Price Paid:  $480.00 from Good Guys

Summary:
I saved up money for years and finally bought this system when i was 13 years old. Paying this amount for a system was the most I had ever spent in my life, so you can imagine how much research and testing of other systems out there. At first I was reluctant to spend this amount of money on a system, but I realized it was worth every penny, and i will be keeping this for a long time. This is the best mini system I have ever heard and seen. The sound is excellent, with crisp highs and room-filling midrange. The only thing lacking is the base, which can easily be fixed due to the "Subwoofer mono output." I was content with this system for about a year and a half when I craved a Subwoofer. Finally this year on my 15th birthday I recieved a Sony 8 inch Sub. This dynamic duo has filled the room with excellent sounds from 20khz to 28hz. The best part of this Micro System is that it is both expandable and can also be used for a long time without loosing stlye and class.

Strengths:
The strengths of this system are its crisp, clear highs. It also has the professional classy look to it. This system provides great sound which is reliable, upgradeable, and dependable.

Weaknesses:
The weakness some will say is the price,although no one will ever have any regrets with this system, the other weakness is the base, which can be fixed with a small 8 inch Subwoofer.

Similar Products Used:
None can compare to this.

Price Paid:  $480.00 from Good Guys

Summary:
I saved up money for years and finally bought this system when i was 13 years old. Paying this amount for a system was the most I had ever spent in my life, so you can imagine how much research and testing of other systems out there. At first I was reluctant to spend this amount of money on a system, but I realized it was worth every penny, and i will be keeping this for a long time. This is the best mini system I have ever heard and seen. The sound is excellent, with crisp highs and room-filling midrange. The only thing lacking is the base, which can easily be fixed due to the "Subwoofer mono output." I was content with this system for about a year and a half when I craved a Subwoofer. Finally this year on my 15th birthday I recieved a Sony 8 inch Sub. This dynamic duo has filled the room with excellent sounds from 20khz to 28hz. The best part of this Micro System is that it is both expandable and can also be used for a long time without loosing stlye and class.

Strengths:
The strengths of this system are its crisp, clear highs. It also has the professional classy look to it. This system provides great sound which is reliable, upgradeable, and dependable.

Weaknesses:
The weakness some will say is the price,although no one will ever have any regrets with this system, the other weakness is the base, which can be fixed with a small 8 inch Subwoofer.

Similar Products Used:
None can compare to this.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Very Good!!!! Goog Sound!!!

Price Paid:  $0.00 from Yamaha

Summary:
I had specifically wanted an MCR-E100SL even after the E150 and E250 models replaced it. Fortunately Yamaha still had some left in inventory as of Spring 2002. I also ordered the matching tape- deck KX-E100 (the mini-disc player MD-E100 is not available in the U.S.). Let me say at the outset the system is everything I hoped for. Many reviews have cited the need for a subwoofer (sub-out provided), and although I ordered a YST- 105 as well I''m not sure it''s all that necessary. (I use a set of Yamaha RH-5MA headphones with this system, and they do make an amazing difference! I enjoy pipe- organ music and the bass response is incredible.) However, the system as supplied is very good indeed even for the demands of the pipe-organ. The Yamaha sub helps add some depth, but I suspect it''s not quite good enough to improve the sound significantly---there''s more rumble than fine articulation! Anyway, the MCR-E100 itself is outstanding. My CD player is actually very quiet despite some reviews to the contrary---no motor whine, just a few clicks when it loads. The single play CD player is the main reason I wanted the older version. The E250 changer is very noisy, much deeper (for my shelf) and more to go wrong! The E150 lacks the programming/editing controls of the stand alone CD units. The receiver unit is very basic, although it does provide bass, treble and balance controls. Programing the radio presets is a minor pain, and the manual is short on info. for features. Reception is very clear, but tuner demands a very good signal to provide this clarity. Otherwise the tuning section picks up and conveys every bit of static! This, ironically, is the problem with sensitive equipment! A brief word about the KX-E100, although it''s not part of the MCR-E100 system. It matches perfectly in terms of looks and width. The height (3 1/4inches) makes up the difference between the receiver and CD player (4 1/4 inches each) and the speakers (11 3/4 inches) so it all lines up if placed together on a shelf. I was impressed how well it plays in general, and old tapes in particular. No hiss to speak of, and no perceptible motor noise. I especially like the horizontal loading system (looks like a CD drawer from the outside). Finally, the elegant design, sound and outstanding quality put this system in a class of its own. A++ Yamaha!

Strengths:
Audiophile sound quality, solid construction and very elegant understated style at a time of truely hideous looking systems.

Weaknesses:
Price is on the high end, but you get what you pay for, as the saying goes! Supplied interconnects not up to quality of rest of system. Sub would help (but not necessary) Remote could have had "mute" function.

Similar Products Used:
Sony mini-system (very good but nowhere near MCR-E100) Denon micro-system (much more expensive and quality not as good)

Price Paid:  $0.00 from Yamaha

Summary:
I had specifically wanted an MCR-E100SL even after the E150 and E250 models replaced it. Fortunately Yamaha still had some left in inventory as of Spring 2002. I also ordered the matching tape- deck KX-E100 (the mini-disc player MD-E100 is not available in the U.S.). Let me say at the outset the system is everything I hoped for. Many reviews have cited the need for a subwoofer (sub-out provided), and although I ordered a YST- 105 as well I''m not sure it''s all that necessary. (I use a set of Yamaha RH-5MA headphones with this system, and they do make an amazing difference! I enjoy pipe- organ music and the bass response is incredible.) However, the system as supplied is very good indeed even for the demands of the pipe-organ. The Yamaha sub helps add some depth, but I suspect it''s not quite good enough to improve the sound significantly---there''s more rumble than fine articulation! Anyway, the MCR-E100 itself is outstanding. My CD player is actually very quiet despite some reviews to the contrary---no motor whine, just a few clicks when it loads. The single play CD player is the main reason I wanted the older version. The E250 changer is very noisy, much deeper (for my shelf) and more to go wrong! The E150 lacks the programming/editing controls of the stand alone CD units. The receiver unit is very basic, although it does provide bass, treble and balance controls. Programing the radio presets is a minor pain, and the manual is short on info. for features. Reception is very clear, but tuner demands a very good signal to provide this clarity. Otherwise the tuning section picks up and conveys every bit of static! This, ironically, is the problem with sensitive equipment! A brief word about the KX-E100, although it''s not part of the MCR-E100 system. It matches perfectly in terms of looks and width. The height (3 1/4inches) makes up the difference between the receiver and CD player (4 1/4 inches each) and the speakers (11 3/4 inches) so it all lines up if placed together on a shelf. I was impressed how well it plays in general, and old tapes in particular. No hiss to speak of, and no perceptible motor noise. I especially like the horizontal loading system (looks like a CD drawer from the outside). Finally, the elegant design, sound and outstanding quality put this system in a class of its own. A++ Yamaha!

Strengths:
Audiophile sound quality, solid construction and very elegant understated style at a time of truely hideous looking systems.

Weaknesses:
Price is on the high end, but you get what you pay for, as the saying goes! Supplied interconnects not up to quality of rest of system. Sub would help (but not necessary) Remote could have had "mute" function.

Similar Products Used:
Sony mini-system (very good but nowhere near MCR-E100) Denon micro-system (much more expensive and quality not as good)