Internet Radios

[pate]

I am lazy and I am sure a thread about this already exists.

Merge away, MV or whomever, if this is the case.


_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________



So, what I would buy to stream Art's upcoming show, heck Gabcast and perhaps others would be something along the lines of this:

-Hardwire/Ethernet capability (in addition to a wiFi that can be turned off, either by switch or by 'hacking' into the wiFi transmitter)

-Programmable i.e. Gabcast starts at 7pm CST (or thereabouts) on Tuesdays, I want the thing to pick up the stream say half an hour early, and not drop that stream until either user input (I change the channel) or another scheduled stream 'appointment' happens for instance Art Bell's new show that comes on at 10pm CST.

-Be a table-top type unit (w/software package is fine, but "plug and play" would be best.  By table-top I mean sort of the size of an old skool Clock/Radio/Alarm (shoebox size, hell what a great name for it "ShoeBox" hehe)

-To program, you log into it like you would a router, or cable modem or anything else ang give it the stream info (w/ passwords for secure streams?  do those change or something? no idea there) times to tune in, etc whatever bells and whistles the awesome engineers come up with that don't suck, impede performance etc...

that's all I got right now, I hope someone reads this and makes me feel like a dumbass and points me in the direction of some product that already exists...

Thank you for your time, intar-tube tech wizards.  I stopped leveling up in that Character Class sometime in the mid-1990s.  That is all!

[Juan]

I have one of the Grace Mondo radios.  Wireless, somewhat programmable, 10 programmable presets, you can go online and set up your own steams which is what I did with DMRN.

To program you use the radio screen and controls to set an on time and a preset station to use.  It's much like an old time clock radio.

[nooryisawesome]

I think I am going to call Bob Crane in the morning.

C Crane sells some, so I am thinking what better way to listen to Art then on a C Crane internet radio. My Iphone works just fine, but that is no fun.

[pate]

Wow, thanks for the tips, I was getting bored of just sitting in my chair and watching this Rush DVD I've got playing (now I'm listening but not actively watching).

Well, I suppose if someone's calling Bob Crane...  Hope you're interested in reading a long-winded story here.

So I used to work for TWC, so I know how to run Ethernet/coax cables through walls &c.  My house needs new electrical everywhere (it's damn near 100 years old!), and I have always intended to run Ethernet lines to every room anyway (I think that may be getting close to standard in new builds, so bqwhatever).  Blah, blah.  I have already run temporary Ethernet lines all over the place along floor boards &c  (I like to move my computer around, and have a couple old ones so they get their own rooms.)  Also, I don't have pay-service Television, so back in the day I bought a MOXI & a MOXI network box (http://www.moxi.com/us/) they don't sell them anymore and they only work with Cable Companies(Company now?) BUT you can pick them up on ebay occasionally.

So I've got network lines and switches and such all over the place already (someday I will clean it up, but that's lots of wall fishing, & time I don't care to spend).  I prefer wired connections over WiFi anyday, I have a radio in damn near every room, and if I am going to make the switch to intar-tube radio, I'd prefer it to be through wired (did I say that already?)...

Here's a few I've noticed on Amazon that seem close to what I'm looking for:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018782QI?psc=1 

C Crane, nice but stereo would be cool, and it isn't clear that I can "hack" into it to set up my preset stream tuning playlist idea.  I think the Ethernet line in renders the wifi part un-needed.  I don't care to broadcast music wifi so I can pick it up on a phone or other devices really, so extras I don't need really.  I don't listen to anything generally when I work in the yard/outside.  If I do I have a radio to do that, maybe if it broadcast ala mr. microphone on a low power AM/FM band or something I can pick up

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018QQDII/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=

^^^RIP Radio Shack, that's where I got this sweet little guy^^^

managed to break the tuning knob off, I think some late night host pissed me off when I wuz drunk or something blahbity, still works and I can tune by turning the post where the knob went, but I never could find the knob when I noticed it had broken off.  sigh.

let's see back to the internet radios:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HZN1WXE/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=

Grace Digital, again looks like it would do the job but $160 is a bit steep, especially if I were planning on getting radio all over the house (I have three floors, 2 at least on the first floor, two second floor, and 2 third floor, that's a chunka change...)  This one doesn't make it very clear that I could punch in the url for say GabCast and get that to work...  (I know, how will I particiPate in the chat if I'm wandering around the house?  Bqwhatever...)  AND can I have it set up so that it tunes into the UFOship stream at 0030 GMT or whatever without me having to do that?  Like say I'm sleeping off a wicked hangover and mom's not waking me up, but I want it to auto tune at that time so at least I dream GabCast dreams or whatever?

