Cambridge Audio DAB tuner... HELP PLEASE

[GRIBBLE]

Can anyone please tell me if my Cambridge Audio Azur 640T DAB tuner can ever receive a DAB+, recently introduced into Australia? Is my tuner now officially useless here? Can it be upgraded or is that unrealistic?

[Mooly]

Almost certainly it's DAB only... and if/when DAB+ ever gets introduced in the UK there's going to be a lot of unhappy folk. DAB is being pushed here with no mention of it becoming obsolete.

I say "almost certainly"... as depending on the chip set and front end used, some products are technically capable of receiving DAB+ if various software/firmware updates etc are implemented.

In your case I am sure the answer is no, not possible unfortunately.
I have a Pure DRX701ES which is in the same position.

[GRIBBLE]

Thanks Mooly,

Guess you're in the UK where DAB is standard issue, but in Oz the government decided DAB+ was the 'official' version in July 2009. They had been testing since 2004, for a 2005 Australia wide commencement (when I bought my Cambridge Audio tuner), but then delayed their decision year on year.
Your confirmation has now realised what I was almost certain of, unfortunately. Now I'll just have to save my pennies for another expensive tuner... Except, now I'm retired and there are no spare pennies.

diyAudio is a great network, and I love knowing there are so many desperates out there who really enjoy incredible 'life-like' music in their own living rooms, and are willing to help anybody anywhere who just happens to be striving for the same experience.

Cheers,
Warren

[Mooly]

So you have never had DAB down under ? Promised but never materialised.

I'd be really annoyed at that
I get annoyed to when I keep hearing of the "poor quality" of DAB. The reason it's poor in the UK is because of all the trashy channels using all the bandwidth requiring an overall reduction in bit rates.
DAB is capable of near CD quality audio... it just never got the chance.

[GRIBBLE]

Hi Mooly,
When the decision was made and the DAB+ came in, my previously broken reception (digital... now you have it, now you don't) totally disappeared. However, for the first time, my signal strength indicated on my Cambridge Audio 640T was full bars 10 out of ten, as the official 'in service' transmission cranked up to full power.
I'd spent $1200 on new antenna, boost amp and full house rewiring in 'digital' coax (instead of high quality 'analogue' coax).
This obviously means I now need to buy a bloody huge full high resolution LCD, LED flat screen TV (to watch the news), and a new DAB+ component tuner...
Is this all a conspiracy on can I just opt out and join all you techheads by studying electronics and building my own stuff???? Although I did use physics, common sense and a cross-over expert to help me build my sensational speakers 30 years ago.
Trouble is, I only want to listen to superb music while I paint, read and play along on my harmonica... I mean, why the hell did I retire at 55, and give up an indulgent income?
I will remain a voyeur viewing this diyAudio with great delight just because I love people who actually get excited about stuff... And I like this stuff!
Cheers,
Waz from Oz