DAB Digital Radio at Hi-Fi Corner
Digital Radio (DAB) is here at Hi-Fi Corner. DAB offers the opportunity for dramatic improvements in sound quality over conventional FM/AM broadcasts.
Sometimes referred to as DAB (digital audio broadcasting) it also offers increased choice of radio stations, it's a UK standard format, increased text information and other advantages and unlike some digital television it is free! Please see the links on this page to help you find out more about digital radio and see if you are within the reception area. Most of Central Scotland and large parts around Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness are now covered. Some of the links on the right hand side are reviews of DAB products. Be careful not all radios are equally sensitive (i.e. capable of receiving a signal) and some are not user friendly or have the same build quality.
Arcam made the world’s first home digital dab tuner, this was first demonstrated to the public in Scotland by Hi-Fi Corner in 1998. The first portable DAB was sold in Scotland by Hifi Corner in 2001. The prices of DAB hifi tuners have fallen since its introduction and is now very much in line with conventional hifi tuners. Although personal portables are slightly more expensive then FM equivalents, transportable radios such as the PURE Evoke 1, Tempus-1 or Evoke 2 offer excellent value for money and are comparable with conventional radios when one compares quality to price. The PURE Digital Evoke 2 which offer mains/ battery and dab/fm and give remarkable sound. The PURE Tempus-1 offers a bedside clock radio with great record out facilities.
Can I get DAB reception from a normal radio?
No. It is possible to hear digital stations through a variety of ways (for example internet, satellite dish) however to get the best sound quality you should use a hifi tuner put through a hifi system.
Do I need an aerial?
To achieve the best signal you require an aerial suitable for your location. DAB signals are best received with simple dipole aerial. Normal radio signals broadcast from different transmitters can have a cancellation effect. With DAB signals there is an addition. You therefore want an aerial that will pick up signals from all over. The more elements you have in the aerial the more directional it becomes, this is the opposite of conventional FM requirements. You may be lucky enough to receive a satisfactory sound with your FM aerial, but it cannot be formally recommended to you.
Do all digital tuners pick up DAB?
Not unless your tuner has the DAB logo on it and you are in a DAB reception area.To check out if you can receive DAB (and the number of stations you can receive) in your locality go here to the digital one post code search. It has been reported in the press that less knowledgable staff in stores (other than Hi-Fi Corner) will try and sell you a tuner with a digital readout and pass it off as a dab digital tuner. So be careful, obviously the safest course of action is to shop with us, we wouldn't say anything else now could we?
Does FM sound better than DAB?
No, there may be certain conditions where subjectively people may have a preference for FM. Those conditions are; when the music is live and does not go through any processing and it can be heard in excellent listening conditions. In those instances some people may prefer the analogue sound as some people prefer vinyl records over CDs. However it is rare for radio not to have some form of digital treatment (compression) prior to transmission.In most cases DAB signals are less processed that their analogue counterparts. DAB radio under normal conditions has no background noise, you hear more of the music. It will show up poor and sloppy production, as will any good hifi system. It does not offer compact disc sound quality, but the sound is noticably cleaner, crisper and more detailed especially if you are listening to low cost equipment.
How accepted is digital radio?
The largest hifi circulation magazine 'What Hi-Fi Sound & Vision' has voted the PURE digital tuners 'Best Hifi Tuner' for two years running. Digital radio is here to stay. As a company we accurately predicted the success of CD (and own the very first one played on the BBC) and predict that that DAB radio will eventually overtake all other forms of radio broadcasting in the U.K.
Can I buy portable digital radios?
Yes, The Evoke 1 was the first mass produced DAB radio under £100.00 and the EVOKE 2 offers great sound. PURE Digital also offer a small portable radio (the pocketdab). Subscribe to our newsletter to keep yourself abreast.
Useful sites
Digital Radio Now - Do I get digital radio in my area? Post Code checker.
Score Digital - Specifically Scottish.
Digital One - UK site