AMPLIFIER
The Cameo's amp delivers a quoted 50W per channel into 8ohm and 100W into 4ohm. It uses high current output transistors to ensure easy compatibility with 'speakers, and features five line inputs and one switchable MM phono/aux. Also, round the back there are separate tape and pre-amp outputs for recording and upgrading, plus a single set of gold-plated `speaker terminals for that touch-of-audiophile sophistication. A headphone output, discretely placed at the bottom of the unit in the thin black arc, completes the facilities. A large central rotary volume control ensures you can't mistake this amp for anything else than a Myryad.

CD PLAYER
The CD player features a 24bit/96kHz Crystal DAC (although it won't play 24/96 audio discs), seven separately regulated power supplies and a 100% DC-coupled circuit. As far as outputs go, there's a single digital coaxial to complement the single analogue stereo pair. CD text, if present, is also shown. The window display is of the tried and trusted 'music calendar' type  - easy to read and understand.

TUNER
This is based on the FM-only, top of the range Myryad MT100 but has the added appeal of RDS facilities. Up to twenty nine presets are programmable. Unlike the MT100 there's no rotary tuning knob, but the system remote control ensures you don't have to leave your chair to select another station. The central display window shows your choice of station with commendable clarity. When in standby mode the tuner displays the time, in a nod towards mass household appeal.

PERFORMANCE
This is a highly user-friendly machine, thanks to the Cameo's My-Link system (connected with the only supplied leads) which will, with a press of the 'standby' button on the remote, kick start the whole system. The red standby buttons all turn to 'operation' mode - blue - and you're ready to roll. Pressing the standby button on the fascia of the CD player or tuner will fire up just that component and the amp, whilst the fascia standby button on the amp will have the same universal effect as the remote button. 

The overall feel is one of balance, treading carefully between specialist hi-fi and mass market appeal in both looks and sound. The Cameo doesn't deliver the most neutral sound on the planet but neither does it have Gauginesque coloration. There's no edge to the treble and the bass is filled out rather then accentuated.

Reference Recordings' CD of Copland's 'Fanfare For The Common Man' didn't always cut the mustard with the Cameo when it comes to precise detail, but it sounded full and open, with air a-plenty. 

Much better suited to the Cameo's sound were well produced mainstream pop and rock discs such as Supergrass' eponymous and full orchestral classical pieces. One gripe is that the remote won't scan tracks, only skip them. To scan you have to get off your butt and use the fascia's buttons.

Like the MT100, the tuner is very good. Programming and tuning is easily achieved by the remote and the signal is strong and full. In line with slight coloration of the amp, commercial stations sound marginally better than with other separates systems, which is a bonus. No signal strength meter is present, just a blue light to show the station is tuned and another to display stereo broadcasts, although thereís a mono switch available.

Whilst you never quite shake off the fact that the Cameo is a one purchase product, it definitely has the feel and sound of dedicated separates, detaching it from the taboo of being merely a 'system' and all that the word implies. It's a successful attempt to combine true hi-fi separates performance in the rapidly expanding lifestyle systems arena.

WORLD VERDICT
A bold attempt at separates to penetrate the 'lifestyle' market but the sound could be a little too thin for some.