Replacing FM/DAB tuner with internet radio

[derekc2309]

I have the following system:

Arcam T32 tuner (FM and DAB)

Arcam SA30 amplifier

PMC 25 26i speakers



The DAB part of the tuner is inconsistent in that it works sometimes but at other times I get no signal. I suspect that it’s the tuner at fault since I’m in a good reception area with an external roof aerial. I’ve also tried a portable aerial with similar results.



I listen to classical music, mostly through BBC Radio 3 but also via ClassicFM.



I have noticed on the ClassicFM site that they are upgrading their DAB to DAB+ from January. The Arcam T32 seems to be consistent with DAB+ but as I have already stated the T32 isn’t consistent. FM is fine.



I’ve investigated DAB+ and have discovered that in many cases internet radio is broadcasting at a higher bit rate than DAB, including BBC radio 3 (192 kbps v 320 kbps).



I am considering purchasing an internet radio to supplement or replace the Arcam T32. I’ve looked at:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Internet-P...c1f06c86&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1



Is this a good option? It would also give me the DAB+. Sound quality is my biggest priority, not hundreds of internet stations!!



Derek

 

[nopiano]

Welcome to forum, Derek.

As you’ve not exactly skimped on your system, especially the speakers, I think you should treat yourself to a proper streamer, as they all have internet radio capability plus the (perhaps not yet obvious) advantage of working with streaming services like Spotify, Qobuz and Tidal.

DAB is fine in the car, or on a portable radio with a whip aerial, but as a lifetime (well fifty year) fan of FM radio, I’m totally sold on internet radio.

But hang on, dig out your SA30 handbook, as doesn’t that have streaming capability built in? You can use Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi. And with Airplay, you can stream from BBC Sounds direct to the amp too.

Have you ever used that function in the SA30?

Arcam SA30 review

Old-fashioned amplifier meets modern-day streaming

www.whathifi.com

 

[derekc2309]

Hi. Thanks for reply.
Yes I have streamed to the SA30. What I am after (bit old fashioned!!) is a unit that sits with the rest of the Hi-Fi that has the DAB+ and internet radio 'built in'. I assume that you are suggesting streaming (including from BBC Sounds) from a phone or tablet?

Derek

 

[DCarmi]

Standalone hifi tuners are a bit of a rarity today. If the one you highlight does not suit then you do have a return option.

Personally, I'd go with something like a Google Nest Mini and say "OK Google. Play BBC Radio 3 on <whatever you call your SA30>". You can pick these things up from Ebay fairly cheaply.

(Though, to be fair, I mostly just cast BBC sounds from my phone, even though I have a device with DAB capability. )

 

[Rodolfo]

I have the following system:

Arcam T32 tuner (FM and DAB)

Arcam SA30 amplifier

PMC 25 26i speakers



The DAB part of the tuner is inconsistent in that it works sometimes but at other times I get no signal. I suspect that it’s the tuner at fault since I’m in a good reception area with an external roof aerial. I’ve also tried a portable aerial with similar results.



I listen to classical music, mostly through BBC Radio 3 but also via ClassicFM.



I have noticed on the ClassicFM site that they are upgrading their DAB to DAB+ from January. The Arcam T32 seems to be consistent with DAB+ but as I have already stated the T32 isn’t consistent. FM is fine.



I’ve investigated DAB+ and have discovered that in many cases internet radio is broadcasting at a higher bit rate than DAB, including BBC radio 3 (192 kbps v 320 kbps).



I am considering purchasing an internet radio to supplement or replace the Arcam T32. I’ve looked at:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Internet-Podcasts-Bluetooth-Majority-Fitzwilliam-Black/dp/B0B3RZWH32/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1OJBKDVVNWBVL&keywords=majority+internet+radio&qid=1695027537&s=electronics&sprefix=majority,electronics,70&sr=1-1-spons&ufe=app_do:amzn1.fos.cc223b57-2b86-485c-a85e-6431c1f06c86&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1



Is this a good option? It would also give me the DAB+. Sound quality is my biggest priority, not hundreds of internet stations!!



Derek

I like your option, and I'd especially like it if I still subscribed to spotify premium. This is one of my two; picked up a great deal on ebay a few years ago:

Amazon.com

It's quite basic, but works fine, and has been pretty well known for years. It doesn't talk or listen (which I prefer), but it is connected to the tuner input on my integrated, has a good remote, and brings in all the stations I like. There are a few youtubes illustrating its features well. It has DAB+. The other one I have is a desktop unit.

Enjoy your shopping and eventual selection.

