The TSX-130 is compatible with the iPod touch, iPod from 4th Generation (Click Wheel, including iPod classic), iPod nano and iPod mini, iPhone and iPhone 3G. However, you do have to source your own adapter. The unit will also charge all iPods. Again, audio reproduction is strong. An iPod Nano with a bit of Eight Miles High by the Byrds came across with most of the required wispy Californian atmosphere and spiky guitar intact.
USB storage can be used for playback, but there's no audio input
From the remote control, the TSX-130 offers close to full control of the iPod range. The layout mirrors that of the iPod, so Apple owners will feel at home right away – it also has a decent six-metre range and good level of sensitivity.
By default, the main unit's screen shows song number and elapsed time. From the remote, further information can be called up for display such as remaining time, song name, artist name and album name are also available for iPod touch, iPod classic, iPod 5th gen or later, iPod nano and iPhone 3G. However, Yamaha does not guarantee the TSX-130 will display all of these categories, as it is dependent on the iPod software version in use. In tests, we didn’t experience any problems, so just keep your iTunes software up-to-date and your iPod should be OK.
Verdict
Agreed, it isn’t cheap and some movement in the price might be necessary for this dock to make a big splash. However, the TX-130 delivers enough functionality, control, information and sound quality to hold its own and marks an interesting new chapter for Yamaha. ®
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Yamaha TSX-130 iPod dock
COMMENTS
Nice but ...
I bet it doesn't sound as nice as my Yam YZF-R6 running at 15k rpm!
Flippy Flappy
What is it with all the ipod docks coming out these days? A few years back I bought a Logitech dock and the ipod slides into the slot and mates with the connector at the bottom. The ipod is held in place and the stress on the connector is virtually nil.
Theses days all the docks come with a connector sticking out of the top and the ipod just sits on top, and the connector takes 100% of the mechanical strain.
I realise that this is simply a cost saving measure to accommodate all the different sized ipods (the logitech came with adaptor sleeves which you would select based on the ipod model) but it still strikes me as crappy design, especially in the case of such an uber expensive device such as this.
Paris, because her dock is one size fits all too
@Overpriced
"A decent DAB radio, decent CD player, ipod dock and the box should add up to no more than £250"
Really? How do you figure that. Do you know the prices of all the components - how much their R&D costs, at what level that's amortised across their product line etc etc? Perhaps they're building up to a quality rather than down to a price?
Unless you're just saying, "I wouldn't pay more than 250, so therefore nothing should cost more than 250 - I have spoken", in which case you'd be a noily pra.
RE: Overpriced
You obviously haven't seen the prices that Naim charge for their kit if you think £250 is top end
What, no inputs?
Off to the landfill! If this had optical / analog inputs, the latter a truly unforgivable omission at any price, it would make for a swell around-the-house system.
