Yamaha Intro 4 Mini iPod Dock Hi-Fi Audio Systems [Yamaha MCS-1330, MCR-230, MCR-330 & CRX-430]

Yamaha have taken the wraps off no less than four new mini audio systems (namely the MCS-1330, MCR-230, MCR-330 and CRX-430) all of which come with integrated, top mounted iPod dock allowing you to hook up your trusty ‘Pod with ease whilst also offering, depending on model, USB connectivity – allowing you to play digital audio files directly from USB flash drives – as well as CD player (capable of reading digital audio file formats as well as standard audio CDs), AM/FM tuner and full function remotes.

Undoubtedly the most desirable of Yamaha’s new iPod dock mini audio systems, the Yamaha MCS-1330 (pictured at the top of the page) offers 2×60W RMS output with a signal to noise ratio of 100dB and a frequency response of 10Hz-40,000Hz and, apart from the aforementioned top mounted iPod dock additionally offers 2 analog RCA (CD, AUX) / Phono inputs allowing you to hook up (non-Apple) DAPs or any other compatible audio equipment as well as USB port and CD player capable of reading CD-R/RW (CD-DA, MP3, WMA) media.

Yamaha’s new MCR-230 and MCR-330 audio systems retain the same broad features as the Yamaha MCS-1330, however, of the most noteworthy differences, output is reduced to 2×20W RMS with a reduced frequency response of 20Hz-20,000Hz whilst the CRX-430 offers a somewhat more powerful 2×25W RMS output with the same (lesser) frequency response of the MCR-230 and MCR-330 models but would appear to dispense with the other’s built-in USB port (which, incidentally, cannot be utilised whilst your iPod is selected so – just by way of a heads up – cannot be used to duplicate/backup the music stored on your Apple DAP, just in case that thought had occurred to you).

Pricing-wise, the Yamaha MCS-1330 comes in at around €800 (circa $1122/£635 at the time of writing) whilst the MCR-230 and MCR-330 will set you back around €250 ($351/£200) whilst the CRX-430 comes in at around €220 ($308/£175) and, should you wish to view full specifications concerning Yamaha’s MCS-1330, MCR-230, MCR-330 and CRX-430 iPod docking mini audio systems you can do so via this Japanese Yamaha press release (we have taken the liberty of linking to an English translation on your behalf).

(NOTE: We would have preferred to have pictured all the above mentioned systems, however, having waiting in excess of half an hour for Yamaha Japan’s press imagery to load without success we had no choice but to skimp on further imagery. Really, Yamaha, get your press imagery page sorted will you? If I can pay for an run a decent and reliable server why on earth can’t you?)

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