DAB Radio.

Sparkologist · 04-12-2004, 14:50

Does anyone on Accyweb own a Digital Audio Broadcast radio.

I am looking to buy a DAB radio, and would like peoples opinions of them before splashing the cash. I listen to 6Music on the BBC website when I am on my laptop and also 5Live Sports Extra occaisionally. I want to listen to a choice of radio stations without listening to the cooling fans on the computer.

I have heard that the sound quality is not as good as Fm transmission, so I don't know how it would sound listening via a pair of headphones.

Having done a search to acertain which radio stations we are able to receive in the Accrington area, it seems there are more stations to listen via to DAB, that suffer from poor reception on the Fm and Am wavebands.

Can anyone help me with advice, or voice their experiences.

yerself · 04-12-2004, 16:47

I bought one a couple of weeks ago and it beats FM hands down, going back to FM could be likened to going back to dial-up after using broadband for a while. I was so impressed with mine I bought a second (cheaper) one to take to work. They have them in Comet at Whitebirk where you can have a play and listen to them. If you go on the BBC website there's a facility to enter your postcode which gives you an idea of which channels can be received at your location.

Steven · 04-12-2004, 17:27

Also how much do they cost???

yerself · 04-12-2004, 18:20

You can buy a cheap one for approx £40. Sky's the limit after that.

entwisi · 04-12-2004, 18:27

Technically it is no where near the quality of FM broadcast. Plus they are squeezing even more stations into the same bandwidth so it is only going to get worse as they increase the compression on the audio stream . For general listening it will be fine. If you are an audiophile you will hate it.

Ian

vorlon24 · 04-12-2004, 22:37

Is there no way of increasing the bandwidth then? I am not particularly knowledgable about the technical side of things, so forgive me if this seems like a stupid question!

accystankev · 05-12-2004, 15:46

we were gonna get one but dont think there avaliable in barnoldswick unless anybody knows different?

Steven · 06-12-2004, 23:48

so what does everyone think are they worth getting or sticking to the FM

entwisi · 07-12-2004, 08:37

Depends what you want. There is a lot of stations on DAB that are not available on FM. For the car or just listening whilst in the kitchen/doing something else or you have a specific station that is DAB only then yes I would say they are worth it. If you want to sit and listen to music as a hobby then no.

It sort of equates to the same situation with stored music. We spent years with vinyl then CD came along and we were all told how much better it was. In the whole it is however a top vinyl system will easily blow away a cheap CD system. Then the world went MP3 mad. Sound quality of the vast majority of MP3s is far poorer than CD but because we can now have music collections a size that would be unheard of 10 years ago we put up with it.

At the end of the day you pays your money........

vorlon24 · 07-12-2004, 11:15

Or you download it...

entwisi · 07-12-2004, 12:36

I wasn't referring to the MP3s

)

simon · 07-12-2004, 13:24

I agree entwisi... I remember when cd's first came out and compared to vinyl on a linn record deck there was no contest..... And I have yet to be conviced that any cd system can top the best in vinyl....

entwisi · 07-12-2004, 13:49

A good CD player within a good setup( read same sort of cost that you would consider spending on a Linn with decent cartridge/arm/amp/etc) will give it a very close run. Personally I prefer the CD setup as you don't need to be buying first pressings etc. In a blind test I think you would tend to prefer the CD although there is the 'gut feeling' that using vinyl gives. However we are talking silly amounts of money and at that level the human ear is probably the weakest link in the chain. I used to sell quality kit and it really is a case of listening and deciding if you can hear a difference and if that difference is worth the cost to upgrade. As with most things as you move up the chain it is an ever decreasing return for your investment.

PS If you are interested I have a set of Quad Electrostatics for sale

vorlon24 · 07-12-2004, 13:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by simon

I agree entwisi... I remember when cd's first came out and compared to vinyl on a linn record deck there was no contest..... And I have yet to be conviced that any cd system can top the best in vinyl....

That may well be the case Simon, but you can't beat CD or MP3 for versatility. How many people do you know with a record deck in the car?

There is also the problem of buying new stereo systems with a record deck. For myself I will always have a turntable as I have some 300 albums, singles, etc that are just not available to either buy or download (legally or otherwise).

Besides, its nice to sit by the record player sometimes and play a few.

But if you want convenience, it has to be a CD. MP3 is fast catching up, and will be the ultimate in these terms, but not just yet.

simon · 07-12-2004, 14:22

Entwisi the problem is once you have heard a REALLY nice full and rich sound, You compare everything else to it

And I probably am using slightly rose coloured glasses through my memory

I remember changing from cassette to cd in my car, I had a fully active system in my car seven pheonix amps alpine controls and head unit, Just under 1000 watts rms. And there was more feeling and emotion from a metal tape recorded from vinyl than a CD, but cd was easier cheaper.

I want to hear what the mike hears in the studio when I am listening to music, Fussy ****** I hear you say.. can't help it

But I have just a little denon setup with celestion speakers and NO record deck at home, Neighbours limit me

So yes I have been dragged along with "advancements" but am not sure they are "better" Easier for sure..

Vorlon........ My record deck in my car was a cassette deck with a good tape recorded from a good vinyl system.. But yes am on CD's because of cost, ease etc (but not ultimate sound for me)..