DAB radio with aux input ?

Ebe_Scrooge

Hoping someone here can point me in the right direction. I'd like to buy a small DAB radio for the kitchen, seen some nice Roberts ones that get very good reviews for about £50 or so. So far, so good, that's about my budget.

But ... do any of them have the ability to play MP3s that I've got on my phone ? Not an iPhone, so those with a dock are no good. I'm thinking either via Bluetooth or just a USB connection. I'll be using the radio for the majority of the time, would just like the option of playing MP3s occasionally.

I know a lot of the mini hi-fi systems will do this, but I want just a small radio, and not looking to spend a fortune - about £50 - £60 max. Does such a beast exist ? Google seems to suggest not in that price range, unless the good folk of MSE know any different ?

Gyro

Came across this article the other day in the 'El Reg' pages: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/12/16/review_dab_bluetooth_combo_radios_group_test/

DevCoder

Get a Roberts and a FM transmitter for the mp3 player?

DevCoder

Like this
http://www.amazon.co.uk/JSG-Accessories%C2%AE-Transmitter-Players-SAMSUNG/dp/B00387NFWC/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1387573609&sr=1-5

flashg67

You might have to check the individual specs for the model you're after - http://www.robertsradio.co.uk/Products/DAB_radios.htm

Some models have a 3.5mm line in socket so you could buy a 3.5mm jack to jack lead for 99p and play from your phone/mp3 player that way

JohnB47

If the radio has Aux In connectors and your phone has Bluetooth technology, you could buy one of these:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-Wireless-Speaker-Adaptor-Bluetooth/dp/B0057BAB60/ref=sr_1_18?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1387577387&sr=1-18&keywords=usb+bluetooth+dongle+adaptor

You connect it to the aux in connectors and it receives the music transmitted from your phone via bluetooth, which is short range radio communication. I have one connected to my Ruark R4i and play music from my tablet pc. Sounds great. Needs to be connected to mains though, adapter supplied.

googler

krisdorey wrote: »

Get a Roberts and a FM transmitter for the mp3 player?

The OP wants a DAB radio, which won't receive FM transmissions ....

googler

This is a decent one for £69.95 ... As long as your phone has a headphone or Line output to feed the 3.5mm Aux In on the radio.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chronos-iDock-Series-Stereo-iPhone/dp/B002OOWBUW

buglawton

If the radio has a Bluetooth receiver built in - many have including some in the Register review linked above - and your phone also has Bluetooth, it's easy to play music from phone to radio.
I have a DAB radio with no Bluetooth but it was easy to convert to Bluetooth with a little £6 adapter, it sits on the radio's iPhone dock and does not need batteries.

Mr_Toad

I know this isn't what you asked for but I thought I'd share my solution to your problem, the only difference would be the cost.

I have a Pure Evoke DAB radio.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/EVOKE-Flow-Portable-Internet-Radio/dp/B001FA05YU/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1387623500&sr=8-9&keywords=wifi%2Finternet+radio

Because it can connect to my home wireless network I can play anything in my iTunes library. I can also listen to any of the thousands of internet radio stations, there are some fantastic ones as well as some odd ones.

It is also a superb radio. I tend to move it from room to room with me. It is in constant use and was worth every penny of its cost.

Roberts do a similar one as do other manufacturers.

DevCoder

googler wrote: »

The OP wants a DAB radio, which won't receive FM transmissions ....

Most DAB radios will also receive FM, certainly most of the Roberts range.