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RacineTechie
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- Review count165
- Helpfulness votes92
- First reviewMarch 15, 2014
- Last reviewMarch 30, 2024
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- Average rating4.9
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- First answerJanuary 19, 2021
- Last answerJanuary 19, 2021
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The SC-C70MK2 Ottava Premium-Class All-in-One Compact Stereo System has evolved, in this second generation, to bring several key improvements to its renowned sound resolution and graceful design. A newly-adjusted woofer and tweeter and a new acoustic lens render audio with incredible richness, scale, and detail. Spacetune Auto optimizes sound according to the position of the unit, analyzing the distance relative to walls and corners and the effect of sound reflections, and auto-adjusts the sound field for the utmost brilliance in resolution, with 3 one-touch presets available. SC-C70MK2 interfaces easily over Bluetooth and Wifi for internet radio, streaming platforms such as TISAL, Spotify, Amazon Music and Deezer, Google Assistant, built-in Google chromecast, and can be set up for multi-room use by pairing with Chromecast speakers (sold separately). Even when streaming, enjoy highest-resolution listening through Re-master high-precision signal processing circuitry, which expands the frequency band of compressed audio sources to match CD-master quality. The elegant, timeless design of the SC-C70MK2 comes in silver, and is made from premium materials with an elegant CD mechanism, aluminum touch keys, and a louver front grille, that bring a high-end, minimalist look to your living space
Posted by: RacineTechie
I really like this and I have used a lot of audio equipment through the years - this brings it all together for me.
The size and form factor was just right for my office and the color and design blend in well. The bass from the sub is quite good and the ability to quickly program the unit using the remote or app was great. I was out of package, connected to all of my sources and ready to go in about 15 minutes.
Speaker pairing was easy although it did take two attempts to pick up my phone for some reason - no big deal just another 30 seconds.
The one button ability to switch sources and connection types is awesome. I have purchased music and audiobooks in different formats and from different sources and the Ottava makes it seamless to bounce between them. Network to radio to CD to USB to AUX in a few button clicks makes my listening life so much easier. As someone who has a lot of CDs this unit has been awesome and I was even able to hook up my old cassette deck as an AUX so I am fully enabled now.
The sound does drop off when you are offline from the face of the unit so it doesn't 'fill the room' but that is to be expected and it is a volume drop off - not a sound quality reduction. The CD player is audio only, I couldn't get it to pick up from an MP# CD, however with a USB-A connection on the back, this point was moot - I just transferred the mp3s to drive and issue resolved.
Not much else to say other than if you are looking for an easy way to access all of your various audio sources in one go - this will do the trick.
The size and form factor was just right for my office and the color and design blend in well. The bass from the sub is quite good and the ability to quickly program the unit using the remote or app was great. I was out of package, connected to all of my sources and ready to go in about 15 minutes.
Speaker pairing was easy although it did take two attempts to pick up my phone for some reason - no big deal just another 30 seconds.
The one button ability to switch sources and connection types is awesome. I have purchased music and audiobooks in different formats and from different sources and the Ottava makes it seamless to bounce between them. Network to radio to CD to USB to AUX in a few button clicks makes my listening life so much easier. As someone who has a lot of CDs this unit has been awesome and I was even able to hook up my old cassette deck as an AUX so I am fully enabled now.
The sound does drop off when you are offline from the face of the unit so it doesn't 'fill the room' but that is to be expected and it is a volume drop off - not a sound quality reduction. The CD player is audio only, I couldn't get it to pick up from an MP# CD, however with a USB-A connection on the back, this point was moot - I just transferred the mp3s to drive and issue resolved.
Not much else to say other than if you are looking for an easy way to access all of your various audio sources in one go - this will do the trick.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Defy Boring with the Pebble 2 Combo made with recycled plastic. Its minimalist, slim design makes it as iconic as you and super portable. Pair up to 3 wireless devices across OS and switch between devices with a press of a button (Logi Bolt receiver also included). With Logi Options+ app, you can customize your Pebble Mouse 2 M350s’ middle button with shortcuts that shuffle your Spotify playlist, send emojis on WhatsApp, and more. Personalize the 10 keyboard Fn shortcut keys to work how you want and save time.
Posted by: RacineTechie
The combo shipped well packaged and "batteries on board".
The usb / bluetooth dongle plugged right into the tablet and after pulling the battery tabs it was ready to go.
The mouse is light and both the shape and the size are good. The keyboard design and layout is very portable and it easily fit into the pocket of my backpack.
Switching between devices was seamless as well with dedicated keys on the keyboard - this was a very nice feature.
