ASK Umra: portable radios

[Kate B]

My twelve-year old Pure Evoke Mio Roberts-alike, indispensable in the
kitchen, has now lost its display, its volume control, and its capacity
to change channels, so all it can do is belt out Radio4 at full volume.
This is obviously not all bad, but not always exactly what one wants...

I listen via Sounds on the tablet a lot, which has OK sound for speech,
but would really like something that has a better loudspeaker for
Radio3. I know the real buffs amongst you will have a joined up
radio-controlled super-duper hifi system that floods the entire house
with glorious sound, but I'm not quite there yet. Can anyone recommend a
portable (or portable/plug-in) radio with decent sound?

[Clive Arthur]

Post by Kate B
My twelve-year old Pure Evoke Mio Roberts-alike, indispensable in the
kitchen, has now lost its display, its volume control, and its capacity
to change channels, so all it can do is belt out Radio4 at full volume.
This is obviously not all bad, but not always exactly what one wants...
I listen via Sounds on the tablet a lot, which has OK sound for speech,
but would really like something that has a better loudspeaker for
Radio3. I know the real buffs amongst you will have a joined up
radio-controlled super-duper hifi system that floods the entire house
with glorious sound, but I'm not quite there yet. Can anyone recommend a
portable (or portable/plug-in) radio with decent sound?

How about a nice gold brick?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203522505569

[Kate B]

Post by Clive Arthur

Post by Kate B
My twelve-year old Pure Evoke Mio Roberts-alike, indispensable in the
kitchen, has now lost its display, its volume control, and its
capacity to change channels, so all it can do is belt out Radio4 at
full volume. This is obviously not all bad, but not always exactly
what one wants...
I listen via Sounds on the tablet a lot, which has OK sound for
speech, but would really like something that has a better loudspeaker
for Radio3. I know the real buffs amongst you will have a joined up
radio-controlled super-duper hifi system that floods the entire house
with glorious sound, but I'm not quite there yet. Can anyone recommend
a portable (or portable/plug-in) radio with decent sound?

How about a nice gold brick?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203522505569

Hmmm. lots of upset punters saying the upholstery disintegrates after a
couple of years... exactly like the Pure Evoke :(

On the other hand, Amazon have got an offer on the Roberts Stream94i at
£150, which is what we paid for the Pure all those years ago (actually,
we didn't pay full price, because we used a load of vouchers from Tesco,
but...). Roberts is best, isn't it?

[steve hague]

Post by Kate B

Post by Clive Arthur

Post by Kate B
My twelve-year old Pure Evoke Mio Roberts-alike, indispensable in the
kitchen, has now lost its display, its volume control, and its
capacity to change channels, so all it can do is belt out Radio4 at
full volume. This is obviously not all bad, but not always exactly
what one wants...
I listen via Sounds on the tablet a lot, which has OK sound for
speech, but would really like something that has a better loudspeaker
for Radio3. I know the real buffs amongst you will have a joined up
radio-controlled super-duper hifi system that floods the entire house
with glorious sound, but I'm not quite there yet. Can anyone
recommend a portable (or portable/plug-in) radio with decent sound?

How about a nice gold brick?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203522505569

Hmmm. lots of upset punters saying the upholstery disintegrates after a
couple of years... exactly like the Pure Evoke :(
On the other hand, Amazon have got an offer on the Roberts Stream94i at
£150, which is what we paid for the Pure all those years ago (actually,
we didn't pay full price, because we used a load of vouchers from Tesco,
but...). Roberts is best, isn't it?

It certainly used to be, but that's many years ago. The name doesn't
mean anything now, a Roberts radio will be made in China, as will many
identical products with different brand names on them.
Steve

[Clive Arthur]

Post by Kate B

Post by Clive Arthur

Post by Kate B
My twelve-year old Pure Evoke Mio Roberts-alike, indispensable in the
kitchen, has now lost its display, its volume control, and its
capacity to change channels, so all it can do is belt out Radio4 at
full volume. This is obviously not all bad, but not always exactly
what one wants...
I listen via Sounds on the tablet a lot, which has OK sound for
speech, but would really like something that has a better loudspeaker
for Radio3. I know the real buffs amongst you will have a joined up
radio-controlled super-duper hifi system that floods the entire house
with glorious sound, but I'm not quite there yet. Can anyone
recommend a portable (or portable/plug-in) radio with decent sound?

