Although once derided, the all-in-one system has now been restored to hi-fi credibility, thanks to such products as the Arcam Solo Mini and the Myryad Mi. Yet, typically of Consonance, the Ping's construction would have seemed the norm twenty years ago, while the Solo and Mi make the most of modern miniaturisation.

The Ping's CD transport is a perfectly normal one, the power supply is linear and based on a big toroidal transformer, while the monoblock power amplifier boards use, for the most part, through-hole components with a cool class A output stage. In truth, the highly integrated tuner module is smaller than those of yore, but there's room for a larger version.

More contemporary is the 'A-format' USB socket – which is intended for use with a PC. The same as those normally found on computers, it looks as if it might be compatible with an MP3 player, but the Ping doesn't read such devices and connects instead via the useful five-metre cable provided with the unit.

Solid construction

If there's one area where the Ping definitely blows away the competition, then it's in the solidity of the assembly. The front and side panels are 10mm-thick aluminium, while the entire unit screams 'high end' in a way that most affordable all-in-ones just don't. By contrast, the Ping loses out in the flexibility stakes.

The addition of a second line input, a line-level output and, perhaps, digital in and/or out would have been a real boon to this product. Other features that strike us as odd include the electronic volume control – '80 steps' is perfectly acceptable, but several at the top of the range do absolutely nothing and level '70' is just one dB lower than '80'. Normal listening levels will be around the '30' mark, at which point step size has increased from 0.5dB to 1.5dB, getting even coarser lower down.

When the component that actually regulates volume is capable of smaller steps (experience suggests that 1dB is about the resolution that one needs to find the 'perfect' listening level), setting up the control system like this strikes us as a wasted opportunity.

In terms of day-to-day operation the Ping is pleasant enough. It reads CDs briskly and quickly responds to buttons pressed on the front panel or remote control. The latter adds a few functions that are not otherwise available, including selecting the internal sampling rate (digital filter) for CD replay. Unusually, this also affects the playback level by a perceptible amount.

As with many units, its mains switch is at the back, but 'standby' uses very little power. An alternative red and black colour scheme is available for the visually bold.

Audio performance

Obviously there is plenty to say about a product with as many features as this, but if we had to sum up the Ping's performance in one word, it would be 'characterful'. In any mode, with any kind of music, it has its own view of things. In other words, if you are after the plain unvarnished truth this may not be the perfect product for you. But even though that implies that the Ping is ultimately untrue to the highest ideals of hi-fi, we aren't inclined to be dismissive.