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 Product Description
Awarded the title of "Best of CES 2008" in the Home Audio category, the Squeezebox Duet from Logitech is a clever music player that transfers digital media from your computer to your HiFi system via a cabled or wireless connection! The Squeezebox Duet is easy to install and use, and has a 2.4 colour LCD screen, a convenient scroll wheel, user-friendly menus and intuitive buttons, so you can browse, select and play songs with ease. Youll be able to search for tracks by style, artist or play list, and even use the shuffle mode. The Squeezebox Duet is compatible with MP3, AAC, WMA, Ogg, Apple Lossless, WMA, and WAV, and tunes into thousands of Internet radio stations without your having to turn on your computer. You can enjoy your favourite music in any room of your home with the Squeezebox Duet!
Customer Reviews
Squeezebox Duet Problems with ready NAS, 28 Oct 2008
I can't recomend Squeezebox with ReadyNas. Half the time the controller can't find squeezecentre. This happens after periods of inactivity.
Once you get it up and running which can be a process of turning the reciever off and taking the battery out of the controller, it's great. But it's too flaky at the moment. Hope these issues get sorted out soon or I might have to stamp on it !It's a pity.
Fabulous - once you've set it up properly, 28 Oct 2008
What a triumph of design and function this product is. I'm just blown away by it. I'm no audiophile, but the sound quality is excellent through my mid-range system. It's intuitive and easy to use (even my wife can use it) and such a cool gadget. Having said that, it takes a long time to set up properly. You need patience, technical savvy and good computer skills to get it working flawlessly. There are a myriad of options to configure too, if you want. There are also many add-ons that can be downloaded (my favourite is Alien BBC for radio streaming) to extend the capabilities even further. As with most Logitech devices, the aesthetics of the unit are very pleasing, albeit stolen from the iPod to some degree (although this makes it all the more familiar and easy to use). The automatic software updates keep the unit up to date with fixes and new features. Occasionally, I have a connection problem but generally nothing stopping and re-starting the server doesn't fix. I just love this piece of kit and can't wait to show it to people. I love being able to sit outside in the summer and control all my music remotely. Again, the only downside is the technical knowledge needed to set it up. I didn't find it that straightforward and I'm an IT professional with a degree in electronics.
Rediscover your music collection, 21 Oct 2008
I would describe myself as computer literate but by no means a networking expert. Nevertheless I quickly had this up and running from my pc in no time. It took a little longer to get my NAS to stream to it without pc being on but even that was trivial and simply required some time set aside. My router is an old 'b' speed linksys and it works flawlessly.
Now I can search my music library and rediscover those albums I forgot about so easily. The cd's have gone in the loft (well, the ones that have been ripped to FLAC thus far have....) clearing up loads of space.
All in all an amazing piece of kit, and if you have a large enough music collection to justify it you wont regret this purchase at all.
Rubbish, 23 Sep 2008
I got a squeezebox to listen to internet radio and stream a bit of music. From the start there were problems as I don't have a wireless network! Shoot me!!! Finally got it working for 2 days now it is defective and needs to be returned. Junk.
review of the review: Amazon were absolutely great and got a new set to me in one day! Great service. Managed to get it all setup in 10 minutes. Hope it stays this way this time. Watch this space.
Well I've managed to connect to internet radio and my music library on my PC with mixed results. Frequent periods of static and garbled sound remedied only by restarting the Squeezebox receiver. This is probably due to me using the wired connection and having a 5 year old router... Those with newer wireless networks will probably (!) have more luck.
I'd say that this is an enthusiast's device, casual or non technical users should rather wait. The Squeezebox is not ready for the main stream. This is very frustrating as I can see the potential.
Very Impressed, highly recommended, 07 Sep 2008
Don't be put off with it's Logitech branding, it's nothing like their other products. I am very impressed with the audio quality, the remote is very cool. In fact, the whole product is very sleek. The audio quality is excellent. I stream FLAC off my Linux server with no problems.
Couple of points:
1. My wireless goes through two doors, although on the same floor, and I occasionally get glitches. The remote (which has it's own in built wireless and runs Linux itself) has occasionally dropped connection to the receiver. I think the wireless range is related to keeping power consumption low and I can see people having issues if the wireless goes across a couple of floors or walls. Just keep this in mind.
2. The Linux software installation for non RPM based distributions (ie.. from Perl source) was quite difficult to install and I wouldn't recommend for a newbie. The latest version of slimserver (7.1) was much easier. If you don't use RPM then I suggest looking into what is involved before buying one.
Overall this is an excellent product, and If you have a windows box as a server, should be a doddle to install. I was so impressed that I've started to move away from my Vinyl.
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Product Description
USER FRIENDLY CD CLOCK RADIO WITH DUAL ALARM AND ANALOGUE TUNER, ANALOGUE FM/AM WITH CD, DUAL ALARM, EASY TO READ 1.4" GREEN LED DISPLAY, BRIGHTNESS CONTROL, EXTENDABLE SNOOZE.
Customer Reviews
Squeezebox Duet Problems with ready NAS, 28 Oct 2008
I can't recomend Squeezebox with ReadyNas. Half the time the controller can't find squeezecentre. This happens after periods of inactivity.
Once you get it up and running which can be a process of turning the reciever off and taking the battery out of the controller, it's great. But it's too flaky at the moment. Hope these issues get sorted out soon or I might have to stamp on it !It's a pity.
Fabulous - once you've set it up properly, 28 Oct 2008
What a triumph of design and function this product is. I'm just blown away by it. I'm no audiophile, but the sound quality is excellent through my mid-range system. It's intuitive and easy to use (even my wife can use it) and such a cool gadget. Having said that, it takes a long time to set up properly. You need patience, technical savvy and good computer skills to get it working flawlessly. There are a myriad of options to configure too, if you want. There are also many add-ons that can be downloaded (my favourite is Alien BBC for radio streaming) to extend the capabilities even further. As with most Logitech devices, the aesthetics of the unit are very pleasing, albeit stolen from the iPod to some degree (although this makes it all the more familiar and easy to use). The automatic software updates keep the unit up to date with fixes and new features. Occasionally, I have a connection problem but generally nothing stopping and re-starting the server doesn't fix. I just love this piece of kit and can't wait to show it to people. I love being able to sit outside in the summer and control all my music remotely. Again, the only downside is the technical knowledge needed to set it up. I didn't find it that straightforward and I'm an IT professional with a degree in electronics.
Rediscover your music collection, 21 Oct 2008
I would describe myself as computer literate but by no means a networking expert. Nevertheless I quickly had this up and running from my pc in no time. It took a little longer to get my NAS to stream to it without pc being on but even that was trivial and simply required some time set aside. My router is an old 'b' speed linksys and it works flawlessly.
Now I can search my music library and rediscover those albums I forgot about so easily. The cd's have gone in the loft (well, the ones that have been ripped to FLAC thus far have....) clearing up loads of space.
All in all an amazing piece of kit, and if you have a large enough music collection to justify it you wont regret this purchase at all.
Rubbish, 23 Sep 2008
I got a squeezebox to listen to internet radio and stream a bit of music. From the start there were problems as I don't have a wireless network! Shoot me!!! Finally got it working for 2 days now it is defective and needs to be returned. Junk.
review of the review: Amazon were absolutely great and got a new set to me in one day! Great service. Managed to get it all setup in 10 minutes. Hope it stays this way this time. Watch this space.
Well I've managed to connect to internet radio and my music library on my PC with mixed results. Frequent periods of static and garbled sound remedied only by restarting the Squeezebox receiver. This is probably due to me using the wired connection and having a 5 year old router... Those with newer wireless networks will probably (!) have more luck.
I'd say that this is an enthusiast's device, casual or non technical users should rather wait. The Squeezebox is not ready for the main stream. This is very frustrating as I can see the potential.
Very Impressed, highly recommended, 07 Sep 2008
Don't be put off with it's Logitech branding, it's nothing like their other products. I am very impressed with the audio quality, the remote is very cool. In fact, the whole product is very sleek. The audio quality is excellent. I stream FLAC off my Linux server with no problems.
Couple of points:
1. My wireless goes through two doors, although on the same floor, and I occasionally get glitches. The remote (which has it's own in built wireless and runs Linux itself) has occasionally dropped connection to the receiver. I think the wireless range is related to keeping power consumption low and I can see people having issues if the wireless goes across a couple of floors or walls. Just keep this in mind.
2. The Linux software installation for non RPM based distributions (ie.. from Perl source) was quite difficult to install and I wouldn't recommend for a newbie. The latest version of slimserver (7.1) was much easier. If you don't use RPM then I suggest looking into what is involved before buying one.
Overall this is an excellent product, and If you have a windows box as a server, should be a doddle to install. I was so impressed that I've started to move away from my Vinyl.
Not for light sleepers, 22 Jul 2008
The functions on this unit are great. It has two alarm settings (one for during the week and one for weekends) which is great. The sound quality for the CD player is fine. The setting up was easy thanks to the decent instructions. BUT - I can't use it. There is a low hum emitted at all times by the unit (nothing to do with the CD Player) and because I want it on the bedside table (near my head) it keeps me awake. I have been onto Sony but they are not helpful, advising me to take it to a Service Centre - I suppose it is unlucky that there are none near me. So not a great product unless you are a heavy sleeper.
