Pure Avanti Flow

This isn’t a particularly current article and we are talking about a radio that is getting a little long in the tooth, but we’ve been asked for some Pure Avanti Flow reviews and here’s a good one.

What HiFi laud the device saying “Great spec; good ergonomics; sounds is large-scale and well controlled by prevailing standards”.

Negatives were few and far between – “Aside from a lack of outright volume, there’s very little here worthy of censure – so if the ideal of a three-piece micro system doesn’t appeal but internet radio does, you’ll need to put this Pure on your shortlist.  “

What HiFi liked it so much they made the Pure Avanti Flow their Internet Radio of the Year 2009.

Read more here

Expert Reviews was similarly happy saying “if you’re looking for an all-in-one audio device to sit by your bed, this is the best we’ve seen.”

Read more here

Pure Evoke Flow

Pocket Lint has just published a review of the Pure Evoke Flow and have trouble faulting it in the looks department. “It’s typical Pure Digital style and one that is not only instantly recognisable, but one that is likely to appeal to Pure Digital fans, of which there are many.”

“Sound quality and speaker capabilities are excellent and as a piece of hardware we love it.”

The only real complaint they had was the website that you must use to manage stations – “Overall it will help you do what you want to do, but it’s not the easiest of sites to use and could detract from the Evoke Flow’s otherwise good quality”

Read more at Pocket Lint.

Roberts Stream 83i

What HiFi describe the Roberts Stream 83i as “good in most areas, but … needs a more balanced sound”.

They certainly don’t think it’s a looker, but accept that that chunky interface has its benefits – “Compared with neater rivals, this is simple to use, and all controls act with a slick positivity”.

When it comes to the spec “only the lack of an iPod dock could conceivably cause concern”.

Read more at What HiFi.

Pure Evoke Flow

There is no doubt that the reviewers at Wired.com like the look of the Pure Evoke Flow – “One day a boom box made sweet, sweet love to a lunch pail and this designer-sleek internet radio with a fancy OLED display was born of that union.”

However, that love affair turns a little sour once they actually get their hands on it – “Those gorgeous buttons are horribly underutilized. There’s no pause/play button to turn off the music; you need to shut down the radio itself. Plus the learning curve is steep.”

All in all though, the feeling is positive – “If you want a stunning clock-radio with great sound that also doubles as a conversation piece, the Flow is actually a decent choice.”

Read more at Wired.com

Revo AXiS

We’ll forgive Revo the keyboard torturing name of the AXiS because at first glance the Scottish radio specialists have produced another landmark WiFi Radio device.

With the Revo Blik our workhorse radio here at Wifi Radio Review Towers, we always look forward to the next product release out of Lanarkshire and the AXiS is ticking all the boxes (even if it did just take 3 attempts to get the case of each of those letters correct).

Revo has taken the now ubiquitous featureset demanded of top end WiFi Radios – DAB, DAB+, internet radio, media streaming, iPod dock, LastFM – and added in a 3.5 inch touchscreen, bringing it inline with rivals such as the Pure Sensia (although the Sensia is 5.4″ compared to the AXiS’ 3.5).

Revo insist that AXiS will have superb audio performance. To quote them directly this “is thanks to the inclusion of NXT’s patented ‘Balanced-Radiator’ (BR) loudspeaker technology. BR drive units combine the performance attributes of an NXT flat panel speaker with the pistonic movement of a conventional loudspeaker, resulting in a high performance compact drive unit that can cover a wider range of frequencies.”

The Revo AXiS will start to ship on October 1, 2010. We are looking forward to getting our hands on one.

Read more here on the Revo website.

Grace Allegro

Top Review Shop has reviewed the Grace Digital Allegro and found it to be a promising device that suffers from a “frustrating user interface”.

“The tiny monochrome 4-line display that can’t be read more than a few feet away, coupled with the unbearable text entry and menu layout scheme, will test the patience of even the most forgiving users.”

“For the $170 price tag, we deserve a device that is much easier to use and there are certainly more user-friendly options out on the market to enjoy portable internet radio.”

