All items available from Loud 8: Clear, 520 St, Vincent Street, Finnieston, Glasgow (0141 221 0221)and 26 Hamilton Place, Stockbridge, Edinburgh (0131 226 6500)_ Except Sharp IvliniDisc pOrtable and lvtiniSystem, call 0800 262 958 for nearest stockist or go to wwwsharpcouk

BUDGET MINISYSTEM

Sharp MD-CZH 3CD-3lle

around £300

You could criticise this IvliniSystem for its overly butch styling, but then you get a bewildering array of features to compensate for the eyesore looks. The main draw IS the triple CD and IvliniDisc changers, which allow for multiple copyright infringements and hassle-free one- t0uch recording. The unit is also edurpped With an RDS Flvl/AM tuner, and pumps out a respectable 50 watts per channel.

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CD PLAYER Sony CDP-XB74OE £200 If it’s entry-level separates yOu’re after, the boring black boxes of old still reign supreme. That said, this sturdily constructed Sony is no eyesore and comes packed with features. There's a chOice of coaxral or optical digital outputs for making digital recordings, a CD Text display so you can keep track of what you’re listening to, and the ’E’ means the machine has been tweaked to match British tastes.

Sony CD player, available from Glasgow Sony Centre, 16 West Nile Street, 248 7077, Edinburgh Sony Centre, 103 Lothian Road, 229 9123.

PERSONAL MINIDISC

Sharp lle-SR6OE

around £180

Since MP3 is of debatable quality, and the cheapest player will cost you £200, the best way to experience music on the move remains MiniDisc. This Sharp model, as well as looking rather fetching, allows for recording vra superior optical cables and a mono facility to dOuble the length of your discs. And, given

the IvID-SR60E's near-CD s0und

quality, you can add lvliniDisc to

yOur home hi-fi for less than

half price.

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Shoptalk

Spend, spend, spend. . .

MERCHANT SQUARE HAS recently opened in Glasgow's Candleriggs area. The conversion of the former market features several pubs and eateries but also a selection of retail outlets. If you haven't been in before check out La Bottega di Mamma Ro; this Italian franchise opened last year on Bell Street but now also forms part of the square. You'll find an array of home furnishings, glass, ceramics and fabrics in vibrant Mediterranean colours. Other shops include N. Guy contemporary jewellers, Classics In The City CO shop and The Gift Merchant.

lvllNlDlSCS MAY NOT yet be a feature of every home, but it’s tempting to run out and buy some even if you don't have the player when they look like this. TDK has launched its limited edition XS-iV DESign Line 2. Armed at those who ’lead an active and excessive lifestyle’, three international designers have been slavrng away to get the look Just right. A five-pack, priced £799 is available from HIle, Virgin, Our Price,

3

Tower Records and independent retailers.

BYRES ROAD HAS a new fashion outlet to boast about. The area better known for its charity and retro shops is now home to Jett. The ladieswear

MARKET

outlet has a modern design and spacious feel and you'll find stacks of exclusive labels including Armand Basi, Versace V2, Boxfresh and All Saints. Jett is at 181—183 Byres Road, 0141 357 3344.

WEARING A PINK ribbon to support the Breast Cancer Campaign IS now possible in an altogether different manner. This month Ann Summers is launching ’Frisky', a black G- string complete wrth symbolic ribbon, and Will donate £1.25 per item to the charity. Available for £4.99, see wwwannsummerscom for

details.

IKEA IS PLANNING to celebrate the first birthday of its Edinburgh store by finding five teams of people willing to spend three days and nights living in its room settings. Those who perform best will win £2000 worth of IKEA furniture. If you're up to the challenge call the hotline on 0901 122 2287 or pick up an application form in-store. West coasters will be pleased to learn that plans are also taking shape for a Glasgow-based store.

WINTER WOOLIES ARE no doubt on yOur shopping list now our blazmg hot summer has ended. TK Maxx has launched its wrnter range, With savrngs of up to 60% on labels for men, women and kids. Catwalk trends it IS picking up on this season are 'Fab FortieS' With tailored Surts, as well as cashmere, tweed and leather designs,

5—19 Oct 2000 THE lIST 115