Sound build, adequate function, 04 Mar 2008
This product has the dimension and style of a biscuit tin, 'buzzers' that beep and an FM aerial that looks as if someone in the design department realised "Der crumbs Maisey, we forgot the FM aerial" just as the first batch was coming off the assembly line. Apart from that, it's fine.
As with other Sony items, the plastic casing feels solid and built to last. The sound is fine for a unit of this price with enough volume to reach the far side of a double bed :) The radio works well on FM but AM reception is hampered by the sheer number of radio stations elbowing each other for bandwidth. Consequently AM selectivity is not great. The FM aerial consists of a length of thin wire issuing from a hole at the rear of the unit which is why I think it was added late in the design process.
There are two independent alarm systems which can wake you with either radio, CD or buzzer. The utility of having two alarms in a single unit escapes me - unless your partner has long enough arms to reach the snooze button from the opposite side of the bed. The 'buzzer' beeps like a travel alarm clock - not like a mains driven unit - and, given the unit's night-time ambiance, viewed from the level of a pillow, of a Sherman tank, seems rather incongruous and pathetic.
The CD allows you to step through the tracks sequentially but there's no random play or repeat function. There are 'sleep' intervals of 90, 60, 30 and 15 minutes to turn off the radio or CD. The alarm 'snooze' time can be set from 10 to 60 minutes in multiples of 10.
The display digits are 35mm high with three switchable brightness settings which seem to cover most situations and should be visable even to those with the visual acuity of a mole. There's an 'audio in' socket to connect your portable MP3 player (not controlled by the sleep timer) but sadly no socket for headphones.
Overall? No prizes for beauty but, at half the cost and a third the size of a more stylish item, I feel justified in sacrificed my aesthetic needs at the alter of pecuniary interest.
Style: ***
Build: *****
Function: ****
Not bad, 02 Nov 2007
Received this from Amazon quickly.
Good
-Sound quality is better than average
-Three level dimmer for display
-Clear green display (12 hour format)
-Alarm & Time setting is intuitive
-Front mounted jack to connect ipod etc
-Build quality is good, especially for the price.
Bad
-No battery backup - if the power fails you loose the time and alarm settings. This isn't an issue for me since it's in the study and I use the alarm during the day for picking kids up from school, etc but could be a major minus if you rely on the alarm function.
-VERY fiddly tuning and volume - tuning is 1:1 ratio (like a cheap pocket radio) and on the side so unless you move the unit you rely on knowing it's Radio2-Radio3-Radio4-Local etc on FM)
-Much bigger than I thought it would be - Amazon's description is accurate, I mistakenly looked at the picture and thought the CD lid would be the diameter of a CD - it's quite a bit bigger.
Overall - good value if you can live with the snags. Two alarms is handy, and it's pretty sensitive on FM - here in Hampshire I have the choice of several 'Better music from the 80's 90's and today, deep joy.....
Nice device at a good price, 29 Jun 2007
It does the basic functionality well - clock, radio, CD player with 2 alarms. You can even play your mp3 player through it. The sound quality is OK - but obviously not hi-fi. It's most suitable for use in the bedroom. The build quailty is good, with solid simple controls.
GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, 06 Jan 2007
I got this for xmas and it is GREAT!!!!!!!!! It has everything you need. Very big clock display- very easy to read. The radio quality is superb and the sound the cd player gives you is FANTASTIC. And on top of that it is cheap and has a well- known leading brand name!
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Apple iPod Radio Remote
Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
*Best price found from Amazon Marketplace seller
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*Amazon: £23.94
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Product Description
Free 2 year guarantee
Listen to FM radio on your iPod and control everything with a convenient wired remote. You also get a set of earphones with a shorter cable that's a perfect fit for the remote
Customer Reviews
Squeezebox Duet Problems with ready NAS, 28 Oct 2008
I can't recomend Squeezebox with ReadyNas. Half the time the controller can't find squeezecentre. This happens after periods of inactivity.
Once you get it up and running which can be a process of turning the reciever off and taking the battery out of the controller, it's great. But it's too flaky at the moment. Hope these issues get sorted out soon or I might have to stamp on it !It's a pity.
Fabulous - once you've set it up properly, 28 Oct 2008
What a triumph of design and function this product is. I'm just blown away by it. I'm no audiophile, but the sound quality is excellent through my mid-range system. It's intuitive and easy to use (even my wife can use it) and such a cool gadget. Having said that, it takes a long time to set up properly. You need patience, technical savvy and good computer skills to get it working flawlessly. There are a myriad of options to configure too, if you want. There are also many add-ons that can be downloaded (my favourite is Alien BBC for radio streaming) to extend the capabilities even further. As with most Logitech devices, the aesthetics of the unit are very pleasing, albeit stolen from the iPod to some degree (although this makes it all the more familiar and easy to use). The automatic software updates keep the unit up to date with fixes and new features. Occasionally, I have a connection problem but generally nothing stopping and re-starting the server doesn't fix. I just love this piece of kit and can't wait to show it to people. I love being able to sit outside in the summer and control all my music remotely. Again, the only downside is the technical knowledge needed to set it up. I didn't find it that straightforward and I'm an IT professional with a degree in electronics.
Rediscover your music collection, 21 Oct 2008
I would describe myself as computer literate but by no means a networking expert. Nevertheless I quickly had this up and running from my pc in no time. It took a little longer to get my NAS to stream to it without pc being on but even that was trivial and simply required some time set aside. My router is an old 'b' speed linksys and it works flawlessly.
Now I can search my music library and rediscover those albums I forgot about so easily. The cd's have gone in the loft (well, the ones that have been ripped to FLAC thus far have....) clearing up loads of space.
All in all an amazing piece of kit, and if you have a large enough music collection to justify it you wont regret this purchase at all.
Rubbish, 23 Sep 2008
I got a squeezebox to listen to internet radio and stream a bit of music. From the start there were problems as I don't have a wireless network! Shoot me!!! Finally got it working for 2 days now it is defective and needs to be returned. Junk.
review of the review: Amazon were absolutely great and got a new set to me in one day! Great service. Managed to get it all setup in 10 minutes. Hope it stays this way this time. Watch this space.
Well I've managed to connect to internet radio and my music library on my PC with mixed results. Frequent periods of static and garbled sound remedied only by restarting the Squeezebox receiver. This is probably due to me using the wired connection and having a 5 year old router... Those with newer wireless networks will probably (!) have more luck.
I'd say that this is an enthusiast's device, casual or non technical users should rather wait. The Squeezebox is not ready for the main stream. This is very frustrating as I can see the potential.
Very Impressed, highly recommended, 07 Sep 2008
Don't be put off with it's Logitech branding, it's nothing like their other products. I am very impressed with the audio quality, the remote is very cool. In fact, the whole product is very sleek. The audio quality is excellent. I stream FLAC off my Linux server with no problems.
Couple of points:
1. My wireless goes through two doors, although on the same floor, and I occasionally get glitches. The remote (which has it's own in built wireless and runs Linux itself) has occasionally dropped connection to the receiver. I think the wireless range is related to keeping power consumption low and I can see people having issues if the wireless goes across a couple of floors or walls. Just keep this in mind.
2. The Linux software installation for non RPM based distributions (ie.. from Perl source) was quite difficult to install and I wouldn't recommend for a newbie. The latest version of slimserver (7.1) was much easier. If you don't use RPM then I suggest looking into what is involved before buying one.
Overall this is an excellent product, and If you have a windows box as a server, should be a doddle to install. I was so impressed that I've started to move away from my Vinyl.
Not for light sleepers, 22 Jul 2008
The functions on this unit are great. It has two alarm settings (one for during the week and one for weekends) which is great. The sound quality for the CD player is fine. The setting up was easy thanks to the decent instructions. BUT - I can't use it. There is a low hum emitted at all times by the unit (nothing to do with the CD Player) and because I want it on the bedside table (near my head) it keeps me awake. I have been onto Sony but they are not helpful, advising me to take it to a Service Centre - I suppose it is unlucky that there are none near me. So not a great product unless you are a heavy sleeper.
Sound build, adequate function, 04 Mar 2008
This product has the dimension and style of a biscuit tin, 'buzzers' that beep and an FM aerial that looks as if someone in the design department realised "Der crumbs Maisey, we forgot the FM aerial" just as the first batch was coming off the assembly line. Apart from that, it's fine.
As with other Sony items, the plastic casing feels solid and built to last. The sound is fine for a unit of this price with enough volume to reach the far side of a double bed :) The radio works well on FM but AM reception is hampered by the sheer number of radio stations elbowing each other for bandwidth. Consequently AM selectivity is not great. The FM aerial consists of a length of thin wire issuing from a hole at the rear of the unit which is why I think it was added late in the design process.
There are two independent alarm systems which can wake you with either radio, CD or buzzer. The utility of having two alarms in a single unit escapes me - unless your partner has long enough arms to reach the snooze button from the opposite side of the bed. The 'buzzer' beeps like a travel alarm clock - not like a mains driven unit - and, given the unit's night-time ambiance, viewed from the level of a pillow, of a Sherman tank, seems rather incongruous and pathetic.
The CD allows you to step through the tracks sequentially but there's no random play or repeat function. There are 'sleep' intervals of 90, 60, 30 and 15 minutes to turn off the radio or CD. The alarm 'snooze' time can be set from 10 to 60 minutes in multiples of 10.
