Monitor Audio i-deck 200

Purchased this today and have to say this is amazing sounding i also only paid £150.00 which is a steal and bargain of the year. This easily competes with the B&W Zepplin and is very well built, i listen to metal, rock and also some dance mixed in with queen and bowie and this handels everything. Very impressed!

Exceptional sound quality,  I just love it!

Cost £ 249

Surely 5 * now?

I've jst bought the i-deck200 from Richer sounds after listenig to the i-deck and Arcam r Cube. I can't see what the fuss is about the Arcam to be honest, it gives this weird sound image that's kind of diffuse. The guy in the shop says is works better in a corner. But I didn't want to put it in a corner. Anyway - The i-deck 200 is more powerful and sounds (to me) like a proper hi-fi.

I was using my old iPhone 3GS for the demo and on the Arcam rCube I got the anoying phone interference sound over the speakers. It didn't happen with the i-deck. Guy in the shop didn't know why, but I've just found out on a forum that it's because the i-deck takes the digital signal out, whereas the rcube takes the old fasioned analogue out of the iPod. So it uses the 'OK, but not great' DAC's in the iPod (according to one guy) Anyway - a point worth noting.

The review seems to say the B&W Zepelin and Arcam rCube has Airplay, when the rcube doesn't. It has some sort of other wireless audio that needs an extra £80 dongle.

I want to use the dock for charging and listening to good quality music in my study, so the i-deck 200 was perfect. And boy does it go loud but stays clean and no distortion. My verdict is no contest. Make sure you check it out.

At £350 the rCube looks OK, at £500 I can't help thinking they were robbing people blind. The i-deck 100 is also really nice and much smaller, but the extra punch and scale for me swung the 200 in my direction.

Makes sure you audition before you buy !!!