jase555

looking for small portable DAB radio,

anybody have one, purchased one etc etc

and mainly is it worth it

thanks

jase

Jap2Scrap

The reception and choice of programme are really good but quality is not as good as analogue. The best way to describe it is like comparing a CD to a low bitrate MP3. Saying that, for what you'd use a radio for they're good enough for 90% of the population (including me) but the purists would argue against it. I borrowed a Phillips model off of my sister recently and was quite impressed.

It looked like this one but I can't guarantee it's exactly the same model. I would ask her but she's in Kenya.

Amazon

AndyC_772

iTrader: (2)

I bought a small portable DAB radio last year. The reception was shockingly bad, and even with a good signal it's no better on many stations than a 96k (or less) MP3. Through a decent hi-fi I found it unlistenable. I took it back.

msi

I bought this one a few months ago http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...587196-4183654

It's great, well worth it, 5Live and 6Music all day long!

mike1210

I have a Pure and am well happy with it, however not so long ago the bitrates all got lowered to around the 128 kbit/sec mark and i believe the sampling rate is only 32KHz. Off the record the BBC chappies will tell you that a decent analogue system sounds better. It does however benefit from less noise and the like. With the indoor ariel my reception was 60-70%, upgrading to an outdoor ariel saw that jump up to a constant 100%. I use it via digtial output to record straight onto my PC. I do think however if they had less channels with a higher bitrate, it would be better

amazinggrace

I was given a lovely DAB radio last Christmas while we were in Newcastle Upon Tyne, reception and sound quality were great. Loved it. Brought it back to Wales and get Doodley Squat! Not even a time signal. Very disapointed. I've emailed the BBC and the DAB people who can give me no idea whe our area will have a signal! I love my radio, just wish I could use it.

mike1210

have a look here

http://www.bbc.co.uk/digitalradio/

to check if you can get it.

XRS

I have a DAB radio in the Scoob and it's brilliant. Crystal clear at all times. I live on the south coast and only have one dead spot on my commute, and AM/FM struggled there too. Having said that I only listen to spoken radio (R4/5 Live) so can't comment on the quality of the music. I also bought a DAB for the house and again it's brilliant, (though heavy on batteries so we use it mainly on mains).

Check your local reception first, but I like mine.

JackClark

I have 'The Bug' as an alarm clock and to listen to BBC World Service. Works a treat.

GM

When I can get a signal it's great - but it seems to be affected by weather conditions to a much greater extent than analogue. Certainly had long periods when I can't get a signal (and I'm supposed to be in a "good" reception area). Mind you, the clock display is the first one I've ever had that I can read from my bed without having to put my specs on....

thundertiger

yeah reception can be a bit dodge,
but if you move house, planet rock is awesome!!!

"yeah, we're half way there........."

LOL

BB

Mungo

Get a roof FM aerial and you'll have all the radio quality you'll ever need. You might not get quite the range of programs offered by DAB, but the quality is great. I live in Surrey and can clearly pick up local stations from Oxford and Essex.

SupaMiniCupa

Really like mine! Not too bothered about the sound quality too much - If I like what they're playing I'll get it on CD...

I listen to 6Music for new stuff, and planet rock for old stuff. Both great!

Vegescoob

Sainsburys do a DAB/FM stereo radio in their own brand "RED" range.
I bought one for £50 a few weeks ago.
Last friday in our local Sainsburys they were on offer at £40, so I bought another.
Agree analogue more open but the extra stations is the draw.
No line out but headphone out and through my Grado SR60 'phones the sound is quite acceptable.
A cheap way into DAB imo.

GC8

The issue is bandwidth; theres only so much to go around and the BBC insist on squeezing as many as 'stations' into their allocation as possible, lowering quality. Digital radio might end up being superior, but right now its ****-poor.


Simon

Brother_Will

Ive got one in the scoob too, we had a transmitter go down in the recent storms and now im missing my 6 music. quality might not be brilliant but the programming on some stations is fantastic ie. 6 music.

I did mention BBC Digital Radio 6 music didnt i?

GC8

You did; but it sounds ****e..... unless you listen on DVB.

Vegescoob

Now I've got my Teac Reference 300 with DAB and Monitor Audio S5s run in, system I've got for the rented house we're in cos I've left my main stuff at home, yes DAB isn't a patch on FM.
That's just with supplied aerials, wire dipole on DAB, single wire on FM.
What's worrying is once FM transmitters are switched off, BBC can do what they like with DAB and really ignore quality.
Or will that mean more "space" for DAB?

Petem95

I see no need for one at all.

Theyre really trying to push the DAB radio's - constantly hear adverts for them on the analogue radio, and clearly not many people are bothering!

Vegescoob

I did think that but the greater choice of music channels does suit me.
Can find something to match my mood more easily.
But when you A/B on the same channel you can really hear that FM is better.

Fuzz

Had one bought me for my birthday (Sony one)
Took it to work when I started there as all they listened too was trance CD's.
Had a "line out" on it so jacked it into the aux input on the amp at work and everyone is well impressed with it.
It's now become the works radio I think.

Andy