If you have ever listened to Yamaha audio equipment, given it a really good listen, spent some loving time with it, you will realise one thing. Yamaha audio quality is good quality. It’s a delicate mix of smooth sounds and value for money. A mix that many audio manufacturers fail to achieve.

Just look at Yamaha’s component packages, the YHF-397BG, for example. At $1,199 it’s a complete component audio package that not only represent great value for money but delivers pure, crisp, sound as well. Even their bookshelf systems, like the MCR-E810G that retails for less that $1,000 attracts the attention of audiophiles looking for a compact, quality, system.

When the press release announcing the TSX-100 found its way into gadget zone’s inbox, we were climbing over each other like mice on a treadmill to test it out. The small desktop unit, which should comfortable fit on your bedside table, has an almost 1980s style to it, but retro is in and we thought the TSX-100 would be too.

The device was easy to set up. Blind monkeys with one hand tied behind their back have been known to successfully undertake more complicated tasks. Some would argue one of those tasks happens to be editing gadget zone. Once set up is complete you are greeted by a beautifully large, blue, LCD display.

This, after all, is an alarm clock, so it makes sense that the digits are big and blue. All the buttons can be found at the top of the TSX-100 with a big, glowing, snooze button resting in the middle. You are, after all, most likely to be using that button the most. The dock for your iPod is nestled at the back of the system while you also get a remote control that takes care of your iPod menu as well.