 

[nopiano]

Hi. Thanks for reply.
Yes I have streamed to the SA30. What I am after (bit old fashioned!!) is a unit that sits with the rest of the Hi-Fi that has the DAB+ and internet radio 'built in'. I assume that you are suggesting streaming (including from BBC Sounds) from a phone or tablet?

Derek

Well, according to the review above your SA30 has TuneIn, a popular internet radio ‘collator’ or ‘integrator’ - not sure what the term is! A bit like google for radio stations. That carries most every station, but the BBC are trying to track our listening, hence the massive push towards Sounds - which is traceable to each user. And hence the Beeb are disabling the collation by TuneIn, and some devices already cannot work properly now .

BBC Sounds isn’t integrated into any streaming device I know of, but as you say it is available as an app on phones and tablets. That’s the second best way to hear BBC radio via the web, by streaming to the SA30. However, the best is from the TuneIn or an alternative service native to your streamer. You’ll get 320kbps on the main channels. If you like Radio Paradise that’s at CD quality, or 1.4Mbps!

On my Linn DS, the newer alternative to TuneIn is Airable Radio. Maybe your Arcam dealer or their helpline can advise you how best to get the BBC on your device today? Frankly, DAB is very poor in comparison, and you’ve obviously got limited reception so why bother?

 

[nopiano]

PS. Here’s a screenshot of popular stations from Airable Radio on my Linn app. Just FYI. But there are literally thousands from every corner of the globe!

 

[Jasonovich]

I have the following system:

Arcam T32 tuner (FM and DAB)

Arcam SA30 amplifier

PMC 25 26i speakers



The DAB part of the tuner is inconsistent in that it works sometimes but at other times I get no signal. I suspect that it’s the tuner at fault since I’m in a good reception area with an external roof aerial. I’ve also tried a portable aerial with similar results.



I listen to classical music, mostly through BBC Radio 3 but also via ClassicFM.



I have noticed on the ClassicFM site that they are upgrading their DAB to DAB+ from January. The Arcam T32 seems to be consistent with DAB+ but as I have already stated the T32 isn’t consistent. FM is fine.



I’ve investigated DAB+ and have discovered that in many cases internet radio is broadcasting at a higher bit rate than DAB, including BBC radio 3 (192 kbps v 320 kbps).



I am considering purchasing an internet radio to supplement or replace the Arcam T32. I’ve looked at:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Internet-Podcasts-Bluetooth-Majority-Fitzwilliam-Black/dp/B0B3RZWH32/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1OJBKDVVNWBVL&keywords=majority+internet+radio&qid=1695027537&s=electronics&sprefix=majority,electronics,70&sr=1-1-spons&ufe=app_do:amzn1.fos.cc223b57-2b86-485c-a85e-6431c1f06c86&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1



Is this a good option? It would also give me the DAB+. Sound quality is my biggest priority, not hundreds of internet stations!!



Derek

The Majority unit is an inexpensive / low risk way of adding Internet radio to HiFI. I actually did consider purchasing and I decided I rather stream my music, Spotify has podcasts that are worth listening. I believe you have Spotify on this unit, so that's a plus.

Judging by other people's comments, from Amazon particularly, it appears to be of good quality and performs well. However, I did note some gripes which might be worth factoring in before you decide to purchase.

The unit isn't hardwired with an RJ45 network socket; You only have the option of Bluetooth or wireless. It doesn't have a main switch at the back that you can totally turn off from the mains.
The remote isn't as responsive as it should be, it seems you need to point it directly at the unit.
Not like my TV remote, if the cat sits on it, it will scan a thousand channels within a minute!
some didn't like the fixed mains wire coming straight out of the back of the unit.

It has a nice interface, looks pretty intuitive and won't look out of place, next to more costly HiFI
And, USB for your music collection....Seems OK for the price

 

[nads]

Don’t replace it. Add to it.
what do you do if your internet supplier has a moment and you can’t access your device.

 

[Edbostan]

I have the following system:

Arcam T32 tuner (FM and DAB)

Arcam SA30 amplifier

PMC 25 26i speakers



The DAB part of the tuner is inconsistent in that it works sometimes but at other times I get no signal. I suspect that it’s the tuner at fault since I’m in a good reception area with an external roof aerial. I’ve also tried a portable aerial with similar results.



I listen to classical music, mostly through BBC Radio 3 but also via ClassicFM.



I have noticed on the ClassicFM site that they are upgrading their DAB to DAB+ from January. The Arcam T32 seems to be consistent with DAB+ but as I have already stated the T32 isn’t consistent. FM is fine.



