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I'm sorry, I'm too busy fondling prayer beads over DVD-A and SACD to be thinking of radio!
Reader Bard-Alan Finlan has seen the hype about digital satellite radio from XM and Sirius. He'd like to know what you're really thinking about the new format.
Here we go with all of this technocrap again. After the September, 2000 issue of Stereophile, which profiled 24/96 PC sound, I thought that I was in the clear. Then along came digital satellite radio. After having hurriedly read the article, I went to my listening room and hugged my Magnum Dynalab Etude. Let's keep Stereophile on the subject of STEREOS, not SATELLITES.
Satellite TV had a chance to do something special. Instead, they chose to provide endless repeats of bad programming and picture quality so compressed it's barely watchable. I expect the same attitude from satellite radio as long as it makes money.
There is way to much background noise in a car. I have every issue of stereophile from vol 3 #1 to date. what is going on these days. I don't like the changes I'm seeing. Get back to what made you great and leave the massmarket junk to others to review. PLEASE
Why pay for radio? What is the true "value added" over the current "free" radio? Will the sound be better? I don't think so. Will the musical content be better? The answer to that question lies in the ears of the beholder (listener), but probably not. This is just another unnecessary use of technology to get into our wallets.
I've subscribed to DMX through my cable subscriber for over year> It's the only way to go. Lately, I have been toying with the idea of running a line into my reciever so I could get Real Player off the web. It would be fantastic if you could get the best of both, CD (or better) sound with the global listening ability of Real Player!
I would be very interested, provided the sound is good and not some watered-down broadcast. If it is anything like my crappy digitial cable, which looks worse than a broadcast signal and the analog cable it replaced, forget it. I must admit that I greatly enjoy surfing through FM stations late at night, hoping to catch a song I haven't heard in years and had forgotten about. If I could have the same experience without the limitation of my area's radio stations AND the benefit of CD quality sound -- you can sign me up.
I would only purchase satellite radio if the price would be below $50/yr and a very minimal installation fee. Besides, I would only use it to record material onto MD's without the static I am prone to living 40 miles away from the nearest decent station.
Being fortunate enough (?) to live in Europe, I enjoy both TV and radio programs using the same digital satellite receiver. So, there really is no dilemma. The program and the quality of reception is excellent -- well, maybe that's not true for all 80 or so stations.
I'm an over-the-road tractor truck driver. This is what I've been waiting for. To be able to tune in a program without it chirp'n birdies(AM) or drop'n out (FM). I'm hoping personalities such as Howard Stern, Art Bell, Rush get on board . . .
Radio is for the commute not the 'sweet spot'. Wouldn't pay a penny for music in the car when already supporting 3 NPR outlets. When FM stereo was new, so was hi-fi but no longer--hi-fi, now high-end, is common, affordable and easily done varying only by degree or obsession. Thanks but no thanks, interesting idea but no market.