Denon S-52DAB radio

Despite the name, this desktop diva has way more to offer than just DAB. Squeezed in alongside its digital radio talents you’ll find a CD player, iPod dock, FM tuner, Internet radio and wireless music streamer, plus some of the smartest audio tech we’ve ever clapped ears on.

But don’t peg the S-52 as a jack of all trades, master of none. The iPod dock, for instance, is one of the best around – while most speaker docks merely let the user tweak the volume and skip back and forward a track, this actually displays the docked menu on its large LCD display and allows you to breeze through selecting songs, playlists and more using the S-52DAB’s remote control.

The Wi-Fi powered Internet radio and digital music streamer are similarly slick. The former offers access to thousands of web-based radio stations, plucking them directly from your home broadband connection (you don’t even need your computer switched on), while the latter sucks up MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV and FLAC music files from any PC or Mac on the network. It could be slightly more user friendly when it comes to setup, although once you’ve succeeded in linking it with your computer you’ll have access to all the compatible tunes snaffled away on its hard drive.

Denon has an enviable reputation for top drawer sonic performance, and the S-52DAB reinforces that, whether you’re spinning a CD, tuning into your favourite digital radio station or rocking out to your iPod. Despite its diminutive dimensions, it belts out a big, beefy sound packed with depth and clarity.

If there’s one criticism to be made in all this, it’s what’s going on on the exterior. While the unit is solidly built, aesthetics-wise it’s a bit of a dog – if only Denon had taken some style tips from the gorgeous Vita Audio R2…

Verdict
Looks aside, this is a hugely impressive and flexible mini hi-fi system. Serious stuff.

Overall
4 out of 5

Love it
Superb sound quality
Sturdy build
Versatile

Loathe it
Ugly design
Complicated music streamer setup

Visit the Denon S-52 product page >>

Also consider
Vita Audio R2 – As easy on the eyes as it is on the ears – but no CD, iPod or web radio.

Revo iBlik RadioStation – Cheaper and more plasticky than the Denon, but almost as multitalented.

Roth Alfie – DAB and streaming skills are swapped for DVD playback on this super-solid shelf stunner.

Get chatting about the latest DAB radios over at the PriceRunner forum

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