[Guy 13]

(Move to another circle if needed.)

Hi all Audio Circle members.
Unless I am wrong (Would not be the first time and certainly not the last time) I think that within 10 years the FM as we know it, might not exist anymore and might be replace by FM Internet radio.
I won’t throw away (Yet) my Solid State Sony FM receiver
and I (Might) still buy later on my (Dream) Pioneer SS receiver with FM.
However, I am trying to find as much as possible information on Internet Radio Tuner.
Therefore, I need help from Audio Circle members that are already using and have experience with the FM Internet.
First a few questions to have a better idea at what Internet radio is and how it works.
(Questions in random order)
How do you download up-grades into your (RIT) Radio Internet Tuner?
Via USB/B-Internet and I am sure you need a computer (Lap top).

This is the make/model that I find is to my liking.
Sangean WFT-1 (225USD)

http://www.amazon.com/Sangean-WFT-1-Internet-Radio-Component/dp/B0017W3WDC

Which is better?
FM Internet or a vintage solid state Pioneer FM receiver?
What is the difference between FM and FM-RDS and RBDS ?
What is the difference between USB and LAN jacks?
Is there a disadvantage using WIFI vs direct connection to cable wall outlet?
Am I wrong if I say that the output voltages of the RCA jacks are between 1-2volts?
I guess the headphone output jack of the Sangean RIT with only 5mw would not be ideal to drive my Sennheiser HD-570 – 60 Ohms headphones?
Can you recommend any other RIT makes?
End of questions.
Thanks.

Guy 13


 

 

 

[Phil A]

Guy, here is some info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Data_System

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Serial_Bus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethernet

[Phil A]

I believe they only ship to the US but accessories4less.com has probably at least one stereo receiver with internet radio that is cheaper that the one you are looking at.  I had a Sansui TU-717 which was rated at number 17 on the FM Tuner info site (fmtunerinfo.com/shootouts.html) and I had it modded so I'd guess it is probably a top 10 tuner in the form I had it.  I have HD Radio in the processor in the main system and multiple systems with lots of FM tuners and more than one with internet tuner capability.  One problem is the availability of the number of quality local stations as well as anything that can impact the broadcast quality.  I have a discontinued Squeezebox Touch in the main system which is connected vs. ethernet (wireless connections can have issues vs. wired ones) to my network and I'm listening right now to my Pioneer 1120 receiver in the office system to Linn Records jazz station.  Linn has three 320bps stations and about 95% of the time I listed to their jazz station and the rest of the time to their classical stations and it sounds great.  I am not sure but I don't think any updates would impact the internet radio.  My Squeezebox Touch has had several updates but I am not aware of any impacting internet radio.  I'm sure others will have their opinions but I'll take internet radio for the quality and variety.

[Mike B.]

I own the tuner you are favoring. Pluses- Reasonable price, access to many stations though the Frontier Internet Radio portal. Minuses - sound quality is mid fi at best, user interface takes some getting accustomed to. I did mods to the power supply and output stage of my unit. I was able to get the sound quality much improved. I got mine about 1.5 years back and now there are some other alternatives to choose from.