Biyun

From Consumer Reports (November 2005)

A minisystem can be just the ticket if you're cramped for space or don't have the time or inclination to search out individual components and set them up. Minisystems typically include a receiver, an AM/FM tuner, a CD changer, and a dual-cassette tape deck in a bookshelf-size box with two separate speakers. The sound on the better models is quite good, but even the best won't match the sound quality you can get from a component-based system. Still, a minisystem costs considerably less than the $1,000 or so you'd pay for a full complement of decent components, so it can be a good value for many listeners.

By bundling all the major audio functions in one package, a minisystem can save you the trouble of choosing separate components--and several hundred dollars in the bargain. While these units would disappoint a demanding listener, the quality of the better minisystems is surprisingly good considering the price. Don't expect top sound quality much below $200, however.

2sonsandadaughter

Why would you even need the dual cassette tape deck? Isn't that really outdated? Is there a way to customize the system so that you don't have the tape deck?

kitkat86

It may be outdated, but how many of us still have audio cassettes? I know I have a ton of them yet. Being able to get a system that has a CD recorder and at least a single deck would give me the capability of putting all those cassettes on CDs.

tiggapooh

Do they make such a thing as a recorder that will allow a person to record all their cassettes tapes onto cds. Wow that would be awesome!