http://www.amazon.com/JIAKE-WiFi-Audio-Receiver-Black/dp/B00NWCXPFU/ref=aag_m_pw_dp?ie=UTF8&m=AMF02718BWRKJ

JIAKE (never heard of 'em) again this sort of looks decent, I dig the price, I've got tons of old computer speakers to plug into it (if they still work...) but will it do the programmable tuning, again, not the button push station preset type tuning, but the I go into some sort of interface (from the looks of this one hack into it like a router) and set up times to start listening in to whichever url...

http://www.amazon.com/Grace-Digital-3-5-Inch-Display-GDI-IRC6000/dp/B004YI9NTS/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1423662225&sr=1-1

Another Grace Digital (man their stuff looks nice and fancy bells and whistles and such) but it looks to be mono, but perhaps (surely) has stereo outputs?  I dunno, that's the trouble with amazon and other online markets, you can't pick this stuff up and really get a look at it...

Anyhow, way back when I was younger I had a nice portable soundsytem for doing outdoor music gigs (I think I spent something like $20,000 on it or something... Not looking to spend much over $500 total if that for what I have in mind here) so running lines, hooking up speakers, all that crap doesn't bother me, but like everyone says this 'pod-casting/live streaming' stuff is new.  Not quite bleeding edge new, but new, and I don't really want to pay for the mobile phone bandwidth to use that route anyhow.  I also don't want to buy something that is a pain in the ass to use (what do you do when you inevitably lose the remote for example?  Some of the cheapies look like you've got a nice doorstop to add to the collection).  I can get over the 'radio' is no longer 'wireless' deal, I know how to run Ethernet and make the ends, it's simple and I have that equipment already, plus several hundred feet of Cat4 or 3 or something (the 4 twisted pair stuff) in indoor/outdoor and plenum (that's so you can run it through furnace/ac ductwork if needed), a ton of ends for the same, crimpers, staple guns blahbity.  & did I mention that I hate wifi?

So little time & money to mess with this stuff...

[pate]

Good lord, I am writing a book!

I shall stop now.

Oh, the MOXI boxes work without a Cable Connection, you just have to figure out DLNA servers (which I did a long time ago, don't ask me to do it again)...  SO I use those MOXI boxes to stream stuff to my TeeVees when I feel like watching Netflix or whatever...  ProTip:  the WinMedia server sucks for retarded impatient people (me), and I found it to be terribly unreliable.  When I was doing all this PlayOn (http://www.playon.tv/) was selling lifetime licenses for their software and I grabbed one (I think it was $200 or something) I think it was worth it, they do a lot of the leg-work on getting channels and such, support third party plug-in channels (I think I have a Monty Python channel I found for free...), I think you have to develop your own plug in with them somehow, those interested in such activities are free to check them out.  What I liked about PlayOn was doesn't tie your intar-tube streaming software to the device you are using (and I think it was the one Recommended to use with the MOXIs?  I can't recall)  It's essentially a Roku (it works on/with Roku btw).  SO I don't pay much for my TV ($8-$9/mo for Netflix) everything else I care to watch I can stream and I only pay for the internet connection, which I use for horseporn more than anything anyway...

Blah, I can't seem to stop typing...

Thank y'all for your time and reading all this crap I just wrote, hope it made some sort of sense....  Intar-tube radio NOT wifi, size of a Shoebox, wired, 'programmable' like a VCR I suppose:

"tune to this channel: this time: this day, {weekly, daily, monthly, yearly} | wait for next input"

or something like that.  I love advice, although I don't always follow it!

[Juan]

The way the Grace works is that you register your radio online.  Then go to your user profile and set up whatever stream you want.  Reboot the radio and the stream shows up as a choice in "my streams." You don't do it on the radio itself.  It will also connect to a wire, but I think that requires a USB to Ethernet adapter.  You can also buy a battery for it, though battery life is only a few hours. And you can also plug a thumb drive into the USB port and play Art Bell mp3s to your heart's content.

Your last link is the updated version of what I have.  It has stereo RCA outs.