The keyboard layout is meant to conserve space and people with somewhat larger hands my need to get used to this. I have large hands and found that It was a bit of an adjustment and I found the backspace key pretty quickly. The low profile keys are quiet - if you are used to a mechanical keyboard this may bother you or seem an improvement. I do find myself missing the 'home' and 'end' keys though - maybe there is a hot key combo to do that but I have not found it yet.
For a quick and easy option when travelling or working at a restaurant, this is a very handy combination.
I am very happy with this.
The usb / bluetooth dongle plugged right into the tablet and after pulling the battery tabs it was ready to go.
The mouse is light and both the shape and the size are good. The keyboard design and layout is very portable and it easily fit into the pocket of my backpack.
Switching between devices was seamless as well with dedicated keys on the keyboard - this was a very nice feature.
The keyboard layout is meant to conserve space and people with somewhat larger hands my need to get used to this. I have large hands and found that It was a bit of an adjustment and I found the backspace key pretty quickly. The low profile keys are quiet - if you are used to a mechanical keyboard this may bother you or seem an improvement. I do find myself missing the 'home' and 'end' keys though - maybe there is a hot key combo to do that but I have not found it yet.
For a quick and easy option when travelling or working at a restaurant, this is a very handy combination.
I am very happy with this.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Ninja Detect Duo Power Blender Pro with BlendSense Technology allows you to toss in any ingredients, press the dial, and watch them transform into a perfectly smooth output. Whether blending or chopping in the 72 oz. full-size pitcher, Ninja Detect makes live decisions on the amount of power, speed, and time needed to get you to a perfectly smooth outcome every time. The blender that automatically adjusts speed & time for perfectly smooth results.
Customer Rating
5
Worked well for consistent drink smoothness
on September 4, 2023
Posted by: RacineTechie
First off, very well packaged and secure, which was a relief given the glassware inside. Instructions were clear and after a quick initial cleanup the set up was easy.
Shaved or crushed ice is always a bit of a gamble especially when making a large batch for slushies or for summer drinks. This blender worked great and the auto-iQ seemed to help with consistency. Certainly better than just going by eye or 'feel' did.
I hadn't thought I'd ever have a single system that worked equally well at both ends - chopping and 'juicing', but this turned fruit into super smooth juice and basically you can make anything from a iced drink to a straight up fruit juice in a matter of a few adjustments. It wasn't like an over processed juice either, it looked and tasted 'real'.
We also used it to make a few blender recipes for protein shakes that we hadn't ever gotten to come out right before and this time around, this Ninja made them just as good as a juice bar could have. The bonus of having two cups with spout lids was also nice - never enough of those clean.
It also seems quieter than others we have used, but that may just be us. We are very pleased with the unit and expect to get a ton of use out of it.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Achieve outstanding performance and expandability with the new Dell XPS 8960 Desktop. Built with powerful processors, memory and graphics, this desktop acheives maximum performance to support your tasks.
Posted by: RacineTechie
Before I go any further, I just want to say that based upon the silent running this is an amazing PC. It is so quiet, I don't even realize it is on.
Okay, with that out of the way, the setup and unpacking was quick, not a lot of excess packing material just the basics to keep the computer safe. From cutting the tape on the box to power on it was maybe 3 minutes. Setup was smooth with importing of synced data from the cloud achieved in less then 10 minutes.
Power on is very fast as one would expect from a solid state and the Windows setup was much less painful than it used to be.
Processing speed and system resources for streaming are top notch and when conencted to a G-Sync monitor and setup properly (a few more minutes) the system looked awesome gaming as well - no stutters at high fps and very smooth vivid graphics in general.
The size of the desktop, even though it calls it out in the specs was smaller than expected and easily slotted into my desk.
The keyboard and mouse are nice starter quality and day to day use pieces, but I swapped them for my gaming gear and drivers and compatibility was not an issue.
All in all, the quiet running, quick start, simple setup, quick driver and update of software... this is a great desktop for general use and works like a champ for online and downloaded games.
I tried this out on three separate monitors as well as three monitors at the same time and the system processor, memory, and graphics card held up while streaming in three browsers at top settings.
Power on is very fast as one would expect from a solid state and the Windows setup was much less painful than it used to be.
Processing speed and system resources for streaming are top notch and when conencted to a G-Sync monitor and setup properly (a few more minutes) the system looked awesome gaming as well - no stutters at high fps and very smooth vivid graphics in general.
The size of the desktop, even though it calls it out in the specs was smaller than expected and easily slotted into my desk.
The keyboard and mouse are nice starter quality and day to day use pieces, but I swapped them for my gaming gear and drivers and compatibility was not an issue.
