erik_squires
As for sound quality: Let's face it, the SQ of many radio stations is nowhere near audiophile standards. But on those stations that do care about SQ, I think the best FM - using a good antenna and high-end tuner - walks all over any Internet stream that I've ever heard.
To be fair, many people have never heard high-quality FM. They use a receiver or cheap tuner and the little free folded dipole that was packaged with it. In those instances, streaming probably is the better solution.
In my mind, the FM tuner has by and large been replaced by Internet radio. While we can argue sound quality, issues of reception are more or less fixed given a stable Internet connection.Given good reception conditions (a reasonable distance from the transmitter, and a proper antenna and installation) FM offers a v-e-r-y stable connection. In fact, the signal from many radio stations is sent over-the-air using an STL (or two) before it ever reaches the transmitter.
As for sound quality: Let's face it, the SQ of many radio stations is nowhere near audiophile standards. But on those stations that do care about SQ, I think the best FM - using a good antenna and high-end tuner - walks all over any Internet stream that I've ever heard.
To be fair, many people have never heard high-quality FM. They use a receiver or cheap tuner and the little free folded dipole that was packaged with it. In those instances, streaming probably is the better solution.