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Anybody heard Philips new tubed micro system?

I am shopping for an all-in-one system for my father who recently moved to an apartment. He is looking for a simple system that will play DVDs and CDs. He needs a very clear presentation of vocals and speech to overcome his weak hearing (most built in TV speakers are muddled).

For context, his former music playing system consisted of Macintosh and Sony ES electronics and well maintained Advent speakers. Given the state of his hearing, he does not want to drop $3500 to $6000 on an Arcam, TA or Naim system, nor does he want 6-7 cheesy plastic speakers with wires running all over his new apartment from the likes of Samsung, Panasonic, Sony, etc.

Which brings me to the Philips MCD908/37 - DVD Micro Theater DivX

http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/en/us/consumer/cc/_productid_MCD908_37_US_CONSUMER/DVD-Micro-Theater+MCD908-37

On the face of it, this system is crazy off the chart:

-75 watt RMS per channel digital amp (x2 for stereo)
-built in vacuum tube preamplifier (with a little window to watch the tubes glow)
-AM/FM tuner
-Dolby digital decoding
-DivX, DVD+RW, DVD-Video, Picture CD, Video CD/SVCD, audio CD, CD+R, CD+RW, MP3
-High Def (720p, 1080i), Video upsampling, Video upscaling
-12bit, 108MHz D/A Converter
-3 way, Ribbon tweeter, Dome mid range, 5" woofer, Gold-plated speaker connectors (relatively big, heavy boxes)
-speakers boxes and sides of electronic cabinet are highly polished real wood - looks expensive
-subwoofer out
-leather and aluminum remote control
-decent speaker wires included
-suggested retail price $599 USD

...and it doesn't sound half bad. Huh?

I have listened to this unit play a couple of CDs in highly compromised circumstances on crowded shelves at two different retailers and it sounds good, but not as good as it looks (looks like Musical Fidelity and Dali combo, except for blue glowing lights that ring both sides of unit briefly when any function buttons are hit). I have not had a chance to observe the video performance as of yet. An aside: most sales people at big box stores where this is likely to be sold have no idea how to market something like this.

Question 1. Does anybody have any experience with this unit? livability, reliability, sound quality in real world setting, video performance, upscaling?

Question 2. How can Philips produce this unit for this price? Are they going for Sony's throat?

Any feedback much appreciated.
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Ag insider logo xs@2x
knownothing OP
1,653 posts
 
Semi,

There are a bunch of good selections in compact systems when looking for sound only. The small Denons kick it and JVC makes some nice "executive" desk top systems with very clean amps and wood cone speakers(!). I have a cheap little Onkyo unit in my office that utilizes a digital amp and some modest 4 ohm speakers and it sounds surprisingly good.

But compact systems with good two channel sound and video upscaling that will drive an HDTV are really rare as of now. That will probably change, but the Philips, a unit from Sony and the two models from Denon are probably the only units aspiring to hit that target for now.
semi
649 posts
 
understand what you are looking for.

call me bias. my old trusty Teac is well made and performs exceptionally. my little Usher are also very well made and can take lots of abuse. those new mini system, 99% coming from China, are not quite as well made and often break in very short period of time. just another factor to confuse you more.
sfar's avatar
sfar
1,768 posts
 
There's a pretty extensive technical explanation of the innards of the Philips unit here, including suggestions for modifying it substantially. You'll need to scroll down the page to find the beginning of the item.

bruce1012
4 posts
 
I picked one up about a month ago for $45 on Craigslist!  The speakers and the unit look beautiful, but there was an anoying low level hiss that was very noticeable at low volume, and it didnt get louder when changing volume!  After quite a bit of web research I came across a recommendation to switch out the 12ax7 tubes for 12au7 tubes.  After considerable frustration in dissassembling the unit (the cover over the tubes cannot be removed from the outside, so the whole unit must be dissassembled, starting with the bottom cover that has 4 hidden screws under the pads!), i reached the tubes and low and behold they are clearly marked 12ax7 China!  Switched them out with some NOS Conn 12au7As and wow, all problems fixed and it now sounds absolutely awsome!  It went from heading to the trash pile to my easy listening position in the living room!  I cant believe the difference that change made, it is now dead quiet and the sound is much more natural (it sounded very Boxed in and restrained before).  Suposedly the properties of the 12au7 will also help in longevity!  
bruce1012
4 posts
 
P.S. I just noticed that the tube change recommendation in fact came as the starting recommendation on the link that sfar provided just above my initial response!

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