Help me pick out an iPod dock/radio/soundsystem!

Esh

I'm looking at this Yamaha MCR-040 that just came out. The bonus to this is that I can plug a USB record player into it. It might be a little big for what I want though.

Anyone have any stylish recommendations for an iPod dock for my living room? FM is a must (gotta have my NPR) and good sound is key. It doesn't have to be LOUD, just quality sound. $300-$400 is my price range. Might go higher for something really great. Please don't even bother recommending anything "value".

Chanus

I have this Bose one, which doesn't really have all the features you're looking for, but I will say the sound quality is tops.

Just as maybe a point of reference anyway.

variant

Don't most audiophiles generally stay away from Bose because of sound quality?

RUNN1NGMAN

variant wrote: »

Don't most audiophiles generally stay away from Bose because of sound quality?

Well an audiophile wouldn't be able to say the phrase "iPod dock" without throwing up a little in their mouth, so it's all beside the point.

Chanus

It's not the sound quality with Bose, it's the overpriceyness.

But I didn't pay for mine. It sounds great.

Wulf

I just got this Sony from Bestbuy like two weeks ago. Pretty good sound, loud as fuck for waking up purposes (set it to max, and I double dog dare you to sleep through it, unless you listen to NPR :P ). Hell it woke up my neighbors across the street! And it's got an HD Radio and does Tagging. That, and it's less than half the price of that one you linked originally. (I might be a bit biased, since I just upgraded from an 1985 Sony Clock/Radio which I'd been using since... 1985)
I should add that while it is cheaper than what you suggest, It's not a bad system for listening to my iPod or HD radio, and comes with several variations on antennae that work great for getting my favorite stations from almost two states away :P

Centurion

Good sound vs. small speakers is always a very difficult tradeoff, but Yamaha usually manages it better than most other brands, from my experience. Still, if even the Yamaha that you linked is too big for you, prepare to be underwhelmed by the sound quality. Personally, I would just try my best to fit this: Yamaha PianoCraft 330. The PianoCraft systems (do they call them that in the US?) are considered the smallest "real hifi" systems by many people I know.

flatlinegraphics

personally, anything integrated or mini turns me off. for the money you can buy a regular receiver and a pair of decent to good speakers that would blow any of those out of the water. wouldn't spend the cash for a surround, as the ipod (and most sources) are mixed stereo anyway, and don't benefit from surround. and anything that comes with a sub usually uses the sub to make up for shitty satellite speakers (bose).

$400 is a weird price point, in that it will get you good garbage, or ok good stuff (if that makes any sense)

heres an HK for about $200
http://www.amazon.com/Harman-Kardon-HK-3390-Receiver/dp/B00198BOAM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1258554864&sr=8-2

then keep an eye out for a set of klipsh speakers on your local craigslist or the best pair of speakers you can buy with the rest of your budget.

ipod docks are usually added to kwality low line stuff to increase the appeal and sticker price. heres garbage, but it has an ipod dock! you can usually pick up a dock separately, or just get a 1/8 mini stereo to rca cable and patch it in. and you can patch your tv, a computer, a turntable, whatever in, and just turn the selector knob. they should all have radio tuners, some have satellite patches.