The display digits are 35mm high with three switchable brightness settings which seem to cover most situations and should be visable even to those with the visual acuity of a mole. There's an 'audio in' socket to connect your portable MP3 player (not controlled by the sleep timer) but sadly no socket for headphones.
Overall? No prizes for beauty but, at half the cost and a third the size of a more stylish item, I feel justified in sacrificed my aesthetic needs at the alter of pecuniary interest.
Style: ***
Build: *****
Function: ****
Not bad, 02 Nov 2007
Received this from Amazon quickly.
Good
-Sound quality is better than average
-Three level dimmer for display
-Clear green display (12 hour format)
-Alarm & Time setting is intuitive
-Front mounted jack to connect ipod etc
-Build quality is good, especially for the price.
Bad
-No battery backup - if the power fails you loose the time and alarm settings. This isn't an issue for me since it's in the study and I use the alarm during the day for picking kids up from school, etc but could be a major minus if you rely on the alarm function.
-VERY fiddly tuning and volume - tuning is 1:1 ratio (like a cheap pocket radio) and on the side so unless you move the unit you rely on knowing it's Radio2-Radio3-Radio4-Local etc on FM)
-Much bigger than I thought it would be - Amazon's description is accurate, I mistakenly looked at the picture and thought the CD lid would be the diameter of a CD - it's quite a bit bigger.
Overall - good value if you can live with the snags. Two alarms is handy, and it's pretty sensitive on FM - here in Hampshire I have the choice of several 'Better music from the 80's 90's and today, deep joy.....
Nice device at a good price, 29 Jun 2007
It does the basic functionality well - clock, radio, CD player with 2 alarms. You can even play your mp3 player through it. The sound quality is OK - but obviously not hi-fi. It's most suitable for use in the bedroom. The build quailty is good, with solid simple controls.
GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, 06 Jan 2007
I got this for xmas and it is GREAT!!!!!!!!! It has everything you need. Very big clock display- very easy to read. The radio quality is superb and the sound the cd player gives you is FANTASTIC. And on top of that it is cheap and has a well- known leading brand name!
Excellent, passes the Ronseal test, 06 Nov 2008
Does exactly what it says! The remote is good - those of us with big fingers might struggle initially with the feel but it soon comes. I cycle to work and listen to the radio on my way in. No interference from my mobile in my bag and no issue with the station. The reception is not 100% crisp and true, but it more than suffices. Good bit of kit!
A great remote for the ipod, but forget the radio!, 06 Aug 2008
I primarily bought this for the remote functionality as being able to control the ipod remotely is an invaluable addition for any ipod. And as a remote this little device works perfect, you can play/pause/skip, fast forward, fast rewind, as well as switch the ipod on and off. An LCD would have been helpful, but nonetheless as a remote this device works flawlessly.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the radio feature. When you first start setting up the radio it starts off promising. When it is plugged in the ipod immediately recognizes it and adds an extra Radio option to its main menu. Select radio from this menu and you are confronted with a very flash and stylishly retro radio dial on the ipod screen. From here you can tune into your favourite radio channels and save them all. This then enables you to flick between your favourite radio channels from the remote. So far so good. But from here on in things go downhill because actually listening to your favourite radio channel is a huge letdown. Stand in the right position and you might be able to pickup the radio station OK, but move a few steps and you'll get nothing but hiss and interference. In fact walking around trying to listen to the radio is a complete non-starter as reception fluctuates so wildly all you'll want to do is switch the radio off, reception is that bad.
So considering the ipod is a portable music player, it's strange that Apple made a radio that requires you not to move an inch if you want to maintain reasonable reception. In other words, this is a lousy radio! So if you're looking for a radio for your ipod, avoid this and buy the more expensive but superior Roberts Robi DAB radio instead. But, as a remote, it is excellent so I definitely recommend this device for anyone looking for a remote for their ipod.
DOES NOT WORK WITH IPOD MINI!, 18 Apr 2008
Crap I just plugged it into my iPod mini to find it's a complete "non sequitor". I might as well be plugging it into a potato. GGAAAARRGH!
Do not buy !! , 01 Apr 2008
I have had the displeasure of buying 2 of these ipod radio remotes now and both have broken within 6 months, the radio is rubbish and the wires connecting the remote to the ipod have formed a loose connection in the same place in both remotes i have had and the sound keeps cutting out.
Do not buy this remote it will not last very long and is expensive compared to the rest and definitely do not buy for the radio.
Good remote.....Bad radio, 17 Jan 2008
I would back up what previous reviewers have said. The remote is pretty good and very convenient. However, the radio is mediocre to poor. You have to be in fairly open area to get good reception. It works ok on the train but indoors I can only get one station. It's not used in a remote area either, this is in Central London. Bought for the radio so in all it has been a bit of a disapointment!
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Product Description
COMPACT MP3 CD WALKMAN WITH DIGITAL TUNER
Customer Reviews
Squeezebox Duet Problems with ready NAS, 28 Oct 2008
I can't recomend Squeezebox with ReadyNas. Half the time the controller can't find squeezecentre. This happens after periods of inactivity.
Once you get it up and running which can be a process of turning the reciever off and taking the battery out of the controller, it's great. But it's too flaky at the moment. Hope these issues get sorted out soon or I might have to stamp on it !It's a pity.
Fabulous - once you've set it up properly, 28 Oct 2008
What a triumph of design and function this product is. I'm just blown away by it. I'm no audiophile, but the sound quality is excellent through my mid-range system. It's intuitive and easy to use (even my wife can use it) and such a cool gadget. Having said that, it takes a long time to set up properly. You need patience, technical savvy and good computer skills to get it working flawlessly. There are a myriad of options to configure too, if you want. There are also many add-ons that can be downloaded (my favourite is Alien BBC for radio streaming) to extend the capabilities even further. As with most Logitech devices, the aesthetics of the unit are very pleasing, albeit stolen from the iPod to some degree (although this makes it all the more familiar and easy to use). The automatic software updates keep the unit up to date with fixes and new features. Occasionally, I have a connection problem but generally nothing stopping and re-starting the server doesn't fix. I just love this piece of kit and can't wait to show it to people. I love being able to sit outside in the summer and control all my music remotely. Again, the only downside is the technical knowledge needed to set it up. I didn't find it that straightforward and I'm an IT professional with a degree in electronics.
Rediscover your music collection, 21 Oct 2008
I would describe myself as computer literate but by no means a networking expert. Nevertheless I quickly had this up and running from my pc in no time. It took a little longer to get my NAS to stream to it without pc being on but even that was trivial and simply required some time set aside. My router is an old 'b' speed linksys and it works flawlessly.
Now I can search my music library and rediscover those albums I forgot about so easily. The cd's have gone in the loft (well, the ones that have been ripped to FLAC thus far have....) clearing up loads of space.
All in all an amazing piece of kit, and if you have a large enough music collection to justify it you wont regret this purchase at all.
Rubbish, 23 Sep 2008
I got a squeezebox to listen to internet radio and stream a bit of music. From the start there were problems as I don't have a wireless network! Shoot me!!! Finally got it working for 2 days now it is defective and needs to be returned. Junk.
review of the review: Amazon were absolutely great and got a new set to me in one day! Great service. Managed to get it all setup in 10 minutes. Hope it stays this way this time. Watch this space.
Well I've managed to connect to internet radio and my music library on my PC with mixed results. Frequent periods of static and garbled sound remedied only by restarting the Squeezebox receiver. This is probably due to me using the wired connection and having a 5 year old router... Those with newer wireless networks will probably (!) have more luck.
I'd say that this is an enthusiast's device, casual or non technical users should rather wait. The Squeezebox is not ready for the main stream. This is very frustrating as I can see the potential.
Very Impressed, highly recommended, 07 Sep 2008
Don't be put off with it's Logitech branding, it's nothing like their other products. I am very impressed with the audio quality, the remote is very cool. In fact, the whole product is very sleek. The audio quality is excellent. I stream FLAC off my Linux server with no problems.
Couple of points:
1. My wireless goes through two doors, although on the same floor, and I occasionally get glitches. The remote (which has it's own in built wireless and runs Linux itself) has occasionally dropped connection to the receiver. I think the wireless range is related to keeping power consumption low and I can see people having issues if the wireless goes across a couple of floors or walls. Just keep this in mind.
2. The Linux software installation for non RPM based distributions (ie.. from Perl source) was quite difficult to install and I wouldn't recommend for a newbie. The latest version of slimserver (7.1) was much easier. If you don't use RPM then I suggest looking into what is involved before buying one.
Overall this is an excellent product, and If you have a windows box as a server, should be a doddle to install. I was so impressed that I've started to move away from my Vinyl.
Not for light sleepers, 22 Jul 2008
The functions on this unit are great. It has two alarm settings (one for during the week and one for weekends) which is great. The sound quality for the CD player is fine. The setting up was easy thanks to the decent instructions. BUT - I can't use it. There is a low hum emitted at all times by the unit (nothing to do with the CD Player) and because I want it on the bedside table (near my head) it keeps me awake. I have been onto Sony but they are not helpful, advising me to take it to a Service Centre - I suppose it is unlucky that there are none near me. So not a great product unless you are a heavy sleeper.
