View Full Version : DAB digital tuner - comments
MarkB
25-03-2002, 12:10 PM
I would like to get a DAB tuner, may be sooner rather than later. Does anyone have any thoughts at all on the concept?
Mark
johnson
25-03-2002, 1:07 PM
I currently have one.
Not as good as expected.
The hype would have you beleive it's cd quality.It's not.
The sound is clear and free from hiss,but it seems to have a restricted frequency range.
It's missing the top and bottom end of the music I'm used to listening to.
It has nice info text(a bit gimmiky)but the sound isn't much different to a good FM tuner.
It's also interesting to note that not all radio stations on DAB have the same bandwidth.I think BBC radio 3 has the most.
Regards
Like all things... some are better then others. My friend has a Video logic DRX-601ES and it's a doll of thing £350 though. But if he wont sell it me, i'm buying one:)
eddiea
26-03-2002, 5:56 AM
I've owned a Sony D777ES for over a year now and love it, I listen to it every day, great sound especially with music, some of the dialog can sound bit heavy on bass because of transmission compression (Classic FM) but that does not bother me.
The only criticism I would make is the FM band can only be output through analogue, but I don't listen to FM much.
I am using optical output to my Denon AV11SR; my speakers are Monitor Audio Gold Reference speakers.
If I was buying another DAB I would look arround for new models particulary Arcam, the Sony has been around too long now.
Regards
eddie:)
johnson
26-03-2002, 7:29 AM
Originally posted by sean62
Like all things... some are better then others:)
Mine's a Tag AV32r-bp192.(3500gbp).
So I would assume it's one of the better ones.
I guess in the end it's what you compare it to (cd player wise)
Regards
Hmmm. Cheers.
Perhaps I'll just get a (good) analogue tuner for now. I'd like to think that eventually the quality of the programming will improve (less compression etc). I'd also like to think that one day DAB would allow 5.1 channel sound, but I'm probably at least 10 years premature.
Mark
having now been informed of the scheme......tag are selling refurb tuners at 400ish.......there arent many fm tuners as good for that money!!
ad
Garrett
01-04-2002, 2:17 PM
Johnson which make is it and model.
I fancied the Sony myself but the gold would not match my system, also I believe the Video Logic does not have RDS?
I also read that they have cut the stations power? on the BBC from 196? to 126? on the BBC except Radio 3. Seems they have something very good then cut back on the quality.
Sorry for all the ? going from memory from a article I read 2 months ago.
johnson
01-04-2002, 2:55 PM
Originally posted by Garrett
Johnson which make is it and model.
I fancied the Sony myself but the gold would not match my system, also I believe the Video Logic does not have RDS?
I also read that they have cut the stations power? on the BBC from 196? to 126? on the BBC except Radio 3. Seems they have something very good then cut back on the quality.
Sorry for all the ? going from memory from a article I read 2 months ago.
Mine is a Tag Mclaren av32r-bp192.
The figures you're reffering to are the available bit-rate,and yes Radio3 has the highest.
Most like Virgin and Capital have 160k/sec
Regards
Garrett
01-04-2002, 4:40 PM
How did I miss it, you posted it earlier, sorry johnson for my slip. Tag Mclaren I thought it would be the bees knees. I have a Audiolab 8000A and PX (who Tag bought out) and I cant fault it.
Yes the bit rate is what I was on about, looks like quality will make way for quantity.
Mark B have you tried listening to the radio on Sky if you have it.
johnson
01-04-2002, 5:20 PM
To be honest,I don't think the Tag is the limiting factor.
I think DAB is marketed to be CD quality,which it clearly is not.I also think it has the ability to be o.k but limiting the bit-rate is the same quality busting way the digital tv networks are spoiling things.(quantity over quality)
Regards
Mark B have you tried listening to the radio on Sky if you have it.
Garrett
I don't have Sky at the moment, but Sky+ is on the cards after my amp upgrade/replacement but it's a good idea and I had thought about it.
Mark
Garrett
02-04-2002, 7:46 AM
Mark B
If you take the right package out you not only get the normal radio stations, but you get a few free ones. No breaks in the music for talk, or adds, and if you have the TV on they tell you the artist, title, year, and which album it is off.
Excellent.:grin:
if you have the TV on the tell you the artist, title, year, and which album it is off.
Excellent.
That is excellent.
Mark