Tivoli Model CD Player

[audioferret]

Greetings,

I am researching the Tivoli Model CD Player as a possible add-on to a vintage Toshiba mini-system in my living room. The system is a set of separates measuring about 10"x7"x2". I currently keep the system in a Korean Step-Chest using the many small cabinets and shelves inside.

The CD player looks nice and it would fit in with the scheme I am going with. I will also be adding an 8-track to it and the 8-track looks like the cd player in style and color. Also, Tivoli seems to be a very respected brand for quality of sound production. Sooo....

Just how good is the CD player? I can't find any comprehensive reviews on the player and the specs provided give me no benchmark as to THD, S/N, or dynamic range. I've tried to find a store that carrys the player so I can hear it myself, but no luck. Can anyone help? If anyone lives near Boulder, Colorado; could I come by and audition your player?

 

[jaxvon]

I sent them an e-mail requesting specs. We'll see how they respond.

 

[audioferret]

Sigh, why didn't I think of that...

I sent them an e-mail requesting specs. We'll see how they respond.

Also, have you heard their equipment before?

 

[jaxvon]

No I haven't, though it looks pretty darn cool.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

I've heard the Model 1 table radio.

Sounded like a table radio. Looked nice IMHO.

 

[audioferret]

Is that good or bad?

I've heard the Model 1 table radio.

Sounded like a table radio. Looked nice IMHO.

Do you mean that you thought it was average, or really crappy. I still need to find the opportunity to hear one in action.

 

[Jason Coleman]

We picked up a Model One for my mom for Xmas and it really sounded great for such a small footprint. We actually unpacked it and had it hooked up in our kitchen for a couple of weeks for Howard Stern/NPR in the morning. The sound is very full and robust, and dusts our garbage clock/radio/telephone that we currently have in the kitchen. Additionally, the antenna that is supplied is excellent! We were able to pick up stations very clearly that our home theater with a (crappy) Terk powered antenna couldn't even find. It has an analog tuner that was very easy to use (very fine tuning) and the sound quality is kind of shocking coming out of such a small housing.

Overall, quite impressed.

Jason

 

[Jason Coleman]

Here's a link...Model CD

Jason

 

[markw]

Are you more interested in styling or performance?

Greetings,

I am researching the Tivoli Model CD Player as a possible add-on to a vintage Toshiba mini-system in my living room. The system is a set of separates measuring about 10"x7"x2". I currently keep the system in a Korean Step-Chest using the many small cabinets and shelves inside.

The CD player looks nice and it would fit in with the scheme I am going with. I will also be adding an 8-track to it and the 8-track looks like the cd player in style and color. Also, Tivoli seems to be a very respected brand for quality of sound production. Sooo....

Just how good is the CD player? I can't find any comprehensive reviews on the player and the specs provided give me no benchmark as to THD, S/N, or dynamic range. I've tried to find a store that carrys the player so I can hear it myself, but no luck. Can anyone help? If anyone lives near Boulder, Colorado; could I come by and audition your player?

Tivoli and othgers of that ilk are sold as botique items where size, style and sound are the main draws. Specs don't enter into the issue.

I can't recall ever seeing specs on "botique" units and this included Tivoli, Cambridge Sound Works ( I have & love my model 88) , The Receptor and the new Boston Acoustics redios and others I may have skipped.

I use a simple walkman with a line level output pugged into the aux input of my 88. It's small, inexpensive. works and sounds fine and is barely noticable on the night stand. With all those cubby holes you mention, fitting it in should be a no brainer.

 

[audioferret]

Performace is Key

Tivoli and othgers of that ilk are sold as botique items where size, style and sound are the main draws...with all those cubby holes you mention, fitting it in should be a no brainer.

Mark, performance is the key for me. The current setup I have uses a cyberhome dvd player that does the job, but could sound alot better. I have heard the system hooked up to some really great source material and noticed much better imaging, depth, and timbre.

Currently, I see two options.

1. I can run 35+ feet of shielded audio cable through the walls of my basement upstairs to the aux input of the receiver. I would install two face plates, one at the theatre, one upstairs int he family room. This would allow me to use the audio outputs of either the CD changer (Entry Level Kenwood) or the DVD player (Pioneer DVD 655A) to feed a signal up from my basement home theatre. The drawback is that the length of the run, three sets of connections, and the house's wiring may cause enough interfearence and minimize audio quality. It will also require repeated trips downstairs to change CDs. I estimate that this option will cost around $75-100 to do.

2. If I choose a mini-player, I can avoid the complicated cable run and not worry about the landlord. (I am a renting a house) The appearance of the player will match the current setup and complement the 8-Track player which is a similar size and appearance. Also, there will be more ease of operation. The cost appears to be $200 new or $150 used.

So, the decision point for me is what level of quality sound $50-100 extra will make. The 8-Track is more for the "hey guys, check this out" factor. I have a few track cassettes already and one of the drawers is perfectly sized to hold about 15-20 of them. The quality of sound on the player is low, but I just think it is cool to have with a 25-year old sound system...to add a cd player, it would have to provide really clean source material.

(note: I only want the CD Player, I have an excellent tuner in the setup already)

Thanks to everyone for the help on this.

-Will

 

[markw]

You may well find that the performance of the Tivoli CD player is matched or perhaps surpassed by less expensive, less attractive decks. The fact that they are less than forthcoming about any meaningful information might be a hint that it's simply a yeoman, but adequate to it's mates, import deck dressed in a tuxedo to match the rest of the family.

good luck...

 

[jaxvon]

Tivoli Replied to me. This is their reply (I've decided to post it as anyone could've e-mailed them and gotten this response):

Thank you for taking the time to write to us. We do not release technical specifications on any of our products. The reason we do not release specifications is because specifications alone are not a measure
of how an audio product sounds. The best way to determine whether or not
you like the sound of our radios, and whether they perform to your
expectation, is to try them. When purchased direct, you have 30 days to
return the radio for a refund for any reason. If purchased through a
dealer or catalog, please consult their return policy.

While I'm inclined to disagree with some of their statements, like others have posted, it's pretty hard to screw up a CD player, so it should be a fine unit.

 

[audioferret]

Sounds Like Bose

Tivoli Replied to me. This is their reply...(REPLY DELETED)

Despite my frustration at not getting any specs, I will continue my quest to actually hear the thing...I must admit I like the asthetics...

Any thoughts on how good an idea running a line through the walls would be? Is it counterproductive?

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

Do they have a Brookstone or a Sharper Image store near you? They usually have them on display there.

 

[audioferret]

Nearby Sharper Image

Do they have a Brookstone or a Sharper Image store near you? They usually have them on display there.

There is one at the mall, I think. I'll check it out later this week. I found the model 2 radio at Ultimate Electronics (Soundtrack) and the radio was excellent. The CD player can only be heard there if you order it and pay beforehand. They did offer a 30-day money back guarantee, so I may just do that. (Need 200 spare bucks first)