The Bug.....???
 

It's a long shot I know, but does anyone have any experience of 'The Bug'??

http://www.thebug.com/

'Sound quality', build quality etc.???

Me much-loved stereo tuners are emitting a terrible, continual interference
these days (both of them) which I can't tune out. I've been mono for a while
now (don't bother me - I like mono) but, short of an aerial that will
seriously bugger up all the Feng Shooey hereabouts, I'm at a loss how to
remedy matters. I like my 'radio' and even I have to admit that DAB which is
thin, brittle sounding and not at all engaging (I had a Technics DAB tuner
and got rid) but which you *can* listen to is gonna beat FM you can't! (The
portables here are fine - but we all know about that, don't we?)

This Bug thing, whilst obviously aimed at zitboy 'Geeko Freekos', seems to
offer some seriously useful functionality (SD card recording) and is a
welcome departure from the usual, boring 440mm 'hifi slice' that has no
particular relevance to my valve amps and turntable setups. I'm kinda
reasoning that if I can listen to MP3s that have been 'valved up a bit', I
can surely listen to DAB - as 'sonic wallpaper' in the same way, if nothing
else.....??

TIA

The Bug.....???
 

Keith G wrote:
It's a long shot I know, but does anyone have any experience of 'The
Bug'??
http://www.thebug.com/

'Sound quality', build quality etc.???


Buggy and ****e ergonomics, so I'm told.


Me much-loved stereo tuners are emitting a terrible, continual
interference these days (both of them) which I can't tune out. I've
been mono for a while now (don't bother me - I like mono)


You *like* mono??


but, short
of an aerial that will seriously bugger up all the Feng Shooey
hereabouts, I'm at a loss how to remedy matters. I like my 'radio'
and even I have to admit that DAB which is thin, brittle sounding and
not at all engaging (I had a Technics DAB tuner and got rid) but
which you *can* listen to is gonna beat FM you can't! (The portables
here are fine - but we all know about that, don't we?)


I'd advise you to get Freeview if possible, and if you cannot get
Freeview get digital satellite. The audio quality is better on Freeview
and digital satellite than on DAB due to the higher bit rates used. To
see which stations are available and to compare bit rates see:

http://www.digitalradiotech.co.uk/in...bit_rate_table

192kbps for stereo usually sounds pretty good (not as good as, say,
Radio 3 FM, but good nonetheless), 128kbps as used on DAB sounds ****e.


This Bug thing, whilst obviously aimed at zitboy 'Geeko Freekos',
seems to offer some seriously useful functionality (SD card
recording) and is a welcome departure from the usual, boring 440mm
'hifi slice' that has no particular relevance to my valve amps and
turntable setups. I'm kinda reasoning that if I can listen to MP3s
that have been 'valved up a bit', I can surely listen to DAB - as
'sonic wallpaper' in the same way, if nothing else.....??


Hmmm.


--
Steve - www.digitalradiotech.co.uk - Digital Radio News & Info

Freeview receivers price comparison -
http://www.digitalradiotech.co.uk/fr..._receivers.htm
DAB radios price comparison -
http://www.digitalradiotech.co.uk/da...tal_radios.htm

The Bug.....???
 

In article , Keith G
writes
It's a long shot I know, but does anyone have any experience of 'The Bug'??

http://www.thebug.com/

'Sound quality', build quality etc.???

Me much-loved stereo tuners are emitting a terrible, continual interference
these days (both of them) which I can't tune out. I've been mono for a while
now (don't bother me - I like mono) but, short of an aerial that will
seriously bugger up all the Feng Shooey hereabouts, I'm at a loss how to
remedy matters. I like my 'radio' and even I have to admit that DAB which is
thin, brittle sounding and not at all engaging (I had a Technics DAB tuner
and got rid) but which you *can* listen to is gonna beat FM you can't! (The
portables here are fine - but we all know about that, don't we?)


What with Peterbourgh down you won't be getting anything much of a
usable signal till they have this little lot "sorted"


http://tx.mb21.co.uk/gallery/peterborough.asp
--
Tony Sayer

The Bug.....???
 

On Mon, 1 Nov 2004 18:16:55 +0000, tony sayer
wrote:

In article , Keith G
writes
It's a long shot I know, but does anyone have any experience of 'The Bug'??

http://www.thebug.com/

'Sound quality', build quality etc.???

Me much-loved stereo tuners are emitting a terrible, continual interference
these days (both of them) which I can't tune out. I've been mono for a while
now (don't bother me - I like mono) but, short of an aerial that will
seriously bugger up all the Feng Shooey hereabouts, I'm at a loss how to
remedy matters. I like my 'radio' and even I have to admit that DAB which is
thin, brittle sounding and not at all engaging (I had a Technics DAB tuner
and got rid) but which you *can* listen to is gonna beat FM you can't! (The
portables here are fine - but we all know about that, don't we?)


