Listening to Gold – what are my options?

Other ways to get Gold

STOP PRESS (14th Sept 2015): Read about how you can hear Gold radio now in many parts of Scotland and England – it’s back!

If you’ve been tuning around while the ads are on Gold radio, there’s a good chance you won’t have heard the announcements that in all areas apart from London, Manchester and the East Midlands, Smooth Radio is taking over Gold’s frequencies on DAB and AM. There’s more information in our article here about the changes, which will happen on Monday 24th March. Yorkshire, too, has had a reprieve, as it appears Gold will continue to be broadcast on the region’s DAB digital multiplex until its closure in 2015.

So, if you find that the only way to tune in to Gold in your area of the country is via your tv box (Sky Channel 0121, Virgin Media Channel 959 and FreeSat Channel 722) but are looking for another way to carry on listening to the revised, jukebox-style Gold, you could think about getting an internet radio, if you don’t fancy tying up your PC or tablet on Gold’s app. You can then add Gold to your favourite list of stations on your internet receiver and listen to its output over the internet.

What’s the cheapest option?

Currently, a Q2 tip ‘n’ tilt internet radio is available for £35 delivered, in a white finish. There’s also a black version  for £35 delivered (just look under the list of retailers to find it at this lower price) and a green one for £38. The idea with the Q2 tip ‘n’ tilt is that you firstly connect it to your PC to store a handful of favourite stations on the radio, then unplug from your PC and you’re up and running, having entered your network’s key and password (usually found written on the underside of your router). The advantage of the Q2 is that is has its own built-in rechargeable battery and unlike may radios that require a separate rechargeable battery pack, you can move the Q2 around the house, as long as it’s in range of your wi-fi broadband connection.

If you don’t mind spending a bit more and want a really reliable internet receiver, the Roberts Stream 83i offers an easy way to start listening to radio stations over the internet. You’ll have access to thousands of internet stations from around the world and literally hundreds playing sixties music, like Absolute Radio 60s, Radio 10 Gold 60s and 70s, British Sixties Radio, Sky.fm’s 60s rock and Radio Sixties 78 from across the water in France, to name a few.

The author of this blog has a Pure One Flow and, with the latest software running on the radio, it’s a top-notch way to listen to podcasts, streaming radio and catch-up services. The wireless range of the radio is about ten metres with a couple of plasterboard walls in between, but you could buy a wireless range extender to boost your wi-fi signal around the house.

If you want a little more research, check out our top 3 internet radios feature.

And don’t forget, you can also listen to the radio via your PC or tablet, UK RadioPlayer app on iOS, Android or WindowsPhone smartphone.

 

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3 of the best internet radios

We’ve a quick roundup of the best internet radios capable of streaming your station of choice. There are other ways of getting internet radio, but many people just want a traditional-looking radio they can put on their kitchen counter or sideboard. These should fit that bill…

Pure One Flow (typically £85)

The bestselling £85 Pure One Flow (also in white) dispenses with touchscreens and other distractions to offer internet radio streaming from a familiar box with dials and buttons. You’ll need a broadband internet connection and wireless router (preferably with an unlimited data plan, so you don’t rack up extra costs if you use up your monthly allowance), so that the wi-fi radio can connect and stream over the internet. The radio stores unlimited favourite stations on Pure’s Connect (formerly called “The Lounge”) website – simply login and add stations from the UK and around the world via your browser, and they’ll appear as a list on your radio.

If you do need to switch back to DAB or FM, you can do so, as the One Flow has tuners to receive stations on these wavebands. In this respect, it really is a “one-stop” shopfront for radio listening. A headphone socket lets you listen without annoying others around you.

The radio isn’t truly portable out-of-the-box – you’ll need a special rechargeable battery pack – and if you want to make a cabled connection to your router, an optional Ethernet Adaptor comes in extra. But, for ease of use and usability, it’s one of the best of the bunch.

Internet radio… in stereo, too

Roberts Stream 83i (typically £130)

Don’t be fooled by the rather traditional looks of the 83i; under the case are some serious electronics and audio components to make streaming stations as painless as possible.

The 83i radio has rave reviews from owners, not least because of regular firmware updates to improve and add new features. As is typical at this price, both DAB and FM tuners are also included, to allow you to listen to existing “terrestrial” stations. You’ll still have a choice from thousands of stations “broadcasting” over the internet – including LBC, Choice FM and Real XS.

You can also wake to an internet station of your choice, which is a really useful feature, as is the included remote control. You can stream wirelessly (over wi-fi) or hook the unit up via an ethernet cable to your router. Alas, you can’t use batteries, but nevertheless if you’re looking for a kitchen or bedroom-type radio (with alarm), the Roberts Stream 83i is worth saving up for.

DAB not your thing? The Roberts 106 just does streaming

Roberts Stream 106X (typically £97)

The ‘106X uses 6 standard C-cell batteries, which allows you to move the internet radio around your house without being near a power socket. It’s an internet-only receiver (no DAB or FM tuners here), so you’ll be able to stream stations over your wi-fi network, but not listen to Radio 4 on FM, for example.

Two alarm timers help do the job of waking you up to UK-based LBC or a whole heap of stations of your choice from abroad. A headphone socket means you can also doze off to a station without waking your partner.

The Roberts Stream 106X is worth considering if you want a physical radio with modern looks that you can sit on your kitchen counter, without the hassle of downloading apps.