Thread: Roth Audio MC4 Music Cocoon iPod Douck

THIS IS THE only dock here requiring input from a third party. We partnered it with price-compatible speakers, includingTannoy's Award winning Mercury Custom F,s and the same KEF speakers that partner the PicoForte Three. This surprisingly diminutive one-box unit is easy on the eye. We love the combination of valves and Perspex, and once the iPod of your choice is mounted, the effect is pleasing. There's a 3.5mm input for other brands of MP3 players and a standard line-level input, too. One reason the MC4 is so small is that the power supply is a large, outboard unit. don't be tempted to tuck this away too much because it runs incredibly hot and we'd recommend giving it room to breathe.

The unit itself also gets incredibly warm indeed, there's a warning on the Perspex cover to that effect, so make sure any pets and kids are well away from it. We're not kidding. Any concerns lessen when you listen. The sound is sensational with a good Lossless music file. American Music Club's Patriot's Heart has amazing levels of insight coupled with authority and weight. And the soundstaging is the best here, with a solid stereo image that marks this out as a fantastic amp.



Sit down valve sceptics! It's also punchy enough to do the business with DJ Shadow, although the bottom end can be a little woolly compared with the B&W. The MC4 is especially impressive with the KEF speakers, not simply because they cost more than the others, but because, when situated on a desktop, their lean character lessens any boom that can occur when traditional speakers are similarly positioned. Many will be put off this product by its apparent ability to boil water, but top-notch sound quality and style to die for mean that it's well worthy of its five stars just don't touch it.