What with Peterbourgh down you won't be getting anything much of a
usable signal till they have this little lot "sorted"


http://tx.mb21.co.uk/gallery/peterborough.asp

Do they have any idea what caused the collapse yet? I occasionally
have to climb those things.

d
Pearce Consulting
http://www.pearce.uk.com

The Bug.....???
 

In article , Don Pearce
writes
On Mon, 1 Nov 2004 18:16:55 +0000, tony sayer
wrote:

In article , Keith G
writes
It's a long shot I know, but does anyone have any experience of 'The Bug'??

http://www.thebug.com/

'Sound quality', build quality etc.???

Me much-loved stereo tuners are emitting a terrible, continual interference
these days (both of them) which I can't tune out. I've been mono for a while
now (don't bother me - I like mono) but, short of an aerial that will
seriously bugger up all the Feng Shooey hereabouts, I'm at a loss how to
remedy matters. I like my 'radio' and even I have to admit that DAB which is
thin, brittle sounding and not at all engaging (I had a Technics DAB tuner
and got rid) but which you *can* listen to is gonna beat FM you can't! (The
portables here are fine - but we all know about that, don't we?)


What with Peterbourgh down you won't be getting anything much of a
usable signal till they have this little lot "sorted"


http://tx.mb21.co.uk/gallery/peterborough.asp

Do they have any idea what caused the collapse yet? I occasionally
have to climb those things.

What in the UK?...


Well they say it was a "fire" but they can't agree quite where the fire
was. Some reports say it was 80 metres up the mast, others say it was at
the base.

I don't buy the 80 metres up the mast, but the bottom of the mast maybe.
It seems a feeder cable caught light, or so they say.....
--
Tony Sayer

The Bug.....???
 

"DAB sounds worse than FM" wrote in message
...
Keith G wrote:
It's a long shot I know, but does anyone have any experience of 'The
Bug'??
http://www.thebug.com/

'Sound quality', build quality etc.???


Buggy and ****e ergonomics, so I'm told.

and it looks horrible!

Me much-loved stereo tuners are emitting a terrible, continual
interference these days (both of them) which I can't tune out. I've
been mono for a while now (don't bother me - I like mono)


You *like* mono??


but, short
of an aerial that will seriously bugger up all the Feng Shooey
hereabouts, I'm at a loss how to remedy matters. I like my 'radio'
and even I have to admit that DAB which is thin, brittle sounding and
not at all engaging (I had a Technics DAB tuner and got rid) but
which you *can* listen to is gonna beat FM you can't! (The portables
here are fine - but we all know about that, don't we?)


I'd advise you to get Freeview if possible, and if you cannot get Freeview
get digital satellite. The audio quality is better on Freeview and digital
satellite than on DAB due to the higher bit rates used. To see which
stations are available and to compare bit rates see:

http://www.digitalradiotech.co.uk/in...bit_rate_table

192kbps for stereo usually sounds pretty good (not as good as, say, Radio
3 FM, but good nonetheless), 128kbps as used on DAB sounds ****e.

I'd go with that to a point - but aerial is a problem if you move it around
the home and IME they work best (ergonomically) when hooked up to a TV.

This Bug thing, whilst obviously aimed at zitboy 'Geeko Freekos',
seems to offer some seriously useful functionality (SD card
recording) and is a welcome departure from the usual, boring 440mm
'hifi slice' that has no particular relevance to my valve amps and
turntable setups. I'm kinda reasoning that if I can listen to MP3s
that have been 'valved up a bit', I can surely listen to DAB - as
'sonic wallpaper' in the same way, if nothing else.....??


Hmmm.

I've used an Evoke for a while now. Compared to a decent FM portable it
sounds rather shut in but not unpleasant - rather like an old Roberts.
Compared to FM through the stereo it sounds fine, but I don't 'listen' to
the radio in the way I listen to records/CDs (it's playing R4 ATM and it
just sounds fine, no problem). In the final analysis I bought the DAB radio
so that I could listen to R6 and the world service with half-decent sound
and use the radio in the same way as I use a normal portable. It works well
and the Evoke seems well screwed together (rather tacky switches though). I
also bought it because I've got more money than sense - in that reception
isn't a big problem for me

The implementation of DAB is a different matter and I was annoyed enough to
complain and contribute to consultation (ha) - the bitrate thing is
deplorable and would, I imagine, rule DAB out as a serious source of 'high
fidelity' music.

Rob



--
Steve - www.digitalradiotech.co.uk - Digital Radio News & Info

Freeview receivers price comparison -
http://www.digitalradiotech.co.uk/fr..._receivers.htm
DAB radios price comparison -
http://www.digitalradiotech.co.uk/da...tal_radios.htm

The Bug.....???
 

On Mon, 1 Nov 2004 18:46:48 +0000, tony sayer
wrote:

What in the UK?...


Well they say it was a "fire" but they can't agree quite where the fire
was. Some reports say it was 80 metres up the mast, others say it was at
the base.