How about a nice gold brick?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203522505569

Hmmm. lots of upset punters saying the upholstery disintegrates after a
couple of years... exactly like the Pure Evoke :(

Yes, the leatherette does disintegrate on Roberts RD50s and RD60s. It's
really quite shameful. Also, they use an 'unconventional' supply
voltage and the RD50 even has the polarity reversed from normal. This
leads to various failures.

What often happens is that, as a sort of hobby, a professional
electronics engineer buys these non-working ratty looking things from
eBay, dismantles them, repairs them, cleans them, removes the
leatherette down to the backing fabric which is then painted with
acrylic paint in a variety of colours. Said engineer then sources an
appropriate power supply if needed.

You end up with a unique and attractive radio.

Post by Kate B
On the other hand, Amazon have got an offer on the Roberts Stream94i at
£150, which is what we paid for the Pure all those years ago (actually,
we didn't pay full price, because we used a load of vouchers from Tesco,
but...). Roberts is best, isn't it?

On the other hand, Amazon doesn't pay tax.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203477594770
Feedback: "...thank you I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT"

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203474564598
Feedback: "...Great quality refurbishment."

[Penny]

On Sat, 17 Jul 2021 16:13:56 +0100, Kate B <***@nospam.demon.co.uk>
scrawled in the dust...

Post by Kate B
Roberts is best, isn't it

At the risk of upsetting somerats ... the only Roberts Radio I every owned
(a gift from my daughters) was horribly tinny to my ears - a factor which
probably wouldn't bother me now as I seem to have lost much of the top end.

[Kate B]

Post by Penny
scrawled in the dust...

Post by Kate B
Roberts is best, isn't it

At the risk of upsetting somerats ... the only Roberts Radio I every owned
(a gift from my daughters) was horribly tinny to my ears - a factor which
probably wouldn't bother me now as I seem to have lost much of the top end.

Ah, that's unsettling. The Pure Evoke renders classical music
surprisingly well. I wonder if it is the loudspeaker quality or the
programming that makes the difference? Not that one could do much about
either, I suppose.

[Clive Arthur]

Post by Penny
scrawled in the dust...

Post by Kate B
Roberts is best, isn't it

At the risk of upsetting somerats ... the only Roberts Radio I every owned
(a gift from my daughters) was horribly tinny to my ears - a factor which
probably wouldn't bother me now as I seem to have lost much of the top end.

The RD50 and RD60 (and I think RD10) are quite the reverse. A single
speaker with some attempt at a reflex tube. They do suffer from loss of
top end, but then don't we all? Pardon?

[Chris]

Post by Kate B
My twelve-year old Pure Evoke Mio Roberts-alike, indispensable in the
kitchen, has now lost its display, its volume control, and its capacity
to change channels, so all it can do is belt out Radio4 at full volume.
This is obviously not all bad, but not always exactly what one wants...
I listen via Sounds on the tablet a lot, which has OK sound for speech,
but would really like something that has a better loudspeaker for
Radio3. I know the real buffs amongst you will have a joined up
radio-controlled super-duper hifi system that floods the entire house
with glorious sound, but I'm not quite there yet. Can anyone recommend a
portable (or portable/plug-in) radio with decent sound?

Oh no we don’t!! :). It’s called Alexa which is definitely super nothing
but Aunty took away TuneIn radio which did allow one to hear everything
wherever the speakers were.

Sincerely Chris

[Sid Nuncius]

Post by Kate B
My twelve-year old Pure Evoke Mio Roberts-alike, indispensable in the
kitchen, has now lost its display, its volume control, and its capacity
to change channels, so all it can do is belt out Radio4 at full volume.
This is obviously not all bad, but not always exactly what one wants...
I listen via Sounds on the tablet a lot, which has OK sound for speech,
but would really like something that has a better loudspeaker for
Radio3. I know the real buffs amongst you will have a joined up
radio-controlled super-duper hifi system that floods the entire house
with glorious sound, but I'm not quite there yet. Can anyone recommend a
portable (or portable/plug-in) radio with decent sound?

This may not be what you want because it's not portable, but I have this
Panasonic CD and DAB+ radio unit (with AUX and Bluetooth input) in the
kitchen which I like a lot and which sounds very good to me:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-SC-HC412EB-K-Bluetooth-Micro-System/dp/B07RD7FSJH

For good sound, I've never Had anything better than my original old Pure
Evoke and Pure Evoke-2 radios, which are still going strong after at
least 15 years. The Evoke-2 is portable and I see that Pure still make
a version of both, but I can't vouch for the new models.

