio output on the receiver in my living room that send out whatever material is playing. The transmitter is strong enough to interfere with neighbors (~150ft last time I measured), but I have it set to dead frequency.

So why is it you are trying to jam your neighbors communication abilities again?
Conspiracy theory?
I smell conspiracy.

Guerrilla Radio!

Chesseroo (& kcarlile),
Yeah, I thought of the Audiobytes with my Sonos as source, but that doesn't solve the real time radio issue. I almost need to custom build exactly what I need!

I'll find the best compromise eventually...

Audiobytes with a new iPod nano or other PMP with built in FM tuner.

That solves the radio issue but won't stream from my NAS. Yeah, I know I'm hard to please!

If you like the concept of the Bose Wave Radio, but can't lower your standards enough to buy one, or want to 'custom build' your system, check out the systems by Tivoli Audio

Several years ago I bought their Model Two (mine's metallic taupe/cherry) and added their matching powered sub. I have it set up in our kitchen, playing either FM radio or often iPod via 3.5mm jack. They sell a matching CD Player too, but I'm so iPod-centric that it's not worth it to me.

The sound quality is pretty amazing, IMHO. It's truly perfect as a bedroom or kitchen system. And if you care about FM radio, it's the best FM tuner I've ever used. Amazing clarity & SQ from regular old, SD-radio. I've been very, very happy with the setup. It's worked exceptionally well for me for several years, and I've recommended them to several friends & family who have been equally pleased with them.

I've even hauled parts of it with us when we've gone on vacation, as it's nice to be assured of good quality music when on vacation in a hotel/condo/rental home, etc. And since the Model X units are modular, I can just grab the one mono main unit, or both stereo speakers, or everything + the sub.

And should anything ever happen to the setup I have now, and I could scrounge up the dough, I'd love one of their Music Systems. Not cheap by any stretch, but I have no doubt that the sound & build quality would be phenomenal.

And if you need a NAS-centric solution, they sell that too.

Good luck!

Would something like the Microsoft Zune HD work for streaming to your NAS?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zune_HD

Would a soundbar type system work out? I know the Yamaha YAS-71(?) has a radio build in, and a few different input options. Only thing is that you would need to find a place for the sub...

Maybe something from ZVOX?

http://www.zvoxaudio.com/

unfortunately no tuner on those.

Peter - great info on the Tivoli products. I may PM you for some more info. I really like the look of their products. There's a dealer here in my city, I am looking forward to dropping by and hearing & seeing these in person.

Zune or soundbar (with radio) are possibilities but lower on my list at the moment.

Thanks again all - this has really helped me so far!

Stop taunting me. I want one! Still only sold in the US though and I hear they are blocking the software outside their boarders making them useless if you buy US and ship home.

I have the ability to 'appear' as if I'm interwebbing within the US but the fact that they made it a hassle for me also makes me kind of pissed.

Worse yet, now that the iPod touch has a 64GB version, it actually suits my storage needs (and touch-bling desires) more than a ZuneHD. I may just have to throw in the towel and conform to the masses. I'll hate to do it but Microsoft is forcing my hand.

No problem. Happy to help & answer whatever questions I can. Definitely a good idea to drop by a dealer and hear them for yourself. There's no substitute for your own ears.

And yes, and while the sound quality is superb, I also really love the design. It's very clean & purposeful. And the cabinets are real wood and have gorgeous finishes. Should have a very high WAF, if that's an issue.

Well, it took me a bit and priorities went elsewhere over Christmas, but I found what I was looking for. Ended up getting the Tivoli Model One in white and silver. It matches our kitchen decor nicely and we love the retro minimalist styling. Peter you're right, these things sound amazing for their size. A bit of exaggerated bass, but nice full sound for easy background listening. Sounds great at both low and loud volumes. Excellent FM tuner and it has an aux in so can be used with pretty much any outboard audio device.

I know it took me a while but thanks again for the help everyone. I am going to surprise my wife with it tomorrow night. She's either going to love me for it or be mad for spending the money right after Christmas - or both!

Good choice I was looking at those over Boxing week.