Denon DM-5

I bought the Denon DM-5 micro system about 3 years ago, along with the matching mini-disk player. When it arrived the speakers were faulty (covers broken).

After 13 months the mini-disk stopped working. It was not heavily used either. This cost £370 to repair, even though it was £250 to buy. Fortunately this was covered by the warranty. After 2 years the CD started playing up, and now it won't open at all, let alone play. I contacted Denon who said it was out of warranty, so it would be chargeable at about £150. Since then I have checked eBay, and I have seen at least 20 units on there with the same fault over the past year. I contacted Denon again to say that it must be a design fault, and even though it is out of warranty, you don't expect a £450 CD system to break after 26 months. Denon refuse to admit it is a common fault.

Just check on eBay, I can gaurantee you will see one if you check for a couple weeks.

My Akai system from 1982 still works a treat - CD, turntable, radio and tapes, and it was nothing like as expensive as the Denon.

The Denon DM-5 system is known to cause magazine reviewers to have wet dreams. You get what you pay for: lights that are useful, (Aiwa take a hint!), stunning sound, and speakers are and option allowing you to use your own. The recommended ones are made by Mission - Denon had the common sense to stick to what they are good at, and leave the speakers to experts.