hifi radio tuner?

gabardine_angus

I just have a general question, as I'm thinking about getting a DAB radio tuner separate for my hifi. I was wondering if you need to get a special aerial, and if it has to be a roof aerial or attached to the tv aerial socket?



I live in rented property so I can't very easily go out onto the exterior of the building and putting up aerials..


My other DAB radio (an old Pure evoke) gets an ok signal from where I am.

Belenus

Will a separate DAB tuner give better quality sound than using the Line Out or Aux Out on your Pure Evoke?

Many if not most DAB broadcasts are at a fairly low bit rate so not really Hi-Fi in terms of sound quality.

gabardine_angus

I do sometimes use the Pure and connect it to the amplifier, but it's a bit of a faff, having to first put the earphones in the radio headphone socket to stop the sound coming out of the radio speakers as well as the hifi speakers, then having to turn the volume up full (and remember to turn it back down again). It's not ideal.

Frozen_up_north

I have an old 8 series Cyrus FM and DAB tuner. As per the other reply, DAB is not really worth the cost of getting an elaborate setup. I use one of the commonly available vertical folded dipole type antennas in the loft and it picks up plenty of signals.

The tuner is 10 years old, but the technology hasn’t improved. There is a review of it at:
https://www.whathifi.com/cyrus/dab-80/review

gabardine_angus

That sounds good, Frozen_up_north. I was going to go for a Tibo, available on amazon for about £110, but EBay have older ones for less money. Alas I have no loft!! Would the antenna just fix to the wall or something, I wonder.

Belenus

How much will a dedicated DAB tuner cost you? (Edit: I posted this before reading your above post)

You could probably buy another Pure or other make of DAB radio for a lot less and have that permanently connected to your Hi-Fi and get similar quality results.

I'm a fan of high quality sound and I'm prepared to spend a lot of money on quality equipment to get good results but I wouldn't spend much on DAB until or unless the broadcast quality improves.

Moss5

https://www.halfords.com/technology/car-audio/stereo-fitting-accessories/autoleads-magnetic-dab-antenna
You are lucky, you have proved that DAB reception is available.
This simple antenna provided a good signal for me.
My other DAB radio had a different connector with a threaded nut.
Worth checking before spending on the wrong aerial.

Frozen_up_north

eBay have the Labgear antennas for £12.90, Item number:
191594952178

It is the type I use in my loft. Mount it vertically, as DAB transmissions are vertically polarised. The bracket supplied is to fix it to a mast, you would need to also source a wall mount bracket/mast, as well as cable and a suitable plug.

cranford

If you have got broadband get yourself an Echo Dot for £25, connect via the 3.5mm aux output and then just tell Alexa play radio one/three/ or your favourite radio station. No aerial required but you will need an Amazon account (no subscription required unless you want access to spotify etc) and either a smart phone to use the Alexa app or set up via amazon web site.