[pate]

Screw the battery, I have the modern convience of electricity that comes out of a wall, and portability isn't an issue.  Consider what I am looking for to be a piece of furniture, it's not going anywhere once I figure out where it puts out best sound for the room.

Sounds like I don't like the Grace already, I can't tell it to tune into the John Batchelor live stream (if there is one) at xyzPM/AM every day?

edit:  I know WABC at 8PM EST right?

2nd edit: Juan, I copy your first reply, the Grace can be 'pre-progammed' but is limited to 10 presets.  Over.

[pate]

So far what looks interesting to me are these two (I will embiggen this thread as I find moar):

Grace Digital GDI-IRC7500

pros: Programable (I think), Stereo, Sub-woofer

cons: Wired via USB (dongle to Ethernet, boo!), Price ($200), Remote (will get lost, count on it), Not PC-Programable? (only via iPhone or Android phone?)

Sangean WFR-22WL

pros: Nice wood cabinet, (check out their WR-11SE AM/FM only but nice look!), Price better than Grace, No Remote (but how do you input internet radio? can you?)

cons: Wired via FRONT USB (plus dongle to Ethernet! boo!), Mono (although appears to have stereo 1/4" TRS, and sub-woofer outputs)

Sangean WFR-20

pros: Claims to be Wired (USB or Ethernet though?), Stereo

cons: Price ($300 list?), Remote (will lose it!)

[pate]

I believe I could eliminate the need for one radio if there is software that I could install on my desktop PC.  Something that runs in the SysTray I guess, and it streams when and however long I tell it to. 

I guess I'd have to leave the computer speakers on all the time, but they are Dolby 5.1 so it'd sound good (no idea what that'd do to my electric bill though)

Has anyone heard of or uses a software package that can do what I am trying to get done here?  I think I need a Star Trek computer.


Hello Computer

Seriously, anyone heard of software that can do what my insane mind requires?

[pate]

Marantz NA8005 USB DAC Network Player

pro: ???Is there anything this thing can't do???

con: Price, Price, Price(I'm going to guess at the $1,199 list price you get a igNoory dong-sweep with the purchase, definitely a con?)

[pate]

Not Sure, but I think someone's trolling my amazon searches:

Extruded Aluminum Enclosure Kit, Silver, for Ham It Up v1.1 & v1.2 RF Upconverter for RTL-SDR Radios apparently by NooElec

pros/cons: no idea just thought it was funny:

http://www.amazon.com/Extruded-Aluminum-Enclosure-Upconverter-RTL-SDR/dp/B00J7FDX44/ref=sr_1_124?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1423668261&sr=1-124&keywords=internet+radio

[pate]

My Google-fu is weak...

Heh, it seems no-one (okay one or two manufacturers) is/are making these things anymore, or are in a mid-cycle design pause in production.

From what I can gather about the older ones (that look cool & you can no longer get) there seems to be proprietary streaming services involved (or once were)

I've seen two names so far that I've noted for this apparently proprietary streaming technology:

Receiva (seems to be the 'industry' standard now)
Frontier Silicon (Sangean apparently was using them at some point but if they are still doing the intar-tube radio they now use Receiva)

If this Frontier Silicon streaming service is still around I imagine that will make some impact on my purchase decision?

I hope I haven't discovered any 'secret' knowledge here, if so delete this message and then let me know that I need to search on the 'tubes for some ancient lost treasure like the Ark, the Grail, the Alien Crystal Skull or perhaps one of the Seven Cities of Gold...

[pate]

I suppose I shall start saving up some bucks for some new gee-whiz bang technology, hopefully the market will open up a bit more when I have the cash to make a choice....

I can always sit in front of the old computer to listen to stuff, and manage my own limited time...

I hope my Quixotic quest is of some use to people facing the same dilemma I am looking at...

[Juan]

I wonder if it can be streamed through iTunes.

[pate]

I wonder if it can be streamed through iTunes.

I feel like I am in a support group and you Juan are my counselor.  So let me tell you something about myself, in addition to hating all things igNooron, I hate all things Apple, so iTunes is a deal-breaker for me.

Especially if that is the only way to hear Art again.  If you only work with Apple and their bs 'proprietary' business model you have lost me as a customer, as do game developers who only use Steam(ing pile of shit).

/rant off...

