There's a wealth of connectivity options around the back of the Pure DMX-50 - even a subwoofer output - and two sets of spare line-level inputs for, say, hooking up an MP3 player and an external cassette deck. Stereo analogue line-level outputs will let you feed the DMX-50 into the record input of a cassette deck, for example. An optical digital output is also there, too.

Still, you might as well make use of the excellent record-DAB-to-SD-card function - the DMX 50's killer app. Pop in a 1GB memory card (the unit should be able to handle up to 2GB cards) and you have an instant recording system: the DMX-50 lets you save countless DAB station jingles (or whatever you choose) to SD card. The DMX-50 will also navigate and replay MP3 files burned onto an SD card.

The DMX-50's six context-sensitive hotkeys bring up forward, pause and rewind live radio options in a neat package called ReVu. You can rewind and replay stations by up to about half an hour, while the DMX's record function will take care of longer visitor calls. An EPG upgrade to the firmware is planned, for which you'll need a PC with USB port and an additional USB cable. This will allow you to view programme details up to seven days in advance.

Presets are accessed by the same hotkeys, in banks of four by name and, like the Legato, there are 99 on offer. Twenty-four FM presets can be stored as preset favourites on the analogue waveband: the DMX-50 will also display station name and RadioText, but you can't record FM.

Stations can be arranged alphabetically, by favourites and you can even omit nasty mono music stations by trimming them from the list. That'll teach them (cue evil laughter).

The single unit gives the impression of three stacked mini separates and the brushed satin aluminium fascia gives the system a quality feel. The white backit display makes another appearance here, and is large enough to page through DAB text as it arrives, rather than scrolling it horizontally.

The DMX-50 will go loud - output is rated at 2 x 40 Watts RMS - and the neat remote keeps you seated for most of the time - except to take out the SD card! The deep, two-way ported speakers work best sat away from a wall - allowing bass to impress rather than tire. At the Bristol Show, the DMX-50 was sat on a high table and there was plenty of power and depth at the crank of the volume dial. Bass, treble and balance controls are available by the six access hotkeys: for non-hi-fi-purists, those.

Find out where to buy the Pure DMX 50 DAB digital mini system online.

For:	ReVu pause, rewind and record features are a doddle to use
Against:	We'll just have to be patient for the EPG firmware upgrade
Verdict:	A traditionally-styled mini system with the added benefit of a DAB recorder
Price:	GBP229.00 or less

Find out where to buy the Pure DMX 50 DAB digital mini system online.

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Pure Digital DMX-50 Tech Spec

Specification

Amplifier

40W RMS per channel power output (into 8 Ohms @10% THD+N, A-weighted). 10 Hz to 40 kHz (-3dB) frequency response. Bass and treble tone control.

CD player

CD-R and CD-RW playback compatible. Support for CD Text and 20 track audio CD playlist. Multiple playback modes (repeat, shuffle, etc.). MP3 playback, including support for ID3 tags and M3U playlists.

DAB

PURE ReVu™ enables pause and rewind of live DAB digital radio. Full Band III (174 - 240 MHz) reception. Fully compliant with ETS 300 401 and capable of decoding all DAB transmission modes 1-4. Fast autotune feature. 99 presets.

FM

Supports RDS and RadioText. Tune by RDS station name. 87.5-108 MHz frequency range. 99 presets.

SD card

SD card slot for recording DAB radio to SD card. Red SD access warning LED.

Speakers

8 Ohms (nominal) impedance. 40W RMS power handling. Polypropolene mid-bass drivers. Two-way rear ported enclosure. Custom-tuned 2nd order crossovers.

Connectors and Cables

3.5 mm headphone output on front panel. RF F-connector 75 Ohms for combined DAB/FM aerial connection. Two separate dual phono line-level audio inputs for auxiliary device connection. Dual phono for stereo analogue line-level output. Optical Toslink connector for digital S/PDIF output (IEC958 @ 48 kHz). USB connector for future software upgrades and SD card access. Stereo spring-clip terminals for speakers. Integral mains cable with Euro/UK adapter. Bootlace DAB/FM aerial and two 3m speaker cables supplied.

General

Fully featured remote control (batteries included). Compliant with the EMC and Low Voltage Directives (89/336/EEC and 73/23/EEC). Dimensions (mm): main unit 166 (w) x 240 (h) x 252 (d); speaker 150 (w) x 240 (h) x 255 (d). Two year warranty

Related links:
Buy Pure Digital's range of DAB tuners, portables and receivers, via this website.

guide to DAB digital radio, on this website.
where to buy DAB digital radio, on this website.
what to buy - a DAB Buyers Guide, on this website.
more DAB radio receiver, system and tuner reviews, on this website.