There's an advert in Saturday's Times for a Logik Internet Radio Adapter - c£80. It says it plugs into any amplifier with an AUX outlet.

I know gubber-all about these things. I have a decent hi-fi, in a different room to the (broadband) computer. I listen to France Musique a bit, would like to listen to other stations (no DAB at all in my area) - preferably through the hi-fi rather than the crappy PC speakers, don't want to move either hi-fi or computer.

Will an IRA be of use to me? I will of course make my own enquiries, but would appreciate any help anyone can offer.

Gabrielle

There are a number of devices which might do what you want. A lot depends on how much you want to spend, and also on whether you don't mind wires or cables. For example, you could simply use your computer and appropriate sound card, and drive a suitable amplifier by an SPDIF link. I understand that these can drive up to 10 metres. If your amplifier or other connected input device does not have an SPDIF link, then you might be able to drive another digital or analogue input. You might need to buy a device to connect to the wires/cables for that.

If you don't like wires, then you might try wireless systems. Netgear did one called the MP101, which used MP3 to communicate. Not bad, though some users reported lots of problems. D-Link do a thing which they call Medialounge - see http://www.dsl-warehouse.co.uk/product.asp?pr=DSM-520 which may also work in a similar way, though it's really geared up to TV usage I think, and you might need to use a TV as a display.

Many people seem to think that Roku products are good. A relatively cheap one is this - http://www.broadbandstuff.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=747&gclid=CPrut7_rtYoCFRx6EAodIlboQg

There are several issues of course. One is acquiring the data stream from the Internet, and then theres the business of decoding it and feeding it to your hi-fi and getting decent quality. There's also the business of actually controlling the whole set-up. You don't necessarily want to be continually moving into another room in order to change channels. There are solutions, but a really good solution may come at a price. Some systems do come with a suitable remote control which can control your centralised music distribution point - or maybe even more than one on a network.

Surely the point is to look for an internet radio adpater that is WiFi compatible. No one wants loads of wires trailing round the house, and most broadband routers come WiFi enabled.

The cheapest device that suits the bill is the Magicbox Imp Adapt, I think.

France Musique(s?) 'broadcasts at 128 kbps so gives superb quality - it's just a pity that what they broadcast is even feebler than radio 3.

And by the way, setting up one of these devices can be a pain (there are exceptions, the Squeezebox is a doddle, but that's more than twice the price). If your WiFi network is at all secure (which it really ought to be), you'll probably have to (a) remove MAC address blocking, (b) allow ESSID broadcast, (c) make you WPA code really simple in order to allow a first connection. Then you do a firmware upgrade, because if you don't, many of these devices don't even work properly. Then you have to 'reverse' all of (a) to (c).

Having said all that, the sound quality is really very good indeed if the station manages 128 kbps. (Radio 3 is, of course, only on 64 kbps, but is expected to go higher this autumn). It's far better than Freeview or DAB, and equally as good as CD in my view.

As a matter of possible interest, I have just invested in an internet wi-fi radio, and posted my initial observations here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbradio3/F7497566?thread=5466051