Matsui DAB adapter £14.97

eddy_current_2

Just noticed that the Matsui DA-1 DAB adapter in Curry's is now £14.97. This unit plugs into the 'aux' socket of your existing stereo / hifi to enable you to listen to DAB digital radio if it is available in your area. The unit has remote control, 10 preset memories and clock/alarm functions. Power is provided by a 6v mains adapter (included).

fladda

A collegue noticed this last week. But he found that they were out of stock on line, and also in all the local stores (in the East Midlands).

Ralph

ollyshaw

I had one, got rid of it as the wire arial wasnt up to it. Also I hear that DAB is changing soon so maybe not the best time to buy?

Olly

gorilla

I picked a couple up in the Belfast branch. They had loads on the shelf priced at £35, but they scan at £14.97.
DAB will be around for a long time yet, certainly longer than FM/MW so £15 to convert your existing FM Hi-Fi seems like a bargain to me.

welshblob

Does it do FM as well or only DAB?

Lütz_Pangaloo

Nope - it doesn't do FM as well - just DAB.

I bought one before Christmas for similar sort of money. I haven't tried it on my hifi - I read somewhere that DAB is supposedly a bit rubbish sound quality wise due to the low bitrates used, and sometimes it makes a horrible squawking sound which might put paid to one's tweeters!

I think the 'new' DAB standard sets to address the quality issue, but I don't know if it will be backward compatible with existing kit.

The aerial really is just a bit of wire (similar to a clock radio), and it hasn't got provision for connecting an external aerial, so reception might be patchy for some, but it works fine for me on the AUX input to my PC soundcard.

I'd say it's been well worth £15, but perhaps it would be wise for any prospective purchasers to read up on 'new' DAB and it's ramifications before they take the plunge.

sinbad_3

bought one of these last year and it works a treat. gives me stations I could not get in my local area on fm.
to you doubters, what do you expect for £14? bells and whistles?

Lütz_Pangaloo

I just wonder if the recent big price drops of many existing DAB receivers might have anything to do with this;

http://www.digitalradiotech.co.uk/articles/All-DAB-receivers-will-be-obsolete-in-a-few-years-time.php

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The Trooth is Out There - for anyone that give a ***t

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EdCov

I believe there is also new spectrum going to be used for DAB.

I think it went out for tender on 1st December 2006, since this is on different spectrum not sure if this player will pick it up.

I have DAB - it is such appalling quality that I never listen to it. Not the content but the quality of the broadcasts, perhaps that I'm in a poor signal area, but not worth it.

ManAtHome

Heavily compressed to squeeze loads of channels in - nowhere near a half-decent tuner, but passable as a portable/walkman type unit or maybe MOR pop radio.

thefirs

The comments above about the quality of DAB and of the likely lifespan of the standard are all well made. The bitrates of freeview radio channels are consistently higher than DAB, and for a few pounds more you could get a budget STTB to feed your audio system. IMHO the DAB is suitable a s a kitchen radio to give you a choice of extra channels, but not likely to satisfy someone who actually listens to radio over the stereo system.