Speaker and Player Options

This http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=1055 1&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665197372 would be the closest, but no cassette player. Wonder if it would be possible to connect one of these http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=1055 1&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665363966 to it in place of the earphones and use it as a speaker?

Message was edited by: Cornelia Shields

My preferred brands are Memorex and Sony, but the iPod docking device made by Memorex plays only MP3 CDs, while the Sony device plays both MP3 and regular CDs, so gotta go with that. So I wrote Sony to ask if it's possible to connect one of their portable cassette players to another device to use its speakers instead of the earphones. We'll see what they say.

Well, keep in mind I was skimming this http://www.memorexelectronics.com/html/product_detail.php?PID=611 at 3:00 in the morning and may have misunderstood the specs in the description, but I took it to mean it would only play MP3 CDs and if you wanted to play regular CDs you had to connect another player. Since I already have a nice CD player with good speakers, why would I want to do this? If I misunderstood what the Memorex device does I am open to considering the pros and cons (if any) of how it compares to the Sony device. Naturally I'd prefer ONE unit that does EVERYTHING--from cassettes to radio to CD to iPod--but can't find one fitting that description.

Looking more closely, I see that the Memorex unit says it takes all kinds of iPod including the Touch, while the Sony unit names only a few iPod types. So my one question is, is there any reason for the difference? Did the Sony unit simply come out before the Touch, but could be used with it, as the docks are the same? Or is there a real reason the Memorex unit would work with the iPod Touch and the Sony would not?

My other question is, with one of these units which doubles as a CD player, is it possible to transfer audio directly from a CD to the iPod Touch? Or must it always be done through a computer? Thanks.

Here is Sony's reply: Some players are not compatible with the iTouch and there could be static. I would advise you to speak with tech support, they can be contacted at (800)222-7669.

It seems what I want DOES NOT EXIST. I'd like a portable unit with an iPod dock that also plays CDs and cassette tapes. Available equipment either has an iPod dock and plays CDs, but not cassettes, or plays CDs and cassettes, but no iPod dock, or plays everything but is huge and not portable.

So which is better, buy a thing with an iPod dock, then a tiny portable cassette player and connect it to the speakers through an external cable, or buy a CD/Cassette boombox and then buy one of those cassette-shaped adapters to connect the iPod? Or does it matter? (I'm inclined towards the second as I have cassettes, but no iPod yet, so wouldn't have to buy an iPod to justify the purchase--but if I'm planning on buying an iPod eventually anyway, would the adapter option be hopelessly backwards...or would it be smart, as I could also use it in the car?) Thanks!

Not to mention, only about a year ago I bought one of the machines that has everything EXCEPT an iPod dock, including a cassette deck and really good speakers, and I could also plug an iPod cassette adapter into that and have it in the house, the car, and to take around other places.

I'm marking this as answered because my brother-in-law got me a product which works with my Mac and should work with an MP3 player too.