By Nik Wood

Roberts Robi DAB/FM radio with iPod remote

As an iPod owner, I am always looking at new ways to play my music and podcasts other than through the traditional headphones.

I have an excellent set of speakers with docking station that blasts my Ipod sound around the house and I have a device that transmits between iPod and my car stereo.

I am a radio junkie, having started my broadcasting life on the wireless by helping to launch BBC Radio York many moons ago, and my drug of choice is BBC Radio 4.

So when digital radio promised crackle-free reception, I was one of the first in the queue to buy a set.

I'm afraid it was a bit like the claim that you could spread jam on a CD and still play it - total spin.

First of all there was crackle and secondly my new set lasted about 10 days before I was unable to tune into any station at all.

So I was naturally sceptical when presented with the tiny Robi Dab, which promised pure digital radio sound for the iPod and to control my device through its miniaturised controller.

Well, it worked and I was stunned by the quality and clarity of the radio signal.

I like to listen to the Today programme when I am out running in the morning and have a small Sony radio that clips to my belt so it was great to be able to take the iPod out on the road and be able to switch over to Led Zeppelin full blast when 'Thought for the Day' (my personal dislike on the programme) comes on.

On the downside, the dream of crackle free is still not a total reality.

When on the move there was some interference on the digital channels although nowhere near as intrusive as my standard FM mini radio.

I only had the device for a few days but I was extremely impressed and will probably buy one, providing I can be assured that the radio will last longer than 10 days of course!