[Axlegrease]

Post by Kate B
My twelve-year old Pure Evoke Mio Roberts-alike, indispensable in the
kitchen, has now lost its display, its volume control, and its capacity
to change channels, so all it can do is belt out Radio4 at full volume.
This is obviously not all bad, but not always exactly what one wants...

I have a Roberts Stream 94ì in the living room and I liked it so much that I got another for the kitchen.
It's mains-driven but you can get an add-on battery pack to make it truly portable.
Sound quality is good for both speech and music; you can store a reasonable number of pre-set favourite stations in each of its three modes.
The only minor snag I have encountered with the one in the kitchen is an occasional tendency for it to freeze up when I switch on in Internet radio mode. Doesn't happen often and all you need to do is remove the plug from the socket; wait for 60 seconds, plug in again and it will re-boot itself. In all honesty, I'm not certain if this is a problem with the radio itself or a glitch with my wifi. Whatever, it wouldn't put me off buying the same model for another room.
HTH.

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

[]

Post by Sid Nuncius

Post by Kate B
with glorious sound, but I'm not quite there yet. Can anyone recommend
a portable (or portable/plug-in) radio with decent sound?

This may not be what you want because it's not portable, but I have
this Panasonic CD and DAB+ radio unit (with AUX and Bluetooth input) in
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-SC-HC412EB-K-Bluetooth-Micro-System/d
p/B07RD7FSJH

In the same vein, I'm very happy with this non-portable:
https://www.argos-support.co.uk/4144845-acoustic-solutions-aluminium-bt-speaker
It's presented as a Bluetooth speaker (aux in as well), but it has an FM
radio in it (and is what I usually listen to TA on).
[]

[Kate B]

Post by Sid Nuncius

Post by Kate B
My twelve-year old Pure Evoke Mio Roberts-alike, indispensable in the
kitchen, has now lost its display, its volume control, and its
capacity to change channels, so all it can do is belt out Radio4 at
full volume. This is obviously not all bad, but not always exactly
what one wants...
I listen via Sounds on the tablet a lot, which has OK sound for
speech, but would really like something that has a better loudspeaker
for Radio3. I know the real buffs amongst you will have a joined up
radio-controlled super-duper hifi system that floods the entire house
with glorious sound, but I'm not quite there yet. Can anyone recommend
a portable (or portable/plug-in) radio with decent sound?

This may not be what you want because it's not portable, but I have this
Panasonic CD and DAB+ radio unit (with AUX and Bluetooth input) in the
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-SC-HC412EB-K-Bluetooth-Micro-System/dp/B07RD7FSJH

That's an alluring one. Actual portability isn't crucial, I just didn't
want a full-blown hifi (do people say 'hifi' anymore?) It looks quite
bulky, though.

Post by Sid Nuncius
For good sound, I've never Had anything better than my original old Pure
Evoke and Pure Evoke-2 radios, which are still going strong after at
least 15 years.  The Evoke-2 is portable and I see that Pure still make
a version of both, but I can't vouch for the new models.

Am still wondering about the Pure-Evoke H3, which gets good reviews.
Meanwhile I have managed to coax the Mio to play Radio 3, which takes
the edge off things, but it really is falling apart and will have to be
replaced sooner or later.

[Sid Nuncius]

Post by Kate B

Post by Sid Nuncius
This may not be what you want because it's not portable, but I have
this Panasonic CD and DAB+ radio unit (with AUX and Bluetooth input)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-SC-HC412EB-K-Bluetooth-Micro-System/dp/B07RD7FSJH

That's an alluring one. Actual portability isn't crucial, I just didn't
want a full-blown hifi (do people say 'hifi' anymore?) It looks quite
bulky, though.

It's wide, but it's very thin. Mine fits neatly onto the narrow strip
of surface between the hob and the oven/grill housing so it's ideal for
me. It can also be wall mounted. It's not a small unobtrusive thing,
though, so it may not suit.

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

Post by Sid Nuncius

Post by Kate B

Post by Sid Nuncius
This may not be what you want because it's not portable, but I have
this Panasonic CD and DAB+ radio unit (with AUX and Bluetooth input)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-SC-HC412EB-K-Bluetooth-Micro-System
/dp/B07RD7FSJH

That's an alluring one. Actual portability isn't crucial, I just
didn't want a full-blown hifi (do people say 'hifi' anymore?) It
looks quite bulky, though.

