BEFORE WE START....
A few years ago I was looking for a new CD player. I wanted to buy a 'shelf system.' After looking around I finally settled on a Phillips Magnavox 3-CD System. I never wrote a review of it because it was nothing but trouble from the start. To begin with, the power cord, instruction book, and remote were not in the sealed box. I had to wait for them to be mailed to me. I kept it because the "surround sound" of the two large and two small speakers was very good. Eventually though, no matter what I did - the display would show "No Disc" even though at least one and sometimes three were loaded. I had dealt with PM telephone service enough, so I decided to get a new system. Off to Wal-Mart! ...

I have a Surround Sound System and a DVD player that also plays CD's, so I decided it wasn't necessary to buy a CD system with more than two speakers.

There were several models and brands to choose from. I didn't bother to check out the Phillips models - NEVER AGAIN! After checking the different features, I settled on this RCA model.

RCA has been making home audio components for many years. And their experience certainly shows in the RS1286B. It was extremely easy to set up. The instructions were clear and precise. I had music in less than ten minutes.

The sound is more than satisfactory. The remote control is easy to use. The radio is easy to program. Playing CD's was never easier. The dual cassette is fun and will record from the CD Player or radio as well. There is no microphone or microphone outlet for extant recording. A mini-headphone jack is located on the front of the unit.

Among the unique features:

Bass boost, a preset Equalizer that toggles automatically, digital radio tuning, a clock, easy to read indicator light.
However even with the power off, the system shows "standby."
You can adjust the brightness of the display to three different levels and can also set the timer to turn off the system. If you don't like the preset equalizer curves, you can easily set your own Bass, Midrange, and Treble levels.

Playing one CD or five and programming for individual tracks is also easy to learn.

A couple of the buttons are very small and are black so they are hard to see in a dim light, but the keyboard can be memorized quickly.

All in all - and for less than $100 (mine was on sale for $90 - reduced from regular $98.95), this is a great CD player as a back up or for a teen's room.

Look no further for value, ease of use, and sound quality. RCA wins! Phillips Magnavox is down for the count at my house!





Recommended: Yes