WI FI RADIO – MAGIBOX IMP ADAPT  review by the Wireless Waffler

I was against to buying an internet radio, but I obtained a wireless router. I previously could not really see why anyone would want to have a separate radio, when you can access a variety of stations whilst surfing.  Indeed having taken the plunge into this new world of “radio” has challenged my technical know how, but has been worth it in the long run.  In case anyone is thinking of joining the new revolution in radio, I though I would write this review to show how complex it is to set up, but in the long run is well worth the effort. Enter this world if you think you can cope with the technicalities!

I saw the Morphy Richards web radio in Maplins for £49.00, and was considering purchasing this. It is quite an impressive looking set, although I did not get a change to hear the audio from it.  It would have added yet another radio into the house.  I did some surfing and read a review of the Morphy Richards which pointed out that the sound quality was not too hot and also that it was large and ugly (obviously a discrepancy with my initial impression of it!) http://www.frankjordans.com/morphyrichard_internet_radio.htm.

I then discovered that Amazon Uk had the Imp Adapt Magicbox which was a much smaller unit altogether, it attaches to the hi fi via a 3.5mm stereo plug.  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Magic-Box-Adapt-Internet-Player/dp/B000M2YHNM  The company that sells the unit seems to have put the price up to £69.99, twenty pounds more than they charged me.

I found the world of wi fi a rapid upward, try it and fail then win, learning curve. Similar to my initial experiences installing a dial up modem in the start of the internet.  The wireless router I got through a freecycle group, a Belkin G, took me four days to master. This would not show up the internet page which allowed me to configure the router. I got round this by using a laptop to get the site, and then re-set the router to factory defaults.  I got the wi fi radio and found that I had to go through the process of adding it to my wireless network.   I just could not get it to connect up. I had agreed with the suppliers to return the unit, but placed a plea for help on the Yahoo Groups Caroline Mailing List.  Somebody there kindly told me to take the password protection off my router then to go into the configuration menu of the radio and to update the firmware.  I did this and put the password protection back on to my router.  From that moment onwards the wi fi radio worked a treat.

The unit is very compact, 7 x 2 x 2”.  It has no controls on at all, just a blue LCD display in black. This can be enlarged using a zoom button on the handset, which carries out every function on the Imp Adapt Magibox.  When you input the password for the network, you can correct any mistakes by pushing the back button on the remote. 

It connects up to a hi fi via a 3.3mm stereo jack, and plugs into the mains with a conventional 3 pin UK plug.   I have also successfully taken the unit away from the hi fi and used on standalone powered speakers, and connected it up to a legal fm transmitter and listened to it on a conventional radio.  I have put the modem and router on a separate plug to the pc, and now I can benefit from listening to radio stations on the internet without booting up the pc.  I am fortunate to have no bandwidth restriction on my net usuage, but this is a consideration because it does use up web bandwidth.   One disadvantage I find it that the radio does not give you reference to the web address for the station you are listening to.  I like to check up when surfing later, whether it is a genuine radio station, or a web based broadcaster.  Having said that there are some very good Russian web broadcasters who put out some excellent easy listening, reggae and other types of music stations.

The unit is also designed to stream music on your pc, if it is wireless enabled.  I have not tried out this facility yet, nor am sure that I will need this facility, so cannot pass comment on this.

It seems that the big movement to Internet Radio is controlled by a company called Receiva, who sell their software and station data to many wi if manufacturers.  I had to go on to their site and set up an account, then input the serial number and other details of the radio, The benefits of doing this have been superb. I now can select “My Stations” on the radio’s dial (under “My Stuff”) These are selected on line at the Receiva site from long lists of stations by genre, location. You add them to My stations on line, and then when you next switch on the radio it updates your list of stations to tune through.

Navigation through menus is by using the joy stick direction control in the centre of the remote control, then pushing ok in the centre to select a chosen station or option.  The back button takes you back to the last station or action.  There are only six memory buttons which are set easily by holding one on until it say that the preset has been set.  The remote works well but unlike some it needs a firm push with a finger or thumbnail to work.  I find this quite easy, but it is different to some modern controls which have a light touch.

I listen to a variety of stations. I have enjoyed Angel Radio from Havant with its unusual blend of 78s and vintage recordings.  Caroline, Big L and Radio Seagull are easy to find.   I managed to hear Hott Fm from Barbados , which I heard years ago when I visited.  Radio Bayrak that I heard in Northern Cyprus is on as well.  I found an American station which was called Boss Radio and plays the old sixties Big L and SRE jingles with their name.  I still listen to the shortwaves and also to fm and am, on conventional radios. 

If you are considering buying a DAB radio, then although I have one of the first Pure Dabs, I would forget it and buy a wi fi radio. You will get 3000 or more stations to choose from, and on Dab you only get 53 in London . Some manufacturers like Roberts combine a conventional radio with internet, so you have the best of both worlds. 

Receiva are a developing company, and I trust that they do not start charging for the service of selecting and listening to stations.  Internet radio on a separate unit, does not slow down the pc you are using, in fact it works far better than listening on line on broadband.  The audio quality is governed by the streaming that is used, but the the Imp adapt can play windows media, real player, mp3 and AAC streams.  Wi Fi radio does receive by airwaves, and can be received for several hundred feet from a wireless router.   It is not a replacement for radio, but if they can simplify it so does not need a separate router, and modem it will be very big indeed.