[CES 07] Shanling Offers a High End for iPods
January 8th, 2007 — By Neil GaderShanling MC-30 Music Center
The iPod phenomena continues to make its presence felt far and wide. Whereas audiophiles traditonally have sought out the biggest and the most powerful gear in any given segment, the iPodization of America has rallied the masses to shout out the mantra that “small is beautiful.”
At CES the littlest Apple is sending ripples through a once considered moribund sector of the high end-CD Receivers. And distributor Music Hall is importing one of the most charming examples of this convergence technology.
The Shanling MC-30 Music Center ($999) exquisitily integrates the retro with the cutting edge. It’s a brushed aluminum, CD player and tuner with 3Wpc single ended tube amplifier section, fully remote controlled with a built in docking iPod docking station. It comes fully equipped with a pair of matched speakers. The clean design is also a reflection of some innovative engineering; eagle eyes will note that the top caps of the front pair of footers are in fact an input selector and a volume control.
Shanling’s trademark blue-lighting encircles the transparent, CD transport lid. A gem of a conversation piece that cuts across all generational segments.
