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Adding "Internet radio" to home system

I have a typical component stereo system, of a vintage to include FM radio, but I wanted an easier way to hear internet stations on it than using my laptop. What an FM tuner is to a free-standing "radio", I assumed there would be an "internet radio" equivalent -- that is, an "internet tuner". But I can't find the product I have in mind, which I think would be small and cheap if it existed. As a substitute I'm using the Logitech Squeezebox internet radio. This isn't bad, but its remote cannot change stations, and the only output is the headphone jack rather than a Line Out.

So is there an "internet tuner" being made?
chrisbrewster
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cleeds
5,948 posts
 
chrisbrewster
... I can’t find the product I have in mind, which I think would be small and cheap if it existed ... is there an "internet tuner" being made?
Magnum Dynalab makes a few of them such as this, but I don’t think any of them are cheap. You might want to consider buying a decent streamer for the internet radio function.


scottya118
157 posts
 
I have an outdoor antenna mounted to the side of my house on a "J" pole. This unit is specific to Sirius/XM. It is grounded with a grounding rod and connected to my preamp via coax which runs to a docking port. So one of my preamp inputs is dedicated to Sirius XM. It's not the greatest quality signal, but if you run it in mono it does provide a bit of flexibility to your listening options. I plan to keep this as a complement to my tuner and streamer. The setup is another way of keeping the computer out of things. These can be purchased through the Sirius website or at Satellite Radio Superstore.
mrklas
441 posts
 
I have a NAD 446 Internet Tuner and media player - I bought it 6-8 years ago so when I was building my stereo system.  It was my 'connection' point for digital music.  I don't use mine anymore - frankly it's collecting dust so if your in the DFW area I'd be willing to barter for a beer :)

Currently I just leverage the internet radio I get from my stream/DAC - the Bluesound Node 2i was my first streamer/DAC and is a great unit for the price.  

Good luck in your journey!
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fuzztone
5,600 posts
 
Streamer. Or a Sangean WFT-1.
rshak
417 posts
 
I use Grace products, including this one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08QKV2BNP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's small and inexpensive, but currently unavailable - which isn't unusual.  Grace seems to do small production runs, which sell out quickly, and after a while will repeat the run or introduce an upgraded version.

I've been very happy with my tuner and also have a Grace Mondo radio in the kitchen. Both are well worth the money, in my opinion.
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fuzztone
5,600 posts
 
The problem with Grace is they changed their IP translator last year. A buddy that was a decades long Grace customer was left high and dry. He had no interest in streaming or playing local but he is quite happy with the BluNide 2i I recommended.
At your own risk.
grinnell
1,096 posts
 
As much as I love tuners ( shortwave as a kid and Macs as an adult) I jumped into internet radio and love it.
I bought a NIB Google Chromecast Audio for around $40, not made anymore but lots on ebay. can use a cable into a 1/8 inch jack or I used an 1/8 toslink cable into a DAC. sound is nice listen to a variety of stations WWOZ, Bluesflac, local stations, etc.
I use my Iphone to control it via Google home but can use MYradiotuner app.
jtuba
25 posts
 
Cambridge Audio makes a streamer that hooks up to your system as a source component. Has lots of digital/analog inputs. V2 is not what I would call "cheap", but I have the V1 of this model that could probably be found for good prices used.

https://www.cambridgeaudio.com/usa/en/products/hi-fi/cx-series-2/cxn
mesch
3,481 posts
 
I am interested in the Cambridge  streamer. Will it play music off a hard drive (AIFF files)?
jtuba
25 posts
 
@mesch Can't say that I know for sure. I'm thinking about getting a NAS and as far as I know it'll play files from there. There is USB input, but I've only hooked up a laptop, haven't tried hard/thumb drives, but maybe I should
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mwh777
90 posts
 
I have a Grace GDI-IRTP800 component internet radio tuner. It works on Wi-Fi or LAN line. It outputs RCA analog or digital. No longer made but, is available used on eBay. Internet radio sound quality is variable. I'm running coax digital into a Luxman DAC along with a disc player and Node 2i streamer. The Grace is not embarrassed in my set-up.
chrisbrewster OP
2 posts
 
My thanks to all who responded -- great information that didn't turn up in any of my searches.Chris
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