Due in the shops at the end of this month, Denon's new CX1 micro system is designed to combine high-end performance with compact dimensions.
The system, which will sell for £1898 complete – £1299 for the main unit and £599 for the matching speakers – combines SACD/CD playback with a built-in tuner, connections for an iPod dock and a 150W per channel amplifier complete with moving magnet/moving coil phono stage.
The player uses the company's Advanced SVH (Suppress Vibration Hybrid) transport, and as well as CDs and SACDs can play MP3 and WMA files from CD-R/RW.
Digital-to-analogue conversion is in the hands of an in-house stage using Denon's AL24 processing, and the unit can be connected to an iPod or network via the company's ASD docking station.
BernardLanguillier August 20, 2008 22:54
The AVI Neutron V have arrived, and this makes all the difference in the world.
The Denon and AVI sound refined and extremely clear, if perhaps a tad bright. This seems to be a very neutral performance that wouldn't be disapointing even for a main system.
Cheers,
Bernard
BernardLanguillier August 16, 2008 11:03
I have been using one of these in my bedtroom for a few weeks here in Tokyo. It is much cheaper in Japan since I got mine for 124.000 Yen, meaning about 750 Euros.
It is currently feeding an old pair of cheap bookshelf Denon speakers that don't do it favour, but my new AVI Neutron V should arrive in a week from now and be a much better match.
I'll report then about the sound.
For now I can already comment that it is a nice unit functionwise, clearly designed to be a bedroom secondary system with its sleep and wake timers, display diming and very intuitive remote control.
I just wish it had an optical in and/or one more analog input to be able to connect my airport express at the same time as an iPod dock.
Designwise, I love the front panel, but am not too fond of the upper part, the ventilation grid is probably needed, but isn't too good looking for a unit that will probably be very often put on top of a piece of furniture. I doesn't get too hot though, which is probably helped by the grid.
cheers,
alex cook August 15, 2008 06:09
looks great, hope the sound is good enough to justify buying it over the arcam solo mini at half the price!