[Pancho Urbano]

Hello.

I'm looking for a nice little shelf system for my office, and the Teac Reference systems seem to be quite nice.  I can get an integrated amplifier and DVD/CD player of both the 500 series and Legacy series for about $300.  

Do you all know anything about these systems and how they're different.  How to do they compare?  Other shelf system recommendations?

Thanks!
-pu

[Doublej]

Although I have read a British HiFi magazine in quite some time they used to have extensive cover of shelf systems.

I have a little Teac Reference 100 system. Nice setup except for a software bug where the clock gains/loses an hour if you put the sleep timer on anything other than 60 mintues. It was good enough to be carried in a couple of the local hifi shops in my area.

Is it $300 for both the integrated amplifier and DVD/CD player or it $300 for each piece? $300 for the pair is tough to beat. $600 for the pair puts you right in with the NAD unit which has garnered rave reviews.


Alternatives include:

Onkyo
Denon
Yamaha
NAD L53/73
Audio Analogue
Arcam Solo
Cyrus

You could also pair a slim digital receiver from Panasonic or JVC with a slim CD player.

[PhilNYC]

If you've got an iPod, Apple just announced this for $350:



http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?productLearnMore=M9867LL/A

[gary]

Yeah, and Steve Jobs is an "audiophile" who's now selling his home system in favor of that thing. I buy that like I buy the Clever Little Clock story . Still, it might be good for the price.

Gary

[thayerg]

Apple boombox has digital amps, conservative freq response specs, and fullrange drivers augmented with a 'sub'. In other words they've integrated all the kewl technologies discussed here and on diyaudio. Looks good too.

[PhilNYC]

Apple boombox has digital amps, conservative freq response specs, and fullrange drivers augmented with a 'sub'. In other words they've integrated all the kewl technologies discussed here and on diyaudio. Looks good too.

It runs on batteries, too...

[elcaptain88]

I have one of the Yamaha shelf systems with the amp/tuner in one unit & a 3-disc changer in the other - coupled with two piano black speakers. Not bad for the price, looks nice & fits well in a bookshelf.

The Arcam Solo looks real nice but at $1,600 is a big step up.

[Pancho Urbano]

I actually just picked up a Teac Reference 550 surround sound receiver from J&R.  I thought I could get the matching DVD player for $80, but they are currently out of stock (maybe forever?).  I spoke with a Teac rep, and while the Ref 300 Mkii series is available in the UK and Asia, it won't come to the US.  Its too bad there isn't a market for nicely built mini systems - why not?  Where might I get the Yamaha piano series?  That looks nice too - and perhaps sounds nice?  I'm gunning for a NAD system for the house.  But this is for my little office.  It will be matched with some Michaura M55s (remember these from a couple of years ago - made by Axiom?)  

Are you guys serious about the quality of that Apple unit?  I'm a lifelong Mac user, but the thing doesn't look that great - although I know nothing about the specs.

-pu

[Doublej]

J&R has one of the Pianocrafts models.

If you want to spend far less dollars head over to Costco. Last time I was there they had a nice looking Teac system for $100+/-.

[kaxixi]

I would take a look at Monitor Audio's iPod Shelf System.  I'm sure Apple's system sounds fine, but for the same price, I'd bet Monitor Audio sounds better.

[kaxixi]

http://www.hometheatermag.com/ipodaccessories/106monitor/