With a featureset that does not mark it out from the crowd, the Allegro would be relying on subtleties to succeed, but according to Top Review Shop, it doesn’t quite make it.

Read more at Top Review Shop

Revo Heritage

Reg Hardware has reviewed the Revo Heritage describing it as a ‘supremely versatile and rather fine sounding box of audio tricks’.

‘Unlike some DAB radios that simply try too hard to be retro, the rather Presbyterian Heritage doesn’t look painfully artsy or over styled.’

The Heritage even impressed with its audio – ‘No matter what music I threw at it, I was thoroughly impressed by the quality and composure of the sound even with the volume turned all the way up.’

Read the full review here.

Grace Allegro

Grace Digital Audio has announced the Allegro Portable Wireless Radio & Streamer to their line of internet radios. With Pandora recently topping 50 million registered users and millions of internet radio users worldwide, the demand for a high quality, easy-to-use and affordable internet radio is at an all-time high. Available now at GraceDigitalAudio.com, Allegro provides a superior sound quality with easy access to thousands of radio stations, on-demand programs, and podcasts around the world.

Utilizing a Class D 8 watt digital amplifier, Allegro produces a sound quality that delivers a superior audio experience indoors and out. Grace Digital Audio’s unique triple power option includes a built in battery recharging circuit, allowing users to power Allegro with an AC adapter, 6 regular AA or rechargeable batteries. Allegro can recharge batteries while still in the unit, eliminating the hassle of moving batteries to a separate charger. Other internet radios use regular batteries or strictly an AC adapter, which can become costly and greatly limits portability.

Allegro provides access to over 17,000 radio stations, 20,000 plus on-demand programs, and over 35,000 podcasts. Compatible with Pandora Radio, Sirius, MP3tunes, Live365.com, Aupeo!, and blogtalkradio, Allegro is connected to radio programs all over the world. Using the Allegro’s full function remote or the easy access top panel controls, navigating the radio world is easy. The 4 line backlight display allows you to conveniently browse all the music options by region, country, station, or choose from over 50 musical genres. Users can also stream their personal music collection straight to Allegro wirelessly from a PC or Mac. Equipped with a 5 function alarm clock and a conveniently large snooze button, Allegro functions just as well on the nightstand as it does in the backyard.

Allegro Wi-Fi Radio features include:

• Access to over 17,000 radio stations, 20,000 on-demand programs, and over 35,000 podcasts
• Equipped with it’s own battery recharging circuit, the Allegro’s triple power option allows use of AC adapter, 6 AA regular or rechargeable batteries
• Class D digital amplifier and rear ported full range speaker provides superior audio quality
• 10 station presets, up to 100 saved favorites, displays song/artist info, alarm clock radio, and remote control with Pandora controls
• Wirelessly stream music and stored audio files from your PC or Mac

Now shipping, Allegro is available for $169.00 at www.GraceDigitalAudio.com and various retailers throughout the U.S.

Grace Digital Audio’s Chief Marketing Officer, Greg Fadul, believes sound quality and innovative power options set Allegro apart from its competitors. “Allegro’s Class D amplifier delivers a sound experience you’re just not going to find in comparable internet radios and our built in recharging circuit makes it affordable and convenient to run the radio without the restrictions of a cord. For only $169.00 you can’t beat Allegro’s listening options, portability, and sound quality.”

Pure Sensia

“The game-changing touchscreen marks this out, despite the high price and lack of an iPod dock”, says the Times in its latest multi-test of DAB radios (including the Pure Sensia WiFi radio).

They loved the large screen, however “the single speaker is clear and will go loud, but audiophiles will far prefer the sound of the rival Vita Audio model.”

Read more here.

Sony STRDA5500ES

“The Sony STRDA5500ES is a very good 7.1 receiver featuring internet radio and is best suited to people who have a large collection of vinyl or CDs.”

That’s the verdict of CNET Australia who weren’t knocked out by the general networking abilities of this pricey receiver, but were impressed with the internet radio.

“Switching to internet radio was a happier experience, and the Shoutcast server offers an exhaustive selection of different genres, though the stations are seemingly higgledy piggledy and not in alphabetical order.

Read more here.