Anyone own a Tivoli radio?

mca · « **on:** 19 Dec 2006, 06:00 pm »

I was thinking of buying myself a Tivoli PAL radio for a little Christmas present. Something simple to have at my office or take camping. I figure I can hook my Ipod up to it also.

Are they worth the money? Is there anything better out there?

ohenry · « **Reply #1 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 06:45 pm »

I have a PAL and think it's pretty good. The downside to the portability is that it doesn't sound quite as good as the Model 1. The bass isn't as deep, but overall it does an admirable job for such a small unit.

I do think the tuner section is great and it retrieves quite a few distant stations that my other radios can't. I really enjoy the rechargeable battery option as well, it's always ready to go. Also, you can use the stereo headphone jack to output a stereo signal to an amp if you ever have that need. At ~$140, the price is a little steep, but it definitely has a high cool factor.

I have no regrets.

WEEZ · « **Reply #2 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 10:38 pm »

I own a Model 1. If it ever breaks and can't be fixed, I'll buy another one.

Russell Dawkins · « **Reply #3 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 10:47 pm »

Have you considered the Quest For Sound tube radio?
In this review: http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/tubetuner/r601p.html it is said to be significantly better than the Tivoli not only in sonics but also in its tuner performance.

Just a thought. It would make a pretty nice gift to oneself - I'd get the stereo one!

(edit) just re-read your original question and see the mention of camping. If battery operation is part of what you are looking for, then the iPAL may be your best bet.

doorman · « **Reply #4 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 10:48 pm »

I've had a model 1 for several yrs. now. It functions perfectly, and sounds pretty good. What more could I want!
The above radio may well be a good one, costs more though.
Don

pearsall001 · « **Reply #5 on:** 20 Dec 2006, 12:34 am »

I've had the PAL for a couple of years now. Fantastic to say the least. Unbelievable sound from such a small box. What sold me besides the sound was it's portability with the battery. I take it outside when I'm working aronud the house. Tunes to go!!! Next up is a visit to Quest for Sound on Friday to pick up Stephen's stereo tube radio. I talked to him today & he's putting one away for me. He can't keep them in stock. He's gone thru over 80 in just a couple of weeks. They sound incredible. I'll be using it in the kitchen/dining room hooked up to a CD player. A present for my wife. Wink, wink!!!

Midnite Mick · « **Reply #6 on:** 20 Dec 2006, 02:41 am »

Normally I don't like to hijack but it is kind of relevant.

Phil have you heard the Polk Isonic yet. Just wondering how it would compare....may be good gift since it is also DVD player.

Thanks,
Mike

Upstateaudio · « **Reply #7 on:** 20 Dec 2006, 02:56 am »

Quote from: doorman on 19 Dec 2006, 10:48 pm

I've had a model 1 for several yrs. now. It functions perfectly, and sounds pretty good. What more could I want!
The above radio may well be a good one, costs more though.
Don

I also have owned a model 1 for several years now. I use it as a mono tuner using the rec out for it to my main system.

pearsall001 · « **Reply #8 on:** 20 Dec 2006, 03:32 am »

Quote from: Midnite Mick on 20 Dec 2006, 02:41 am

Normally I don't like to hijack but it is kind of relevant.

Phil have you heard the Polk Isonic yet. Just wondering how it would compare....may be good gift since it is also DVD player.

Thanks,
Mike

Mike,

I planned on getting the I-Sonic. Then I find out Polk pulled a fast on on their dealers. You can only get them thru Tweeter or on line thru Polk. Of course at full retail price. Pissing some people off here. I think dealers can get them in Feb or March. How nice of Polk, sure sell our speakers but you can't have the I-Sonic just yet. My dealer of course was giving me a nice discount until he found out he can't get them. That kind of stuff just doesn't sit well with me. I've heard the tube radio's & they do sound superb. Priced a lot less than the I-Sonic too. I have a CD player to use with it so a built in player really wasn't that big of a deal.

Merry Christmas,
Phil

Andy T · « **Reply #9 on:** 20 Dec 2006, 04:32 am »

Have you considered the Tivoli Songbook? I picked it over the PAL and am very satisfied.

