Expensive Internet Radio Alert: Sangean DDR-63 for $349.95

 

Ante reminded me this morning of a new Internet radio from Sangean. This Sangean DDR-663 had better be the Holy Grail of Internet radios at this price. Here are the specs from Universal Radio:

The Sangean DDR-63 Internet Radio/FM-RDS/Aux In/CD/USB/SD/iPod Cradle. This all-in-ene tabletop wooden cabinet musical system transforms your listening experience. Featuring more choices, crystal-clear sound, the new DDR-63 all-in-one musical system lets you enjoy your music the way it was meant to be heard. Made for iPods, this system allows you to listen your favorite tunes using the integrated docking station. If you get bored with the songs on your iPod, the DDR-63 has a built-in WiFi Internet Radio, CD Player, USB/SD Card and FM Tuner letting you listen to your favorite recorded music and talk radio. The large back-lit LCD that displays the current FM frequency; the touch pad buttons provide full access controls. The tuner also features a memory for ten presets on FM, 99 station presets on Internet Radio and a telescoping antenna for better reception. Wake up to the radio, buzzer, line-in source, or iPod--it's your choice. Also, a sleep timer lets you drift off to your favorite tunes.

 Internet Radio / FM Wavebands. 
 MP3 and WMA Compatible. 
 iPod Cradle Charges and Plays iPods. 
 Aux In/Line Out Jack. Stereo Headphone Jack. 
 Digital EQ Control. 
 Network Music Player. 
 External F Type FM Antenna Terminal. 
 10 Station Presets on FM and 99 Station Presets on Internet Radio. 
 Slot in CD MP3/WMA Player, Ripping Function to SD/USB 

 

Comments

[Doug T.]

I wonder why so few Internet "radios" include support for AM reception. I suspect that it is an interference issue, but it is certainly much cheaper to get an AM/FM clock radio and then a Squeezebox Boom or a cheap Internet radio.

The Sangean's Internet radio section is just vtuner -- so it is comparable to the RCA/Acoustic Radio Infinite Radio -- which has a market price of $83 (and also is one of the few Internet radios that also supports AM): http://www.amazon.com/ARIR200-Tabletop-Wi-Fi-Internet-Radio/dp/B001PPVXPK/

I'm not recommending the Acoustic Research radio (it is rather buggy); but the price and feature set seems way out of whack here. I doubt that the Sangean (especially since it is limited by vtuner) is as well-implemented as the Squeezebox Boom, for example.