The design is nice, the mechanics a little awkward, the tape drive is funky, and the remote is flimsy but the SOUND, oh, my, the SOUND is wonderful. It's far better than my $250 Sony and better overall than any other stereo that I've owned.I know, I know, it's hard to believe a $50 stereo sounds great but this one does. Try it in the store, if you can. I'm not sure how or why it sounds so much better than everything else available for less than $250 but it does.