WHAT HIFI --- "IPOD DOCK PRODUCT OF THE YEAR"
Posted 18 June, 2010 #
Below is the copy from the What HiFi award for the Onkyo ND-S1 which was awarded a 5 Stars as well as taking the What HiFi product of the year award for 2009.
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When is an iPod dock not strictly an iPod dock? …When it's a digital media transport, that's when.
On the face of it that might sound like pedantry, but the distinction is an important one: where most docks take an analogue signal from the bottom of an iPod, the Onkyo ND-S1 takes the unfettered digital signal, before passing it on via coaxial or digital.
What this means is that rather than rely on the iPod or iPhone's own DAC, you can get the digital-to-analogue conversion done elsewhere.
For owners of home cinema receivers, digital amplifiers (like the Onkyo A-5VL) or stand-alone DACs, this is great news, as the ND-S1 is capable of a far better audio performance than its analogue rivals.
Play anything, from Holst's Planets to Simian Mobile Disco's Temporary Pleasure, and you'll benefit from greater detail, dynamics and rhythmic precision. Individual notes begin and end more accurately, vocals and guitars are more textured and nuanced, and cymbals have greater bite and extra sparkle.
Number of nice extras...
True, the unit itself is bigger than it needs to be, and it feels cheaper than it looks, but these are minor flaws in this excellent, first-of-a-kind product.
Besides, there are nice little touches here, like a composite output for video and a USB connection that allows you to play your PC's tunes and sync your iPod or iPhone to your computer without removing it from the dock. Oh, and there's a remote control, of course.
So, is it time to bin the CD player? Well, not quite; even a budget disc-spinner of decent quality can beat this for overall musicality, but in the world of iPod docks, this is the new king.
True, it's not got much in the way of competition, but for now, this is without doubt the best, affordable way to get your iPod's tunes out to your home system.
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More detail about this product is available on this web site including more product reviews
ones n zeros | posted 18 Jun 2010, 3:29PM | # | Report
I heard this playing at CES in January, it is quite phenomenal for the money. I also note it has been priced quite aggressively in NZ too...$499?
vynil | posted 18 Jun 2010, 10:22PM | # | Report
bye bye turntable...
end of vinyl? | posted 19 Jun 2010, 7:27AM | # | Report
hmmm...I don't this is the end of vinyl. it is an esoteric thing that iPod can not replace
I would have one of the new Onkyo docks AS WELL AS vinyl.
where to c? | posted 19 Jun 2010, 8:47AM | # | Report
where in Akl can I see one this weekend?
Newmarket | posted 19 Jun 2010, 11:40AM | # | Report
come and see us here at Avalon Audio 18 St Marks Rd Newmarket, Auckland Ph 522 0012
NDS1 | posted 21 Jun 2010, 4:46PM | # | Report
cheers for that
iloveMac | posted 22 Jun 2010, 2:13PM | # | Report
Hi, is this works with iphone certified? will it charge an iphone, and does it come up with device not supported? thanks
disaster | posted 22 Jun 2010, 10:04PM | # | Report
Isn't the fact that Yamaha, Pioneer and Denon have no HDMI v1.4 receivers on the market a bit of a disaster for them?
Regardless of Onkyo being the only current 1.4 compatible brand, why would a customer buy a 1.3 receiver being yesterdays technology?
sort of... | posted 22 Jun 2010, 10:35PM | # | Report
For low end amps it does not matter, the benefits of HDMI v1.4 take real effect in the higher end amps. By low end I mean less than NZ$1000 retail.
It is definitley a problem for Denon because they do not really have any true low end amps, so to expand on the above, it IS a disaster if you are trying to sell high end amps (like Denon is) that are only v1.3 spec.
I would be VERY surprised if any NZ dealers were buying any HDMI v1.3 amps, most will be focussing on clearing current stock to make way for the new 1.4 compliant models when they arrive.
v1.3 HDMI | posted 22 Jun 2010, 10:43PM | # | Report
I would be stunned if any NZ consumers let alone retailers would now be buying v1.3 HDMI amps at $1000+ retail. Only one word could describe it...DUMB!
At $5-600 who cares, but any retailer forcing 'old technology' onto unsuspecting consumers at $1000+ should be shot!
Premium? | posted 23 Jun 2010, 5:41AM | # | Report
Is there a price premium for HDMI v1.4 receivers? I have no idea what a new model Onkyo sells for these days but if it carries a premium over the v1.3 receivers from Yamaha and Denon etc etc then the consumer can make a decision as it always is based on ROI.
1.4 | posted 23 Jun 2010, 5:33PM | # | Report
You'd have to be crazy to buy a home theatre receiver that is not 1.4 compliant.
Exception to this rule being if it was super cheap.
stock | posted 23 Jun 2010, 9:40PM | # | Report
what do the wholesalers do with all the 1.3 stock they must be sitting on. (will there be a dump?)
1.3 v 1.4 | posted 24 Jun 2010, 11:15AM | # | Report
It is no big deal really.
For a new model its obvious that if it is NOT v1.4 HDMI then it will NOT sell, but the 'OLD' model v1.3 HDMI receivers are perfectly fine and so long as they are well discounted (eg: at least 30% off original retail) they would represent damn good buying!
If you look at the super aggressive pricing JB were doing on some models a few weeks back it now makes sense, they wanted to be shot of the 1.3 receivers before it became a problem.
The danger as always with any new technology is being slow to get on to the band wagon.
slow onto the band wagon | posted 24 Jun 2010, 9:52PM | # | Report
So why is it everyone except Onkyo among the receiver manufacturers dropped the ball so badly with HDMI v1.4?
I do not understand why they (Onkyo) have enjoyed such a huge fast start on the rest of the industry.
It would be like Samsung releasing the worlds first 3D TV 6 months before the rest of the world.
no big deal | posted 25 Jun 2010, 1:11PM | # | Report
The other brands (other than Onkyo that is...) will eventually release their new HDMI 1.4 models. In the meantime Onkyo dominate that part of the market...its not that big of a deal.
Not EVERY sold MUST be a v1.4.
obvious | posted 26 Jun 2010, 7:18AM | # | Report
it is obvious that if a new technology is introduced that is destined to be the 'norm' then that is a significant influence on receiver sales.
I have had a look at the current market; there are v1.3 receivers from all brands including Onkyo, they are however OLD models.
If you will never want to hook your receiver to your PC or ever own a 3D TV then a cheap 1.3 receiver is fine to rush out and buy...but just be aware you are buying yesterdays technology.
lost | posted 27 Jun 2010, 7:36AM | # | Report
I am a bit lost with this 1.4 thing, can someone explain it?
I bought and Onkyo TX-SR707 about 3 months ago and want to know what it means for me. Eg do I need to get a new HDMI cable?