Sound build, adequate function, 04 Mar 2008
This product has the dimension and style of a biscuit tin, 'buzzers' that beep and an FM aerial that looks as if someone in the design department realised "Der crumbs Maisey, we forgot the FM aerial" just as the first batch was coming off the assembly line. Apart from that, it's fine.
As with other Sony items, the plastic casing feels solid and built to last. The sound is fine for a unit of this price with enough volume to reach the far side of a double bed :) The radio works well on FM but AM reception is hampered by the sheer number of radio stations elbowing each other for bandwidth. Consequently AM selectivity is not great. The FM aerial consists of a length of thin wire issuing from a hole at the rear of the unit which is why I think it was added late in the design process.
There are two independent alarm systems which can wake you with either radio, CD or buzzer. The utility of having two alarms in a single unit escapes me - unless your partner has long enough arms to reach the snooze button from the opposite side of the bed. The 'buzzer' beeps like a travel alarm clock - not like a mains driven unit - and, given the unit's night-time ambiance, viewed from the level of a pillow, of a Sherman tank, seems rather incongruous and pathetic.
The CD allows you to step through the tracks sequentially but there's no random play or repeat function. There are 'sleep' intervals of 90, 60, 30 and 15 minutes to turn off the radio or CD. The alarm 'snooze' time can be set from 10 to 60 minutes in multiples of 10.
The display digits are 35mm high with three switchable brightness settings which seem to cover most situations and should be visable even to those with the visual acuity of a mole. There's an 'audio in' socket to connect your portable MP3 player (not controlled by the sleep timer) but sadly no socket for headphones.
Overall? No prizes for beauty but, at half the cost and a third the size of a more stylish item, I feel justified in sacrificed my aesthetic needs at the alter of pecuniary interest.
Style: ***
Build: *****
Function: ****
Not bad, 02 Nov 2007
Received this from Amazon quickly.
Good
-Sound quality is better than average
-Three level dimmer for display
-Clear green display (12 hour format)
-Alarm & Time setting is intuitive
-Front mounted jack to connect ipod etc
-Build quality is good, especially for the price.
Bad
-No battery backup - if the power fails you loose the time and alarm settings. This isn't an issue for me since it's in the study and I use the alarm during the day for picking kids up from school, etc but could be a major minus if you rely on the alarm function.
-VERY fiddly tuning and volume - tuning is 1:1 ratio (like a cheap pocket radio) and on the side so unless you move the unit you rely on knowing it's Radio2-Radio3-Radio4-Local etc on FM)
-Much bigger than I thought it would be - Amazon's description is accurate, I mistakenly looked at the picture and thought the CD lid would be the diameter of a CD - it's quite a bit bigger.
Overall - good value if you can live with the snags. Two alarms is handy, and it's pretty sensitive on FM - here in Hampshire I have the choice of several 'Better music from the 80's 90's and today, deep joy.....
Nice device at a good price, 29 Jun 2007
It does the basic functionality well - clock, radio, CD player with 2 alarms. You can even play your mp3 player through it. The sound quality is OK - but obviously not hi-fi. It's most suitable for use in the bedroom. The build quailty is good, with solid simple controls.
GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, 06 Jan 2007
I got this for xmas and it is GREAT!!!!!!!!! It has everything you need. Very big clock display- very easy to read. The radio quality is superb and the sound the cd player gives you is FANTASTIC. And on top of that it is cheap and has a well- known leading brand name!
Excellent, passes the Ronseal test, 06 Nov 2008
Does exactly what it says! The remote is good - those of us with big fingers might struggle initially with the feel but it soon comes. I cycle to work and listen to the radio on my way in. No interference from my mobile in my bag and no issue with the station. The reception is not 100% crisp and true, but it more than suffices. Good bit of kit!
A great remote for the ipod, but forget the radio!, 06 Aug 2008
I primarily bought this for the remote functionality as being able to control the ipod remotely is an invaluable addition for any ipod. And as a remote this little device works perfect, you can play/pause/skip, fast forward, fast rewind, as well as switch the ipod on and off. An LCD would have been helpful, but nonetheless as a remote this device works flawlessly.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the radio feature. When you first start setting up the radio it starts off promising. When it is plugged in the ipod immediately recognizes it and adds an extra Radio option to its main menu. Select radio from this menu and you are confronted with a very flash and stylishly retro radio dial on the ipod screen. From here you can tune into your favourite radio channels and save them all. This then enables you to flick between your favourite radio channels from the remote. So far so good. But from here on in things go downhill because actually listening to your favourite radio channel is a huge letdown. Stand in the right position and you might be able to pickup the radio station OK, but move a few steps and you'll get nothing but hiss and interference. In fact walking around trying to listen to the radio is a complete non-starter as reception fluctuates so wildly all you'll want to do is switch the radio off, reception is that bad.
So considering the ipod is a portable music player, it's strange that Apple made a radio that requires you not to move an inch if you want to maintain reasonable reception. In other words, this is a lousy radio! So if you're looking for a radio for your ipod, avoid this and buy the more expensive but superior Roberts Robi DAB radio instead. But, as a remote, it is excellent so I definitely recommend this device for anyone looking for a remote for their ipod.
DOES NOT WORK WITH IPOD MINI!, 18 Apr 2008
Crap I just plugged it into my iPod mini to find it's a complete "non sequitor". I might as well be plugging it into a potato. GGAAAARRGH!
Do not buy !! , 01 Apr 2008
I have had the displeasure of buying 2 of these ipod radio remotes now and both have broken within 6 months, the radio is rubbish and the wires connecting the remote to the ipod have formed a loose connection in the same place in both remotes i have had and the sound keeps cutting out.
Do not buy this remote it will not last very long and is expensive compared to the rest and definitely do not buy for the radio.
Good remote.....Bad radio, 17 Jan 2008
I would back up what previous reviewers have said. The remote is pretty good and very convenient. However, the radio is mediocre to poor. You have to be in fairly open area to get good reception. It works ok on the train but indoors I can only get one station. It's not used in a remote area either, this is in Central London. Bought for the radio so in all it has been a bit of a disapointment!
Portable, yes, but convenient, no., 15 Jul 2007
This CD player is certainly portable, but not very convenient because there is no belt clip or means of attachment to clothing. In other words, you can be stationery with it on a surface near you or moving provided you hold it!
Unfortunately, this deficiency cannot be seen without cutting open the firm plastic packaging, which then voids the conditions for return to Amazon.
The sound quality is satisfactory but the "mega bass" does not do much for my hearing.
Misleading advert, 19 Jun 2007
I ordered via Amazon.UK a Sony walkman CD player that reads CDs recorded in MP3 format. It is for my 94 year old mother to listen to archaeological and other reports that I get as podcasts.
It arrived within 2 days from kkelectronics and works perfectly. We are very happy with it, especially the fact that once stopped, it resumes where it was stopped, very useful when there are a hundred or so MP3 tracks, or 30 or so hours recorded. The radio works well too.
However, there was no AC adaptor in the pack. The Amazon advert stated that there is an AC adaptor included in the box.
I emailed kkelectronics about this and got the following reply.
"Hi
Amazon listing is incorrect-if look in the leaflet with the product,it lists what is included in the pack
you can return it for full refund
regards
jawar"
I don't want to return it for a full refund. My mother loves this little machine. The machine itself deserves a 5 out of 5. However we now have to spend another 20 pounds on top of the machines original 38 pounds cost to get a Sony AC adaptor that the Amazon advert said was included.
Because of this I only rate this Sony D-NF340 MP3 CD Walkman at 3 stars
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Product Description
When design meets sound quality, the fantastic i9200 mini HiFi system is born! Presenting the i9200 from iLuv....This little gem is compatible with MP3 formats and comes with a slimline 4-CD charger, allowing you to mount it on your wall without any problems. What's more, the i9200 also incorporates a dock connector for iPod for even more versatility. Thanks to this connector, the i9200 mini HiFi system can play the files stored on your player while recharging the internal battery.Among its other numerous features is a 32-preset FM/AM tuner, a subwoofer output and an LCD screen.Very easy to use thanks to the included remote control, the i9200 combines sound quality with beauty to bring you musical fun!Compatible with iPod 4G, iPod 5G (video), iPod nano and iPod nano 2G.
Customer Reviews
Squeezebox Duet Problems with ready NAS, 28 Oct 2008
I can't recomend Squeezebox with ReadyNas. Half the time the controller can't find squeezecentre. This happens after periods of inactivity.
Once you get it up and running which can be a process of turning the reciever off and taking the battery out of the controller, it's great. But it's too flaky at the moment. Hope these issues get sorted out soon or I might have to stamp on it !It's a pity.
Fabulous - once you've set it up properly, 28 Oct 2008
What a triumph of design and function this product is. I'm just blown away by it. I'm no audiophile, but the sound quality is excellent through my mid-range system. It's intuitive and easy to use (even my wife can use it) and such a cool gadget. Having said that, it takes a long time to set up properly. You need patience, technical savvy and good computer skills to get it working flawlessly. There are a myriad of options to configure too, if you want. There are also many add-ons that can be downloaded (my favourite is Alien BBC for radio streaming) to extend the capabilities even further. As with most Logitech devices, the aesthetics of the unit are very pleasing, albeit stolen from the iPod to some degree (although this makes it all the more familiar and easy to use). The automatic software updates keep the unit up to date with fixes and new features. Occasionally, I have a connection problem but generally nothing stopping and re-starting the server doesn't fix. I just love this piece of kit and can't wait to show it to people. I love being able to sit outside in the summer and control all my music remotely. Again, the only downside is the technical knowledge needed to set it up. I didn't find it that straightforward and I'm an IT professional with a degree in electronics.
