The DMX-25 offers a unique proposition for DAB listeners - the ability to plug in a USB memory stick or SD card loaded with music for playback on the micro system.

The front-mounted USB port and SD card slots sit under a bright blue display and large volume/station selection control. In case you need extra connectivity, there's also a 3.5mm line-level input, for hooking up and MP3 player or other audio device.

Folder navigation for CD, SD card and USB stick is controlled by buttons along the top of the DMX 25 micro system. A single unit, the DMX-25 is compact and features a top-loading CD player and fully-featured remote control.

A source button selects from the many inputs - the double-height backlit black-on-blue text confirms the selection, before awkwardly scrolling off to the left; this looks a little tacky (picky, aren't we?). Presets and menu information are all controlled by the large, central dial.

Pure DMX 25 micro system with CD player and SD card and memory stick reader

Unfortunately there is no support for .m3u playlists, although music can be arranged into alphanumeric order in folders on a PC beforehand. The DMX-25 will then play the files in alphanumeric order.

Sound quality is impressive, considering the size of the speakers, although a little boxy. Nevertheless, as the speakers are separate from the main unit, there's flexibility in moving them further apart to improve the stereo image. Rated at 10 Watts per channel, the DMX 25 is more than capable of filling a small room with sound. Wrapped in a rosewood effect finish, the speakers are neat and compact; the system would be ideal for kids' bedrooms or as a second system for the study or kitchen.

Sound quality is just about on par with the Evoke 1XT and add-on speaker - the latter definitely having the edge, although the DMX-25 produces a similarly warm sound. Compared with the DMX-60 (which happened to be sitting underneath the DMX-25), the DMX-25 doesn't sound as refined or have that certain sparkle to the sound; then again it is half the price.

Pure DMX 25 micro system with CD player and DAB/FM reception

Nevertheless, the DMX-25 manages to pull in a good performance on both music and talk stations. On DAB rock station The Arrow, bass is weighty without being overbearing. Talk stations exude warmth without sibilance. Signal quality was rock steady on DAB.

The Pure DMX-25 DAB micro system earns bonus points in its flexibility as a music player, and handles most of the major formats thrown at it with ease. Downloads burnt to CD can be played on the system, as can music files transferred to SD card or USB stick. It would be difficult to find a system at this price with such flexibility. The addition of a record facility would have been the icing on the cake.

The Pure DMX 25 is ideal for a first foray into DAB digital radio, if you want a one-unit micro with separate speakers, or as a second system for the bedroom. It lacks the refinement of other Pure products such as the Evoke series portables and somehow hints of a rebadged system, although there's nothing particularly wrong with this. Still, despite lacking an alarm function and playlist features, the DMX-25 does have a sleep timer and headphone socket and, with its support for multiple storage devices, offers a compelling reason to get into DAB and break away from using the PC as a music player.

Find out where to buy the Pure DMX-25 hifi system online. We'll let you know when this DAB micro system hits the shelves through our online shopping guide.

For:	Astounding functionality, big sound from small boxes, ability to play audio files from SD card and USB memory stick
Against:	ability to record programmes off DAB would further enhance the system
Verdict:	An affordable system offering a wide selection of features
Price:	GBP130.00

Find out where to buy the Pure DMX 25 micro hifi system online. We'll let you know when this DAB micro system hits the shelves through our online shopping guide.

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Pure DMX-25 mini system

Pure DMX-25 DAB micro system Tech Spec

Tuner: Stereo digital radio with full Band III and FM reception. ETS 300 410 compliant 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.

CD Player: CD-R and CD-RW playback compatible. Support for 20 track audio CD playlist. Multiple playback modes (repeat, shuffle, etc.). MP3 & WMA playback, including support for ID3 tags.

Speakers: 4 Ohms (nominal) impedance. 10W RMS power handling. Two-way design. Treated paper mid-bass driver. Custom-tuned crossover. Rosewood finish. Removable grilles.

Input connectors: Two 3.5mm line-inputs for auxiliary devices. USB host port for flash-based memory sticks (key drives) and powered media devices. SD memory card support.

Output connectors: 3.5mm stereo output for headphones.

Controls: Power on/standby, clock/sleep, source, tune/select, menu, timer, info, presets, volume, play/pause, stop, fast forward, rewind and MP3 directory navigation.

Remote: Fully featured infrared remote control. Uses 2 AAA batteries (supplied).

Presets: 30 presets (10 DAB and 20 FM).

LCD Display: LCD display with 16 x 2 characters, plus additional function icons.

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

Approvals: CE marked. Compliant with the EMC and Low Voltage Directives (89/336/EEC and 73/23/EEC).

Dimensions (mm): Unit - 140 wide x 150 high (280 with CD compartment open) x 230 deep (including controls). Speakers - 130 wide x 205 high x 160 deep.

Aerial: Wire dipole DAB/FM aerial.

Related links:
Find out where to buy the Pure DMX 25 micro system online.
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.