Hopefully some other option other than iTunes can be found or one to be used in conjunction with it for my fellow Apple-haters out there.

Seriously, I tried iTunes one time, after they stole & encrypted my entire music library (I made from ripping the bazillion CDs I own), I uninstalled and have yet to go through the nightmare of getting the DRM-free music I own back on digits again.  I hate Apple, seriously, they can fuck themselves.

/rant OFF...  (damn button doesn't seem to be working)

Some of these CDs are next to impossible to find  Monks Of Doom?  I hear crickets, and the CDs were in bad shape waaaay back when I ripped them, now they are unlistenable on some tracks.  Did I say "fuck you Apple?", I think I saw a thread about some 'new' ransomware out there, what is that the latest version of iTunes...

/RANT OFF (maybe it needs to be in all caps... hmm)

[AZ/CO]

So Pate, what is the update?  Did you make a decision as I am in the same boat.  I'll buy an Internet radio to hear Art's stream and others because I just don't want an iPhone.  I hate the idea of being so 'connected' and don't want carry the darn thing around.  I'm happy with my flip-phone so that, when necessary, I can make a phone call from my car.  I'm retired so a smart phone just isn't necessary for me as it might be for those who are working and need to stay in touch.

I'm ready to take suggestions.

[Northern Nights]

Like you at one time I was happy with a flip phone and swore I'd never get a smartphone until I started researching them and found this:
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/moto-g-1199218/review

It streams anything from the internet, I don't even have a data plan just use the wifi on a prepaid plan.  It costs less than $200, I agree nobody needs a stupid iPhone for $700 or whatever.  The sound quality is pretty amazing, of course you can run a cable from it to some stereo speakers or send the audio to bluetooth speakers too.  It's nice and compact and you forget it's in your pocket, just read the review it tells you everything.

Internet radios are cool too, the Grace one sounds like a winner but a smartphone gives you email, surf the web, etc. too for when I can't be bothered turning the computer on.

[pate]

AZ,

Haven't made a decision yet.  It seemed to me that the type of internet radio I would be interested in buying either doesn't exist yet, or can no longer be found.  I think my last idea was to wait a few months, for when July is closer.

I sort of half had an idea of going down to the local MicroCenter computer store and building something.  I figured I could get a motherboard, a cheap processor, a really good sound card and a network card (if there isn't an Ethernet port built in on the motherboard) and I guess some speakers too.  Then build a nice looking wooden case for it, but I would still have the issue of a software package that would do what I want.  I doubt that I could write the software, it has been a VERY long time since I wrote anything, and frankly I sucked at it.

So no, I haven't gotten anywhere with this. 

I really liked the look of the Sangean stuff, and if I were to buy one today it'd quite possibly be one of those.

I like the idea of building my own, but I'd need help on the software side.  I imagine a Linux O/S would be adequate.  Hell the old MS-DOS would probably work just fine.  The final product would just need the ability to connect to the internet, and stream music so I imagine it wouldn't need a fancy WINDOWS4Billion OS.  I would be happy with something like that, but it'd proabably cost more than buying something off the shelf, and there is the issue of finding someone with the expertise and willingness to write some sort of program for it.  Ah dreams, I will definitely hire a team of people to make this thing for me should I win the lottery...

I also do not like the idea of a Using a Smartphone, hell I already hit my data cap of 1GB or whatever a month just from looking at BellGabe & Weather reports occasionally, and I don't want to pay a bunch more a month to up my data.

[Juan]

If you go the computer build option look at PC-BSD for the OS.

[Northern Nights]

You guys heard about the Raspberry Pi microcomputer?  Try googling "raspberry pi projects" or "raspberry pi hacks".
If you're looking to hack around that is.

[cweb]

I've got two Raspberry Pi machines. The first gen, B models.

It's an interesting little device. I've used them in a few different ways. File server, video game emulator, Linux computer, media center...

If someone was savvy enough, they could rig up a pi as a streaming tuner and touchpanel interface so you'd never have to log in.

[Northern Nights]

AZ,

Haven't made a decision yet.  It seemed to me that the type of internet radio I would be interested in buying either doesn't exist yet, or can no longer be found.  I think my last idea was to wait a few months, for when July is closer.