Rediscover your music collection, 21 Oct 2008
I would describe myself as computer literate but by no means a networking expert. Nevertheless I quickly had this up and running from my pc in no time. It took a little longer to get my NAS to stream to it without pc being on but even that was trivial and simply required some time set aside. My router is an old 'b' speed linksys and it works flawlessly.
Now I can search my music library and rediscover those albums I forgot about so easily. The cd's have gone in the loft (well, the ones that have been ripped to FLAC thus far have....) clearing up loads of space.
All in all an amazing piece of kit, and if you have a large enough music collection to justify it you wont regret this purchase at all.
Rubbish, 23 Sep 2008
I got a squeezebox to listen to internet radio and stream a bit of music. From the start there were problems as I don't have a wireless network! Shoot me!!! Finally got it working for 2 days now it is defective and needs to be returned. Junk.
review of the review: Amazon were absolutely great and got a new set to me in one day! Great service. Managed to get it all setup in 10 minutes. Hope it stays this way this time. Watch this space.
Well I've managed to connect to internet radio and my music library on my PC with mixed results. Frequent periods of static and garbled sound remedied only by restarting the Squeezebox receiver. This is probably due to me using the wired connection and having a 5 year old router... Those with newer wireless networks will probably (!) have more luck.
I'd say that this is an enthusiast's device, casual or non technical users should rather wait. The Squeezebox is not ready for the main stream. This is very frustrating as I can see the potential.
Very Impressed, highly recommended, 07 Sep 2008
Don't be put off with it's Logitech branding, it's nothing like their other products. I am very impressed with the audio quality, the remote is very cool. In fact, the whole product is very sleek. The audio quality is excellent. I stream FLAC off my Linux server with no problems.
Couple of points:
1. My wireless goes through two doors, although on the same floor, and I occasionally get glitches. The remote (which has it's own in built wireless and runs Linux itself) has occasionally dropped connection to the receiver. I think the wireless range is related to keeping power consumption low and I can see people having issues if the wireless goes across a couple of floors or walls. Just keep this in mind.
2. The Linux software installation for non RPM based distributions (ie.. from Perl source) was quite difficult to install and I wouldn't recommend for a newbie. The latest version of slimserver (7.1) was much easier. If you don't use RPM then I suggest looking into what is involved before buying one.
Overall this is an excellent product, and If you have a windows box as a server, should be a doddle to install. I was so impressed that I've started to move away from my Vinyl.
Not for light sleepers, 22 Jul 2008
The functions on this unit are great. It has two alarm settings (one for during the week and one for weekends) which is great. The sound quality for the CD player is fine. The setting up was easy thanks to the decent instructions. BUT - I can't use it. There is a low hum emitted at all times by the unit (nothing to do with the CD Player) and because I want it on the bedside table (near my head) it keeps me awake. I have been onto Sony but they are not helpful, advising me to take it to a Service Centre - I suppose it is unlucky that there are none near me. So not a great product unless you are a heavy sleeper.
Sound build, adequate function, 04 Mar 2008
This product has the dimension and style of a biscuit tin, 'buzzers' that beep and an FM aerial that looks as if someone in the design department realised "Der crumbs Maisey, we forgot the FM aerial" just as the first batch was coming off the assembly line. Apart from that, it's fine.
As with other Sony items, the plastic casing feels solid and built to last. The sound is fine for a unit of this price with enough volume to reach the far side of a double bed :) The radio works well on FM but AM reception is hampered by the sheer number of radio stations elbowing each other for bandwidth. Consequently AM selectivity is not great. The FM aerial consists of a length of thin wire issuing from a hole at the rear of the unit which is why I think it was added late in the design process.
There are two independent alarm systems which can wake you with either radio, CD or buzzer. The utility of having two alarms in a single unit escapes me - unless your partner has long enough arms to reach the snooze button from the opposite side of the bed. The 'buzzer' beeps like a travel alarm clock - not like a mains driven unit - and, given the unit's night-time ambiance, viewed from the level of a pillow, of a Sherman tank, seems rather incongruous and pathetic.
The CD allows you to step through the tracks sequentially but there's no random play or repeat function. There are 'sleep' intervals of 90, 60, 30 and 15 minutes to turn off the radio or CD. The alarm 'snooze' time can be set from 10 to 60 minutes in multiples of 10.
The display digits are 35mm high with three switchable brightness settings which seem to cover most situations and should be visable even to those with the visual acuity of a mole. There's an 'audio in' socket to connect your portable MP3 player (not controlled by the sleep timer) but sadly no socket for headphones.
Overall? No prizes for beauty but, at half the cost and a third the size of a more stylish item, I feel justified in sacrificed my aesthetic needs at the alter of pecuniary interest.
Style: ***
Build: *****
Function: ****
Not bad, 02 Nov 2007
Received this from Amazon quickly.
Good
-Sound quality is better than average
-Three level dimmer for display
-Clear green display (12 hour format)
-Alarm & Time setting is intuitive
-Front mounted jack to connect ipod etc
-Build quality is good, especially for the price.
Bad
-No battery backup - if the power fails you loose the time and alarm settings. This isn't an issue for me since it's in the study and I use the alarm during the day for picking kids up from school, etc but could be a major minus if you rely on the alarm function.
-VERY fiddly tuning and volume - tuning is 1:1 ratio (like a cheap pocket radio) and on the side so unless you move the unit you rely on knowing it's Radio2-Radio3-Radio4-Local etc on FM)
-Much bigger than I thought it would be - Amazon's description is accurate, I mistakenly looked at the picture and thought the CD lid would be the diameter of a CD - it's quite a bit bigger.
Overall - good value if you can live with the snags. Two alarms is handy, and it's pretty sensitive on FM - here in Hampshire I have the choice of several 'Better music from the 80's 90's and today, deep joy.....
Nice device at a good price, 29 Jun 2007
It does the basic functionality well - clock, radio, CD player with 2 alarms. You can even play your mp3 player through it. The sound quality is OK - but obviously not hi-fi. It's most suitable for use in the bedroom. The build quailty is good, with solid simple controls.
GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, 06 Jan 2007
I got this for xmas and it is GREAT!!!!!!!!! It has everything you need. Very big clock display- very easy to read. The radio quality is superb and the sound the cd player gives you is FANTASTIC. And on top of that it is cheap and has a well- known leading brand name!
Excellent, passes the Ronseal test, 06 Nov 2008
Does exactly what it says! The remote is good - those of us with big fingers might struggle initially with the feel but it soon comes. I cycle to work and listen to the radio on my way in. No interference from my mobile in my bag and no issue with the station. The reception is not 100% crisp and true, but it more than suffices. Good bit of kit!
A great remote for the ipod, but forget the radio!, 06 Aug 2008
I primarily bought this for the remote functionality as being able to control the ipod remotely is an invaluable addition for any ipod. And as a remote this little device works perfect, you can play/pause/skip, fast forward, fast rewind, as well as switch the ipod on and off. An LCD would have been helpful, but nonetheless as a remote this device works flawlessly.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the radio feature. When you first start setting up the radio it starts off promising. When it is plugged in the ipod immediately recognizes it and adds an extra Radio option to its main menu. Select radio from this menu and you are confronted with a very flash and stylishly retro radio dial on the ipod screen. From here you can tune into your favourite radio channels and save them all. This then enables you to flick between your favourite radio channels from the remote. So far so good. But from here on in things go downhill because actually listening to your favourite radio channel is a huge letdown. Stand in the right position and you might be able to pickup the radio station OK, but move a few steps and you'll get nothing but hiss and interference. In fact walking around trying to listen to the radio is a complete non-starter as reception fluctuates so wildly all you'll want to do is switch the radio off, reception is that bad.
So considering the ipod is a portable music player, it's strange that Apple made a radio that requires you not to move an inch if you want to maintain reasonable reception. In other words, this is a lousy radio! So if you're looking for a radio for your ipod, avoid this and buy the more expensive but superior Roberts Robi DAB radio instead. But, as a remote, it is excellent so I definitely recommend this device for anyone looking for a remote for their ipod.
DOES NOT WORK WITH IPOD MINI!, 18 Apr 2008
Crap I just plugged it into my iPod mini to find it's a complete "non sequitor". I might as well be plugging it into a potato. GGAAAARRGH!
Do not buy !! , 01 Apr 2008
I have had the displeasure of buying 2 of these ipod radio remotes now and both have broken within 6 months, the radio is rubbish and the wires connecting the remote to the ipod have formed a loose connection in the same place in both remotes i have had and the sound keeps cutting out.
Do not buy this remote it will not last very long and is expensive compared to the rest and definitely do not buy for the radio.
Good remote.....Bad radio, 17 Jan 2008
I would back up what previous reviewers have said. The remote is pretty good and very convenient. However, the radio is mediocre to poor. You have to be in fairly open area to get good reception. It works ok on the train but indoors I can only get one station. It's not used in a remote area either, this is in Central London. Bought for the radio so in all it has been a bit of a disapointment!
Portable, yes, but convenient, no., 15 Jul 2007
This CD player is certainly portable, but not very convenient because there is no belt clip or means of attachment to clothing. In other words, you can be stationery with it on a surface near you or moving provided you hold it!
