That is interesting I had always thought that some of the German VHF stations were of excellent sound quality. When I have received a few here in the east of England under ‘lift’ conditions they sounded rather good to my ears!
Was referring mainly to the program they are playing… but I will find definitely find some good Programms.
Feeling transported back to beginning of 80s listening to one special charts show … :p)
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Listening to J to Z on R3 as I write on my 05. Sumptuous.
Regards,
Lindsay
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Through absolutely no intervention from me, amazingly BBC Radio Solent is now in stereo on my NAT05. Yes! And just in time for the first game of the new football season 
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Maybe it’s a software update…
If so it’ll probably reboot at the crucial moment just before Southampton score.
So you have untill after Xmas than?
Ha bloody ha!
Although these days for example China’s adoption of 4G has been immense with over 1.24 billion users as of a year ago… so seemingly perhaps such things don’t carry as much weight in the 21st century especially with consumer electronics and technology.
BTW regarding NAT03 and NAT05, I own both… my NAT03 is my go to tuner. I simply prefer its sound.
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Sorry if this has been asked before but…
is there any concernable difference between the original NAT 05 and the later NAT 05 XS that replaced it in 2009?
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I’m not sure many have made that journey, Debs.
Hi Debs, a mate has the NAT-05 XS & a while back we tried it against my 05 on his 252/250 & his 3 element roof aerial - both 05’s have the ALPS head unit. We agreed there is little to choose between the two, but the XS was slightly better with its HiCap.
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So the NAT 05 has an internal power supply only.
And the NAT 05 XS has the option of internal power supply with a fitted link plug or external power supply using the upgraded socket [ that the earlier 05 version don’t have ]
Thanks, Mike
Learn something new everyday here 
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slight hijack - but how does the tuner compare to a streamed version?
Lots of variables, FM signal strength, compression, bit rates, MP3 or AAC, then add the personal preferences.
Personally I prefer high quality, no or low compression FM broadcasts over high bit rate web radio, & in UK this only BBC R3.
But in the case of high compression FM, which is all the rest of all stations, some with more compression than others, then a high bit rate web radio beats it.
Also the best FM can do in the high frequency end is 15kHz due to the pilot tone filter, web radio does not have this limit & has a top end with that touch of atmosphere, plus in my system at least, it has more in the bass.
Hi, @xcentric. I have the NAT05XS to compare with the NDX-FM through Naim DAC/555DR.
I tried the NAT bare, with HiCapDR, and with SuperCap non-DR. All versions of NAT exceed the NDX-FM et al somewhat. But the biggest gap is between the NDX-FM and iRadio streams on the NDX-FM, the latter sounding noticeably worse, AND they are subject to drop-outs due to somewhat infrequent local-network and Internet-service issues. Variety of iRadio channels is some compensation, admittedly. Unfortunately, for me, the potential of even the ND555 to work magic on iRadio streams cannot overcome the problems outside of its control, and woo me to give up the practical benefits of rather-good, real FM through an ND player.
All that said, I love the NAT05XS— it is a keeper; though, if it had a defeatable AD converter and digital output option, it would be perfect!
Everybody: Please vote for FM continuation, when you can.
Nick
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I don’t quite understand all this hoopla over FM radio. I’m so much happier listening to FM over the internet. So many great channels, no noise, drop outs, reduced commercials. No mucking about with antennas. And it sounds excellent. Listening to Analog FM radio Reminds me of the days before cable tv and HD.
Hi, @opus. I agree that iRadio does sound excellent; but not nearly as excellent as great local FM, where available. For variety of choices, iRadio is the clear winner, especially where compelling FM is out of reach.
One local FM station plays an ad on every re-connection via Internet — especially irritating when the connection is up and down. And the FM alternative sounds obviously better; so no contest on that one!
Nick
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I listen to primarily subscriber funded stations, pretty much no commercials. WRTI Jazz , WXPN and WXPN2 not really alternative but it’s the Radio Station of UPenn they go from Beatles to Dead to The Ramones to classical, Funky Friday. WPRB Princeton U radio station is all over the place from Jazz to Dub Step. WQXR NYC classical. One of the best pure Classical stations in the country.
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One of my first tasks when I moved back into this house 
was to have a proper FM aerial installed.
Completely worth while. That was nearly twenty years ago, only listen to R3 and on Christmas 
Eve R4. I tend to treat them as any other high end source .
For casual listening I.e Sports 
I take the Sat Dish.
Having had a Magnum Dynalab and currently my old Nat 03 I can say that given the right signal and a good aerial FM can match any high end source, however for oodles of choice internet can beat it.
A matter of choice, but can’t see FM being here in twenty years.