radio-now.co.uk | DAB buyers guide - a quick guide to choosing a DAB digital radio

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Pure ONE DAB digital radio
recommended

Pure Evoke 1XT DAB receiver
recommended

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DAB digital radio Buyers Guide

Please note that, since this article was first written, many new DAB radios, hi-fis and receivers have come onto the market. Therefore, we suggest you view the star ratings next to the radios and hi-fis on our digital radio product pages in combination with our reviews directory to find the radio that's right for you. The selections below, however, are still very relevant.

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Which of the cheaper DAB digital radios should I buy?

Often the less you spend on a DAB digital radio, the worse the radio performs in terms of reception and sound quality. Mains hum is common on cheaper DAB digital radios - inferior electronic parts can affect the sound. You're better off spending a few pounds more to get a DAB radio that is going to perform well, rather than buying the cheapest and then having to buy another, better DAB radio... a true false economy.

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The Pure ONE DAB digital radio with FM is a recent model that we recommend. We have reviewed the Pure One DAB/FM portable.

Pure ONE DAB/FM radio

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If you want reliability and performance in weaker signal areas, go for an Intempo or Pure Digital DAB digital radio. Listeners do have a small complaint in that the AC adaptor (which plugs into the mains and has a low-voltage lead that plugs into the back of the radio) can be a bit chunky on these radios, but in reality it means that the power supply is isolated from the unit itself, thus reducing any problems with mains hum. Read on for more details and recommendations of Pure Digital radios.

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If you want a desktop radio that can record shows onto SD card, you could consider Pure Digital's The Bug or The Bug Too DAB radios. These have great connectivity, a multitude of features and can even download an Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) thanks to a recent firmware USB upgrade. You can hook The Bug up to your existing hi-fi system.

Pure's Evoke 3 is the grandaddy of all DAB radio recorders and - if money's not a major consideration - should be given serious thought, especially as it offers such a wealth of features.

The Pure Evoke 3 sets the technical standard by which all other DAB radios follow.

If you can, it's sometimes better to spend a bit more...

You can't go far wrong with a Pure Digital DAB digital radio. You may want to skip the cheaper Pure Elan DAB-only and DX20 models and go for the Evoke 1-XT, Tempus-1 or Tempus 1XT or (for a little more cash) the Evoke 2XT. Both the Tempus-1 and Evoke 2XT can receive FM - and they do have alarm(s) and timer(s) and increased connectivity. DAB radio reception is the best you're going to get. A two-year warranty is standard on Pure (and indeed Intempo digital) models. Certain Pure Digital models are mains-powered only, though.

Richard writes about the Pure Evoke 1XT in cherrywood with additional speaker: "If, like myself, you've been hanging on for the second or third generation DAB radios to provide value and real audio quality then the time is now .This basic radio is brilliant and sets itself up in seconds. Controls are intuitive; the manual optional. However, I rigged this radio up with the additional speaker which costs around GBP29.99 (or you can buy the two as a package - Ed.) and transforms the set from excellent to astounding. Why? Well, you can achieve perfect stereo seperation and balance. If your listening position is between the speakers this radio will blow you away. Amazing quality for the price."
The Editor has an Evoke 1XT and is very pleased with it!
Pure Digital Evoke 1XT DAB-only mains-only radio - highly recommended by us, but you may prefer the Tempus 1 for increased connectivity.

We really like the look of the Revo Pico - a rechargeable, portable DAB radio not dissimilar to the Pure Oasis. Both are splash-resistant, so you can take either model out into the garden or bathroom without worrying about unsafe mains voltages and the Revo Pico is supplied with a rechargeable battery - the Pure Oasis "chargepak" will set you back about GBP25.00. The Revo Pico looks great next to an iPod - and you can playback any MP3 player through the Pico's amplifier and speaker. The Nevada Sinfonie DAB portable shares many similar features to the Pico and Oasis radios.

