TECHNIKA DAB-206 Digital Radio

Much better than you might expect ... - ... or much better than I expected. These are exclusive to TESCO, selling for just under £30 (Update: The blighters have started charging £40 for it in some stores, for which they lose a star or two!). There are cheaper DAB radios on the market, but not by much of a margin. I also have a PURE EVOKE 2XT, which I bought for £100 six months ago: yes I can tell the difference in sound quality! The Pure is more rounded, with a bass port underneath that gives a richer and more expensive sound. The Tesco special is brighter (no tone control), but no less clear, and eminently listenable, epecially with speech sources like R4 & R7. Despite a stated output of just 1.2W (vs the Pure s 10W), it carries well on even half volume with no distortion. There is a very, very slight mains hum (or something similar), but this is nothing serious. As you d expect, build quality and design is more impressive with the Pure: Pure radios are, much like Apple Computers very lust-afterable. You get real wood veneers with the Pure, and the controls feel smoother and more subtle. The Technika/Tesco has wood effect paper over plastic, and a ghastly, chrome-effect plastic volume control (the ball bearing effect buttons are OK in their way) that works on two switches rather than turning for real. There s not much to choose between the quality of the LCD displays. And the Technika plugs sttraight into the mains (you wouldn t want to run either unit on batteries, and the Pure chargepak costs about the same as the Technika) whereas there s an external transformer for the Pure. But here s the thing: I have the Pure up in my locked study, away from the kids. I can t just leave it around the house, and never dare listen to it in the kitchen, or forget it in the garage overnight. So, perversely, I get more enjoyment out of the Technika! There s also a particular satisfaction in buying something cheaply that does a job more than adequately, even if it s not the finest money can buy. It pains me to say this (Tesco taking 25% of my income already, or something similar) , but this is something of a bargain. I REALLY like it: even its eccentricities and flaws are beginning to grow on me. So there.

Amplifier YesBrand TechnikaColour Cherrywood EffectDab Radio YesDigital Tuner YesHeadphone Socket YesProduct Depth 35 cmProduct Height 9 cmProduct Weight 660gProduct Width 19 cmRDS YesSpeakers 2 wayTimer YesWavebands DAB/FMBefore you buy a DAB radio it is essential that you check for coverage in your local area. The reception you receive will depend on where you live.

DUAL BAND DAB & FM RADIO STATION AUTO TUNING
4DAB/4FM PRESET STATIONS
ALARM/TIMER FUNCTION

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