All in all, the quiet running, quick start, simple setup, quick driver and update of software... this is a great desktop for general use and works like a champ for online and downloaded games.
I tried this out on three separate monitors as well as three monitors at the same time and the system processor, memory, and graphics card held up while streaming in three browsers at top settings.
The only thing that would have been nice would be an onboard dvd/bluray drive, but it took my external quickly and found the drivers pronto. there are expansion slots, but I'll not worry about that until I need to... if ever.
Very impressed and I would recommend this.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Samsung's 34" ViewFinity S50GC offers a wider workspace featuring a 21:9 ratio and lifelike detail with Ultra-WQHD resolution. AMD FreeSync™ and 100Hz refresh rate allow an ultra-smooth user experience. Avoid eyestrain with TUV-certified Intelligent Eye Care that automatically adjusts brightness. With HDR10 that displays over 1 billion colors compared to 16.7 million for typical SDR technology, dark colors are darker and the brightest are even brighter.
Customer Rating
5
Lightweight widescreen & excellent image quality
on June 14, 2023
Posted by: RacineTechie
All in all, a very good monitor and excellent for gaming and watching video.
The display was easy to assemble and came with all of the cables that I needed including an HDMI and a display port cable. Cable connector insertion in the back did require very straight alignment to get them to seat, so I'd suggest having the display nearer the front of the table or deck that you are setting it on when you plug them in - plugging them in when it is set back (like I did for the HDMI 1 and 2) will mean pulling it back toward you again to maneuver them in. If you have rear access to the monitor at your station or desk, then no worries.
Menu access is via a set of buttons arranged in a ring in the bottom edge of the display frame and you will have to sort out where the button you want is at. This probably isn't an issue after initial setup as most display settings you'll want mange can be handled through your PC.
The graphics and the responsiveness when streaming or gaming is top notch from what I observed. Very vivid color and fluid motion when using display port and with the sync function turned on.
I was very impressed with the display - I would say you may want to put it on a stand if you find yourself leaning in or craning your neck as the stand is a bit low and not adjustable.
The display was easy to assemble and came with all of the cables that I needed including an HDMI and a display port cable. Cable connector insertion in the back did require very straight alignment to get them to seat, so I'd suggest having the display nearer the front of the table or deck that you are setting it on when you plug them in - plugging them in when it is set back (like I did for the HDMI 1 and 2) will mean pulling it back toward you again to maneuver them in. If you have rear access to the monitor at your station or desk, then no worries.
Menu access is via a set of buttons arranged in a ring in the bottom edge of the display frame and you will have to sort out where the button you want is at. This probably isn't an issue after initial setup as most display settings you'll want mange can be handled through your PC.
The graphics and the responsiveness when streaming or gaming is top notch from what I observed. Very vivid color and fluid motion when using display port and with the sync function turned on.
I was very impressed with the display - I would say you may want to put it on a stand if you find yourself leaning in or craning your neck as the stand is a bit low and not adjustable.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Who says your mini fridge can’t hold all your favorite foods and snacks? With the Insignia NS-CF33BK3 3.3 Cu. Ft. Mini Fridge, keep your delicious foods on hand and loads of snacks to satisfy late-night cravings. A 3.3 cu. ft. capacity offers plenty of storage options while taking up less space than a full-sized fridge, making it ideal for dorm rooms, offices and garages. It has a reversible door and leveling feet, giving you virtually unlimited placement options. Adjust the temperature of your fridge anywhere between 32° to 50° F (0° to 10° C), all with the simple turn of a dial. It has three glass shelves to organize your food, along with door trays that hold up to 18, 12 oz. cans. With a smooth black finish that matches any décor, this mini fridge looks great while keeping all your food nice and cold.
Posted by: RacineTechie
First things first, this a great little fridge it was out of the box, installed, cooled down and had 24 sodas cold in less than 45 minutes. And it is very quiet. The fridge only (no ice box) was a huge plus for me as I don't need the freezer and don't like cleaning up ice chunks and frost. So, I have to say it was everything that I wanted and I would recommend it. Now for more detail...
The refrigerator shipped in an easy to remove two section box that sped up the process of getting it unpacked and installed. The refrigerator is about the height of a 3 shelf bookcase so it slid easily under the counter top and even on recommended setting, was cooled down quickly and quietly.
The refrigerator holds 24 x 12 oz cans easily with additional room to spare. The glass shelves are preset distances, and there is additional room on the shelves for taller 16 oz cans or bottles also.
To be fair and honest, the extra space makes it easier to see what you are grabbing and probably helps with air flow to keep everything cool also.
