If I get a DAB digital radio tuner for my hi-fi separates system, will I need a new amplifier?
– Charles
In a previous question we looked at the availability of DAB digital radio tuners. Reader Charles asks if it’s necessary to buy a new amplifier for a digital radio tuner.
As long as you have a free analogue phono/RCA line-in input on your amplifier and the DAB tuner you purchase has a phono/RCA line-out connection, you do not need to buy a new amplifier.
Like FM/AM tuners, CD players, tape decks and network music players a DAB hi-fi tuner will have a line level output, ready to use straight away with your amplifier. You won’t be able to connect it to the Phono input which is intended for use with a turntable, but any inputs labelled tape, CD, aux, MD, video, Sat, tuner or TV should be fine.
Some DAB tuners, such as the Yamaha TD500, have digital audio outputs as well as analogue audio outputs. If your amplifier has digital optical or coaxial inputs you could choose to use these outputs on the tuner. Audiophiles may well prefer to do this rather than use the included RCA lead with the Yahama tuner.
When this particular Yahama tuner is in DAB mode, the audio is output on both analogue and digital connectors. In FM mode the audio is output on the analogue outputs only.
We would recommend checking your amplifier to see which inputs are available. It’s worth checking the outputs on any tuner you intend to buy to ensure that it will be compatible. As DAB hi-fi separates tend to be available from specialist retailers you could also discuss the setup and compatibility with a representative.