Dab radio gives variable quality on different stations ?

[admin_exported]

The dm37 got best product award for 2008 and 5 stars, but I find a significant noticeable difference in sound quality on different dab stations tuned in fully, is this true for all hi-fi systems as I believe there are issues with dab radio ?

 

[matthewpiano]

Yes, DAB certainly does have its issues, namely COMPRESSION. Some stations are more compressed than others, just the same as Freeview TV. Ever noticed how ITV2 looks incredibly ropey compared to BBC1? Well its the same thing that makes one DAB station sound poorer than another.

DAB is great for choice, and Denon make cracking tuners, but do yourself a favour and try the FM side with a good roof aerial on those stations where its available.

 

[John Duncan]

Yup - DAB stations broadcast at varying bitrates - anything from 32kbps to 192 and up.

 

[chebby]

DAB radio is terrible quality as a hifi source. (Ok for a kitchen radio maybe.)

FM has far better quality* but comparatively little station choice.

Radio from Freeview (or Virgin Cable or Sky) has better bitrates than DAB and usually more choice than FM and is even better when fed from a digital optical output through a good DAC.

Internet radio can range from excellent quality to pretty dire depending on the station (and the bitrate) but the choice is epic. (Thousands of stations.)

*Assuming you have a properly installed FM roof aerial and get decent reception.

 

[Andy Clough]

Getting a decent signal on DAB can be a problem too, depending on where you live. Even here in south west London broadcasts are prone to break-up and suffer what is known as "babbling brook" syndrome, a sort of squelching noise when the signal is weak.

 

[the record spot]

BBC Scotland often suffers from this - particularly during their SportSound broadcasts which is annoying when you want to listen a game!