Roberts Stream 202

Despite its reputation for retro radios, Roberts can certainly hold its own in the modern era. Its latest product - the Stream 202 - is an impressive showcase, with a compendium of analogue and digital audio, comprising an FM tuner with full RDS, DAB, Wi-Fi internet radio and, as the name suggests, streaming audio from other PCs on the network.

As befits a Roberts radio, the sound quality on offer from this lightweight portable is magnificent. The spoken word is perfectly clipped with none of the rasping hiss or tutting that afflicts many portable devices.

The internal stereo speakers handle music with the aplomb, dealing with everything from the delicate strings of orchestral performances to the heavy bass of a rock song without compromise or distortion. Perhaps the biggest compliment you can pay to the Stream 202's audio quality is that it's painfully obvious when an internet or DAB station is being churned out at a dubious bit rate.

Without a much-needed remote control, most of the menu navigation is conducted with the large scroll wheel on the top right of the device. While the menus are designed sensibly, trying to find a podcast, BBC Listen Again programme or specific internet radio station is often cumbersome, with far too much scrolling through lists. Fifteen favourite DAB, FM and internet radio stations can be assigned to preset buttons (five for each mode), which helps to offset future graft.

Internet radio streams and podcasts buffer within only a few seconds, and the Stream 202 has no problems hanging on to a Wi-Fi signal, even with other bandwidth-hungry gadgets nearby. It would be nice to have the option to pause a podcast mid-stream, especially with many of the BBC Listen Again shows now running for hours on end. If a stream is interrupted, you have no choice but to go back to the top of the show and start playing again, with no means of fast-forwarding.

Surprisingly for a Roberts radio, the impressive internals seem to have come at the expensive of case design. The unit looks reasonable but has a cheap, plasticky feel that screams petrol-station giveaway rather than premium British design. What's more, the awkwardly-angled LCD display has an appalling refresh rate, meaning station names and RDS data smear, rather than scroll, across the screen.

One major plus for those who like to listen to the radio while washing the car is the Stream 202 accepts batteries - albeit six of the chunky LR20 (D size) cells. Even the manual advises that you remain plugged into the mains for the sake of economy.

Unlike most of the internet radio devices we see, the Stream 202's shortcomings are on the eye rather than the ear. And with such gorgeous sound quality and a comparatively reasonable price tag, many people will be prepared to turn a blind eye to its deficiencies.

Author: Barry Collins