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I'm radio gaga.

(12 Posts)
GabriellaG54 Thu 28-Feb-19 23:08:24

I haven't had a radio for a few years since I gave my last (not very expensive) one to a lady I visit who hasn't got one.
Yesterday, I decided to buy one for my kitchen and bedroom but looking online it's the same old story.
You buy their latest model and 6 months later they bring out an updated version...bah-humbug!
The two which caugbt my eye and had excellent reviews were the Ruark R1 mk3 dab radio and Roberts stream 94i. Both are bluetooth compatible but only the Roberts has internet radio.
Do any UK GNers use internet radio and are the thousands of other stations across the world, worth listening to?
I believe that the Roberts radio gets updates but that it isn't, at the moment, compatible with BBC DASH, whatever that is. The signal is also unreliable especially in rooms with certain lighting features. ??
I'll be shopping in John Lewis Chichester who have a good selection.

gillybob Thu 28-Feb-19 23:16:59

Oh Gabriella we had/have (but no longer use) a PURE dab radio. We replaced it last year with an Alexa (2 actually) where I can get almost every radio station crystal clear from anywhere.

RD001 Thu 28-Feb-19 23:20:56

I use my phone or iPad to listen online, and connect to a Bluetooth speaker. The Logitech X300 is quite cheap and very reliable. I usually download programmes off the BBC Sounds app and listen at leisure either at home or in the car.

MiniMoon Thu 28-Feb-19 23:53:52

I cannot get a radio signal in this house, and we have no digital radio in this area. I have Amazon Echos in my kitchen and bedroom. They play any radio station I ask for.

Scribbles Thu 28-Feb-19 23:54:06

I have the Roberts Stream 94i in both the kitchen and the sitting room and I'm delighted with them. We live in a very 'dead' area for FM radio and DAB reception isn't always great so internet radio was the obvious way forward. The sound quality is excellent for both speech and music and setting up the Wi-Fi connection is simple to do. It comes with multiple alarm settings if you want to use it as a bedside radio and a snooze timeout function if you like to drift off to sleep with the radio on.

I do listen to overseas stations occasionally - helps brush up my language skills - but I'm principally a speech radio enthusiast so my pre-sets are what you might expect: R4, R5, LBC and local radio.

The Bluetooth only works for streaming content from your other devices to the radio. You can't use it to listen to the radio through your Bluetooth headphones which seemed to me to be a pointless omission. However, it does have a socket to plug in wired headphones.

Overall, highly recommended.

GabriellaG54 Fri 01-Mar-19 20:45:09

Scribbles
Thank you very much for a detailed comment.
Today I've ordered (online) the two I mentioned plus a Pure Evoke C-D4 as I can pay with PayPal (my preferred method) and pick them up from Waitrose tomorrow.
I plan to trial them all over the weekend and will return the one I don't want on Monday.
I've read about the Roberts one having some receiver and update issues, also problems with it suddenly cutting out. Hopefully, I have good signals where I live and all will be well.
Thanks again for being so generous with your description. It certainly looks smart and hopefully live up to it's reviews.
flowers

phoenix Fri 01-Mar-19 21:00:38

My DAB radio is redundant since I got my Echo. Have added a Dot for upstairs. (Both bought when they were practically half price!)

Sound quality is excellent, can switch between stations by a simple voice command, plus many other benefits.

I know some have worries about Alexa/Echo/Dot "listening in" but any agency hacking in to our conversations about paint colours/floor coverings/what to have for supper etc would soon become bored!

NanKate Fri 01-Mar-19 21:55:19

We have 3 Alexas plus two battery operated radios as we both listen to separate programmes in bed. It helps drown out my tinnitus. We have radios of some sort in every room.

Scribbles Fri 01-Mar-19 22:50:19

Glad to be of help, Gabriella.
I remembered something earlier which I ought to have mentioned about the Roberts model: the On/Off switch has a very light touch and it's easy when using it to accidentally brush your finger against it and negate the action you've just performed. This doesn't happen if you use the remote control but mine keeps mysteriously migrating around the kitchen!

GabriellaG54 Tue 05-Mar-19 20:14:02

Update. Thanks for your views. I chose the Ruark R1 Mk3 and Pure Evoke P53 cd/Bluetooth/internet which has a remote.
Got £20 refund from JL after price-matching with an obscure online shop, electricshop.com which has a small bricks and mortar shop in Potters Bar.
JL refunded within a couple of hours. Excellent service.

GabriellaG54 Tue 05-Mar-19 20:24:19

Correction. It's a Pure Evoke cd-4.

Littleannie Tue 05-Mar-19 20:34:38

I listen to our local radio online. They also do a catch up service if you miss programmes first time round. Maybe I am a bit biased, as my son is one of the DJs!