To be fair and honest, the extra space makes it easier to see what you are grabbing and probably helps with air flow to keep everything cool also.
There are (or should be) two adjustable 'feet' to help raise the front of the refrigerator such that it can clear carpeting when it is opened. The unit I received was missing one of these 'feet' but in my situation this wasn't a problem. I'd suggest if you need the front of the unit raised up, to use the feet, Even with one, it was more than sufficient to raise the corner enough for low pile carpet.
The 'cooler/recommended/off' decal on the temperature adjustment knob was either printed upside down or designed for a unit where the knob was on the other side. It works fine, and realistically, you set the thing maybe once and might shut it off and back on again a few times a year so no sweat there. I would say just make sure you try it both directions to figure out which location is OFF and which is coolest.
Again, this a great little fridge, very quiet, and I would recommend it.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The HoMedics Top Fill Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier. Breathe easier, sleep better. Ultrasonic, high-frequency technology converts water into a cool, fine mist that effectively adds moisture to the air. The easy-to-fill, easy-to-clean, top-fill tank holds 1.47 gallons of water, offers a runtime of up to 70 hours, offers whisper-quiet technology, and is ideal for family rooms and bedrooms up to 426 sq. ft.*. With all its bells and whistles, the Total Comfort Deluxe is a great addition to any home.
Posted by: RacineTechie
The humidifier was well packaged and was easy to set up and the . You will want to have an idea of where you can place it in the room to maximize vapor dispersal and minimize condensation or water beading on surfaces. It is a top fill, and is pretty high capacity, so you likely want it at a reasonable height for filling without spilling or just fill it a bit at a time.
With the programmable humidity level and a choice of three misting settings it doesn't have to run often. Where we are at, we mostly have it running during the day and it is quiet enough that it isn't really noticeable unless you are right next to it. The night light feature isn't one we use, since we run it on a schedule during daylight, but I imagine it would be useful in a hall or children's room.
The aromatherapy tray was something we tried and liked. You wouldn't want to go light at first to determine how much is enough though. Remote control and automatic shutoff are very nice features so that you don't have to worry about the system running when dry and you can change settings easily.
With the programmable humidity level and a choice of three misting settings it doesn't have to run often. Where we are at, we mostly have it running during the day and it is quiet enough that it isn't really noticeable unless you are right next to it. The night light feature isn't one we use, since we run it on a schedule during daylight, but I imagine it would be useful in a hall or children's room.
The aromatherapy tray was something we tried and liked. You wouldn't want to go light at first to determine how much is enough though. Remote control and automatic shutoff are very nice features so that you don't have to worry about the system running when dry and you can change settings easily.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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This new generation of the home line-up has an even wider soundstage than its predecessor, re-engineered for a more immersive experience. This new generation has tweeters angled outwards and updated waveguides to deliver a consistently solid sound that is so wide it chases you around the room. Experience a balanced sound, with crisp, soaring treble and controlled, rumbling bass. Built-in Dynamic Loudness adjusts the tonal balance of the sound, ensuring your music sounds brilliant at every volume, while Placement Compensation corrects for any nearby reflective surfaces that may affect the sound. Marshall has taken its signature rock ’n’ roll home speaker line-up and given it a stripped-back look that makes a loud statement. Its iconic design knocks all other speakers off the shelf. Generation III is ready for the future of Bluetooth technology and has been built to deliver next-generation Bluetooth features the moment they are available. Over 55 years of sound knowledge is combined with future-proof technology to completely immerse you in your music.
Customer Rating
5
Classic look with great sound and connectivity
on May 16, 2023
Posted by: RacineTechie
The speaker was well packaged and easy to set up. The speaker itself is beautiful - for a fan of stadium rock, it is nice to finally listen to the bands I like through my own Marshall (a bit smaller than the ones they played through on stage).
The instructions included were very clear and I had the speaker charged up in no time. The app installation was easy on my phone and away I went. The speaker has more than enough power for the room I use it in the most (12'x12') and I generally run it at about a 3.
Lows are deep and strong enough that I don't miss a separate woofer and the overall sound and tone is quite good. The speaker is pretty light and easy to move around or toss in the car. I brought it out on the deck and listened to podcasts at a low volume with good clarity - surprising given the lack of walls to help keep the sound in.
I also used the RCA plug and 3.5mm for testing and they worked fine - I may use the 3.5mm with my PC, but haven't decided yet.
All in all, a great sounding and looking speaker with all the connection options that I need.
The instructions included were very clear and I had the speaker charged up in no time. The app installation was easy on my phone and away I went. The speaker has more than enough power for the room I use it in the most (12'x12') and I generally run it at about a 3.
