The TSX-130 is a little different from some of the DAB+ units we’ve been reviewing here at GadgetGuy, in that Yamaha pushes it as ‘desktop audio system’ rather than a dedicated digital radio.
Indeed, the US version doesn’t even have a DAB+ receiver, offering vanilla FM only. The same button is used to swap between FM and digital on our edition.
There’s also a CD player that supports WMA and MP3 discs, and a USB port for thumbdrives loaded with audio. You’ll need to have any USB drive formatted with the FAT16 or FAT32 file system – if that sounds too techno and arcane, welcome to the wonderful world of USB thumbdrives!
Finally, an iPod dock on top of the unit supports any Apple player with a dock connection, though if you plug in an iPhone it will switch to ‘Airplane mode’ to prevent interference – so no calls while using the TSX-130’s speakers.
Otherwise, this unit is dedicated very much to clock radio-style functionality. Front and centre is a big fat snooze button, and there are two alarms with a wide variety of settings.
Audio is pumped through two 15 watt 7.5 cm drivers, though there are ports in the back of the unit as a concession to bass response. Audio is pretty good for speakers this size, though it’s disappointing that there’s no line-out plug for connection to a more beefy system – the TSX-130 is supposed to live on a desktop, bedside or benchtop.
DAB+ functionality is basic, as you’d expect from a system not dedicated 100 percent to the task. The display is two-line, but only one line is given over to station name, reception quality information, etc.
One of the odder things about this unit is that it’s not possible to change radio stations using the buttons on the fascia. Only the included remote has this functionality, so make sure you keep it close at hand!
The external antenna is a detachable coaxial cable, so you can connect the TSX-130 directly to a roof-mounted VHF antenna or secrete the included antenna behind furniture or on a windowsill.
As a pure DAB+ radio, the TSX-130 isn’t a world-beater. But it is handy having everything in one small package: digital radio, FM, iPod, USB and CD.
And the blond wood finish on the top? It’s real, but how well you like it depends on your decor. There’s a black version too, with a darker stain.
This is a fairly expensive but high quality clock radio with lots of features. But it’s not the obvious choice for your first DAB+ player.
