[Mathew_M]

While Christmas shopping with my wife today I found this at Sharper Image:  http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/en/sa/consumer/cc/_mRank_1/_productid_MCD908_98_SA_CONSUMER/DVD-Micro-Theater+MCD908-98

They had one hooked up and the sales guy said it just arrived a couple of weeks ago.  They had some Christmas CD in it and I wasn't impressed by the sound.  Overly warm and muddy can best describe it.  Granted it was sitting on a shelf and probably wasn't truly broken in yet.  The price for it is $599 but I found it at J&R for $399.

I was wondering if anyone had bought one yet.  The tubes are in the pre-amp section and the amp section is Class D at 70 watts which is interesting for me.  I was thinking that you could ditch the speakers and if possible the CD/DVD player.  The online specs are vague and I can't find a picture of the rear panel however it states that there is unfortunately only one aux analog input.  This could possibly make for a nice Squeezebox setup though. 

Anyway, I'm curious if anyone has any experience with the system

[Bemopti123]

I think what this product really shows is simply another merchandising gimik by Philips in order to differentiate their boxes from those of other manufacturers. 

It is no worse than J&R selling those bald or fat man audio tube integrated with Ipod docks and speakers...

These products are out there to satisfy your average Joe, and perhaps take some of the same people who would have considered purchasing those Bose products.  Hehehe.

More impressive than this is what Thiel is doing.  They are now holding hands with Crutchfield to sell their speakers online.  Now, someone who gets those speakers will have something serious in their hand.  Unfortunately, they do not have much of a choice in regards to decent amplification from the same retailer. 

[srb]

... it states that there is unfortunately only one aux analog input ...

I verified that it has only one input looking at the back panel diagram in the owners manual.

I am possibly interested in a DVD mini-system for the bedroom, but it must have two inputs - one for the TV, and one for iPod or Squeezebox.

I might have given it a try for $400 if it had one more input.

[Mathew_M]

It might be a gimmick and like I said the sound was un-impressive (However I also have heard high-end gear sound un-impressive in stores too) but I think most audiophiles tend to dismiss something if it's mass market without ever giving it a listen. 

What I'm interested in is if anyone has purchased one to check it out under the hood.  At $400 I would think there would be a few people interested in a tube-pre, 70 watt digital amp regardless of manufacturer.

[SET Man]

Hey!

   Hmmm... interesting.

    You know I won't dismiss this as a gimmick yet. And maybe there is something here.... maybe the weakness here is the speaker that come with the system. Well, most mini-system like this have this weakness.

    When my brother was here in NYC he was using JVC mini with it tiny speaker. Than he asked me to help him buy new speaker. I found a pair of Acoustic Energy "Aegis 2" and you know what the combo sounded pretty good... no not up to what my big system can do but decent and enjoyable. Sadly he couldn't take the Aegis 2 with him when he moved to the West coast .. they are still here sitting in the corner of the room.

    With that maybe we might have something here.... remember the Sharp mini-system that was a big hit back than?

    Anyway, if I have time I think I will stop by J&R to check it out. But than again I ain't got money or room for this thing anyway.

Take care,
Buddy

[ooheadsoo]

Philips has been selling their ribbon monitor minisystem at my local Costco for a long time.  This is the first time I've seen the tube thing, though.  I didn't think much of the speakers in the wonderful warehouse environment, but my friend's father bought it for a bedroom system and has been quite pleased with it.  He essentially only listens to classical, being something of a journeyman luthier and player for decades, and he thinks it is pretty good for the price - although he's not really up to date on all the different options out there.