It's wide, but it's very thin. Mine fits neatly onto the narrow strip
of surface between the hob and the oven/grill housing so it's ideal for
me. It can also be wall mounted. It's not a small unobtrusive thing,
though, so it may not suit.

Lidl/Aldi from time to time have ones designed to be fixed _under_
kitchen cabinets (I think I may have seen ones that include downlights,
but I'm not sure about that). No idea of quality (though electronics
from Lidl at least usually have at least a 3y g'tee), but IMO they look
smart. (You can get them elsewhere, of course.)

[Penny]

On Sun, 18 Jul 2021 15:10:55 +0100, "J. P. Gilliver (John)"

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
Lidl/Aldi from time to time have ones designed to be fixed _under_
kitchen cabinets (I think I may have seen ones that include downlights,
but I'm not sure about that). No idea of quality (though electronics
from Lidl at least usually have at least a 3y g'tee), but IMO they look
smart. (You can get them elsewhere, of course.

I've got one of those - with downlight which I don't use.
Several silly things about it:
* If you use the built in timer, which does a count-down for the last few
minutes, the radio goes quiet for each beep.
* Likewise the two 'alarms' - I use those to switch it on for 9am and
6:30pm - which silence the radio (if it is already on) and then bring the
sound up slowly to wherever it was last set, at the appointed time.
* It has automatic clock setting which should deal with BST/GMT changes and
generally keep the clock accurate - this doesn't work in my house - I have
another such clock (also from Lidl) which will do it, eventually, if I put
the clock near the front door for a while but won't if I leave it hanging
on the wall. My Roberts radio was very good at this and was fun to watch.

But it does look good and I can plug my audio book into it via the aux
socket - though it doesn't compete well with the noises of the extractor
fan etc - blue tooth earphones work better.

[Mike McMillan]

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)

Post by Sid Nuncius

Post by Kate B

Post by Sid Nuncius
This may not be what you want because it's not portable, but I have
this Panasonic CD and DAB+ radio unit (with AUX and Bluetooth input)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-SC-HC412EB-K-Bluetooth-Micro-System
/dp/B07RD7FSJH

That's an alluring one. Actual portability isn't crucial, I just
didn't want a full-blown hifi (do people say 'hifi' anymore?) It
looks quite bulky, though.

It's wide, but it's very thin. Mine fits neatly onto the narrow strip
of surface between the hob and the oven/grill housing so it's ideal for
me. It can also be wall mounted. It's not a small unobtrusive thing,
though, so it may not suit.

Lidl/Aldi from time to time have ones designed to be fixed _under_
kitchen cabinets (I think I may have seen ones that include downlights,
but I'm not sure about that). No idea of quality (though electronics
from Lidl at least usually have at least a 3y g'tee), but IMO they look
smart. (You can get them elsewhere, of course.)

Speaking of Lidl products (buy whilst stocks last, when they are gone, they
are gone!), recently (a Friday morning), I spotted that they had an ice
maker in that ‘new’ week’s catalogue, as a joke, I sent the details to
Wunderkind as her son Adam nearly drains our ice maker compartment on the
freezer when he visits [even in winter!]. Wunderkind immediately responded
with ‘I really want one of those’, thinking she was being sarcastic, we got
ready to go shopping in Woodley having sent her another message about it.
We were just boarding the bus to Woodley when back came confirmation she
really really did want the ice maker! I had not taken any extra means to
carry a large extra box but promised we would look - well, we picked up the
last one from the rack. I don’t think it has had a rest yet!!!!

Wunderkind explained that she had been looking at ice makers for a few
weeks but they were all £100+ so, when the Lidl one appeared for £80, she
decided it was time to break the ice (see what I did there?) and take the
plunge.

[Clive Arthur]

On 18/07/2021 15:10, J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:

<snip>

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
Lidl/Aldi from time to time have ones designed to be fixed _under_
kitchen cabinets (I think I may have seen ones that include downlights,
but I'm not sure about that). No idea of quality (though electronics
from Lidl at least usually have at least a 3y g'tee), but IMO they look
smart. (You can get them elsewhere, of course.)

