TIVOLI AUDIO Model CD CD Player

Rating:
Summary: great for its intended purpose
Review: Having come across the three preceding reviews, I feel obliged to correct the negative impression they leave. I bought one of the first Model CDs to be made, and it had a design problem. It didn't play all CDs and the drive mechanism was flaky. But it SOUNDED terrific - high resolution and warm, balanced sound - one of the best digital/analog converters I've ever heard.

I contacted the company immediately and learned that they were having problems with many units and that they were already in the process of fixing the design problem. They said that they could send a replacement immediately, but I opted to wait until they knew they had fixed the problem. At that time, they shipped me a new unit and allowed me to return the old one in the same packing materials.

It was a pain to wait for, but well worth it. This is a simple, "bare-bones" CD player that is perfectly matched to the Model One. The design problem was part hardware and part software, and it is completely fixed. What's amazing is how good the music sounds. If that's what you're looking for, you'd be foolish to ignore this CD player because of the other reviews. They are not wrong, but collectively they leave the wrong impression about this CD player. For the price, I doubt you can find any CD player that sounds this good.

Rating:
Summary: in love with this terrific tiny system!
Review: I've recently purchased a tivoli model two, cd and subwoofer and I can honestly say that I am in love! This system is simple to use, has terrific sound quality and is BEAUTIFUL to look at. I must admit, having such great sound eminating from these tiny wooden boxes was a wonderful surprise, because what initial attracted me to them were their aesthetic wonder! The model two is definitely the centre piece and it's a real joy simply to turn it's dials and adjust it's knobs- it speaks of quality and an age-old construction and is a far cry from how other units in general are built- smooth, substantial and a real smooth feel- you jsut know that when you are looking for a station that this unit is really working to lock onto it and keep it there! As to the cd player- it fits in perfectly with the model 2 and if you can afford it by all means buy it! It is wonderfully minimal (as is the entire tivoli line) and dispenses with all the gidgets and gazmos found on just about every mini-system made today. It sucks your cd in (as a car cd player does) and produces a smooth wonderful sound. It's tiny remote (again fashioned after Henry Klosses remotes from teh past) All you really have to do is lift one of the units to feel how solidly built -their surprisingly heaviness screems out what great components they have (no cheap plastic parts here!). The subwoofer really adds a great soft punch to the music- I was really afraid about this part of the unit from what I've read from some reviewers online. Honestly, I've no idea what they were expecting. There is definitely a big difference once the bass unit is added! I'm now so in love I'm wanting to add a model three to my "collection"! A truly great investment- these pieces will be with me for a very long time- their timeless looks alone will see to that!

Rating:
Summary: Worthwhile addition to your Model Two radio, but...
Review: Like the previous writer, I also had trouble with my first Model CD that was attributed to a "software error." Tivoli had it picked up, and sent me another, which has been trouble-free. I've had it connected to a Tivoli Model Two radio ever since.

The Model CD is fine, within its design limits. It sounds great, and the slot-loading mechanism (like a car player) is handy, but the player is pretty spartan when it comes to convenience features. There is no track programming, the display is rudimentary, and some functions (direct track access, and volume control, for example) are accessible only from the tiny remote control, and not from the player's front panel.

For use with Tivoli's Model Two or Model Three radios, the Model CD is a worthwhile addition. It matches them in appearance and build quality, and its operation is simple. For use with more conventional stereo or home theater gear however, there are choices that offer equally good sound and more convenience features, but for fewer dollars.

Rating:
Summary: Sounds Great / Looks Great - When it Works...
Review: My first Model CD would not play extended play CDs. I contacted Tivoli, and they very graciously sent a new version of the player that resolved that software problem. I received a new one, which didn't play at all. Called them up again, and they very graciously sent a new player with a pre-paid return slip. The new one they sent worked for about a week and has since stopped playing. I'm very sad about this, and though the people at Tivoli were so helpful, I'm not sure I'm going to continue owning this product.

Rating:
Summary: Problems Problems Problems
Review: This is a great idea: a small CD player to match the rest of the Tivoli line. Unfortunately, the quality of the units I tried came nowhere near the quality of the rest of the Tivoli line. All in all, Tivoli sent me four of these units and each had problems: one wouldn't play the disc, one wouldn't eject the disc, one had an LED readout that would go blank, and one had variations on all of these problems. The Model One is a great product and the PAL and the others are close behind, but the Model CD needs a lot more work.