Panasonic SL-SV550 CD/MP3 Player

[Archived in AM-FM, CD Players, MP3-CD Players, Panasonic, Products]

Manufacturer: Panasonic
Price at amazon.com: New from $66.99

List price $59.99



Product Features:

• Thin, round-form design for optimal portability with round LCD on player lid
• Plays standard CD, audio CD-R, audio CD-RW, and MP3 CD (does not read ID3 tags)
• Hold prevents unintended commands (play, stop, etc.) and resume picks up exactly where the player left off
• Built-in digital synthesizer tuner offers 20 FM and 10 AM station presets
• Up to 35 hours of MP3 playback from 2 AA batteries (not included)

Product Description:

Panasonic's SL-SV550 makes it easy to enjoy music with the freedom that comes from MP3 CD playback, extended battery life, a built-in FM/AM radio, and high-powered anti-skip technology. The onboard digital synthesizer tuner stores 30 stations in memory (20 FM and 10 AM) and assures that stations stay put once they're selected. Panasonic's exclusive No-Skip technology helps prevent interruptions from jostling during active use. No Skip's unique construction uses rubber brushings to absorb shock, while an anti-skip mechanism and an anti-skip digital servo further prevent read errors; a 48-second memory reserve provides added back up. Now, battery changes will be fewer and farther between thanks to Panasonic's PowerLast high-efficiency power system, which combines an efficient motor with low-load circuitry for playback time of up to 35 hours on two AA batteries (during MP3 playback). CD playback abilities include 24-track random-access programming; repeat and resume (which picks up where the unit left off when last stopped); and skip/search, and memory/recall. A hold switch prevents accidental starting, stopping, or track skipping during use or transport. The unit boasts a thin design with operation keys and LCD laid out logically on its top cover.

Description from Manufacturer:Panasonic's SL-SV550 makes it easy to enjoy music with the freedom that comes from MP3 CD playback, extended battery life, a built-in FM/AM radio, and high-powered anti-skip technology. The onboard digital synthesizer tuner stores 30 stations in memory (20 FM and 10 AM) and assures that stations stay put once they're selected. Panasonic's exclusive No-Skip technology helps prevent interruptions from jostling during active use. No Skip's unique construction uses rubber brushings to absorb shock, while an anti-skip mechanism and an anti-skip digital servo further prevent read errors; a 48-second memory reserve provides added back up.

Now, battery changes will be fewer and farther between thanks to Panasonic's PowerLast high-efficiency power system, which combines an efficient motor with low-load circuitry for playback time of up to 35 hours on two AA batteries (during MP3 playback). CD playback abilities include 24-track random-access programming; repeat and resume (which picks up where the unit left off when last stopped); and skip/search, and memory/recall. A hold switch prevents accidental starting, stopping, or track skipping during use or transport. The unit boasts a thin design with operation keys and LCD laid out logically on its top cover. Average Customer Rating:

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Comment: Not bad for what it is... Rating:
Overall, this is a good product if it's what you're looking. Unfortunately for me, I didn't realize it wasn't until after I bought it. I have too many MP3s to divide them up and burn them all to numerous discs. Also, according to the player's instructions, all the songs have to be numbered (ie 001SongName, 002SongName etc.) and then split into numbered albums, if you want to (although I haven't tried not numbering them... if you don't have to do that, the instructions weren't very clear about it). All of that is far too much work in my opinion. I'm not sure if other MP3 players work the same way.

If you can handle all that setup, they player works wonderfully. It loads a CD of 130 MP3s in seconds, and they sound great. The radio is pretty standard, I can get the stations I don't want, but not the ones I want (naturally), but that's probably not the fault of the player. It plays CDs well, and it hasn't ever skipped on CD tracks or MP3, even on a long distance car ride.

The only other cons are the lack of ID3 tags, and the random feature doesn't seem to work to well, lots of repeats considering that I had 130 songs sorted into one album.

So not bad overall, just not what I was looking for. I'll probably end up buying an Ipod or the Creative Labs Zen Jupebox players.

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Comment: Good MP3 sound, worldwide radio reception, inexpensive Rating:
I tested this player (SL-SV550) with both a headphone and with external speakers (Cambridge Soundworks). And I picked three songs to play in both formats (mp3 and audio). They are "I believe (Brothers and Sisters)", "Hero (Enriques)", and "Another perfect day (American Hi-Fi)" So far, this unit has performed up to my expectation.

MP3 playback: MP3 sound from this player is pretty good. In my opinion, it plays mp3 better than regular audio CD. Bass boot helps mp3 playback as well. The mp3 start up time is a little long (10-15 secs), because it scans all directories on the CD.

Audio CD playback: Noise is noticable. I'd recommend a noise cancelling headphone. Sound quality is very average (not good/not bad).

Radio reception: Unlike most FM tuners, the SL-SV550 can do fine tunning. You can change FM/AM frequency step (0.20 , 0.10 , and 0.05 Mhz for FM and 10 , 9 kHz for AM). That means you can use it worldwide. In overall, radio sounds ok. Bass boost is not recommended in radio reception.

With the price under [money], I am happy with my decision :)

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Comment: Fine Panasonic unit, but not perfect. Rating:
The SL-SV550 has been replaced by the SL-SV570, now featuring Panasonic's 'D.Sound' for enriched clarity, as well as mp3 remastering.

Pros: mp3 capability, excellent FM tuner, good S-XBS, 30 station presets. Great sound overall.

Cons: doesn't read ID3 tags, subpar headphones, no line level out (like Sony).

Some headphones that work very well with this unit are Koss's KSC55 or "The Plug", also by Koss.

Posted at November 11, 2003 07:59 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)