Pyle Home 300W Digital Stereo Receiver System (Open Box)

The Pyle PT270AIU stereo receiver features an unusually broad feature set for its modest price, but not without a few limitations and caveats.First, one must be aware the iPod docking station is years out of date. It has the original, large 30 pin connector used on iPods and iPhones up through the iPhone 4. Without a lightning connector (or adapter), it’s not usable on later models. The dock is also not wide enough to fit some newer devices.A stereo mini plug on a retractable cable is also available, so a phone, iPod, or MP3 player could be plugged in that way. That’s assuming it will slide into the docking space. As mentioned, many newer devices won’t go in there. And of course, if you can’t utilize the built in 30 pin connector, remote control access is not available either.For its modest price, the receiver does offer a few surprise features. Probably the most useless of these (for most people) is the ability to plug in a microphone. The mic input not only has a dedicated volume control, but dedicated bass and treble controls as well. Unless you’re into karaoke, I can’t imagine must use for such a thing in a receiver.Other features however, are decidedly more useful for most people. It has the ability to choose between two different sets of speakers, or use both simultaneously. Though not unusual for more expensive systems, it’s a nice touch on a device at this price point.The receiver also has a subwoofer output with front panel adjustable level control. This is also a very nice feature at this price point. (And this is something I happened to need.)The Pyle has inputs for SD cards and USB sticks…a very nice touch indeed. However, nowhere does the instruction manual list which audio formats are supported—a serious omission.Despite these modern input choices, the receiver falls short when it comes to physical inputs. It has only one set of RCA sockets on the back labeled “CD/DVD”. That’s it. So if a person has a CD player and a flat screen tv they wish to plug in, you’re out of luck—almost. If one is not using the dock on the top of receiver, you have the option of using the mini plug up there as another input. One would have to buy an extension and/or adapters, but it could be pressed into service in a pinch. It’s unfortunate they didn’t include at least one more physical input.The receiver does have a built-in cooling fan, which kicked in when I first turned the unit on. However, I later noticed with my background music playing, it was off. So at least in my environment, it doesn’t seem to be an issue.My biggest complaint about this receiver is the utterly useless, idiotic “equalizer display”. It has seven, multicolored vertical bars which constantly flash—even when there is nothing playing. If the music gets above a certain level it will function as a glitzy volume indicator, but that’s it. It does not actually show the output of the marked frequency ranges. Rather they all move together regardless of the input. And with nothing playing, they still move…from bottom to top…from top to bottom… As a tech, I can testify this thing serves no purpose whatsoever, other than to impress those who are fascinated by glitzy stuff. Other than that, it’s completely useless. Personally, I find it VERY distracting and plan to tape over it.I unfortunately have to add one more complaint: This product (as with many Chinese devices) has a woefully inadequate instruction manual. The receiver comes with a few additional, separate pieces, but these are not mentioned, or even illustrated in the manual. After playing around, I discovered one piece screws into the dock and acts like a back rest for an iPod.As a tech, I also recognized an FM antenna and a separate AM antenna. However, to many people, these are just pieces of wire; how are they supposed to know which is which? I’m also left with one mystery piece of plastic. I’m not certain, but I suspect it may be a mount for the AM antenna so it could be fastened to a wall. However, without any mention whatsoever in the instructions, how is a person to be certain?Other than a few pictures and labels, this manual is greatly lacking. A manual this inadequate deserves a demotion of at least one star.In conclusion, the Pyle PT270AIU is a mixed blessing. It offers a lot for a very minimal price. However, only one physical input on the back could be a sticking point for some people, as most receivers have inputs for at least several pieces of equipment. By using the dock min-plug, you could conceivably have two inputs, but that’s it. This limitation plus the very poor instruction manual limits my rating to only 3 stars.However, if it does meet a person’s needs (as it does mine) the price makes it attractive indeed. Now all I have to do is tape over that ridiculous, non-stop flashing display…