I agree with the recommendation for the Cambridge Soundworks Model 88 radio paired with a portable CD player. I put together the same combination and was amazed at how nice it sounded for the money. The radio has an excellent tuner section, decent speakers with variable bass output and wonderful remote control the size of a credit card.
I bought a refurbished Model 88 for $106 on ebay from hifi.com, the online outlet for Cambridge Soundworks and a very nice Aiwa portable CD player for $39 from returnbuy.com. Added a stereo mini-plug to RCA adapter and for $150 total I was set. Even if you think this rig is too large for travel, it makes a great office or bedroom system.
As an aside, the service from Cambridge Soundworks is exceptional. When the Model 88 arrived it was DOA. I called the service department at Cambridge and they apologized profusely, immediate FedExed a replacement (which was a new unit, not refurbished) along with a prepaid shipping label and asked me to return the defective unit in the same box whenever the new unit arrived. An entirely pleasant experience.
I bought a refurbished Model 88 for $106 on ebay from hifi.com, the online outlet for Cambridge Soundworks and a very nice Aiwa portable CD player for $39 from returnbuy.com. Added a stereo mini-plug to RCA adapter and for $150 total I was set. Even if you think this rig is too large for travel, it makes a great office or bedroom system.
As an aside, the service from Cambridge Soundworks is exceptional. When the Model 88 arrived it was DOA. I called the service department at Cambridge and they apologized profusely, immediate FedExed a replacement (which was a new unit, not refurbished) along with a prepaid shipping label and asked me to return the defective unit in the same box whenever the new unit arrived. An entirely pleasant experience.