Replacing FM/DAB tuner with internet radio

[ultraminiature]

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

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:

I agree with others that internet radio is my choice having been listening to FM with a high quality aerial for decades. Radio 4, 4 Extra, Radio Three are among my main choices. So for most of my audio listening I can use a browser and pop out the current playing programme. My speakers are wireless streaming active speakers and have built in internet radio. This is at a higher quality than DAB, Freeview or Freesat and in stereo when DABs, Freeview and Freesat are mono.

From summer this year they will shift TV to internet streaming with Freeview and Freesat being reduced and disappearing.
Many internet radios used TunelIn which has been blocked from using BBC station with no update. The system used did not bean count listers which the BBC wanted for statistics and to track habits. So you have to check if the radio will connect to BBC stations. B&O updated their internet radio moving from TuneIn and no long announce the service will be disconnected on BBC Radio 5 and Radio 6.

Adding a Beosound Core I know works now. I assume Wiim Pro does as no comment from UK owners not being able to get BBC stations all the others I would ask first.

 

[A-Line]

I use ReVox Joy 119 digital receiver for DAB/HD radio/Bluetooth/Audio Server.
The amp portion is a digital one and has its own DAC. I've no use for the amp.
I run the digital out to my McIntosh MCD 500 CD/SACD player Quad Differential DAC's as it's much better than the internal ReVox DAC.
The regular FM tuner portion is no match to the organic sound from my Magnum Dynalab 90t analog tube tuner. This unit is used with my digital playback system which is all tubes except the CD player and ReVox unit.

This unit affords me more music options especially live broadcasts that are only available in HD radio/DAB.

There are better music servers out there but at much higher price and I'm just a simple analog guy with my money going towards that luscious organic analog sound. 😎

 

[tino]

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.

I bought a Raspberry Pi Zero 2W and added piCorePlayer, Logitech (Lyrion) Media Server and BBC Sounds, I can now stream BBC Sounds content including all the BBC radio stations to any DLNA device … such as an Arcam SA30 if I had one.

Took about an hour to set up but now have a BBC Sounds server / streamer for roughly £25. Doesn’t take up too much room … smaller than a cigarette packet.
Maybe too much if a faff if you’re not into DIY.

 

[Gray]

...Freeview and Freesat are mono.

Last time I listened, radio (and TV) stations on those platforms were stereo for me

 

[Ferdy Bossy]

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

 

[Ferdy Bossy]

I agree with others that internet radio is my choice having been listening to FM with a high quality aerial for decades. Radio 4, 4 Extra, Radio Three are among my main choices. So for most of my audio listening I can use a browser and pop out the current playing programme. My speakers are wireless streaming active speakers and have built in internet radio. This is at a higher quality than DAB, Freeview or Freesat and in stereo when DABs, Freeview and Freesat are mono.

From summer this year they will shift TV to internet streaming with Freeview and Freesat being reduced and disappearing.
Many internet radios used TunelIn which has been blocked from using BBC station with no update. The system used did not bean count listers which the BBC wanted for statistics and to track habits. So you have to check if the radio will connect to BBC stations. B&O updated their internet radio moving from TuneIn and no long announce the service will be disconnected on BBC Radio 5 and Radio 6.

Adding a Beosound Core I know works now. I assume Wiim Pro does as no comment from UK owners not being able to get BBC stations all the others I would ask first.

Was always happy with my Quad tuner, still use the Quad amplifier that drives the Kef R3 together with the active subwoofers from KRK. I first used the BlueSound Node 2i as a preamplifier, now sometimes as a radio. Started late with Spotify thought it was over the top, have LP's & CD's so why Spotify. The radio doesn't always play the music you want to hear. And Apple Music (classical) simply sounds the best with ALAC lossless, not only that, but also the music I want to hear. I really recommend that anyone who still listens to the radio at home subscribe to a streaming service. Use the RME ADI 2 FS DAC as a preamplifier, the loudness function is fantastic, this makes the music always sound the same regardless of the volume.

 

[ultraminiature]

Last time I listened, radio (and TV) stations on those platforms were stereo for me

Local radio is not on Freesat. Local radio and BBC World Service on Freeview are in mono and bit rate of all BBC stations is lower than over internet radio.

Live TV from BBC is often in 6 channel but iPlayer only has stereo.

 

[ultraminiature]

I connect my computer to my hi-fi. Although my speakers include internet radio and it works very well. They also managed to update the software for the changes when BBC stations changed their format and method for streaming where as many internet radios using TuneIn did not offer updated software.

Internet radio is 320kbps for BBC stations so is of a higher quality than DAB, DAB+, Freeview or Freesat. Freeview is 192kbps and DAB 128kbps or lower. Local radio in mono and not as good as Stereo FM.

I usually have the speakers set up for surround sound from the computer for movies and TV programs so stream BBC stations and others from a browser. I expect what ever changes with withdrawing Freeview and Freesat to streaming over Freely and to reduce costs of the ever increasing expensive transmitters and the lowering of cost over the internet DAB is on the way out. Even in cars wi-fi over cellular networks is already possible and possibly better than DAB or FM with poor aerials in cars. It does not need to be that way. They could provide all 320kbps DAB stations but prefer to issue more mono low bit rate licences.

You can cast internet radio from a mobile phone over wi-fi to keep the quality via uPnP and DNLA. Bluetooth is easy but adds compression and is lossy. If a computer is not at hand connected to the hi-fi (wired or over wi-fi) then a streamer/internet radio can be connected to the aux input or digital input to use the existing DAC in some amps like the Arcam SA30 amplifier you have. Use wi-fi uPnP in preference to compressed but lossless Airplay 2 and either better than over Bluetooth.