Pure Digital Legato II Micro Hi Fi System Hi Fi System Reviews: DAB with CD Player, iPod and MP3 Player Docking

+ The sound quality is excellent for a micro system (noticeably better than my previous Sony system, which was similarly priced). The Pure Legato II can play from a CD, a SD card, DAB radio, FM radio or three auxiliary input ports. The system is compact and well built, with many eye-catching design features, such as the slot-loading CD player, brushed metal front, a really good display and blue pipe lights around the CD and SD card slots. The stereo is very easy to use, thanks to well-considered controls and menus. For example, it features what Pure calls 'soft keys', which are buttons around the display whose functions change depending on what you're doing (like a cash machine): so if you're using a CD, the play, pause etc. controls appear; if you're in a menu, you can select you can select the nearest option. Another example is that you can select the radio station you want to listen to from a list. This also works with CDs, where you can select the track from a list, which also tells you the track lengths (or names for CD-Text discs). With an SD card, you can select tracks by their name and easily navigate through folders. When listening to a radio station (DAB or FM), text broadcast by the station (such as the song name) appears on display; this is standard for DAB radios, but the larger display means that you can often see the entire message without the need for scrolling. I found the system easily picked up all DAB and FM stations available in my area. Unlike some DAB radios, you get the full range of features, such as an electronic programme guide (EPG). The ability to record radio to and play files from an SD card is a nice bonus, as the ability to pause live radio. Also, the system's firmware can be upgraded via the USB port if need be.

- Only minor quibbles, most of which are admitted to in the manual (which can be viewed at pure.com). The system will only let you record DAB radio broadcasts to the SD card, so if you want to copy some files from a CD on to an SD card, you must use a computer. The SD card slot will also only play back MP2 and MP3 files, so if you've got AAC files (such as those from iTunes), you must convert them first. Though the CD player supports CD-Text (which is pretty rare in the UK), it could be implemented better (for example, you can only see either the track title or track time, whereas files played through the SD card let you see both). Also, mine takes a while to pick up the DAB EPG (though this is probably a reception issue); you can save the EPG for later use, but this requires you to leave an SD card inserted. The manual, though clearly written, could be clearer on how to hook the speaker up (just remember red to red and black to black!) and does not include a few details, such as how to use the remote control instead of the buttons on the system (though the remote is dead logical) and little tips such as the fact that you can press the Info button when the system is off to make the clock larger and easier to see.

+ The sound quality is quite good but not as good as I expected from this top of the Pure range product.

- The CD reader refuses some CDs which play perfectly well on other CD players. The control system needs to be redesigned (layout, information on screen and method of operation). In particular I would expect the source to switch to CD automatically when a CD is put in and revert to the previous setting when it is removed.

+ records to SD
Reasonably good sound

- Better if it also recorded from CD to SD
Fiddly change of sause DAB > FM > CD > SD etc. Too short time lag between each step so that step
is lost before the next step can be achieved

+ Sound, sound, sound! It's rich and warm, I had to check for a valve amp stage!

- The EPG can be a bit hit and miss, information is not always available but this may be due to the broadcaster. When recording your stuck with the program/media being recorded.
However, I should say I have literally just plugged in and turned on, I should read the manual!

+ I bought this product for its record from radio facility, which works well and easily.

- Not aware of any yet.......

+ Very stylish design with a decent performance. Compact size. Sound is not outstanding but acceptable for price.

- FM sound better than DAB.

+ Absolutely everything I want in a sound system and at a reasonable price. Highly recommended. Pure have done it again :-)

- None.

+ Smooth design, good sound, reasonably easy to use without constant reference to instructions.

- Very heavy and a little bulky for shelf top.

+ Stylish, great quality, good value

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