Which of the new tabletop hybrid digital HD radios have the best audio quality?

[Tom Wells]

"Okay, so you're taunting. Precisely what DO you know about this "that I don't know?" Care to share your insight with the rest of the class?"

Only glad to.

Built-in:
http://cartoys.com/products/product.cfm/Alpine/Alpine-CDE-HD138BT-CD-Receiver-with-built-in-HD-Radio
http://cartoys.com/products/product.cfm/Pioneer/Pioneer-AVHP-8400BH-DVD-HD-Receiver-w-iPod-BT

Ibiquity backends (for other rigs)
http://cartoys.com/products/product.cfm/Alpine/TUA_T550HD
http://cartoys.com/products/product.cfm/Pioneer/Pioneer_GEX_P20HD_HD_Radio_Tuner

They have a couple other models with it built in, but you get the idea. They sell brand-new rigs, not refurbs, closeout or Coby junk. Car Toys are currently very actively marketing Ibiquity receivers on their radio and television spots. They are a local company incorporated in Vancouver/Portland since about the early 1980s; top-notch and professional. They know what they are talking about, so it'd do a brother well to listen to them.

Spin it however you will.

[size=8pt]_________________________________
* A logical fallacy this particular board is unfortunately rife with.

You had me going a while. Nice fake-out.
I've been waiting for an ibiquity true 'back end" device that uses the IF output of my existing tuners.

Sadly these are just more ibquity FRONT END devices that eliminate tuning in favor of preset steps.

As I enjoy AM a great deal, I wil not accept single-point and bandwidth selection of AM reception. I demand the ability to tune.
Yes , I know the ibiquity system wants to be absolutely center tuned.

If the market had offered a true back end device, I'd probably have been one of the super early adopters.

Depending on the IF bandwidth and curve of the radio, I may absolutely NOT want it center tuned.
My preference rules, so I don't listen to radios that don't permit me to analog-tune mediumwave.

 

[Darth_vader]

It's not a "fake out" at all. He posted a broad statement, I replied; he then requested I expand upon it, expand upon it I did.

Just because there's no Ibiquity IF back-end *now* doesn't mean there won't be. Have to let the patent encumberances expire first. Once the CQAM encumberances ran out, a few MW stereo back-ends were made. Even though such things aren't available at present doesn't mean they won't be in the future.

[size=8pt]So then if "back end" isn't the "proper" term to use for a seperate unit detached from the main unit, what is? I'm reluctant to use the word "s---e", because in all likelihood someone from the "(specify ethnic group here) Political-Correctness Police Force" will break down my door at 0330 and arrest me for it; you know how seriously people take themselves these days...

 

[Tom Wells]

I guess if it's on the front end it's a converter, but that gets muddier depending
on whether the output is fully demodulated audio...in which case it's a full tuner all by itself.

 

[Barry]

Best Buy's website lists a new Insignia table radio that is "coming soon."
While unlikely to win any audio awards, it will be priced at only $49.99. It is unclear at this point whether it will be widely available at Best Buy stores, or can only be picked up, after an online order.
Another new model that will be available soon is listed for $99.99. Apparently that one can only be ordered online.

Cheap HD Table Radio: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Insigni...477073&skuId=4635744&st=insignia hd&cp=1&lp=2

 

[spunker88]

So they are still making new HD radios, there is a user manual for the Insignia unit online and you can see what it looks like:
http://www.insigniaproducts.com/cms/documents/manuals/NS-HDRAD_12-0133_WEB_V2_ENG_Final_lr.pdf

No AM radio on this which is kind of surprising since its plenty big enough to house an antenna inside.

The larger new HD Insignia radio does have AM and is being advertised with a Radio Reader Service. Is this something like SCA except using HD Radio?

http://www.insigniaproducts.com/products/portable-audio-players/NS-CLHD01.html

I want to see what these perform like for DXing, not expecting much since they are Insignia but thats just the brand name. What matters is what they used for a chip inside.

 

[Darth_vader]

"Is this something like SCA except using HD Radio?"

Answer:

"IAAIS-compliant design: Features voice responses to simplify operation for visually impaired users." (from the site)

"Accessible mode with Voice prompt/feedback on button press for visually impaired users" (from the PDF instruction book on the site, http://insigniaproducts.com/cms/documents/manuals/NS-CLHD01_12-0501_WEB_V2_EN_Final lr.pdf )

It appears the rig has speech synthesis so blind users or others who can't read can still operate the receiver. Thus, "Radio Reader Service" is actually a pretty sloppy name for this; probably just a proofreader's oversight at Worst Buy. A radio reading service *broadcast* delivered via the Ibiquity system is just that, and (I imagine) can be received on pretty much anything that can decode Ibiquity signals. Heck, OPB even did that for a short while quite a few moons ago (that is, when OPB actually still had a radio reading service...)

 

[tomservo]

I have a feeling the reason that first Insignia boom box is a) $49.99, b) FM only and c) has only 10 presets is because it's the exact same internals as the little Insignia HD portable which is the same as the Audiovox HD portable.