Sony MHC-GX355 Micro System

First, I would like to say that I know this review is not as good as other reviews written, even others I have written, but it is EXTREMELY difficult to write a review about something you hate so much, you can't express your anger enough. Let me put it this way, I have dented and probably broke the right side tape deck today because I was so ticked at this Sony piece of junk that I threw a roll of duct tape at it (it was the only non-breakable thing within reach).

I bought this piece of junk in autumn 2005. From the beginning I hated it. Sure, being able to play MP3's is nice, but this is the slowest CD player I have ever seen! My Magnavox CD player had died - just the CD player - and after my ancient RCA stereo was dead, I figured I should finally buy a new stereo (it would have cost about the same to fix the Magnavox). Well, around here there isn't too many options on where to buy GOOD electronics (we didn't have a Best Buy - this fall finally), so I ended up buying this "stereo" at Sears, but the choices were horrible - Sony (which I despise) or something that looked like a recycled car muffler with WAY too much bass. So I bought this one.

The good thing about it was I could play CD's and MP3's, but nowhere near as easy as my stereos of the past. This one is slow - not just when reading an MP3 CD, because I assume that takes longer with any system. No, this one takes twice as long to read a NORMAL CD. Then there is the CD tray itself. When it opens or closes, it spins so you have no idea what CD it is going to decide to play. I don't know why they did that, I guess for "looks". Plus, the CD player seems to not play MP3's in the correct order - I had put one of the Harry Potter audio books in MP3 form and onto a single CD, but instead of playing "Chapter 1", it started on chapter 19. No matter how many different ways I write the CD, it still will not play them in the right order, which really DOES NOT MAKE SENSE! And there is the remote. Who knows why they could not put 3 extra buttons so you could choose a CD to play instead of waiting to read disc, then figuring which disc, then pressing "disc skip" until you finally get to the disc you want. Perhaps I was spoiled by my Magnavox, it still is hooked to my TV.

The sound is decent, but sometimes it feels there is still too much bass. I like to be able to hear my music - all of it - not some loud thudding noise. It still is better than some other systems as far as bass goes, if you are like me that is. But trust me, get another stereo, in fact, GET ANOTHER BRAND. DO NOT waste money on this thing!

i dont know why the guy had that problem but all i know my works great and sound great tuner works fine on my's i have bought from sony alot i never had problem with the stuff i get from sony there are the best and for the best price so my suggestion is get sony you will not regret panasonic has alot prblms with their stuff i high recommend sony

I purchased the Sony shelf system for my son. Less than 3 months after first using it, the tuner failed. Sony gives you a one year warranty on the product. So, while disappointed, I figured "no big deal" - I'm covered for parts and labor for one year.

What they don't tell you is that the ONLY place to repair the item under warranty is in Laredo, Texas, which is fine I suppose.......if you live near Laredo. I live on the east coast, so my "free" warranty service would actually cost me the time and materials for shipping this relatively heavy item. This hardly makes sense to pay shipping that would cost about 25% of the item's value.

The product itself worked OK up until it stopped working. It had good sound and lots of features.

My advice - buy a similar unit from Panasonic. Their warranty actually covers repair as you would assume (i.e., they will allow you to bring it to a local authorized dealer). Sony has numerous authorized service centers, but they won't cover their shelf systems there!