L5730
Addicted to Fun and Learning
We've an old Roberts FM/AM/MW radio that sounds a bit naff, but better than most other small radios at the time.
It's starting to fail in places and we're looking for it's replacement.
The family are thinking a DAB+ radio might be a better option this time, as there is such a poor selection on FM/AM analogue.
I am reluctant to go with DAB, I have a feeling it's much of the same old useless DJs and long ad. breaks. As Holly Johnson said on Future radio " ... too much talking, not enough music ... ".
My idea is, instead to take a Raspberry Pi Zero-W as a uPnP target as well as standalone headless internet preset player. It can then play anything from the Foobar2000 installs around the home via uPnP, or can just play any of the radio stations saved in it's internal playlist.
I'd need a little DAC, and there are USB options based on C-Media chips for a few quid on AliExpress.
An analogue volume control would be preferable, and if stereo makes it a bit more of a possible nuisance with channel imbalance. However, it's probably doubtful that it'd be all too noticeable on a little radio with speakers close together.
A low power amplifier module (or two) would be needed to go from line level to speaker power.
Obviously, pair of full-ish range speakers (or one, if mono).
Lastly, an enclosure.
I'm not looking at the highest sound quality, it'd be a silly endeavour for a humble DIY project.
However, from what I've seen on the RPi radio projects, those little 'speakers' and nasty little cases, it's going to sound like a cell phone on conference call!
I've seen some retro-fitted radio projects, where someone stuffs a RPi zero into an existing radio case, but I am not so sure about that, and finding a not so bad sounding and working radio might be a bit tough. I suppose I could always attempt it on this Roberts one...
Has anyone built something close to this, and do they have any pointers?
It's starting to fail in places and we're looking for it's replacement.
The family are thinking a DAB+ radio might be a better option this time, as there is such a poor selection on FM/AM analogue.
I am reluctant to go with DAB, I have a feeling it's much of the same old useless DJs and long ad. breaks. As Holly Johnson said on Future radio " ... too much talking, not enough music ... ".
My idea is, instead to take a Raspberry Pi Zero-W as a uPnP target as well as standalone headless internet preset player. It can then play anything from the Foobar2000 installs around the home via uPnP, or can just play any of the radio stations saved in it's internal playlist.
I'd need a little DAC, and there are USB options based on C-Media chips for a few quid on AliExpress.
An analogue volume control would be preferable, and if stereo makes it a bit more of a possible nuisance with channel imbalance. However, it's probably doubtful that it'd be all too noticeable on a little radio with speakers close together.
A low power amplifier module (or two) would be needed to go from line level to speaker power.
Obviously, pair of full-ish range speakers (or one, if mono).
Lastly, an enclosure.
I'm not looking at the highest sound quality, it'd be a silly endeavour for a humble DIY project.
However, from what I've seen on the RPi radio projects, those little 'speakers' and nasty little cases, it's going to sound like a cell phone on conference call!
I've seen some retro-fitted radio projects, where someone stuffs a RPi zero into an existing radio case, but I am not so sure about that, and finding a not so bad sounding and working radio might be a bit tough. I suppose I could always attempt it on this Roberts one...
Has anyone built something close to this, and do they have any pointers?