I sort of half had an idea of going down to the local MicroCenter computer store and building something.  I figured I could get a motherboard, a cheap processor, a really good sound card and a network card (if there isn't an Ethernet port built in on the motherboard) and I guess some speakers too.  Then build a nice looking wooden case for it, but I would still have the issue of a software package that would do what I want.  I doubt that I could write the software, it has been a VERY long time since I wrote anything, and frankly I sucked at it.

So no, I haven't gotten anywhere with this. 

I really liked the look of the Sangean stuff, and if I were to buy one today it'd quite possibly be one of those.

I like the idea of building my own, but I'd need help on the software side.  I imagine a Linux O/S would be adequate.  Hell the old MS-DOS would probably work just fine.  The final product would just need the ability to connect to the internet, and stream music so I imagine it wouldn't need a fancy WINDOWS4Billion OS.  I would be happy with something like that, but it'd proabably cost more than buying something off the shelf, and there is the issue of finding someone with the expertise and willingness to write some sort of program for it.  Ah dreams, I will definitely hire a team of people to make this thing for me should I win the lottery...

I also do not like the idea of a Using a Smartphone, hell I already hit my data cap of 1GB or whatever a month just from looking at BellGabe & Weather reports occasionally, and I don't want to pay a bunch more a month to up my data.

Do you already have a smartphone and the 1GB is the cap?  If so there's a setting to switch to wifi and not use any data.  Then install the TuneIn app, it gets 100,000 stations including terrestrial, internet-only stations, even the Art Bell pirate streams.

[AZ/CO]

Like you at one time I was happy with a flip phone and swore I'd never get a smartphone until I started researching them and found this:
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/moto-g-1199218/review

It streams anything from the internet, I don't even have a data plan just use the wifi on a prepaid plan.  It costs less than $200, I agree nobody needs a stupid iPhone for $700 or whatever.  The sound quality is pretty amazing, of course you can run a cable from it to some stereo speakers or send the audio to bluetooth speakers too.  It's nice and compact and you forget it's in your pocket, just read the review it tells you everything.

Internet radios are cool too, the Grace one sounds like a winner but a smartphone gives you email, surf the web, etc. too for when I can't be bothered turning the computer on.

Thanks, Northern Nights, that looks like a decent, small smartphone.

[AZ/CO]

Really good ideas re: building your own devices.  I, too, haven't written code in a looong time but I just might play around a bit in the next months.  I barely pay attention the the latest/greatest technology anymore so I figure that might give me an advantage - not being smart enough to know it can't be done 

[pate]

I think I may have to build my own internet radio.

I guess my big thing is that I do not, and never have trusted wireless (wifi) internet connectivity.  Whenever possible I have always run a hard line (CAT5 ethernet?) to where I need it in the house.  I have owned and used wifi routers before, but as soon as I can I run a line and disable the wifi on the router.

I believe that wifi is a security risk, and should only be used if absolutely neccesary.  Granted, a hard line is only as secure as your firewall, your ISP's security measures and whatever protocols you have your home network set up as. 

Don't get me wrong, I like wifi, it has its place and uses;  but for my home listening purposes I will not be using a wireless router/cable modem/GoogleBox.

I notice that most of the (if not all) 'off the shelf' internet radios out there are ONLY wireless, the few that I've found that have wired capability are through USB.  I don't like USB for my wired networking, for multiple reasons.

Call me crazy (you may be onto something there), but I like wired connections.  *I* think that as you see the increased prevalence and reliance on wireless/wifi you will see more and more data breachs involving those connections.  I don't want to set myself up for some sort of disaster merely because of convienience.

I realize that a wired only connection isn't really going to make me completely safe, but I believe it will seriously mitigate the risks of a random criminal/nefarious type parking in front of my house and finding my WiFi signal and doing whatever they do.  My horse porn and coq pics are for my personal use, dag-nabit!

Anyhow, I appreciate the tips on the "Raspberry Pi" devices, I shall have to take a gander at them.  One of the things I was worried about in attempting a build-my-own thing was the Power Supply required for the stripped down computer, hopefully this Raspberry Pi thing is similar to those crappy "net-books" they made (do they still make those?).  What I call a "net-book" was a stripped down laptop, no CD-Drive, very limited memory (I think it was all flash-type?  Built in SD cards?

I am still in the brainstorming phase of all this, but I'd like the end-product to look and feel as much like an old-school AM radio as I can:  dials instead of touch-screen, perhaps punch-type buttons for your station pre-sets.  Maybe a small LCD screen to display stuff, MAYBE... 