Lows are deep and strong enough that I don't miss a separate woofer and the overall sound and tone is quite good. The speaker is pretty light and easy to move around or toss in the car. I brought it out on the deck and listened to podcasts at a low volume with good clarity - surprising given the lack of walls to help keep the sound in.
I also used the RCA plug and 3.5mm for testing and they worked fine - I may use the 3.5mm with my PC, but haven't decided yet.
All in all, a great sounding and looking speaker with all the connection options that I need.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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WHCH720N Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones
Posted by: RacineTechie
The headset arrived well packaged and with a nearly full charge. It only took a few minutes, maybe 15 to get it to full battery and then to adjust to fit and setup the app.
The controls are well located and easy to use and the noise reduction was excellent. The dynamic range of sound was quite nice and the option to change from wired to wireless was a real plus as I use these at home and also when travelling and working out.
The phone call feature and multi connect was seamless as well. The headset is light and the spring tension of the band is enough to keep the set on your head without feeling like it is squeezing your head or ears. About 20 hours of use thus far and still not needing a charge cycle yet.
It would have been nice to have a case of some sort in the package and the cabling provided is somewhat short - so if you are planning on using these with the wired option, make sure you are set up to be close to the device or if worn that the device is close to your head. Also, you'll need an adapter (not included in the package) to use this set wired to a newer iPhone.
The controls are well located and easy to use and the noise reduction was excellent. The dynamic range of sound was quite nice and the option to change from wired to wireless was a real plus as I use these at home and also when travelling and working out.
The phone call feature and multi connect was seamless as well. The headset is light and the spring tension of the band is enough to keep the set on your head without feeling like it is squeezing your head or ears. About 20 hours of use thus far and still not needing a charge cycle yet.
It would have been nice to have a case of some sort in the package and the cabling provided is somewhat short - so if you are planning on using these with the wired option, make sure you are set up to be close to the device or if worn that the device is close to your head. Also, you'll need an adapter (not included in the package) to use this set wired to a newer iPhone.
All in all a very good set, lack of cabling length and case aside.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The HP Smart Tank 5101 is a smart, connected and refillable supertank printer that makes printing seamless for the whole family with its cartridge-free, high capacity and wireless connectivity. Create everyday color documents at a low cost with up to 2 years of Original HP Ink included in the box.
Customer Rating
5
Easy printing from phone or PC - fewer ink refills
on January 22, 2023
Posted by: RacineTechie
Initial setup was very simple with ample instructions and an easy interface using the HP app on my phone and my Personal computer. I di have to download and install the latest HP app, but that wasn't more than a few minutes.
Installing the printer heads and adding ink was also very simple and ink filling wasn't messy as I had feared. Actually, it was easier adding the ink to the reservoirs than I recall swapping cartridges to have been. The bottled ink also seems to be priced lower than the cartridges, so it is a win-win there.
Installing the printer heads and adding ink was also very simple and ink filling wasn't messy as I had feared. Actually, it was easier adding the ink to the reservoirs than I recall swapping cartridges to have been. The bottled ink also seems to be priced lower than the cartridges, so it is a win-win there.
Using the HP app to send a file to print was fine, although it did not seem as full featured as some of the native printing menus in Windows. I expect this is just a matter of proactive and familiarity, but you can print direct from other device native programs as well.
All in all, setting up, prepping and using the printer was a very nice process, so real hiccups and quick. One thing I will say that should be mentioned is that two sided printing requires manual flip of the paper stack, and the print rate with color at 1200 dpi seemed a bit slow. Printing black and white was quite fast though, for a home printer.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Now that quality you've come to love from GE Appliances is available right on your countertop thanks to an array of toaster options to suit your family's busy lifestyle. Whether it's a two-slice toaster or four-slice toaster, you'll appreciate the reliable, efficient performance and timeless stainless steel finish that make every GE Appliances toaster the perfect complement to your kitchen. Toasters come equipped with handy features including 7 Shade settings for your perfect toast, an Frozen, Bagel and Cancel settings to make managing your toasting experience simpler. Get more done in the kitchen with toasters and toaster ovens from a brand you trust.
Do the sides of the toaster get hot to the touch when in use??
Not that we noticed, but we only make 4 slices at breakfast and don't go for dark/burnt toast.
I expect if you like your toast dark and are making a lot of it, it may get a bit warm, fortunately, stainless tends to shed heat fairly quickly anyway.
I expect if you like your toast dark and are making a lot of it, it may get a bit warm, fortunately, stainless tends to shed heat fairly quickly anyway.
3 years, 3 months ago
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