Tivoli Audio Networks Internet Radio Walnut Gold Play MP3 from USB/PC NO REMOTE

Description

This auction is for a
Tivoli Audio Networks Internet Radio in walnut wood laminate with gold façade. It plays internet radio stations, MP3 from USB and music files via internet from your connected devices - laptop, etc.  It does not have the FM feature, but you can access most local stations via their on-line websites. It does not come with a remote.
I am listening to SomaFM Bagel Radio right now. It sounds great. Likely, when you buy this, it will default to Bagel radio but you might be interested in other stations. I am not sure why, but..... There are other pre-loaded stations.
I set this up manually. It is a little more difficult to set up without a remote but for each button on the remote, there is a corresponding button on the unit. The manual is available on-line. It comes with a white power cord.
The network feature for your computer is very simple to access. Your available devices show up and you choose the device and then the files you wish to play. It is actually easier than the hassle of connecting Bluetooth and definitely easier than Airplay.
Pros
Multiple audio sources including Internet radio, networked computers, USB drives, and auxiliary input
Good sound
Can add Internet stations by request
Alarm and sleep features
On the back are five presets, which the Tivoli people have thoughtfully assigned to their favorite stations. You’ll also find a source button, five station preset buttons, a five-way navigation ring, balance control (for use with an optional second speaker), mono/stereo button (ditto), a USB input, and a headphone output.
Flip the unit over to find further connectivity: two inputs (aux and mix), two outputs (sub and record), an RCA output to connect the optional external speaker, Ethernet, and two power jacks. One accepts a simple AC cord with no unsightly wall wart. The other powers the unit in your boat or camper. Now forget all that.
Pressing Source on the back panel, it brings up the main menu choices: Internet Radio, Music Player (PC), and AUX (input). Internet Radio can be sorted by Favorites, Stations (Location, Genre, Station Search, Local Stations), Podcasts (Location, Genre, Podcast Search), or My Added Stations. Tivoli maintains its own database to which users can add stations at tivoliportal.com. After turning it on, the unit took a few seconds to connect to the network, but apart from that, basic operation was free of glitches.
In Music Player mode, it was easy to punch through to my PC’s music folders. This comes in handy when away from desk and wanting to hear something stored on the PC’s hard drive.
Beyond Internet radio and podcasts, the Tivoli can pull audio from attached USB drives, as well as networked PCs running Windows Media Player or shared networked folders. We used the former method to access the MP3 library on our Windows XP computer, and--although it repeatedly came up "empty" on the first attempt after powering up--subsequent attempts worked fine. Folders can be navigated with the remote's directional keypad,
File format compatibility is limited to MP3, WMA, and RealAudio files across the board (for Internet radio streams as well as network or USB-based music files); local files also support most popular playlist formats. But anything else is a no-go--no AAC, FLAC, OGG, WAV, or AIFF. The dearth of AAC is troubling for anyone who has ripped music in iTunes' default file format or purchased any DRM-free tracks from Apple's popular online music store. And given the NetWorks' huge price tag and Tivoli's audiophile legacy, we'd have liked to see support for a wider array of files.
The display usually shows station name, time, and Wi-Fi signal bars. Press the remote’s Info button to cycle through more: audio data rate, station description, genre, and location. In addition to the five button presets, you can save more stations or podcasts as Favorites. The SuperBuffer extends buffering time by a factor of four to stabilize marginal stations that drop in and out; albeit at the expense of potentially longer initial load times. You can change the digital clock, displayed when the radio is off, to an analog dial.
One unexpected strength: The unit remembers your network password even after it had been unplugged for several months. You can carry the unit around your home, disconnecting and reconnecting with no hassle as long as you’re within Wi-Fi range.
Sound quality was miraculous for a monophonic device with one driver. It was completely satisfying for background listening and even acceptable for casual foreground listening. (Incidentally, the performance rating is relative to my experience with mono devices of similar size.)
The list of Internet radio stations is provided by Tivoli Audio. Luckily, you’re not stuck with just the stations available when the radio was manufactured. You can send an e-mail message to Tivoli Audio requesting that they add stations not included with the radio. Alternatively, you can go to the company’s Web site, register your radio’s ID, and request that specific stations be added just to your radio (you need the station’s ID and URL). Tivoli Audio processes that request and adds the requested stations to a My Stations listing on your radio within 24 hours of the request. Also, because the radio has the ability to update its software, Tivoli can add other stations along with those updates.
Tivoli Audio’s NetWorks is not the only self-contained Internet radio on the market—and it’s far from the cheapest. But its combination of looks, sound, ease of operation, and quality of construction will turn heads and open wallets. Its tiering of controls and features is especially wise. If you’re a one-station listener, you’ll touch the wheel briefly to turn the radio on or mute it, rotate the wheel to adjust volume, or hold down the wheel to turn the radio off. Sometimes life really can be that simple.
Shipping will be . No international bidders, please.