A step up from the Pure DMX-50 system, the DMX-60 adds EPG (7 day electronic programme guide) support to the DMX-50's long list of features. DMX 50 owners can also download the EPG upgrade from the Pure website. There's a wealth of connectivity options around the back of the Pure DMX-60 - 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-60 into the record input of a cassette deck, for example. An optical digital output is also there, too.

Pure DMX-60 DAB micro system

You will doubtless make use of the excellent record-DAB-to-SD-card function - the DMX 60's killer app. Pop in a 2GB memory card and the DMX-60 will commit around 30 hours of broadcast DAB to the card: the DMX-60 lets you save your favourite DAB shows to SD card. The DMX-60 will also navigate and replay MP3 files burned onto an SD card.

The DMX-60's six context-sensitive hotkeys bring up forward, pause and rewind live radio options in an easy to use menu system. You can rewind and replay stations by up to about half an hour, while the DMX's record function will take care of longer telephone interruptions. A record button works alongside the 7 day EPG (Electronic Programme Guide) broadcast by the BBC national and other multiplexes. It takes care of storing radio programmes on an SD card or sending the audio via an optical digital output to another recording device, such as a MiniDisc recorder. It's a bit like having Sky+ or a sophisticated video recorder for your radio, but instead it works with audio.

Presets are accessed by the same hotkeys, in banks of four by name and, like the Legato and Legato II models, 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 disregard monophonic music stations by trimming them from the list.

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 scroll vertically through DAB text as it arrives, rather than displaying it across the screen.

Pure DMX-60 DAB micro system front panel

The DMX-60 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.

Sound quality from the DMX-60 aims to impress, and can be tweaked using the individual bass and treble controls, accessed through the menu. The output from the Pure DMX-60 really sparkles. Just like its predecessor, the DMX-50, treble is refined but not overpowering or too bright (when you keep your fingers off the treble control).

Bass is plentiful but controlled, with the opportunity to increase its presence through a subwoofer or via the tone controls. Leave these controls alone and you can't fail to be impressed by the system's delivery. The DMX's deep, ported enclosures ensure there is plenty of room for the polypropylene drivers to produce a rich, warm sound, but not at the expense of detail at the higher end of the scale. The speakers would work best sat away from a wall or on dedicated stands and are well eqipped to handle both speech and music stations.

Find out where to buy the Pure DMX 60 DAB digital mini system online.

For:	Pause, rewind and record features with the 7-day EPG work well; gives the impression of a 3-box system
Against:	Nothing much
Verdict:	A DAB recording dream machine
Price:	GBP250.00 or less

Find out where to buy the Pure DMX 60 DAB digital mini system online.

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Pure DMX 60 DAB digital mini system

Pure DMX 60 DAB digital mini system Tech Spec

Specifications: Advanced micro system with full Band III and FM reception. Fully compliant with ETS 300 401 and capable of decoding all DAB transmission modes 1-4 up to and including 192 kbps. Supports FM RDS and RadioText.

Frequency ranges: Band III 174–240 MHz, FM 87.5–108 MHz.

Alarms & timers: Up to 20 alarms with station or tone setting. Up to 20 record timers for use with SD card or separate recording device connected via optical digital output.

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.

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 & 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 or variable-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.

Remote: Fully featured remote control (batteries included)

Presets: 99 DAB and 24 FM presets.

LCD Display: Eight-line graphical display.

Mains power supply: 240V with removeable Euro/UK power socket adapter.

Approvals: 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).

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.