I’ve investigated DAB+ and have discovered that in many cases internet radio is broadcasting at a higher bit rate than DAB, including BBC radio 3 (192 kbps v 320 kbps).



I am considering purchasing an internet radio to supplement or replace the Arcam T32. I’ve looked at:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Internet-P...c1f06c86&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1



Is this a good option? It would also give me the DAB+. Sound quality is my biggest priority, not hundreds of internet stations!!



Derek

Beware of Internet radio. I bought an Onkyo Network Player which used VTuner to process Internet radio. Eventually the BBC pulled its radio stations off VTuner and a few commercial radio stations likewise

 

[Gray]

Beware of Internet radio.

Good advice.
Apart from death and taxes nothing is guaranteed.
But internet streams can certainly never be relied on.

 

[nopiano]

Good advice.
Apart from death and taxes nothing is guaranteed.
But internet streams can certainly never be relied on.

Indeed, though it seems odd to add on something which is already in-built to the Arcam amp.

 

[nopiano]

Don’t replace it. Add to it.
what do you do if your internet supplier has a moment and you can’t access your device.

Much the same as when there’s a power cut. Find the transistor radio!

 

[record_spot]

These days, I use the VRadio app, which also carries the BBC stations and it goes in via the Bluetooth capability in the Cambridge DACMagic 200M.

 

[DiggyGun]

I previously used a Majority Internet Radio Adapter, which was very good, for a couple of years.

Found it was a good way of exploring new radio stations as we like traditional Jazz.

I then moved onto a Linn Digital Streamer, but it was a good way of testing the water before I did so.

Good luck with your search.

DG…

 

[Haroldon]

Considering your love for classical music and the upcoming transition to DAB+ by ClassicFM, an internet radio could be a great option.

 

[nads]

Considering your love for classical music and the upcoming transition to DAB+ by ClassicFM, an internet radio could be a great option.

Errrm they are going to ditch FM? Poor move by they it is crap by comparison..

 

[DCarmi]

Errrm they are going to ditch FM? Poor move by they it is crap by comparison..

No they've just upgraded from DAB to DAB+. FM still exists.

 

[DiggyGun]

Errrm they are going to ditch FM? Poor move by they it is crap by comparison..

Previously, the Digital Radio Action Plan proposed that the earliest date that the government could consider setting a switch-off timetable for FM and AM networks was when digital accounted for at least 50 percent of all UK radio listening.

However, switching off FM has been given a stay of execution until 2030, according to a Digital Radio and Audio Review by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Who knows after that.

DG…

 

[Haroldon]

Considering your love for classical music and the upcoming transition to DAB+ by ClassicFM, an internet radio could be a great option.

Plus, the higher bit rates on internet radio can offer superb sound quality.The one you've been eyeing on Amazon seems like a decent choice, especially if it covers your priorities. Sound quality should always come first, and having the bonus of DAB+ is a nice touch.

(Link deleted as not relevant to poster's question.)

 

[12th Monkey]

Plus, the higher bit rates on internet radio can offer superb sound quality.The one you've been eyeing on Amazon seems like a decent choice, especially if it covers your priorities. Sound quality should always come first, and having the bonus of DAB+ is a nice touch.

(Link deleted as not relevant to poster's question.)

Please refer to forum rules about trying to drive traffic to other sites.

 

[Tinman1952]

I wouldn't call Classic FMs move to DAB+ an 'upgrade'....despite the '+' it is more compressed than before! Internet radio is preferable in my opinion to FM but most internet radios pick up Classic FMs 128 kbps mp3 stream. The best quality is via the HD option in the Classic FM app which I understand is 192 kbps AAC...so quite an improvement. I use Airplay from an iPad and can clearly hear the improvement 👍

 

[DCarmi]

192 kbps AAC

Doesn't Airplay limit the bitrate to 16/44? Still better than DAB+ and CD quality.

 

[Tinman1952]

Doesn't Airplay limit the bitrate to 16/44? Still better than DAB+ and CD quality.

I think you are confusing bitrate and sample rate..... 192 kbps AAC but it's still 16/44.1 🙂
CD quality (via Airplay) would allow up to 1411 kbps.

 

[good_enough]

I picked up one of these https://www.majority.co.uk/music-systems/fitzwilliam/ off Facebook marketplace for 85 quid and it does a grand job. I use it Internet radio only. Untrumpeted by the manufacturer, but as described in https://www.audioappraisal.com/majority-fitzwilliam-dab-tuner-streamer-review/ it's controllable by undok so you can do all you want from your sofa.

Edit: just saw @Jasonivich mentions the exact same unit.!