Sony D-NE319

Have only just bought a Sony DNE319. Mainly on Sony name. The software Atrac seems very good.

Unfortunately the player is not. The display is very difficult to read, impossible in poor light. The volume on my machine needs to be on max even listening in a quiet room, I can't imagine what it would be like in a noisy environment. The controls are very fiddly. Getting the disc off the central support thingy is difficult, it doesn't have a release button like my old player.

My current personal CD player gave up the ghost last week, so I needed to replace it quickly.

I decided to go for a Sony this time. The price was very good considering the spec of the machine, but the big question was, will the sound quality be as good as I want it to be?

I have to say, the sound quality is the best I have heard from ANY portable audio device, be it cassette, CD, minidisc or MP3. All frequencies sound clear and detailed, and for the first time in many years, I am happy to use the supplied earphones, because, for a change they are very good. All the features are accessed via a menu, which is very easy to navigate. All the usual features are there:

Repeat all/one track.

Programme up to 64 (yes 64) tracks.

Random Play.

This is also the first portable CD player that I have seen that gives you a "track time remaining", and "disc time remaining", which is useful if you want to know how much time is left, if creating compilations onto cassette or mini-disc.

It is compatible with MP3 encoded discs, plus ATRAC encoded discs too, (which I believe is unique to Sony, but I could be wrong). You receive a CD Rom with the relevant software, which allows you to record up to thirty CDs (average playing time 60 minutes each).

There is a very good graphic equalizer incorporated into this machine. You can adjust high, mid and low range frequencies in seven positions each, plus there are three levels of bass that can be added too. Even without these switched on, the default sound is amazing!

Battery life is also extremely good. It takes only one AA battery. I tested this out, and from a Duracell Ultra battery, I got 25 hours continuous play (playing times are higher if you use MP3 discs or ATRAC encoded discs). This was done using the "Powersave" option switched on (the instruction leaflet said 21 hours approx. which was good).

I am very pleased with this model. For £59.99 you are getting a serious piece of kit which sounds tremendous, with lots of features.