In the dock

The Denon S52 iPod dock is expensive but may still be worth a buy

Though there are plenty of alternatives to iPod available in the market, none can really beat this deadly device. It8217;s a great MP3 player, but the killer application of the iPod is really the accessories that come with it: FM transmitter, rechargeable dock, Myvu device that lets you watch video, among others.

Recently, one of the leaders in the audio-visual space, Denon, launched their iPod dock, called the Denon S52, which caught my interest. At Rs 47,900, it8217;s a bit expensive, but consider its features and it will seem like a good option. So if you are seriously thinking of getting rid of your old two-in-one and buying an iPod dock, just read on.

Though at first glance, it looks like a regular iPod dock, the S52 has wireless connectivity built into it, a CD player, an AM/FM radio, even a USB slot. It comes with its own remote control and has a cool black finish that8217;s the latest obsession with electronic appliance manufacturers.

For the uninitiated, an iPod dock lets you put your iPod in a stand and attaches to external speakers. This allows you to listen to the music stored on iPod through amplified speakers, and in some cases, charges your iPod at the same time. So you can take your iPod with you while jogging or travelling, but at home you can put it in the dock and listen to music louder and clearer.

The AM/FM radio, as expected, plays simple radio. You can also stream music from the Internet as an Internet radio over broadband or stream music from your PC. What is good about the Denon S52, unlike other Internet radio devices, is that it has both a wired as well as a wireless connection.

The front has a high contrast black and white screen that shows you what to choose from your current selection. The top features a jog dial wheel which is multifunctional. It has a built-in alarm clock on which you can fix two alarms. But unlike other stereos which also have an alarm, this one, on losing power, synchronises the time with the Internet when it reconnects. So you also get an atomic clock synchronised time at home.

The features I sorely missed in this device are the option of putting a hard disk or having a hard disk installed inside and DVD playback capability. I would also have liked to see an SD card reader which would have made things more flexible. The biggest feature it lacks is the record option, to enable recording programmes from either the FM or the Internet radio to the iPod or to an internal hard disk.

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The 20 Watts 1010 make it a very useful device at home, but it is more for the bedside table than a centrepiece audio equipment.

These downsides and price will allow it a limited clientele, but the sound quality that Denon has been known for and the looks will undoubtedly have you salivating.