The unit comes as a kit. The structure is not critical, worked immediately. To build the following observations:
- The structure must be made with lead-free solder. Please do not use lead solder
- All SMD parts are mounted, it just have wired components are soldered
- Everything is fine except for the described installation of four touch switches. These have an LED built the signals that function in the pressed state. The switches have a built-in direction. Unfortunately not described. This is, by measuring the LEDs (the two middle thin contacts) and the PCB layout clearly.
Now for the evaluation of internet radio:
+ Aluminum case, great design
+ Built-in stereo - amplifier (enough for low volume)
+ Easy to read display
+ Simple operating concept
+ Transmitter via web interface easy to administrate
+ Good sound
+ On Amps Bass are also configurable
- No power supply, must be purchased separately (4.5 to 5.5 volts)
- Only LAN connection, no WiFi
- No software upgrade path
- Pure MP3 streaming, no other formats
- Clearly less jitter buffer. The jitter buffer is to compensate as to sound-term fluctuations in the Internet by caching (storing in advance) of the signal. This only German channels are transmitted with low IP runtime without interruption. In more remote transmitters or "thinner" Internet connections (
CONCLUSION: The ELV IR 100 would be a very good Internet radio when the clearly small jitter buffer would not. Thus, it does not fulfill the basic function of an Internet radio station, unfortunately, because it always comes back audio dropouts Buffer underrun by complete jitter. Man can only hope that the ELV developers identify and fix the problem. Who has a thick DSL connection and only hear stations which are located in Germany (for that I need no Internet - Radio), who will be happy with the ELV IR 100. All other: Stay away!
