SUPRERIOR build and great sound quality make Arcam'¿s Solo Mini is a great all-in-one CD and radio playback unit when teamed up with some efficient, high quality speakers.

Quality internal amplification, fast and quiet CD player

Expensive

For an all-in-one music, radio and digital audio receiver, the Solo Mini functions admirably. In all modes it is easy to navigate and control music, and sound quality is fantastic whatever the volume level.

PUMP up the volume and pump up the bass as you stream the latest music straight to the Logitech Squeezebox boom.

Impeccable network streaming implementation, very easy to use, great sound

A few niggles with the interface and set up

IF you're looking for thrilling sound quality or advanced functionality you'd best look elsewhere.

Remarkably simple and easy to use

Not very powerful, USB input is flawed (as usual)

As a basic CD, mp3 and radio player the XL-UH25H does its job admirably. However, if you'¿re looking for thrilling sound quality or advanced functionality you'¿d best look elsewhere.

THIS sound system fulfils its tasks admirably but we would have liked to see some more advanced features.

5-CD changer, cassette compatibility

No USB input, no subwoofer

Sharp's CD-MPX880H is a sound system that has legacy format support in the form of two cassette decks, as well as a five-CD stacker. It fulfils its tasks admirably but we would have liked to see some more advanced features like USB support.

AS long as you don't expect it to blow you away with booming bass, the XL-UH2080H performs admirably.

Stylish, good connectivity, decent midrange and treble performance

Short speaker cables, no bass response

The XL-UH2080H is a mouthful of a name for such a small hi-fi system. It performs its tasks admirably, as long as you don't expect it to blow you away with booming bass.

THE FB163 sounds great but the implementation of its extra features isn't as smooth as it could've been.

Good looks

No HDMI connection, difficult on-screen interface, USB recording is of dubious usefulness

The FB163 is a product with plenty of functionality - USB inputs, DVD and DivX playback and an iPod dock. It sounds great, but the implementation of these extra features isn't as smooth as it could have been.