Pure Oasis DAB portable - water resistant and weatherproof

The Pure Oasis rechargeable portable DAB radio is weather resistant and practically waterproof.

Revo Pico DAB digital radio

Play your MP3s through the Pico or just listen to DAB or FM radio stations.

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Which DAB alarm clock radio should I buy?

Our two recommendations for an alarm clock radio would be the Pure Chronos DAB clock radio and the excellent Roberts RD19 Gemini 19 DAB clock alarm. However, please be aware that many users consider the display brightness of DAB clock alarm radios to be too high when trying to sleep.

The Roberts RD19 Gemini 19 (pictured) and Pure Chronos are two recommended DAB clock alarm radios.

We'd like to find out your experiences of other DAB alarm clock radios and to hear your views and comments.

Which handheld should I buy?

We'd go for the award-winning Nevada ND-01 DAB/FM pocket radio or the Pure PocketDAB 1500 DAB/FM handheld.

Pure PocketDAB 1500 DAB digital radio with FM receiver

The Pure PocketDAB handheld has a built-in rechargeable battery that's good for 24 hours' worth of DAB use before you plug it back into the mains.

If you want record shows on the move, or play your own MP3 files, the Pure Digital PocketDAB 2000/FM radio with MP3 recorder or the newer Oono mini DAB One personal DAB/FM radio recorder will fit the bill (now superseded by a newer model, the Oono mini DAB 2Plus2 with larger internal memory), seen on this page.

Which hi-fi system should I buy?

If it's a micro system you're looking for, the Yamaha CRXM170 DAB digital mini hi-fi system, combining an FM/DAB receiver and CD player into one neat, compact unit is definitely worth considering - and at GBP165 without speakers for a one-box solution, it compares well against a separates hi-fi tuner, offering excellent value for money.
Yamaha DAB digital receiver tuner with CD player and FM reception
Yamaha CRXM170 DAB digital mini hi-fi system featuring DAB receiver

Meanwhile, the Denon DM35 DAB mini hi-fi system is also worth considering, with neat styling and clear display. The impressive loudspeakers offer lots of low-down grunt, while the DAB/FM/MW tuner again occupies the same unit as the CD player. Its small footprint, excellent build quality and brushed aluminium fascia looks good on show, or the Denon can be tucked away on a deep shelf if space is tight.
Denon DM35 DAB hifi system with tuner
Denon DM35 DAB mini hi-fi system featuring DAB receiver

Another choice would be the Onkyo mini hi-fi system series - again a great choice for a space-saving hi-fis featuring DAB/FM/AM reception and a CD player.

At the cheaper end of the scale, the Goodmans 1104DAB system is a highly-reviewed system and should be given serious consideration. Alternatively, there are an abundance of Sony DAB digital micro hi-fi systems around at the moment that represent good value.

As there are so many DAB hi-fi systems out there, we'd very much like your views of DAB digital hi-fi systems.

Using an external aerial to improve coverage.

James writes about his DAB digital radio external aerial: " What a difference a rooftop DAB aerial makes (single dipole rod) ! I recently had a DAB aeiral put on my roof because I've moved from Cardiff to Dinas Powis (which is just outside of Cardiff) and had no signal at all for any of our four DAB multiplexes. I wasn't really sure weather it would make that much difference but as well as our four multiplexes (giving a total of thirty-six stations), I'm also receiving Bristol's local multiplex (really good signal), and Swansea's EMAP multiplex, only just about listenable due to a poor signal, taking the count up to fifty-one stations. All these pop stations all play the same music! I also have two XFMs, which is amusing! So those of you wondering whether or not to get a rooftop aerial I'd say go for it! "

DAB digital radio external aerials do make a significant difference to signal levels when installed correctly, though it's debatable whether they would offer any improvement where it is not possible to pick up a signal with a standard telescopic aerial. The two XFMs should soon offer different local news and travel, so it's no problem to pick up both stations.

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