Onkyo CR545

Total music solution that includes UK: DAB/FM tuner, USB connection and built-in iPhone/iPod dock.

Can't accommodate bulky separates but still insist on no-compromise audio quality? Onkyo has come up with a brilliant solution called the CR-545, an elegant micro CD-receiver system with integral iPhone/iPod dock, engineered to set new benchmarks for audio quality and flexibility in the competitive all-in-one micro system sector.

The CD-receiver at the system's heart sports a host of technologies normally only found in Onkyo's high quality separates plus a genuinely useful roster of features including a built-in iPhone/iPod Digital Direct Dock, USB connectivity and an DAB/FM tuner.

Most importantly, however, this system sounds utterly musical… maximising sound quality and involvement were the number one priorities in its development. Bass control, midrange accuracy, treble sweetness and timing are unparalleled at its price. The end result is hugely convincing.

Offering a healthy 2 x 40w of power output from its digital amplifier this system packs an amazing amount of functionality into its compact case (available in silver or black).

Onkyo was the world's first hi-fi/AV major brand to offer a standalone iPod dock to partner its products but the CR-545 eliminates the need for a bulky external solution or unsightly cable by incorporating a built-in dock on its top panel.

Designed to offer a Direct Digital connection the dock also automatically recharges your Apple device when the main system unit is connected to the mains.

But this system goes one step further in that it also incorporates a front-panel USB interface. Music stored on non-Apple mass storage devices such as flash drives or portable audio players, can now be added to your list of playable sources.

On a more conventional note the receiver’s built-in CD player will handle MP3-encoded CDs as well as CD-Rs and CD-RWs, with four MP3 playback modes - Normal/Random, Memory/Folder.

To ensure that users get maximum access to the vast quantity of free entertainment flying through our airwaves the receiver sports a 40-preset  DAB/FM tuner. Usefully, there's also a multi-mode timer/clock that can wake you up to your favourite radio music at the press of a button.

Other features include a sleep/play/record timer, bass/treble controls, subwoofer pre-out, video output (for iPhone/iPod), battery-free memory back-up system (to keep your stored channels if there’s a power cut) plus banana plug-compatible loudspeaker sockets.

Beautiful to behold, the CR-545 micro system delivers genuine musical satisfaction, without visually and physically dominating a room, at a price that puts it within the reach of the most budget conscious audiophiles.