Revo’s latest arrival looks like a radio, but does much more, says Andrew Everard

Whether we like it or not, radio is changing. There’s a huge range of stations now available online, both as internet streams of existing broadcasts and in the form of web-exclusive services. High-bitrate ‘stations’ on the internet broadcast high-quality music across a wide variety of musical genres, and there’s an ever-growing range of ‘channels’ available, running into many thousands at the last count.

It's hardly surprising, then, that there’s a proliferation of dedicated equipment designed to be used on wired or wireless home networks, either linked into a home audio system or as standalone players.

The new Heritage model from Scottish company Revo fits the standalone bill, but in common with most such devices can also be used connected to an audio system as a ‘tuner’. Mains powered, it’s styled along the lines of classic portable radios of the past, with its brushed metal speaker grille and endpieces veneered in real walnut – in fact, I’m sure some elderly relatives still have something very similar-looking as their kitchen set.

The looks may be modern retro, but the range of facilities on offer here are anything but: as already noted, the Heritage is able to stream internet radio, but it can also play music stored remotely on a home network, and has a DAB/DAB+/FM tuner section built-in. It can also access subscription streaming service, and comes with a one-month trial subscription to one of them, Last.fm.

In other words, unless you like to spend the hours of darkness trawling for phasey shortwave stations carried mysteriously on the ether, it’s got radio covered.

It’s got your iPod or iPhone covered, too, right up to the most recent models: remove a rubber cover on the top-plate and you can drop in one of a range of docking plates provided, and then insert one of the Apple portable players for playback through the unit. There’s even a composite video connection to output visual information from the iPod or iPhone to a suitable TV, and the controls on the Heritage can be used to operate the player.

Other connections allow streaming via a wired LAN in place of the onboard Wi-Fi if required, the output of stereo audio in either optical digital or analogue (using proper RCA phono sockets), and the use of a pair of headphones. It can also play music from USB memory devices via a socket on the rear panel, or accept an auxiliary audio input on a 3.5mm stereo socket.

PERFORMANCE
Once plugged in for the first time, the Heritage runs a simple routine designed to set its clock – which offers multiple alarms and sleep functions, with a snooze bar on the top of the unit –, tune in radio stations and establish internet connection.

After that it can be operated via a simple ‘joystick’ control on the front, or using the credit-card-sized remote handset supplied, and it’s also worth noting that the display used is exceptionally clear and crisp.
I tried the Heritage both as a standalone unit, using its internal 3in speaker and 7W amplifier, and as a ‘tuner’ for my main system, connected both digitally and using analogue cables.

The Revo is very good indeed via its onboard audio, with a fine combination of weight and clarity making a wide range of speech and music very enjoyable. It’s not the most room-filling sound around, though it will deliver plenty of level without distortion, and of course it’s not stereo, but for a second room it would be a very acceptable companion.

Connected to a full system the Heritage gives a fine account of itself as a ‘tuner’ or iPod interface, sounding open and dynamic whether with a high-bitrate internet stream or music stored remotely. The digital and analogue tuners also work very well indeed.

That’s the appeal of this remarkably classy radio: it can be used around the home to access a wide variety of entertainment, or connected to a hi-fi system. That makes it a portable, a bedside clock-radio and a hi-fi tuner all in one, and this flexibility, plus the sheer quality of the unit, ensures it’s an attractive buy.

Revo Heritage
Type DAB/FM/internet radio with iPod dock
Price £230
Radio bands DAB/DAB+/FM RDS
Internet functions Radio, music streaming
Network connections Ethernet, Wi-Fi
Audio outputs Optical digital, analogue stereo on RCA phonos, headphones
Audio inputs iPod dock, USB, 3.5mm stereo analogue
Accessories supplied Remote handset, iPod adapters, mains power supply, one month trial subscription to Last.fm
Dimensions (WxHxD) 26x17.5x9.8cm
www.revo.co.uk