Non-iPod Speaker / HiFi

Mk14:37

I'm on the look out for something that I'm not sure even exists - a hi fi or speaker without an iPod dock!

I'd like to be able to play either CDs, or MP3s, but I don't own (nor do I intend to buy) an iPod - yet everywhere I go, all I see are iPod docks. OK, so they all play other players too, but I don't want to have the constant visual reminder of an empty dock, saying to me "You are unworthy, you are insignificant... you are not an Apple iPod owner...." ! ! !

Ideally this HiFi or speaker would (in decreasing order of importance)
- be slimline, to fit on my mantelpiece
- play FM radio
- play DAB radio
- play CDs

My budget is only up to £100, and the cheaper the better (though quality is still important).

I have found this so far, which at least has a retractable ipod dock:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/GEAR4-StreetParty-Portable-Speaker-Dock/dp/B001ANIAP8

Any further suggestions please?

googler

Why FM and DAB?

mallymal

Many units have aan ipod dock and a separate 3.5mm input, so you can use something like this to connect into the speaker and into your mp3 player's headphone socket. http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?hl=en&rlz=1G1ACPW_ENUK407&q=3.5mm+jack+to+jack&gs_sm=3&gs_upl=836l9299l0l9882l18l18l0l7l7l0l105l1006l9.2l11l0&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=16255471985092347432&sa=X&ei=erFOT4m8HILG0QXp_7ieBQ&ved=0CGMQ8wIwAQ

But here are some of the issues you face if you DONT go down the ipod/dock route:

• I think I read somewhere the quality isnt as pure
• you wont have the added functionality of controlling the player from the speaker's remote control.
• You need the volume on the mp3 cranked up.

Also, if you post the make of your mp3 player, this might help. Eg my daughter has a SONY mp3 and they make a specific non ipod dock for it!

Cisco001

PC speakers with 3.5mm input could do the job...

starrybee

Did a quick Argos search for 'hi fi' and there seem to be quite a few that don't have ipod docks (or at least from what I could see in the pictures)

jase1

Pity about the mantlepiece stipulation.

Really, what you want is a bookshelf hifi. Something by the like of Denon, TEAC, Yamaha or Onkyo. You can get them new for about £200, second-hand £100 with change. Most now come with DAB and MP3 playback from CD, and the sound quality is an order of magnitude better than a dock.

OR.... buy one of these...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SMSL-25WX2-TA2021B-A1-Class-T-Amp-Integrated-Amplifier-Tripath-Stereo-Amp-Silver-/110758347835

And a pair of these...

http://www.richersounds.com/product/bookshelf-speakers/tibo/edge-mini/tibo-edge-mini

(These are the same as the Acoustic Solutions AV21).

Do not be deterred by the low cost of this kit, or the lack of features. Tripath amplifiers are very, very good -- even the cheap little Lepai 2020 for about £12-13 is excellent, and this one is built to a higher standard. Sound quality is better than any dock, and also better than just about any small mini-system also.

jase1

For a full system, if you can source some inexpensive speakers for it, and can stretch to a little more:

http://www.richersounds.com/product/mini-hifi-systems/teac/crh248/teac-crh248-blk

http://www.richersounds.com/product/mini-hifi-systems/denon/dm38dab/deno-dm38dab-sil

Don't bother with mainstream fantastic plastic from Currys for £79.99, they're usually not that good, and the speakers are often terrible.

Mk14:37

Thanks jase1. Have had a change of circumstances, so in the mean time have gone for an X-II mini speaker from Amazon and will use my phone to tide me over. A good job too, because for some reason I didn't ever consider that my now-14 month old daughter would very quickly (a) become independently mobile and (b) take great delight at pulling everything off my low mantelpiece.

Liked the look of your suggestions, particularly the Denon, so will revist these when the time is right