Onkyo CS-325 CD Receiver System Review

Pluses;
1. Size, which is the reason I got it, though I wish the heat sink was internal (see below),
2. Price, I found a 'open box' model w/o the speakers,
3. Ability to play MP3 files,
4. Bass & treble control (some don't have either, but see below),
5. Two rear aux. inputs (some don't have any),
6. 40 presets in any combination (AM and/or FM),
7. Full size bananna plugs for speakers (kinda overkill given the audio output, or lack of),
8. Power consumption, less than 25 watts and runs cool since audio is only 12 watts per channel, (but see below),
9. Standard 'F' fitting for external FM antenna. Also included AM 'loop' antenna (some people still do listen to AM).

Minuses;
1. Power hog when in standby. This uses half as much when it's in standby (10 watts),
2. Bass & treble, manual tune & menu are only available through remote. As with too many consumer electronics, you loose the remote you are SOOL,
3. Bass & treble have a very limited & crude stepping range,
4. Manual tuning of stations can only be done from remote. If you don't program any stations and the remote goes south, you have no reception!,
5. Useless "direct" gimmick button on front panel where Menu button should be,
6. External heat sink that could/should of been internal. (There's room for it on either side or above optical drive). This would reduce depth by over three inches. (The heat sink does not get hot at all),
7. Confusing procedure to rename stations and only allows room for 8 digits and/or letters (needs 10 spacs to have frequency and call letters with space between and decimal point),
8. Small remote, buttons could of been laid out better.

Buy it here now!