PRE-ORDER/NEW MODEL: Denon D-M38 Micro AM/FM, CD System Featuring USB Input and iPod/iPhone Connectivity for $378.97 with free S&H at Amazon.com

Amazon has available for pre-order the new Denon D-M38 Micro AM/FM, CD System Featuring USB Input and iPod/iPhone Connectivity for $378.97 with free shipping and handling. That’s the lowest price available by $20. The predecessor model (the D-M37) received excellent reviews (see the 5 star review of the UK version at What Hi Fi?), and has been running low on stock for the past few months — the new model should be shipping soon.

Polk Audio – I-Sonic Home Entertainment System 2 (ES2) for $247 with free S&H at Electronics-Expo (after coupon “LSDA0714″)

Electronics-Expo has the Polk Audio – I-Sonic Home Entertainment System 2 (ES2) for $247 with free shipping and handling (after coupon “LSDA0714″). That’s the lowest price available by over $50. This tabletop HD radio is also Sirius satellite ready (with an add-on product) and includes an integrated iPod dock. It has received stellar reviews, including a 10 out of 10 rating at GadgetReview, and was “highly recommended” by UltimateAVmag. Links to numerous other positive reviews can be found at the Polk Audio website.

ONKYO CS-325 CD/Receiver 1-Disc Mini Audio System for $199 with free S&H at J&R Music World

J&R Music World has the ONKYO CD/Radio 1-Disc Changer Mini Audio System CS-325 for $199 with free shipping and handling. That’s a savings of at least $15 off the next best price I could find online (and beats my last mention of this product in February by $1) . It hasn’t been below $200 since Newegg sold out a couple months ago. Check out the review at Hi Fi Reviews for more info (or the review at Electronics Made Easy). If you are looking for a small system for your bedroom, office, dorm room, etc., this gives a lot of bang for the buck.

Onkyo HT-S5300 7.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver/Speaker Package with Dock for iPhone/iPod for $449.98 with free S&H at Vann’s

Vann’s has the newly released Onkyo HT-S5300 7.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver/Speaker Package with Dock for iPhone/iPod for $449.98 with free shipping and handling. That’s $150 below MSRP and the lowest price available (next lowest is $458.96 at Amazon). Onkyo has a good reputation for building quality HTIB systems (a category otherwise filled with a lot of mediocre products). This model includes all the speakers necessary for a 7.1 system and also comes with an iPod dock. Detailed information on this package can be found at the Onkyo website. You can also check out the review of the prior model S5200 (very similar but without 3D support and a couple other upgrades) at Audioholics.

UPDATE – ANOTHER $50 PRICE DROP: Denon ADV-M71 Integrated Progressive-Scan DVD Player and 2.1-Channel Amplifier for $249.99 plus $10.49 S&H at Cos Cob TV & Audio (via Amazon)

Cos Cob TV & Audio (via Amazon) has the Denon ADV-M71 Integrated Progressive-Scan DVD Player and 2.1-Channel Amplifier for $399.99 $299.99 $249.99 plus $10.49 shipping and handling. It’s the only place I could find a new in box (i.e., not refurbished) version of this now discontinued model. This unit sold for $599 when it was introduced circa 2003. It received an excellent review from Gramophone at the time. No blu-ray capability, but this would make a nice office or bedroom system paired with some good bookshelf speakers (perhaps the Jamo C401 2-way cherry color Concert series bookshelf speaker pair which are still selling for $79.88 with free S&H).

Meridian F80 Audiophile Tabletop Radio & CD Player on sale for $1,995 (33% off) with free S&H at Amazon

Amazon has the Meridian F80 Audiophile Tabletop Radio & CD Player on sale for $1,995 with free shipping and handling. It is available in several colors (all at the same price). It’s co-branded with Ferrari – hence the curvaceous design. I couldn’t find it for less than MSRP of $3,000 anywhere else. The review from Stereophile is glowing (as you would expect for a system in this price range).

DEAL ENDED: Denon RCD-CX1 CD/Super Audio CD Receiver for $1,288.16 with free S&H at Amazon.com

Amazon.com has the Denon RCDCX1 CD/Super Audio CD Receiver for $1,288.16 with free shipping and handling (down another $32 since last week). That’s the lowest price I could find by over $200. Denon seems to keep a tight rein on dealers, so its prices (particularly on the higher end items) are rarely discounted. It’s also $1,100 less than buying the functionally equivalent Denon separates on which this unit is based: the Denon DRA-CX3 Audiophile Stereo AM/FM Tuner/Amplifier currently sells for $1,199 on Amazon, and the Denon DCD-CX3 CD/Super Audio CD Player sells for $1,199 on Amazon. It received praise in this article in Stereophile. Although a combo unit such as this might turn off audiophile purists, the upside is it eliminates the need for a [potentially pricey] pair of interconnects, and is much less obtrusive than multiple components. Paired with some nice speakers, this would make a great system for someone who doesn’t want to agonize over the details of choosing separate components, but wants high end build quality.