Unfortunately, this deficiency cannot be seen without cutting open the firm plastic packaging, which then voids the conditions for return to Amazon.
The sound quality is satisfactory but the "mega bass" does not do much for my hearing.
Misleading advert, 19 Jun 2007
I ordered via Amazon.UK a Sony walkman CD player that reads CDs recorded in MP3 format. It is for my 94 year old mother to listen to archaeological and other reports that I get as podcasts.
It arrived within 2 days from kkelectronics and works perfectly. We are very happy with it, especially the fact that once stopped, it resumes where it was stopped, very useful when there are a hundred or so MP3 tracks, or 30 or so hours recorded. The radio works well too.
However, there was no AC adaptor in the pack. The Amazon advert stated that there is an AC adaptor included in the box.
I emailed kkelectronics about this and got the following reply.
"Hi
Amazon listing is incorrect-if look in the leaflet with the product,it lists what is included in the pack
you can return it for full refund
regards
jawar"
I don't want to return it for a full refund. My mother loves this little machine. The machine itself deserves a 5 out of 5. However we now have to spend another 20 pounds on top of the machines original 38 pounds cost to get a Sony AC adaptor that the Amazon advert said was included.
Because of this I only rate this Sony D-NF340 MP3 CD Walkman at 3 stars
WAY COOL , WAY BACK., 08 Jun 2008
Very good looking machine,but have returned two of them.First one the doors opened jittery and the second one the amp packed up after 2 weeks.So its back to a main brand.Sorry iLUV.
All about it, 01 Jun 2008
Very very cool, looks amazing. Easy to fit to the wall: comes with screws ect . To access the CD player you press a button, and the protecting plastic slides back, insiide the machine, awesome!
Things to be noted:
- Power to the radio, only a 2m plug which isn't really long enough for attaching to a wall.
- A bit awkward to hide all the wires that attach the speakers together; there is about 2m of it.
- It isn't actually that heavy, so mounting to a wall shouldn't be a problem
Looks very very cool; not sure about the quality of the radio as I am having problems getting a signal.
IluvI9200BLK Mini audio system , 25 May 2008
Very neat Mini System with good quality speakers.
The fact it takes up to four Cds and you can connect your Ipod makes the ILuv I9200blk great value for money.
My daughter is very Happy as she has had a few different ones over the years one was twice the price and the quality of sound does not come close to this Mini
i luv it, 03 Jan 2008
My hubby bought me this for xmas and it was just what i was looking for. Sounds fantastic and wall mountable without also having to link the ipod up with cables. like many other units. Its simply docs on top and whats more it also charges it. It really does look the part. and great value for money. I had been looking at other similar units, much smaller with 1 cd and not nearly as good looking and they were over £150. If I wanted a cheaper one I could get it but ipod linked with leads rather than docking station. The only reason I have not given it a 5 is, it may not be loud enough for some. Iam very happy, but when i was younger with no kids around i would have prob wanted it much louder. (although Iam driving the kids mad with the sound it does have LOL).
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Product Description
Enjoy the benefits of digital broadcasting, such as reduced crackle, better quality sound and more choice of radio stations. Also features MP3 compatibility.
RRP £279.99
Customer Reviews
Squeezebox Duet Problems with ready NAS, 28 Oct 2008
I can't recomend Squeezebox with ReadyNas. Half the time the controller can't find squeezecentre. This happens after periods of inactivity.
Once you get it up and running which can be a process of turning the reciever off and taking the battery out of the controller, it's great. But it's too flaky at the moment. Hope these issues get sorted out soon or I might have to stamp on it !It's a pity.
Fabulous - once you've set it up properly, 28 Oct 2008
What a triumph of design and function this product is. I'm just blown away by it. I'm no audiophile, but the sound quality is excellent through my mid-range system. It's intuitive and easy to use (even my wife can use it) and such a cool gadget. Having said that, it takes a long time to set up properly. You need patience, technical savvy and good computer skills to get it working flawlessly. There are a myriad of options to configure too, if you want. There are also many add-ons that can be downloaded (my favourite is Alien BBC for radio streaming) to extend the capabilities even further. As with most Logitech devices, the aesthetics of the unit are very pleasing, albeit stolen from the iPod to some degree (although this makes it all the more familiar and easy to use). The automatic software updates keep the unit up to date with fixes and new features. Occasionally, I have a connection problem but generally nothing stopping and re-starting the server doesn't fix. I just love this piece of kit and can't wait to show it to people. I love being able to sit outside in the summer and control all my music remotely. Again, the only downside is the technical knowledge needed to set it up. I didn't find it that straightforward and I'm an IT professional with a degree in electronics.
Rediscover your music collection, 21 Oct 2008
I would describe myself as computer literate but by no means a networking expert. Nevertheless I quickly had this up and running from my pc in no time. It took a little longer to get my NAS to stream to it without pc being on but even that was trivial and simply required some time set aside. My router is an old 'b' speed linksys and it works flawlessly.
Now I can search my music library and rediscover those albums I forgot about so easily. The cd's have gone in the loft (well, the ones that have been ripped to FLAC thus far have....) clearing up loads of space.
All in all an amazing piece of kit, and if you have a large enough music collection to justify it you wont regret this purchase at all.
Rubbish, 23 Sep 2008
I got a squeezebox to listen to internet radio and stream a bit of music. From the start there were problems as I don't have a wireless network! Shoot me!!! Finally got it working for 2 days now it is defective and needs to be returned. Junk.
review of the review: Amazon were absolutely great and got a new set to me in one day! Great service. Managed to get it all setup in 10 minutes. Hope it stays this way this time. Watch this space.
Well I've managed to connect to internet radio and my music library on my PC with mixed results. Frequent periods of static and garbled sound remedied only by restarting the Squeezebox receiver. This is probably due to me using the wired connection and having a 5 year old router... Those with newer wireless networks will probably (!) have more luck.
I'd say that this is an enthusiast's device, casual or non technical users should rather wait. The Squeezebox is not ready for the main stream. This is very frustrating as I can see the potential.
Very Impressed, highly recommended, 07 Sep 2008
Don't be put off with it's Logitech branding, it's nothing like their other products. I am very impressed with the audio quality, the remote is very cool. In fact, the whole product is very sleek. The audio quality is excellent. I stream FLAC off my Linux server with no problems.
Couple of points:
1. My wireless goes through two doors, although on the same floor, and I occasionally get glitches. The remote (which has it's own in built wireless and runs Linux itself) has occasionally dropped connection to the receiver. I think the wireless range is related to keeping power consumption low and I can see people having issues if the wireless goes across a couple of floors or walls. Just keep this in mind.
2. The Linux software installation for non RPM based distributions (ie.. from Perl source) was quite difficult to install and I wouldn't recommend for a newbie. The latest version of slimserver (7.1) was much easier. If you don't use RPM then I suggest looking into what is involved before buying one.
Overall this is an excellent product, and If you have a windows box as a server, should be a doddle to install. I was so impressed that I've started to move away from my Vinyl.
Not for light sleepers, 22 Jul 2008
The functions on this unit are great. It has two alarm settings (one for during the week and one for weekends) which is great. The sound quality for the CD player is fine. The setting up was easy thanks to the decent instructions. BUT - I can't use it. There is a low hum emitted at all times by the unit (nothing to do with the CD Player) and because I want it on the bedside table (near my head) it keeps me awake. I have been onto Sony but they are not helpful, advising me to take it to a Service Centre - I suppose it is unlucky that there are none near me. So not a great product unless you are a heavy sleeper.
Sound build, adequate function, 04 Mar 2008
This product has the dimension and style of a biscuit tin, 'buzzers' that beep and an FM aerial that looks as if someone in the design department realised "Der crumbs Maisey, we forgot the FM aerial" just as the first batch was coming off the assembly line. Apart from that, it's fine.
As with other Sony items, the plastic casing feels solid and built to last. The sound is fine for a unit of this price with enough volume to reach the far side of a double bed :) The radio works well on FM but AM reception is hampered by the sheer number of radio stations elbowing each other for bandwidth. Consequently AM selectivity is not great. The FM aerial consists of a length of thin wire issuing from a hole at the rear of the unit which is why I think it was added late in the design process.
There are two independent alarm systems which can wake you with either radio, CD or buzzer. The utility of having two alarms in a single unit escapes me - unless your partner has long enough arms to reach the snooze button from the opposite side of the bed. The 'buzzer' beeps like a travel alarm clock - not like a mains driven unit - and, given the unit's night-time ambiance, viewed from the level of a pillow, of a Sherman tank, seems rather incongruous and pathetic.
The CD allows you to step through the tracks sequentially but there's no random play or repeat function. There are 'sleep' intervals of 90, 60, 30 and 15 minutes to turn off the radio or CD. The alarm 'snooze' time can be set from 10 to 60 minutes in multiples of 10.
The display digits are 35mm high with three switchable brightness settings which seem to cover most situations and should be visable even to those with the visual acuity of a mole. There's an 'audio in' socket to connect your portable MP3 player (not controlled by the sleep timer) but sadly no socket for headphones.
Overall? No prizes for beauty but, at half the cost and a third the size of a more stylish item, I feel justified in sacrificed my aesthetic needs at the alter of pecuniary interest.
