All in one iPod docking station

I have one of these. My system was in storage for 4 months and this got me through it. I still have it in the library - perfectly acceptable sound quality and also a pretty good sound for skype/DVDs on the computer (it has a line in).

Regards

Stephen

Thanks Stephen.

Thanks Munch.

quote:

Originally posted by munch:
Hi Steve,My daughter has a Monitor Audio docking station.Its the only one I have heard . It does sounds very good.I think a few of the hifi Mags liked it.
Munch.

I just ordered one yesterday from Music Direct in Chicago. They had it listed on sale for $149 in their most recent emailing, a new low as far as I can tell. It had piqued my interest since seeing a very favorable review a couple of years back in The Absolute Sound; I recently have found a need for a decent sounding small system in a location where I work a couple of days or so out of each month. As good as it's reputed to sound, however, it seems that the price has reached a new low because Monitor Audio is discontinuing it. Too bad and perhaps more evidence that the vast majority of iPod owners out there either have no knowledge of, or don't care about high fidelity reproduction of their music. Anyway, I just thought I would pop in with a comment as it looks like it will not be available going forward.

Norman

PS: Here is the review in The Absolute Sound's sister publication AV Guide (you will need to register to download the full review). As I remembered, it is quite a favorable, even "rave" review. Having just re-read it, I am reminded of a fact I had forgotten: the i-deck actually takes a digital signal from the iPod's dock output and passes it through its own DACs, producing a sound audibly better than the iPod's internal DACs. Quite a deal for $150, I'd say.

I have the Monitor Audio iDeck. I bought one of the original ones and the design of the iPod connection/docking cradle was poor. I had 2 replacements (iPod connection broke in both cases) and Monitor Audio then offered to upgrade to the new version (for a small charge, unit was out of warranty) which has a completely redesigned docking cradle plus a radio and greater iPod control via the remote. Any bargain priced iDecks may be the earlier model and I would be wary of buying one of these.

quote:

Originally posted by ArtNouveauJnr:
I have the Monitor Audio iDeck. I bought one of the original ones and the design of the iPod connection/docking cradle was poor. I had 2 replacements (iPod connection broke in both cases) and Monitor Audio then offered to upgrade to the new version (for a small charge, unit was out of warranty) which has a completely redesigned docking cradle plus a radio and greater iPod control via the remote. Any bargain priced iDecks may be the earlier model and I would be wary of buying one of these.

Thanks, Art. I'll check the unit closely when it arrives and be wary of the dock connector. Music Direct has a very liberal return policy. I can't find anything about the current model with radio. Do you have a link?

Norman

Hi Cosmoliu

Can't find any links Monitor Audio have a separate site for the iDeck which used to give details about it. All there is now is the ability to register one. I can only assume its been discontinued The 2nd generation one looks exactly like the original model except for a small display window for the radio below the iPod cradle and a couple of extra buttons to operate the radio. It also has a better designed cradle for the iPod and greater control of the iPod via the remote. The dimensions and overall design are exactly the same. On the 2nd gen one the iPod sits down in a well/cradle which secures it onto the connector. The 1st generation one simply had the connector to the iPod stting proud of the iDeck on a small shelf so the iPod was only located by the metal connection pin and had a tendancy to break. Hope this helps.

Thanks Art. If the web site used to carry useful information, then it must mean the product has been discontinued. My version does not have radio. Still, the DAC in the dock sounds like an intriguing feature. It's the perfect solution for my intended use; I'll just remind myself to be extra careful about not tweaking the docking connector.

Norman

I've had my i-deck for about a week now and could not be more pleased, with caveats to its size and intended use. The sound is much more "high end" than the price or size would suggest. For that, I give much credit to its dynamic range and its ability to get the harmonic structure to the music right. And, it actually has sound stage depth and, if the speakers are spread, width. Shame, really, that it has been discontinued. I am being VERY careful not to tweak the dock connector. Several web searches seem to indicate only two retailers in the US still with any remaining stock.

Norman