SOLD OUT: Denon D-M37 (silver) for $332.99 with free S&H at Beach Audio

Beach Audio has the The Denon D-M37SCW in stock for $332.99 with free shipping and handling [Beach Audio also sells this through Amazon Marketplace for $320.43 but charges $31.15 shipping at that price]. It generally runs $399, and this is the lowest price I’ve seen since early February (when Beach Audio was selling it for $12 less before it sold out). This model is ranked as one of the best (See the review from the UK’s What Hi Fi, which selected it for the 2008 all in one Product of the Year Award). Ipod docks made by Denon (sold separately) can be connected. It also plays mp3 or wma files directly from USB flash drives (via a front panel USB port).

UPDATE – $50 PRICE DROP: Polk Audio SurroundBar360° DVD Home Theater System (Black) for $249.99 with free S&H at newegg.com (with coupon “AUDIO3265″)

Newegg.com has lowered its price on the Polk Audio SurroundBar 360 DVD Theater System to $249.99 with free shipping and handling (use coupon code “AUDIO3265″ get this price)(coupon expires 3/31/10). Cnet rated it 3.5 (out of 5) stars in its March, 2009 review. There’s another decent review (3 our of 4 stars) at bigpicturebigsound.com. This originally retailed for close to $1200.

For those of you seeking cutting edge video performance, this probably isn’t for you — there are no HDMI inputs, and the unit doesn’t play blu-ray discs (just DVD and CD). Be sure to read the cnet review and product description so you know what you are (and aren’t) getting. That said, it’s a pretty nice self contained receiver, dvd/cd player, and speaker system. I’ve had polk speakers for 24 years (and purchased another set in 2003) and have always been pleased with them.

ORIGINALLY POSTED 2/10/10; UPDATED 2/24/10; UPDATED 2/27/10; UPDATED 3/28/10

REFURB: Samsung HT-BD1250T Blu-Ray Home Theater System (refurbished) for $319.99 plus $20-$50 S&H at CircuityCity.com

CircuityCity.com has the Samsung HT-BD1250T Blu-Ray Home Theater System (refurbished) for $319.99 plus $20 to $50 shipping and handling. Even assuming the maximum shipping price, this still beats the best price available for a new, sealed-box unit by at least $110. I’m not usually a fan of HTIB systems, but this particular model received an excellent review from Cnet (which named it Best budget Blu-ray home theater system and also includes it on Cnet’s current list of Best 5 home audio products). It includes an iPod dock and can stream Netflix and Pandora.

Denon D-M37SBK – Micro Stereo System for $349 with free S&H at Abe’s of Maine (after coupon “LOYALTY10″)

Abe’s of Maine has the Denon D-M37SBK – Micro Stereo System for $349 with free shipping and handling (after coupon “LOYALTY10″). They are also including a 3 year warranty with purchase (which would otherwise cost $79). That’s the best price and longest warranty I could find at any of the major/reputable retailers (this model usually sells for close to its list price of $399). This system earned a five-star review from What Hi Fi?

Onkyo CS-V720 Micro Audio System with DVD CD Player for $349 with free S&H at J&R

J&R Music World has the Onkyo CS-V720 Micro Audio System with DVD CD Player for $349 with free shipping and handling. That just edges out B&H Photo Video‘s price by $0.99 (another recent price drop). Aside from B&H, it’s $35 better than the next lowest price I could find, and the lowest price I’ve ever seen on this unit. There’s a nice review at Cnet which describes the features and performance of this model.

Denon S-102 2.1-Channel DVD Home Theater System for $379.77 with free S&H at Onecall.com

Onecall.com has the Denon S-102 2.1-Channel DVD Home Theater System for $379.77 with free shipping and handling. That’s the best price I could find by at least $20, and significantly below it’s retail price of $1,000. As DVD is becoming “old” technology (and everyone is moving to Blu-Ray), it’s creating some very attractive bargains for those who don’t care about having the next hot thing. This is a high quality setup which would be great just for music.