A car radio fits nicely under the cabinets with a cutout in the trim.
You need a 12V supply for a few quid. With separate speakers on top of
the cabinets perhaps, that can give you good quality DAB, FM, AM, CD and
USB all in a very convenient package and often with a remote control.

But this is pretty classy, and ends soon...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203522505569

[Kate B]

Post by Clive Arthur
<snip>

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
Lidl/Aldi from time to time have ones designed to be fixed _under_
kitchen cabinets (I think I may have seen ones that include
downlights, but I'm not sure about that). No idea of quality (though
electronics from Lidl at least usually have at least a 3y g'tee), but
IMO they look smart. (You can get them elsewhere, of course.)

A car radio fits nicely under the cabinets with a cutout in the trim.
You need a 12V supply for a few quid.  With separate speakers on top of
the cabinets perhaps, that can give you good quality DAB, FM, AM, CD and
USB all in a very convenient package and often with a remote control.
But this is pretty classy, and ends soon...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203522505569

I don't have any spare room under my kitchen cabinets except for a
skinny striplight - wouldn't a radio attached there get splashed by food
preparation? And although it looks like a good machine, I really don't
like the goldie-looking upholstery on the ebay bargain! Shall keep
looking. But thank you all anyway.

[Jenny M Benson]

Post by Sid Nuncius
This may not be what you want because it's not portable, but I have this
Panasonic CD and DAB+ radio unit (with AUX and Bluetooth input) in the

You remind me of when my sister was shopping for a TV for her lounge.
Didn't want one too big and was looking at one prolly about 24". The
salesman told her it was a very popular choice with people buying for
their kitchens!

[Peter Withey]

Post by Kate B
My twelve-year old Pure Evoke Mio Roberts-alike, indispensable in the
kitchen, has now lost its display, its volume control, and its capacity
to change channels, so all it can do is belt out Radio4 at full volume.
This is obviously not all bad, but not always exactly what one wants...

Probably neither will help, but just in case.....

https://support.pure.com/en-GB/kb/articles/evoke-mio-affichage-vierge-1s-2

or in the user manual that I d/l for interest.

"Resetting your radio
Resetting your radio removes all presets, clears the station list and
resets all options to defaults.
1. Press and hold the Menu button for three seconds.
2. Push the Tune dial within 3 seconds to confi rm the reset or the
reset will cancel."

Post by Kate B
I listen via Sounds on the tablet a lot, which has OK sound for speech,
but would really like something that has a better loudspeaker for
Radio3. I know the real buffs amongst you will have a joined up
radio-controlled super-duper hifi system that floods the entire house
with glorious sound, but I'm not quite there yet. Can anyone recommend a
portable (or portable/plug-in) radio with decent sound?

[Kate B]

Post by Peter Withey

Post by Kate B
My twelve-year old Pure Evoke Mio Roberts-alike, indispensable in the
kitchen, has now lost its display, its volume control, and its capacity
to change channels, so all it can do is belt out Radio4 at full volume.
This is obviously not all bad, but not always exactly what one wants...

Probably neither will help, but just in case.....
https://support.pure.com/en-GB/kb/articles/evoke-mio-affichage-vierge-1s-2
or in the user manual that I d/l for interest.
"Resetting your radio
Resetting your radio removes all presets, clears the station list and
resets all options to defaults.
1. Press and hold the Menu button for three seconds.
2. Push the Tune dial within 3 seconds to confi rm the reset or the
reset will cancel."

thank you! But I have already tried that. It has always had a tendency
to lose the display, which usually came back to life with unplugging and
plugging in, or at the worst with a reset. But this time seems a bit
terminal.

[Peter]

Post by Kate B
My twelve-year old Pure Evoke Mio Roberts-alike, indispensable in the
kitchen, has now lost its display, its volume control, and its capacity
to change channels, so all it can do is belt out Radio4 at full volume.
This is obviously not all bad, but not always exactly what one wants...
I listen via Sounds on the tablet a lot, which has OK sound for speech,
but would really like something that has a better loudspeaker for
Radio3. I know the real buffs amongst you will have a joined up
radio-controlled super-duper hifi system that floods the entire house
with glorious sound, but I'm not quite there yet. Can anyone recommend a
portable (or portable/plug-in) radio with decent sound?

I have a Roberts Revival Uno which I'm pleased with, but my real reason
for writing is to _unrecommend_ the rurarkaudio Tabletop Radio R1 mk3.