Skip to main content

Sony NAC-SV10i Review

Sony-NAC-SV10i-front
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Sony NAC-SV10i
“We just can’t get over the fact that, for $50 more, you can get yourself the same dock with built-in speakers.”
Pros
  • Accesses internet radio, network music and anything on iPod/iPhone
  • Analog input
  • Wired or wireless interenet access
Cons
  • Dated look and feel
  • Display supports only three B&W lines
  • No video output
  • Buggy network access

Check out our overview of the Sony HomeShare system for more information, and links to reviews of other HomeShare components. The NAC-SV10i is designed as a stand-alone iPod dock and music server. Think of it as the hub of your wireless music operation. It comes with a power adapter and a slim, full-function remote control. The NAC-SV10i is the lower priced option between Sony’s two iPod docks because, unlike the costlier version, it has no built-in speaker. This model is intended to function as a component of a larger system or a server for wireless network speakers. Though it looks pretty dated, the NAC-SV10i combines modern day elements such as Internet radio access, network music streaming and wireless audio streaming into a small component that adds in everyday convenience features like a clock, timer and remote control. Sony-NAC-SV10i-rear-dock On the back of the unit, you’ll find an Ethernet port for wired Internet connection, a ⅛-inch aux. input jack and a pair of stereo RCA output plugs. The front “deck” of the dock offers basic, touch-sensitive controls for commands like play/pause, track advance, options, function and enter.

Recommended Videos

Performance

The NAC-SV10i worked great with our iPhone attached and providing the content. Here, we had the option to control our iPhone by touch, or allow the NAC-SC10i to provide the user interface. Given the limited display on the dock, we chose to operate the iPhone directly. Be sure to check out our section on Sony’s touchscreen remote, though, because we found it provided an excellent interface. The DAC built into the dock isn’t likely to win any audiophile awards, but its output sounded clean and well resolved on our reference audio system. We also liked that the variable analog output allows the user to connect directly to an amplifier and speakers, without necessarily involving a pre-amp or receiver. With our iPhone disengaged from the dock, we were able to use Sony’s free Network Audio Remote app, available for both iOS and Android devices. This app (or the RMN-U1 remote) is definitely the way to control the dock and access Internet radio or networked music. Without the app, you’re stuck using the small, three-line LCD display on the dock itself, which is nearly impossible if you have more than just a few songs on your network. The limited LCD display could be left to serve as a clock or provide basic track information, were there some sort of video output and graphic user interface, but there’s no such feature. Sony-NAC-SV10i-front-dock We also wirelessly streamed our music to the NA-S300 network speaker that Sony provided. In theory, if we had more than one wireless speaker around, we could have chosen to send the music signal to just one or all of them with the push of the “Party Stream” button. Party Stream is a system that links to and activates all HomeShare compliant devices. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to get sound out of the wireless speaker unless we used Party Stream. After 20 minutes spent verifying settings and trying different synching techniques, we let it go. We hope our situation was isolated because, frankly, a system like this needs to be plug and play. Otherwise, less technically inclined users are likely to jump ship. With Party Stream activated, we were able to play WAV, MP3, LPCM and AAC files of varying bitrates with no compatibility problems.

Conclusion

We just can’t get over the fact that, for $50 more, you can get yourself the same dock with built-in speakers. That being the case, we’re not sure why anyone would choose to get the “component” version. If just a few bucks more buys the convenience of on-board sound along with all the other great features, the choice seems like no-brainer. For this reason, we had to knock our rating down a half-point and suggest, instead, checking out the NAS-SV20i.

Highs:

  • Accesses Internet radio, network music and anything on iPod/iPhone
  • Analog input
  • Wired or wireless Internet access

Lows:

  • Dated look and feel
  • Display supports only three B&W lines
  • No video output
  • Buggy network access
Caleb Denison
Digital Trends Editor at Large Caleb Denison is a sought-after writer, speaker, and television correspondent with unmatched…
These Beats ANC headphones are $100 off today
Beats Studio Pro on headphone stand.

One of the top headphone and earbud brands is and always has been Beats. Renowned for bass-driven sound profiles and iconic designs, Beats has been delivering stellar over-ear ANC products for many years, so we’re ecstatic to direct your attention to this great offer: For a limited time, when you purchase the Beats Studio Pro Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones, you’ll only pay $250. At full price, this model sells for $350.

We tested these headphones two summers ago, and our reviewer had this to say: “You still pay a premium for the Beats brand, but the Studio Pro is worth it.”

Read more
The 8 best QLED TVs for 2024
Hisense U8N QLED TV.

Editor's note: The best time of year for TV deals is during Black Friday. In addition to many of the first deals on new products — like $300 off on the Sony Bravia 9, the best overall QLED — it's the perfect time to pick up one of last year's models if you can find them. Check out our other Black Friday deals for even more savings on the best headphones, laptops, and more.

If you’ve been shopping around for a new TV, your brain is likely chock-full of acronyms and tech terms. We’re willing to bet that you’ve seen one group of letters again and again while researching the best TVs of 2024: QLED. An acronym for “Quantum Dot Light Emitting Diode,” a QLED TV combines traditional LED backlighting with a layer of quantum dots. (We have a full explainer that answers the "what is QLED" question, too.) When charged, these dots enhance the brightness, colors, and contrast levels of a QLED, making for some of the most vibrant colors you’ll ever see on a modern set. And because they can get so bright, QLED TVs are some of the best sets for brightly lit rooms. 

Read more
The 6 best OLED TVs for 2024
sony bravia 8 oled

Editor's note: The biggest shopping day of the year — Black Friday — is almost here, and there are already TV deals you can grab. You can get Samsung's 65-inch S90C for only $1,000. It's a deal that we think makes it the best OLED to buy right now. You can save on more than just TVs on Black Friday. Check out our other Black Friday deals for more sales on headphones, streaming devices, phones, and more.

If you're on the hunt for the best TV for whatever you're into — movies and TV, sports, or gaming (check out our list of the best gaming TVs) — sitting at the top of the TV pyramid are OLED TVs. In lieu of traditional LED backlighting, OLED TVs use millions of self-emissive pixels (that create their own light and are not backlit) to create rich colors, inky blacks, and zero light blooming — in short, arguably the best picture in the business. Over the last several years, LG has been the predominant manufacturer of OLED TVss, but now the company competes with Samsung and Sony in the OLED marketplace. 

Read more