Style: ***
Build: *****
Function: ****
Not bad, 02 Nov 2007
Received this from Amazon quickly.
Good
-Sound quality is better than average
-Three level dimmer for display
-Clear green display (12 hour format)
-Alarm & Time setting is intuitive
-Front mounted jack to connect ipod etc
-Build quality is good, especially for the price.
Bad
-No battery backup - if the power fails you loose the time and alarm settings. This isn't an issue for me since it's in the study and I use the alarm during the day for picking kids up from school, etc but could be a major minus if you rely on the alarm function.
-VERY fiddly tuning and volume - tuning is 1:1 ratio (like a cheap pocket radio) and on the side so unless you move the unit you rely on knowing it's Radio2-Radio3-Radio4-Local etc on FM)
-Much bigger than I thought it would be - Amazon's description is accurate, I mistakenly looked at the picture and thought the CD lid would be the diameter of a CD - it's quite a bit bigger.
Overall - good value if you can live with the snags. Two alarms is handy, and it's pretty sensitive on FM - here in Hampshire I have the choice of several 'Better music from the 80's 90's and today, deep joy.....
Nice device at a good price, 29 Jun 2007
It does the basic functionality well - clock, radio, CD player with 2 alarms. You can even play your mp3 player through it. The sound quality is OK - but obviously not hi-fi. It's most suitable for use in the bedroom. The build quailty is good, with solid simple controls.
GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, 06 Jan 2007
I got this for xmas and it is GREAT!!!!!!!!! It has everything you need. Very big clock display- very easy to read. The radio quality is superb and the sound the cd player gives you is FANTASTIC. And on top of that it is cheap and has a well- known leading brand name!
Excellent, passes the Ronseal test, 06 Nov 2008
Does exactly what it says! The remote is good - those of us with big fingers might struggle initially with the feel but it soon comes. I cycle to work and listen to the radio on my way in. No interference from my mobile in my bag and no issue with the station. The reception is not 100% crisp and true, but it more than suffices. Good bit of kit!
A great remote for the ipod, but forget the radio!, 06 Aug 2008
I primarily bought this for the remote functionality as being able to control the ipod remotely is an invaluable addition for any ipod. And as a remote this little device works perfect, you can play/pause/skip, fast forward, fast rewind, as well as switch the ipod on and off. An LCD would have been helpful, but nonetheless as a remote this device works flawlessly.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the radio feature. When you first start setting up the radio it starts off promising. When it is plugged in the ipod immediately recognizes it and adds an extra Radio option to its main menu. Select radio from this menu and you are confronted with a very flash and stylishly retro radio dial on the ipod screen. From here you can tune into your favourite radio channels and save them all. This then enables you to flick between your favourite radio channels from the remote. So far so good. But from here on in things go downhill because actually listening to your favourite radio channel is a huge letdown. Stand in the right position and you might be able to pickup the radio station OK, but move a few steps and you'll get nothing but hiss and interference. In fact walking around trying to listen to the radio is a complete non-starter as reception fluctuates so wildly all you'll want to do is switch the radio off, reception is that bad.
So considering the ipod is a portable music player, it's strange that Apple made a radio that requires you not to move an inch if you want to maintain reasonable reception. In other words, this is a lousy radio! So if you're looking for a radio for your ipod, avoid this and buy the more expensive but superior Roberts Robi DAB radio instead. But, as a remote, it is excellent so I definitely recommend this device for anyone looking for a remote for their ipod.
DOES NOT WORK WITH IPOD MINI!, 18 Apr 2008
Crap I just plugged it into my iPod mini to find it's a complete "non sequitor". I might as well be plugging it into a potato. GGAAAARRGH!
Do not buy !! , 01 Apr 2008
I have had the displeasure of buying 2 of these ipod radio remotes now and both have broken within 6 months, the radio is rubbish and the wires connecting the remote to the ipod have formed a loose connection in the same place in both remotes i have had and the sound keeps cutting out.
Do not buy this remote it will not last very long and is expensive compared to the rest and definitely do not buy for the radio.
Good remote.....Bad radio, 17 Jan 2008
I would back up what previous reviewers have said. The remote is pretty good and very convenient. However, the radio is mediocre to poor. You have to be in fairly open area to get good reception. It works ok on the train but indoors I can only get one station. It's not used in a remote area either, this is in Central London. Bought for the radio so in all it has been a bit of a disapointment!
Portable, yes, but convenient, no., 15 Jul 2007
This CD player is certainly portable, but not very convenient because there is no belt clip or means of attachment to clothing. In other words, you can be stationery with it on a surface near you or moving provided you hold it!
Unfortunately, this deficiency cannot be seen without cutting open the firm plastic packaging, which then voids the conditions for return to Amazon.
The sound quality is satisfactory but the "mega bass" does not do much for my hearing.
Misleading advert, 19 Jun 2007
I ordered via Amazon.UK a Sony walkman CD player that reads CDs recorded in MP3 format. It is for my 94 year old mother to listen to archaeological and other reports that I get as podcasts.
It arrived within 2 days from kkelectronics and works perfectly. We are very happy with it, especially the fact that once stopped, it resumes where it was stopped, very useful when there are a hundred or so MP3 tracks, or 30 or so hours recorded. The radio works well too.
However, there was no AC adaptor in the pack. The Amazon advert stated that there is an AC adaptor included in the box.
I emailed kkelectronics about this and got the following reply.
"Hi
Amazon listing is incorrect-if look in the leaflet with the product,it lists what is included in the pack
you can return it for full refund
regards
jawar"
I don't want to return it for a full refund. My mother loves this little machine. The machine itself deserves a 5 out of 5. However we now have to spend another 20 pounds on top of the machines original 38 pounds cost to get a Sony AC adaptor that the Amazon advert said was included.
Because of this I only rate this Sony D-NF340 MP3 CD Walkman at 3 stars
WAY COOL , WAY BACK., 08 Jun 2008
Very good looking machine,but have returned two of them.First one the doors opened jittery and the second one the amp packed up after 2 weeks.So its back to a main brand.Sorry iLUV.
All about it, 01 Jun 2008
Very very cool, looks amazing. Easy to fit to the wall: comes with screws ect . To access the CD player you press a button, and the protecting plastic slides back, insiide the machine, awesome!
Things to be noted:
- Power to the radio, only a 2m plug which isn't really long enough for attaching to a wall.
- A bit awkward to hide all the wires that attach the speakers together; there is about 2m of it.
- It isn't actually that heavy, so mounting to a wall shouldn't be a problem
Looks very very cool; not sure about the quality of the radio as I am having problems getting a signal.
IluvI9200BLK Mini audio system , 25 May 2008
Very neat Mini System with good quality speakers.
The fact it takes up to four Cds and you can connect your Ipod makes the ILuv I9200blk great value for money.
My daughter is very Happy as she has had a few different ones over the years one was twice the price and the quality of sound does not come close to this Mini
i luv it, 03 Jan 2008
My hubby bought me this for xmas and it was just what i was looking for. Sounds fantastic and wall mountable without also having to link the ipod up with cables. like many other units. Its simply docs on top and whats more it also charges it. It really does look the part. and great value for money. I had been looking at other similar units, much smaller with 1 cd and not nearly as good looking and they were over £150. If I wanted a cheaper one I could get it but ipod linked with leads rather than docking station. The only reason I have not given it a 5 is, it may not be loud enough for some. Iam very happy, but when i was younger with no kids around i would have prob wanted it much louder. (although Iam driving the kids mad with the sound it does have LOL).
Top quality item but for....., 23 Sep 2008
Ordered Saturday and received Tuesday, for free! Brilliant service and top quality item but for one thing....the length of the speaker cables which are barely long enough to get separation. Why spoil a product for a few pence 'cos at this price anyone would pay more for a few metres of cable.It's not as if such a comment as this is new with Sony products as it can be seen in many reviews of the CMT range. Its about time someone invented a compact DAB aerial as well, instead of having to secure a wire to the wall/furniture/curtain...anything really. The 75 watts of speaker power doesn't sound anything like the volume of my old Technics system but the clarity is amazing. I expected a range of different sounds from the DSGX feature (theatre, festival, bathroom...) and was pleasantly surprised to find it was just a way of switching to a preselected bass and treble setting for a bit more oomph. The instructions have a number coded explanation of the remote's function but fail to list what they are so you have to plough through the instructions to find relevant comments. Otherwise a brilliant product for the price.
The ideal bedroom system, 10 Sep 2008
This product scores well on several fronts. If you're looking for a decent sounding music system that's easy to use and fits well in a bedroom or small living-room, the CMT-CPZ1DAB will see you right.
The sound quality is top-notch, with good amplification and two powerful speakers. The bass & treble settings are handy (for a 'fuller' sound set both of these to the maximum, ie. +4). The central unit stands at a neat 240 x 260 x 175 and each speaker is only slightly larger. Your average bedside locker will accommodate the main unit plus ONE of the speakers. And it looks well. For optimum enjoyment set the other speaker on the far side of the bed. I had to purchase an extra metre of speaker-cable because my double-bed is 150 wide and the cables supplied fall somewhat short of that. Take my word for it, it's WELL worth the extra few pennies and the 10 minutes of DIY! If your bed-width is 120 or narrower, extra cable won't be necessary. The "Sleep" feature is useful and can be set at intervals of 10 minutes up to a maximum of 90 minutes. There's also "Sleep Auto", which is handy when dozing off to a CD or tape. One minor flaw is that it only allows you to preset 20 DAB stations. This is mildly irritating because I spend a good deal of time in Dublin, which has 21 DAB stations! Anyway, about half of them also transmit on FM so I just picked my least favourite and stored it on one of the FM presets instead (which kinda defeats the purpose of DAB slightly).
