RCA 300-Watt Compact Stereo with iPod Dock 3.5 5 24 29
RCA 300W - excellent value In the rapidly changing world of electronics; and increasing inovation - it is difficult to actually KNOW that something is an 'excellent value'.So - I do not KNOW that. Having just recently purchased this item - I of course - believe that this was a wise purchase decision. (I'd be taking it back - if I thought otherwise.)We purchased this item twice. The first one - brand new - did not work straight out of the box. I have over 3 years experience in electronics repair - and this unit had some sort of difficulty in its audio amplification circuitry. No sound output whatsoever.We promptly took it back to the store - and exchanged/purchased same identical item. This one works flawlessly. The world is not perfect - and even the best manufacturing can experience problems...This Audio Player has a 5CD changer - which works fine. Multiple shuffle capability;/ tracks, cd's; etc.Various Equalization circuits, (jazz, pop, classic, user defined, rock, flat, etc.) BASS boost...Large, clear, easily seen display. Fairly intuitive controls - haven't really read the instructions - but not confused on how to operate the unit.There can be a high speed whine associated with it - but this is not a defect. It is the cd laser moving out of the way of the CD - when the unit is changing disks, or skipping tracks... If they had the laser move SLOW - then you wouldn't hear anything like this - but since they have the laser move FAST for virtually no delay between disks when shuffling between tracks or changing disks - then a high speed whine is momentarily heard.If you have the unit just play a cd - with no shuffling between tracks - than no high speed whine is heard - since the laser is not quickly moving to a different position, or moving out of the way of the next cd disk which you programmed the unit to play...The Unit also plays a wide variety of Ipod devices; the ipod's can be controlled by the Remote Control; and the ipod is charged by the unit.The Remote control is a very nice size - not HUGE - but not extremely small either. For someone who needs reading glasses - I don't need a magnifying glass to see the buttons... The remote uses two AAA batteries - which are NOT included... However - the majority of all functions are also included on the front of the basic unit. The only functions which require the Remote is: MUTE; SELECT (confirming Ipod menu lists); and INTRO (playing the first 10 seconds of each cd track).It comes with a full 1 year warranty (including parts and labor). Unlike lots of other electronic items these days and lots of stuff from Sony... ((Like the Sony MHC-EC55) - which effectively only has a 90 day warranty - since after 90 days - you get to pay the LABOR charges to fix any problems...) Said Sony also only has a 3 cd changer - and no ipod capability (except for the aux input.)I have burned thru two Bosch Powerbox PB10-CD's; playing cd's; and although nicely constructed - they don't hold up - and are extremely expensive. This being cheaper, and having ipod capability - moved me to purchase it. Although it does not run on batteries...But I am concerned about the warranty, and the unit's longevity. But 1 year is definitely better than 90 days. The various extended warranties seem to be mostly junk - I seriously considered purchasing one - but after looking thru Wallmart's website; and finally finding the legal fine print of the extended warranty - decided that it was a waste. Since the total obligation of any of these warranties - is the purchase price of the product; and or replacement. If they replace the product, or cut you a check for the amount you paid for it - they have no further obligation. So - if you purchase a "3 year service plan" - and then a month after a year - the Sony or this RCA go out - all they have to do is to cut you a check or replace the product - and you have no more 'warranty'. Plus - per the legal fine print - since these two items both cost less than $147 - you can not actually purchase a 'service' plan - you are purchasing a 'replacement' plan (irregardless of plan title) - under which their only obligation is to replace the item, cut you a check, or give you a shopping card... - and this is for ONE time. Then no 'warranty'....So - even though I am concerned that it might break in 2.5 years or less, etc. - the extended 'warranty' really doesn't seem worth it. Hopefully it will last quite some time. It does come with the full 1 year warranty.Sound is excellent, 3.5mm input jack; plus rca input jacks; headphone output jack (mutes speakers); easily understood controls... 300 watts - this is a good value.Online - the warranty title (by Walmart) states this has a 2 year warranty. The online details state 1 year. So does the actual paperwork. This has a 1 year - not 2 year which is a typo mistake by Walmart. And the Walmart description states this plays dvd's & dvd-r's etc. Another mistake. This plays CD's and various burned cd's. And it plays ipods. It does not play dvd's)I would recommend this player. Hope I would do so 5 years from now... The reason I gave it only 3 stars on 'meets expectations ' is because the first one we purchased - did not work. But this was easily rectified.Hope this helps. Have a good day, and get blessed - read the wonderful book of Revelation... bye! 08/01/2009
RCA...sorry product!!! i own this one and have nothing but trouble with it..disc changer noisy,cheaply made.Owned an RCA previously and it tore up in 6 mths and have had nothing but trouble in dealing with RCA to honor THEIR warranty.Do not buy anything audio from RCA,as they have been bought and resold, and unless you have a week one day to go on a journey, just to find out who is responsible for what product,It's not worth it.RCA IS NOT RCA anymore.CHEAP audio product line.UNPROFESSIONAL customer and techinical support if you have problems.DON'T BUY THIS ONE!!!! 07/31/2009
AWSOME!!!! This product is a very nice piece of equitment. i love it. fills my whole house with sound! great bass and is veryy loud. 01/02/2010
Faulty Unit ? We really liked this unit, except the CD player makes a very annoying high pitched ringing sound and then a sort of squeaking/chirping sound which gets on your last nerve unless you have the volume up high to drown it out. We use this in our bedroom with the sleep CD's on volume level 8-9 and the ringing and chirping actually kept us awake...sort of like torture at times. Returned and looking for a quieter player without the squeaks. 07/19/2009
