In all respects (and as audiophiles all around would agree upon), dedicated hardware is still the best in reliability. After all, good old wear and tear will break down your multipurpose single piece of gear, and that's why things such as dedicated CD players still exist. More than that, TASCAM has decided to give it support for the most famous portable music player in the world, the iPod, to bring about the TASCAM CD-200i.

The CD-200i is a rackmountable CD player with a special sliding dock for the iPod. Using the TEAC CD-5020A transport, this CD player has a smooth-loading drawer and low-clamping noise as well as an improved internal clock for smoother sound and decreased jitter. The sliding iPod dock does what its supposed to do: dock an iPod; however, this also permits the CD-200i to control the iPod via its front panel or a remote as well as permitting video playback via S-video output.

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Plays audio CDs, MP3 CDs and WAV file CDs
• Dock connector for Apple iPod charging and playback
• iPod video playback from S-video or composite output
• CD TEXT and ID3 tag support
• Continue, Random and Program play modes
• Repeat All and Repeat Single play modes
• Index Search
• Shock/skip prevention memory buffer
• ±12% pitch control (analog outputs only)
• RCA unbalanced line outputs (CD and iPod)
• Coaxial and Optical S/PDIF digital out (CD only)
• 1/4" stereo headphone output
• 2u rack mountable
• Wireless 55-key remote control
• 19"W x 3.72" H x 11.73"D
• 9.3 lbs

The new TASCAM CD-200i uses two rackspaces and is ideal for studio playback, sound installations, and live sound reinforcement. Unbalanaced phono outputs and S/PDIF digital out on coaxial and optical jacks are provided as output options as well as a wireless remote control. Pricing for the CD-200i is TBA.