I don't buy the 80 metres up the mast, but the bottom of the mast maybe.
It seems a feeder cable caught light, or so they say.....
--
Tony Sayer

Not the UK - much worse. I was up a 70 metre guyed mast in Kuwait -
the guy ropes were all loose and it was blowing a gale. Every time the
wind blew from another direction the mast would topple that way and
jerk to a stop as the guy rope came taut.

I don't have a climbing ticket any more, so that is my excuse over
here.

d
Pearce Consulting
http://www.pearce.uk.com

The Bug.....???
 

Rob wrote:
"DAB sounds worse than FM" wrote in message
...
Keith G wrote:
It's a long shot I know, but does anyone have any experience of 'The
Bug'??
http://www.thebug.com/

'Sound quality', build quality etc.???


Buggy and ****e ergonomics, so I'm told.

and it looks horrible!


Indeed.


I'd advise you to get Freeview if possible, and if you cannot get
Freeview get digital satellite. The audio quality is better on
Freeview and digital satellite than on DAB due to the higher bit
rates used. To see which stations are available and to compare bit
rates see: http://www.digitalradiotech.co.uk/in...bit_rate_table

192kbps for stereo usually sounds pretty good (not as good as, say,
Radio 3 FM, but good nonetheless), 128kbps as used on DAB sounds
****e.
I'd go with that to a point - but aerial is a problem if you move it
around the home and IME they work best (ergonomically) when hooked up
to a TV.


Sure, and I use mine with a TV, but you can get the Humax F2FoxT which
has an LED channel number display if you don't want to use a TV.


This Bug thing, whilst obviously aimed at zitboy 'Geeko Freekos',
seems to offer some seriously useful functionality (SD card
recording) and is a welcome departure from the usual, boring 440mm
'hifi slice' that has no particular relevance to my valve amps and
turntable setups. I'm kinda reasoning that if I can listen to MP3s
that have been 'valved up a bit', I can surely listen to DAB - as
'sonic wallpaper' in the same way, if nothing else.....??


Hmmm.

I've used an Evoke for a while now. Compared to a decent FM portable
it sounds rather shut in but not unpleasant - rather like an old
Roberts.


I bought an Evoke-1 recently when they were £45 at Argos. It's okay, but
I have no idea what everybody was raving about.


Compared to FM through the stereo it sounds fine, but I
don't 'listen' to the radio in the way I listen to records/CDs (it's
playing R4 ATM and it just sounds fine, no problem).


It's a mono portable, so it hides defects nicely that hi-fi systems
bring out.


In the final
analysis I bought the DAB radio so that I could listen to R6 and the
world service with half-decent sound and use the radio in the same
way as I use a normal portable. It works well and the Evoke seems
well screwed together (rather tacky switches though). I also bought
it because I've got more money than sense - in that reception isn't a
big problem for me


In time we'll be able to stream digital TV around the house. There's
already plenty of MP3 wireless devices, although at the moment I'm not
aware that anybody's bothered to add MP2, but I'd guess it's only a
matter of time.


The implementation of DAB is a different matter and I was annoyed
enough to complain and contribute to consultation (ha) - the bitrate
thing is deplorable and would, I imagine, rule DAB out as a serious
source of 'high fidelity' music.


Indeed.


--
Steve - www.digitalradiotech.co.uk - Digital Radio News & Info

Freeview receivers price comparison -
http://www.digitalradiotech.co.uk/fr..._receivers.htm
DAB radios price comparison -
http://www.digitalradiotech.co.uk/da...tal_radios.htm

The Bug.....???
 

On Mon, 01 Nov 2004 14:02:11 +0000, Keith G wrote:

It's a long shot I know, but does anyone have any experience of 'The
Bug'??

http://www.thebug.com/

'Sound quality', build quality etc.???

Me much-loved stereo tuners are emitting a terrible, continual
interference these days (both of them) which I can't tune out. I've been
mono for a while now (don't bother me - I like mono) but, short of an
aerial that will seriously bugger up all the Feng Shooey hereabouts, I'm
at a loss how to remedy matters. I like my 'radio' and even I have to

How about using a Freeview box for your radio? The bitrate is better than
DAB (or so I'm told) and you don't *have* to have the TV stations tuned in
- just a TV aerial feed to it. Probably a lot cheaper than DAB tuners too.

--
Mick
(no M$ software on here... :-) )
Web: http://www.nascom.info

The Bug.....???
 

DAB sounds worse than FM wrote:
Keith G wrote:
It's a long shot I know, but does anyone have any experience of 'The
Bug'??
http://www.thebug.com/

'Sound quality', build quality etc.???


Buggy and ****e ergonomics, so I'm told.


Me much-loved stereo tuners are emitting a terrible, continual
interference these days (both of them) which I can't tune out. I've
been mono for a while now (don't bother me - I like mono)


You *like* mono??


Valves guys like that Steve :-)