The CS-525UKD CD receiver includes a DAB/FM tuner, a USB port for MP3 playback from portable audio devices, a discrete amplifier circuit for high-current drive, two-way bookshelf speakers finished in gloss black and comes in in silver or black. It can be bought for £250 without the speakers.
The CD player can handle MP3 files recorded to CD, as well as CD-R and CD-RW discs. The DAB/FM/AM tuner has 40 presets, and the new model has an improved DAB tuning system plus auto-tuning and RDS on FM channels.
If you want to connect an iPod, there's a choice of compatible Onkyo docks, and you can send yourself to sleep or wake yourself up using the built-in timer and clock
A comprehensive spec list
Additional features include bass and treble controls, a subwoofer preout, optical digital output and gold-plated speaker terminals.
Power output is a claimed 2 x 26w and the system uses Onkyo's WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology), originally developed for the company's AV receivers, to help keep a grip on the speakers while reducing amplifier distortion and enabling a wider frequency response.
The magnetically-shielded speakers incorporate a 3cm 'Ring Drive' tweeter plus a 13cm A-OMF (Advanced Onkyo Micro Fibre) mid/bass driver made from a pure cotton weave.
If the CS-525UKD model is slightly above your budget, then Onkyo has a new entry-level micro system, the £200 CS-325UKD (pictured above).
The price includes a DAB/FM tuner, a pair of D-T1X speakers, Onkyo's WRAT amplifier technology and an Onkyo DS-A1XP iPod dock. All the aerials, interconnects and speaker cables are included as standard.
"Rarely has so much been delivered for so little," says Onkyo.
There's a full review of the Onkyo CS-325UKD in the September issue of What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision, on sale from July 24th.
