[Guy 13]

Hi all Audio Circle members.
I am really not sure if I am at the right place for my topic.
Please move it (To the right place) if you think
this is not the place for my topic.
That being said, here I go:
I am/was not interested in music via my computer/laptop.
However, a few days ago, I was browsing on the Internet
and I typed the following:
All FM stations in Montreal (My home town)
and it worked, I saw my favorite classical station CJFX 98,5
I gave it a try and sure enough, I could hear music, minds you
quality was not good with the built in computer speakers.
After searching on the web I found the following on Amazon:
Grace Mondo Radio Internet Tuner, it as a built in speaker
(Good for background/ambiant music the main purpose
of that future purchase) and it's really inexpensive at 149 USD.
I might gor for it when I have improved my router/WiFi range,
here the house is made all over with re-inforced concrete
and reception is not too good.
The router in on the third floor and I will be using the Grace Mondo
on the fourth floor, where my penthouse is,
penthouse without sexy girls of course,
the only sexy girl is my wife,
but she never come in my penthouse.
Anyone have experience with that unit, before I buy it after Christmas?

Guy 13

 

[toddbagwell]

Welcome, Guy.

I started a new topic for this post, just to make it easier to find on the circle.

Todd

[Hank]

Guy13, I was tempted by that one, but moved up to the Sonos 5.  It sounds great - much better than the B___ Wave Radio,  Very nice background music player.

[JLM]

A month ago I picked up a Logitech UE Smart Radio ($99) from Amazon, competitor of the Grace Mondo, and am very satisfied.  I choose the UE because it does Apple Loseless (that I have since ripped all my CDs into on my iMac), reportedly it sounds a bit better than the Mondo, AC member nature boy reported that it sounded good via quality headphones (thanks again), and it was cheaper.  Hookup was reasonably simple (but the manual was too simple for me, a computer caveman).  It does require reinstall of online software to link to my computer again each time the router has a hiccup) and once it froze (requiring holding down the power button for a minute).  Note that I tried a Squeeze Box 3 years ago, but setup was monstrous and had too many 'glitches' that I could only solve with weeks of trial and error, so I bailed out and returned to spinning CDs.

It replaces clunky/bulky audio leftovers in the living room system that is used for casual listening after the 12 year old receiver died.  Sound quality is plenty good enough for background use (the nature of the 'sins' are of omission) and my primary fear (that it wouldn't 'fill' the large space - open concept to entry, loft above, dining, etc.) was unfounded (haven't needed to turn it up past 40 of 100).  6-hour battery rechargeable batter on board means you can just unplug and take it anywhere (within range of your wireless router).  BTW its black glossy plastic would be a perfect match for the well reviewed $300/pair very compact PSB Alpha PS1 powered speakers (that have a subwoofer output).  The UE also has a 3.5 mm analog input, so it could even be the basis for a quite presentable and rather compact 'Cheap and Cheerful' system.

With decent sound of its own, quality analog sound output, and built-in controls it easily replaces the other option I had in mind, an Airport Express.  Plus it sources independently of the computer, unlike Airport Express, so you can listen to different things from UE and your computer.  Note that my step son was staying over with his family from out of state during the holiday and noticed it had replaced the 'leftovers'.  I gave a 30 second audition and both he and wife were interested (first time for any of my audio gear/music).

[Guy 13]

Welcome, Guy.

I started a new topic for this post, just to make it easier to find on the circle.

Todd

Hi Todd and all Audio Circle members.
I don't know why I did not get a message
telling me that someone as commented my post.
Anyway, I am glad to see that some Audio Circle members
are ready to share their experience with me.
Always appreciated.

Guy 13
 

[Guy 13]

Guy13, I was tempted by that one, but moved up to the Sonos 5.  It sounds great - much better than the B___ Wave Radio,  Very nice background music player.

Hi Hank and all Audio Circle members.
I've tried to get more info on the Sonos 5, but their site is difficult to surf.
I wanted to see where all the controls are, but could not.
In addition, the price of 399 USD is double of what I want to pay for the Grace Mondo.
Thanks anyway for the suggestion.

Guy 13

[Guy 13]

A month ago I picked up a Logitech UE Smart Radio ($99) from Amazon, competitor of the Grace Mondo, and am very satisfied.  I choose the UE because it does Apple Loseless (that I have since ripped all my CDs into on my iMac), reportedly it sounds a bit better than the Mondo, AC member nature boy reported that it sounded good via quality headphones (thanks again), and it was cheaper.  Hookup was reasonably simple (but the manual was too simple for me, a computer caveman).  It did hiccup a couple of times after the router rebooted (requiring reinstall of online software to link to my computer again) and once it froze (requiring holding down the power button for a minute).  Note that I tried a Squeeze Box 3 years ago, but setup was monstrous and had too many 'glitches' that I could only solve with weeks of trial and error, so I bailed out and returned to spinning CDs.

