Question about radios

[NigelD]

I am soon to fullfil a lifelong ambition and take ownership of an Aston Martin DB9 (cannot wait to use the phrase "shall we take the Aston" .....)
Anyway, excited as I am (and trust me, I am) I was somewhat shocked to realise it doesn't have a DAB radio. Does anyone know of any way I could get one fitted or adapt the existing analogue unit.

[Bravo73]

Aftermarket is your only option. And this lot will be your best bet:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=117...

[NigelD]

Excellent, many thanks, I shall investigate.

[snuffy]

NigelD said:

) I was somewhat shocked to realise it doesn't have a DAB radio.

Are you ? I'm not. The general perception is that DAB is a pile of crap. I recall looking at it over 15 years ago. And has it taken off in 15 years ? No, it's not.

[Neil1300R]

NigelD said:

was somewhat shocked to realise it doesn't have a DAB radio..

Shocked -wait until you use the SatNav....

[jonby]

Other than occasional sports I can only get on DAB, I don't use it in my DD

DAB has been so slow to be taken up that they keep putting back when analogue radio will be dropped

In the last MY, it has become standard on all AMLs. Prior to that, I don't think it was an option on any AM

But I'm sure if you really want it a car audio place can put in one of those adaptor thingys

[Bravo73]

snuffy said:

Are you ? I'm not. The general perception is that DAB is a pile of crap. I recall looking at it over 15 years ago. And has it taken off in 15 years ? No, it's not.

It must have changed a lot in 15 years.

I've got DAB in my daily driver (I upgraded the stereo with a more modern, OEM unit to get it). It's brilliant. Coverage hardly ever drops out (apart from tunnels) and it means that I can get 6 Music, R5SX, Absolute 80s and a whole load of other stations wherever I go.

[brakedwell]

snuffy said:

Are you ? I'm not. The general perception is that DAB is a pile of crap. I recall looking at it over 15 years ago. And has it taken off in 15 years ? No, it's not.

The DAB/Bose set up in my 2013 A8 is superb with unbroken reception even in the wilds of West Sussex.

[snuffy]

The fact remains that DAB has had a very small uptake, it's still regarded as a niche product. You can say it works fine in your car all you like but the average man in the street has shown little or no interest in it.

Digital TV and digital mobiles overtook their analogue counterparts years ago and the analogue networks (TV and phones) have now all been turned off. The same thing has not happened with radio. You have to look at the wider market and not just your own experience. The majority of people are not interested in it.

[JBaps]

Apparently ~30% of UK radio listening is through DAB, not sure that could be described as niche! That said DAB coverage isn't great in a lot of area's and until that's fixed it will be impossible to completely switch over.

[8Tech]

I don't know where that 30% are but I dont know any of them. Maybe 30% of people asked own a DAB radio, as I do in the kitchen at home, but the selection of stations is poor compared to FM. Most of the original DAB stations have now all gone leaving a significant void in the musical selection available.

With FM quality so good, (part from in an Aston Martin), DAB has little or no advantage over it, and thats why take-up has been almost non-existant.

[Quinny]

I believe this is going to be the latest AM hifi upgrade...

[JBaps]

@8Tech, apparently that's 30% of listening hours (gov figures, yeah I know!). I know quite a few people who own and love DAB radio's, most swear by the quality relative to FM. Good/bad perception of DAB may well be quite regional given how poor coverage can be.

[Jon39]

NigelD said:

Anyway, excited as I am (and trust me, I am) I was somewhat shocked to realise it doesn't have a DAB radio.

You will soon get over the shock.

I usually listen to a radio in my 'daily driver', but when in my Aston Martin, it is just the occasional digital music track (don't forget to prepare some 007 themes on your USB stick ). That exhaust note is much better than any DAB.

Once you are behind the wheel, it will be wonderful. Enjoy.