Anyway it's a good set and I've just bought a second one, which is already installed in my spare bedroom! Sony have a similar looking set with a similar model number but it doesn't have DAB! Make sure you order the version that has the letters 'DAB' in the model number.
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Product Description
Great specification.
Customer Reviews
Squeezebox Duet Problems with ready NAS, 28 Oct 2008
I can't recomend Squeezebox with ReadyNas. Half the time the controller can't find squeezecentre. This happens after periods of inactivity.
Once you get it up and running which can be a process of turning the reciever off and taking the battery out of the controller, it's great. But it's too flaky at the moment. Hope these issues get sorted out soon or I might have to stamp on it !It's a pity.
Fabulous - once you've set it up properly, 28 Oct 2008
What a triumph of design and function this product is. I'm just blown away by it. I'm no audiophile, but the sound quality is excellent through my mid-range system. It's intuitive and easy to use (even my wife can use it) and such a cool gadget. Having said that, it takes a long time to set up properly. You need patience, technical savvy and good computer skills to get it working flawlessly. There are a myriad of options to configure too, if you want. There are also many add-ons that can be downloaded (my favourite is Alien BBC for radio streaming) to extend the capabilities even further. As with most Logitech devices, the aesthetics of the unit are very pleasing, albeit stolen from the iPod to some degree (although this makes it all the more familiar and easy to use). The automatic software updates keep the unit up to date with fixes and new features. Occasionally, I have a connection problem but generally nothing stopping and re-starting the server doesn't fix. I just love this piece of kit and can't wait to show it to people. I love being able to sit outside in the summer and control all my music remotely. Again, the only downside is the technical knowledge needed to set it up. I didn't find it that straightforward and I'm an IT professional with a degree in electronics.
Rediscover your music collection, 21 Oct 2008
I would describe myself as computer literate but by no means a networking expert. Nevertheless I quickly had this up and running from my pc in no time. It took a little longer to get my NAS to stream to it without pc being on but even that was trivial and simply required some time set aside. My router is an old 'b' speed linksys and it works flawlessly.
Now I can search my music library and rediscover those albums I forgot about so easily. The cd's have gone in the loft (well, the ones that have been ripped to FLAC thus far have....) clearing up loads of space.
All in all an amazing piece of kit, and if you have a large enough music collection to justify it you wont regret this purchase at all.
Rubbish, 23 Sep 2008
I got a squeezebox to listen to internet radio and stream a bit of music. From the start there were problems as I don't have a wireless network! Shoot me!!! Finally got it working for 2 days now it is defective and needs to be returned. Junk.
review of the review: Amazon were absolutely great and got a new set to me in one day! Great service. Managed to get it all setup in 10 minutes. Hope it stays this way this time. Watch this space.
Well I've managed to connect to internet radio and my music library on my PC with mixed results. Frequent periods of static and garbled sound remedied only by restarting the Squeezebox receiver. This is probably due to me using the wired connection and having a 5 year old router... Those with newer wireless networks will probably (!) have more luck.
I'd say that this is an enthusiast's device, casual or non technical users should rather wait. The Squeezebox is not ready for the main stream. This is very frustrating as I can see the potential.
Very Impressed, highly recommended, 07 Sep 2008
Don't be put off with it's Logitech branding, it's nothing like their other products. I am very impressed with the audio quality, the remote is very cool. In fact, the whole product is very sleek. The audio quality is excellent. I stream FLAC off my Linux server with no problems.
Couple of points:
1. My wireless goes through two doors, although on the same floor, and I occasionally get glitches. The remote (which has it's own in built wireless and runs Linux itself) has occasionally dropped connection to the receiver. I think the wireless range is related to keeping power consumption low and I can see people having issues if the wireless goes across a couple of floors or walls. Just keep this in mind.
2. The Linux software installation for non RPM based distributions (ie.. from Perl source) was quite difficult to install and I wouldn't recommend for a newbie. The latest version of slimserver (7.1) was much easier. If you don't use RPM then I suggest looking into what is involved before buying one.
Overall this is an excellent product, and If you have a windows box as a server, should be a doddle to install. I was so impressed that I've started to move away from my Vinyl.
Not for light sleepers, 22 Jul 2008
The functions on this unit are great. It has two alarm settings (one for during the week and one for weekends) which is great. The sound quality for the CD player is fine. The setting up was easy thanks to the decent instructions. BUT - I can't use it. There is a low hum emitted at all times by the unit (nothing to do with the CD Player) and because I want it on the bedside table (near my head) it keeps me awake. I have been onto Sony but they are not helpful, advising me to take it to a Service Centre - I suppose it is unlucky that there are none near me. So not a great product unless you are a heavy sleeper.
Sound build, adequate function, 04 Mar 2008
This product has the dimension and style of a biscuit tin, 'buzzers' that beep and an FM aerial that looks as if someone in the design department realised "Der crumbs Maisey, we forgot the FM aerial" just as the first batch was coming off the assembly line. Apart from that, it's fine.
As with other Sony items, the plastic casing feels solid and built to last. The sound is fine for a unit of this price with enough volume to reach the far side of a double bed :) The radio works well on FM but AM reception is hampered by the sheer number of radio stations elbowing each other for bandwidth. Consequently AM selectivity is not great. The FM aerial consists of a length of thin wire issuing from a hole at the rear of the unit which is why I think it was added late in the design process.
There are two independent alarm systems which can wake you with either radio, CD or buzzer. The utility of having two alarms in a single unit escapes me - unless your partner has long enough arms to reach the snooze button from the opposite side of the bed. The 'buzzer' beeps like a travel alarm clock - not like a mains driven unit - and, given the unit's night-time ambiance, viewed from the level of a pillow, of a Sherman tank, seems rather incongruous and pathetic.
The CD allows you to step through the tracks sequentially but there's no random play or repeat function. There are 'sleep' intervals of 90, 60, 30 and 15 minutes to turn off the radio or CD. The alarm 'snooze' time can be set from 10 to 60 minutes in multiples of 10.
The display digits are 35mm high with three switchable brightness settings which seem to cover most situations and should be visable even to those with the visual acuity of a mole. There's an 'audio in' socket to connect your portable MP3 player (not controlled by the sleep timer) but sadly no socket for headphones.
Overall? No prizes for beauty but, at half the cost and a third the size of a more stylish item, I feel justified in sacrificed my aesthetic needs at the alter of pecuniary interest.
Style: ***
Build: *****
Function: ****
Not bad, 02 Nov 2007
Received this from Amazon quickly.
Good
-Sound quality is better than average
-Three level dimmer for display
-Clear green display (12 hour format)
-Alarm & Time setting is intuitive
-Front mounted jack to connect ipod etc
-Build quality is good, especially for the price.
Bad
-No battery backup - if the power fails you loose the time and alarm settings. This isn't an issue for me since it's in the study and I use the alarm during the day for picking kids up from school, etc but could be a major minus if you rely on the alarm function.
-VERY fiddly tuning and volume - tuning is 1:1 ratio (like a cheap pocket radio) and on the side so unless you move the unit you rely on knowing it's Radio2-Radio3-Radio4-Local etc on FM)
-Much bigger than I thought it would be - Amazon's description is accurate, I mistakenly looked at the picture and thought the CD lid would be the diameter of a CD - it's quite a bit bigger.
Overall - good value if you can live with the snags. Two alarms is handy, and it's pretty sensitive on FM - here in Hampshire I have the choice of several 'Better music from the 80's 90's and today, deep joy.....
Nice device at a good price, 29 Jun 2007
It does the basic functionality well - clock, radio, CD player with 2 alarms. You can even play your mp3 player through it. The sound quality is OK - but obviously not hi-fi. It's most suitable for use in the bedroom. The build quailty is good, with solid simple controls.
GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, 06 Jan 2007
I got this for xmas and it is GREAT!!!!!!!!! It has everything you need. Very big clock display- very easy to read. The radio quality is superb and the sound the cd player gives you is FANTASTIC. And on top of that it is cheap and has a well- known leading brand name!
Excellent, passes the Ronseal test, 06 Nov 2008
Does exactly what it says! The remote is good - those of us with big fingers might struggle initially with the feel but it soon comes. I cycle to work and listen to the radio on my way in. No interference from my mobile in my bag and no issue with the station. The reception is not 100% crisp and true, but it more than suffices. Good bit of kit!
A great remote for the ipod, but forget the radio!, 06 Aug 2008
I primarily bought this for the remote functionality as being able to control the ipod remotely is an invaluable addition for any ipod. And as a remote this little device works perfect, you can play/pause/skip, fast forward, fast rewind, as well as switch the ipod on and off. An LCD would have been helpful, but nonetheless as a remote this device works flawlessly.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the radio feature. When you first start setting up the radio it starts off promising. When it is plugged in the ipod immediately recognizes it and adds an extra Radio option to its main menu. Select radio from this menu and you are confronted with a very flash and stylishly retro radio dial on the ipod screen. From here you can tune into your favourite radio channels and | | |