It replaces clunky/bulky audio leftovers in the living room system that is used for casual listening after the 12 year old receiver died.  Sound quality is plenty good enough for background use (the nature of the 'sins' are of omission) and my primary fear (that it wouldn't 'fill' the large space - open concept to entry, loft above, dining, etc.) was unfounded (haven't needed to turn it up past 40 of 100).  6-hour battery rechargeable batter on board means you can just unplug and take it anywhere (within range of your wireless router).  BTW its black glossy plastic would be a perfect match for $300/pair PSB Alpha PS1 powered speakers (that have a subwoofer output).  The UE also has a 3.5 mm analog input, so it could even be the basis for a quite presentable and rather compact 'Cheap and Cheerful' system.

With decent sound of its own, quality analog sound output, and built-in controls it easily replaces the other option I had in mind, an Airport Express.  Plus it sources independently of the computer, unlike Airport Express, so you can listen to different things from UE and your computer.  Note that my step son was staying over with his family from out of state during the holiday and noticed it had replaced the 'leftovers'.  I gave a 30 second audition and both he and wife were interested (first time for any of my audio gear/music).

Hi JLM and all Audio Circle members.
Thanks for the suggestions, here are my conclusions:
For:
The price of 99 USD
Good and powerful enough sound directly from the built in speaker.
(According to others.)
Can listen to music without my HP laptop.
Against:
Only in black color.
(I want white or red.)
Display look small and fade in comparaison to the Grace Mondo.
Other:
I don't see in a near future the use of Loseless files because I don't have an Apple laptop.
(Does that make sense ? ? ?)
No RCA audio output ? ? ?
For 50 USD more I can get something that I like.
I mean the look and also the function.
What I want by priority:
Easy to set up.
Easy to choose and program into the built in memory the selected stations.
Good sound from the headphone jack with my HD-570 (60 Ohms)
or HD-650 (300 Ohms.)
Decent sound from the built in speaker, no need lots of power.
White or red color.
Next month if everything goes well,
(Which is rarely the case here or lately in my life.) I will have some $ $ $ to buy on Amazon the Grace Mondo, unless an Audio Circle members come up with a suggestion of unit that is way better than the Grace Mondo.
Waiting...

Guy 13
 

[JLM]

The UE mini headphone jack (like any other such) outputs a stereo signal.  At this level of sound quality mini plug versus RCA is, I think, reasonable.

Yes the UE display is reportedly smaller, but big enough IMO as you have to be within arm's length to make adjustments.

Both the UE and Mondo can handle a variety of formats and overall are quite competitive, but the Mondo couldn't handle Apple Loseless, so that was my deal breaker.  For you I guess it's color.

[Guy 13]

The UE mini headphone jack (like any other such) outputs a stereo signal.  At this level of sound quality mini plug versus RCA is, I think, reasonable.

Yes the UE display is reportedly smaller, but big enough IMO as you have to be within arm's length to make adjustments.

Both the UE and Mondo can handle a variety of formats and overall are quite competitive, but the Mondo couldn't handle Apple Loseless, so that was my deal breaker.  For you I guess it's color.

Hi JLM and all Audio Circle members.
For me, yes, it's the nice color display
and at arm lenght or even closer,
I need my reading glasses to see/read
and make all adjustments, so I need a nice and large color display.
I am also looking for a more or less Plug and Play unit.
By the way, I am not using my laptop to listen to the FM stations from Montreal
because the sound from the built in micro speakers stinks
and the laptop after only 30 minutes is burning hot,
even in my air conditioned listening room.
In addition, I don't like the hard disc to spin all the time.
I will order the Grace Mondo (Amazon 150 USD) after the New Year,
calender New Year that is, because here in Vietnam,
they don't care about the calender New Year,
they have the Vietnamese Lunar New Year which is January the 31st.
They don't celebrate our New Year,
but they are closed for 10 days on their Lunar New Year
also called the Tet.
By the way, with my laptop the signal from our WiFi is 2 to 3 on a total of 5.
Therefore, we will buy locally a more powerfull WiFi unit for 50 USD.
Can't wait to have some nice background/ambiance music in my office
or when I take a much needed nap for a soon to be 66 years old guy.

Guy 13