What I want isn't going to be for your casual intar-tube radio listener.  I have no problem with having to plug in a keyboard & monitor into the thing to do the "initial set-up" (I don't like the idea of an integrated key board or monitor), type in the URLs for the streams you want to listen to, with the info for the time-frames.  I think I've said all this before...  Dammit.

One thing I don't think I've brainstormed in public about is this:  If I am building my own thing out of lap-top parts or this Raspberry Pi device, why not add in the ability to record (say I am at work when the show I want to listen to streams live?) ala a VCR?  As long as I don't post the live stream *I* recorded for *my* personal use on some torrent site, I'm gold right?  Cue MC Hammer "You Can't Touch This"

(in fact)


MC Hammer - U Can't Touch This

edit:

Do you already have a smartphone and the 1GB is the cap?  If so there's a setting to switch to wifi and not use any data.  Then install the TuneIn app, it gets 100,000 stations including terrestrial, internet-only stations, even the Art Bell pirate streams.

Northern Nights: I forgot I meant to answer this as well, apologies!

I do have a smartphone, but my whole quixotic quest here is to specifically NOT use wifi.  Read above (security risk, etc), for reasons.  Perhaps I have my own government e-mail server in my basement that is also connected to the TopSeckrut military intar-tubes (they don't have Wi-Fi for that, and I have already forgotten what the actual acronym is for that thing... heh), and I want to listen to Art Bell and other live streamed radio shows while I peruse dammit, what is the name of that?  there were two almost identical acronyms/names for the damn things, one was "secure" the other was "secure-but-not-so-much" and anyone could use it, in the military anyhow.  Obviously, I couldn't get on the secure version, or if I could I never did, wasn't really in the "I-need-to-know" category enough for me to push to get access...

Man I am rambling, have I mentioned around here that the Founder's All Day IPA Session Ale is good stuff?  Well, if I have I mention it again.

EndEdit

2ndedit:

SIPPRnet?(SIPR?)/NIPPRnet?(NIPR?) 

Hah, I knew I had it hiding in a dark corner of my brane.

No Googleing, just Noodleing to recall that.  And as Ripley said once upon a time:  Believe it or Not!

End2ndedit

[cweb]

Anyhow, I appreciate the tips on the "Raspberry Pi" devices, I shall have to take a gander at them.  One of the things I was worried about in attempting a build-my-own thing was the Power Supply required for the stripped down computer, hopefully this Raspberry Pi thing is similar to those crappy "net-books" they made (do they still make those?).  What I call a "net-book" was a stripped down laptop, no CD-Drive, very limited memory (I think it was all flash-type?  Built in SD cards?

I am still in the brainstorming phase of all this, but I'd like the end-product to look and feel as much like an old-school AM radio as I can:  dials instead of touch-screen, perhaps punch-type buttons for your station pre-sets.  Maybe a small LCD screen to display stuff, MAYBE... 

The Pi runs on a microUSB jack. Same type of charger as most cell phones... a 5V 1A adapter will do just fine.

Latest revision runs on a 900 Mhz ARM chip, overclockable of course. It's got a gig of RAM and uses MicroSD cards. There's no optical drive, or system case for that matter.

More info here: http://www.raspberrypi.org/

[the_peeve]

I would like a device that I can have in the house and then stick in my pickup truck when I head out.


Any suggestions?

[pate]

I would like a device that I can have in the house and then stick in my pickup truck when I head out.


Any suggestions?

Sure!  I have two:

SmartPhone, or iPhone!  Choose one for your intellect level, or if a hard line to your truck is required; buy a spool or box of CATxyz! 

Thanx for listening!

[Morgus]

Here is a low price deal (<$45 after rebate) on a 7" android tablet with wifi this month:
http://dealnews.com/Refurb-Hisense-8-GB-Pro-7-Android-Tablet-for-45-after-rebate-free-shipping/1304614.html

Can use android apps like Tune-In for listening to streaming stations wherever you have a wifi connection.

[VegasI15]

I think I may have to build my own internet radio.

As far as your internet radio thing goes, cool.  If that is your intent to build something like that, it would be a unique device.  However you might want to browse these two audio forums to see how others have their PC's hooked into their sound systems.  Audio engineers (pros) and the like hang out at these forums

http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php
http://www.avsforum.com/