I had an unusual need in my shelf stereo: it had to have high-quality sound yet be less than 12" high. That way it would fit on my desk, but under the bookshelves which crowd above it. For that I was willing to do without the tape player. Yet the RS-1282 is less than 10" high and *also* has a cassette tape recorder, as well as the (more desirable) 3-disc CD player.

To my changrin, one feature can only be controlled from the remote control: setting the clock. So I had to endure a blinking clock on the front panel, until I caved in and bought the necessary remote control at www.remotes.com. THe remote cost $48 after shipping, so it cost more than the clock itself. But at least

After a couple of years of 'casing' thrift stores for my ideal shelf system, I found it in the RCA RS1282. The purchase price of $35 was a bargain compared to the list price (in 2001) of $209. As long as it runs in a smallish room, the 20-watt sound is excellent, and the controls are all handy on the front (except for one -- see under "weaknesses" below.)

Customer Service

Hats off to www.remotes.com! This was my first time using their service. I gave them the RS1282 model number, and they immediately identified the necessary repomts which they had in stock. Their photo of it eben showed the "Clock" button which I needed. It arrived in ten days, and immediately worked.

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My daughter has the larger-format RCA portable stereo, which may produce marginally better sound.