Building a Super Size Roberts 93i Radio

Mr Bump

Mr Bump

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Sophia aka Paul
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Ok so just for a giggle I have decided to have a go at building a Supersize Roberts 93i Radio.
I love the Radio so much that me and the wife have 1xeach. However I find its a bit lacking in the sound volume and presence due to its size. However function wise its the dogs with internet radio, DLNA functions and media playback.

It has a 3.5mm line out jack on the rear so my plan is take this to a small AMP and then on to the Diamond 9.0 speakers as per the pic below. Bit of woodwork to make it all bolt together and it should work.
The Roberts taks a 12v feed (2.2amp) so I will need the AMP to be 12V, I will then spec a larger 12v PSU and hopefully feed both items with the same power.

On that note what thoughts on the AMP?
It needs to have volume control as the line out is fixed on the roberts, I was thinking this below.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/LEPY-2024A...=UTF8&qid=1480169114&sr=8-2&keywords=mini+amp
 
I suppose it should work. I don't know how 'hifi' it would be.

Seems like a bit of overkill to me :)

I'd go with a dedicated tuner and amp.
 
I agree with Ken.

However, if you really want to do what you suggest, and why not, there could be an issue.

Those amps, while surprisingly good, are typically about 12 - 15 wpc.

Those speakers have a sensitivity of 86 db. so the amp might struggle.

I would suggest a more conventional amp of 30 amp plus.

Loads on e-bay.

Alternatively, but far more expensive

http://www.templeaudio.net/bantamgold.html

I have one of these driving some quite difficult speakers.
 
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Nice looking stuff, Simon.
And a decent price.
 
Roberts have superb line outs, that is how I get my DAB fix in my system, Rorberts DAB line out hooked up to Arcam Alpha 7/Q Acoustic 2020is, sounds brilliant.

that little amp you are looking at IMO will be adding the weakest link to what you have and you don't want the amplification to be the weakest link, then you are going to fool around with the PSU side of things which will potentially add noise/interference.. I fear disappointment looming.
 
strumstrum said:
Roberts have superb line outs, that is how I get my DAB fix in my system, Rorberts DAB line out hooked up to Arcam Alpha 7/Q Acoustic 2020is, sounds brilliant.

that little amp you are looking at IMO will be adding the weakest link to what you have and you don't want the amplification to be the weakest link, then you are going to fool around with the PSU side of things which will potentially add noise/interference.. I fear disappointment looming.
Click to expand...

yeah that is my thought but i need portable
 
Have the real Roberts radio easily removable from the big version.
 
This sort of project is right up my street. In fact in a similar vein, I recently acquired a busted original Roberts 1950's leatherette RB200 radio so that I could gut it and use the housing to make a media streamer / internet radio using a Raspberry pi and 12v Tripath amp as the new internals.

I've also used Tripath chipped T-Amps in a variety of other audio and HiFi projects including active studio style monitors.

I've used these in several projects - http://store3.sure-electronics.com/2-x-15-watt-class-d-audio-amplifier-board-ta2024 and they are astounding. You would need to hook up a potentiometer on the inputs to control the volume. Alternatively if you look they also offer an aluminum aluminium clad version with a built-in volume control for under $30. See - http://store3.sure-electronics.com/...lifier/2-x-15w-class-d-audio-amplifier-ta2024 I've ordered from Sure Audio on a number of occasions and everything has arrived fine, beautifully packed, after a couple of weeks direct from China.

Any Tripath based amp on eBay using a TA2024 or TA2020 chip would work great, with ample volume for typical sensitivity speakers, running on standard 12v wall-wart power supply. I've run them from a spare power adapter (12v 2A) from a Netgear router!

Have fun.
 
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All connected up with my Yamaha as a test amp and sounds epic.
must admit the line out is epic quality on the 93i
 

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strumstrum said:
Cool, as I said further up Roberts line out are tip top quality.
Click to expand...

yeah a real i-opener the old CDM-2s have never sounded so good.
If i could find a reasonable priced compact amp with remote volume control.......
 
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