I've had both a Model 1 and a Model 3 for a while. I decided I wanted a battery powerd radio for traveling that had an aux input to plug my laptop into. I looked hard at the PAL and the Songbook and bought the Songbook for a couple reasons. The flatter profile looked like it would pack easier (Songbook has packed well). I have found the Tivoli analog tuning dial to be awkward to use if your line of sight isn't square to it or its in poor light. The same dial for AM and FM means retuning every time you change bands (can't dodge commercials easily or quickly). Songbook presets are even handier for this. The Songbook can serve as an alarm clock on the road and has a sleep timer.

As far as sound, I couldn't tell any difference between them in the local store when I shopped for them, but the environment wasn't especially conducive to critical listening. I believe they have the same size speaker. Not sure if they're the same part or not. Its a shame neither PAL or Songbook have external antenna inputs. Otherwise, no complaints.

The_KiD · « **Reply #10 on:** 25 Dec 2006, 03:25 pm »

I have a Model 1 in the Kitchen and use a Model 2 for the bedroom and love them. Both are wonderful sounding and have inputs which works great with the iPod. I think they are great sounding products. I would say that I have heard the Pal and the Model 1 does sound better. At least to me anyway.

KiD

mca · « **Reply #11 on:** 25 Dec 2006, 05:46 pm »

Thanks for all the info guys. I'm now between the Pal and the Songbook, but I'll have to wait until after Christmas where I can find them in stock somewhere!

avahifi · « **Reply #12 on:** 25 Dec 2006, 06:49 pm »

I got a Tivoli Model 1 for Christmas!

It is very nice, easy to use, good reception, and much better sound that I would have expected.

The instructions say you can come out its stereo audio output (1/4" mini jack) and use it as an FM/AM tuner in a good audio system. I have not tried that yet, but the idea is interesting.

Merry Christmas everyone

Frank Van Alstine

TIC · « **Reply #13 on:** 9 Jan 2007, 01:53 am »

Frank,

I sometimes use the mini-jack output of my Pal for stereo FM playback. It's a pretty good sounding tuner.

All,

I really like my Pal. The portability is cool! The battery last a good long time too. And, you can connect your iPod to it via a mini-stereo jack. Love using it at picnics, camping and while gardening....

Enjoy,

TIC

avahifi · « **Reply #14 on:** 25 Jan 2007, 06:12 pm »

A client informed me that the Stereo minijack output on the Tivoli Model One just suppies Mono sound, not stereo as I had assumed. You need to buy the much more expensive stereo version to get stereo line output.

Oh well.

Sorry for the misinformation. I had not actually tried it here yet and assumed stereo jack meant stereo output.

Frank Van Alstine

Russell Dawkins · « **Reply #15 on:** 25 Jan 2007, 06:21 pm »

that's surprising. My first thought is the client didn't push the plug in all the way!

avahifi · « **Reply #16 on:** 25 Jan 2007, 11:58 pm »

Since he got sound out of both speakers, I assume he did have the plug in all the way.

Frank

Brad · « **Reply #17 on:** 26 Jan 2007, 12:03 am »

I thought the record out was stereo was well.
Here's the info from the Tivoli website.
At least the headphone jack is stereo

Jack for external AM & FM antenna    Provides improved reception of weak or distant stations
One Year Warranty    For worry-free operation and peace of mind
Record output    Enables you to record whatever is being played through the Model One
Stereo Headphone Output    For private listening with your favorite headphones

Russell Dawkins · « **Reply #18 on:** 26 Jan 2007, 01:15 am »

seems to me I have known of cases where a stereo plug could be put halfway in so that the same channel (one or the other, not both) would be sent to both ears. Anyway, if it has a stereo headphone jack, I guess that's all that is needed.

Upstateaudio · « **Reply #19 on:** 26 Jan 2007, 03:34 am »

I own a Tivoli One, I use it as a tuner for my system. The output is definitely mono out of the rec out jack. I don't really miss stereo as all I do with it is listen to NPR. The FM programming in my area stinks. Thank goodness for Internet radio via the Squeezebox.