Tangent Cinque

The basics

Tangent Cinque is a desktop digital clock radio that has a WMA and MP3 compatible CD player. It can play both AM/FM as well as digital audio broadcasting reception. The alarm function can make use of either CD player or radio, while the DAB can display what song is being played.

The good

With a solid build and a delicious, polished walnut finish that's so retro it wouldn't look out of place on Charlie's desk in Charlie's Angels. Setting up this high-end alarm clock/radio is a snap. The DAB stations are tuned and the time is set automatically, and to play a CD you simply slide a disc into the slot. You can even hook up an MP3 player if you want. Whatever you're listening to, this ultimately gives you superb sound quality for your buck, doing justice to everything from pop to industrial house.

The bad

£200 for an alarm clock? That must be high-end! Having said that, with only one speaker at its disposal, we weren't expecting super-duper high-end performance from this, and to be brutally honest it did lack the sort of clear stereo separation audiophiles crave.

The bottom line

The retro styling is superb, and the sound quality is generally great. It's just a tad expensive for wwhat's essentially a glorified alarm clock. Oh and Charlie called, he wants his radio back.