Aiwa XR-M55 Mini Audio System

Since my old Aiwa pooped out on me I decided to buy a new one. This time around I didn't have much money to buy a super nice system. My goals were clear. The new system had to be small, powerful, and clear. I was not put off by the fact that I could only insert one CD at a time as my old Aiwa had problems with the carousel malfunctioning. I just wanted a straight-forward music machine.

What attracted to this machine was the clarity of the CD function. For its price range it had the best sound. That is until the tape function is enabled. Once you push the play button there is some serious hiss from the amplifier from the tape head (possibly). The hiss comes on even when a tape in not in the chamber playing. Basically, the thing hisses when you push play in tape mode.

The CD function played well. My major complaint is that I could hear a high-pitched ringing when the CD was turning. This was not noticeable at higher volumes, but quiet study with classical music was out of the question. This noise was simply too annoying.

The tuner function was fine. Good sound and no problems.

This is a good unit for for the money.

I returned the first unit because of a malfunctioning tape deck. I returned the second unit because of the noisy tape deck and ringing CD motor sound. Sadly, the more I study sound at school, the higher my expectation of sound reproduction becomes.

This unit sounds better than a boom-box, as good as a middle size mini component system, but not quite up to par with systems in the $500-infinity category.

I ended up buying a computer with a nice sound card so I abandoned the mini component system idea altogether.