MAJORITY Fitzwilliam 2024 Bluetooth DAB+ Radio Review: The Ultimate Hi-Fi Upgrade for the Digital Age?

There’s a certain romance to a classic Hi-Fi stack. The solid weight of the amplifier, the gentle whir of a CD player, the familiar glow of the display—it’s a tangible connection to the music we love. For years, my own separates system, pieced together with care, has been the heart of my home’s audio experience. But recently, a creeping silence began to fall. My trusty old DAB tuner, an early adopter’s prize, became a monument to obsolete technology as my favourite stations migrated to the superior DAB+ format. My FM aerial, battered by years of weather, delivered more static than signal. The thought of replacing a perfectly good amplifier and speakers, components I’d invested in and cherished, just to access modern radio felt like a betrayal. This is the quiet crisis facing countless audio enthusiasts: how do you bridge the gap between a high-quality analogue past and a boundless digital future without starting from scratch?

What to Consider Before Buying an Internet Radio Tuner

An Internet Radio Tuner is more than just a box that plays radio; it’s a key solution for modernising a traditional Hi-Fi system. It acts as a central hub, pulling in audio from across the globe via your home internet connection, capturing crystal-clear digital broadcasts with DAB+, and even streaming music directly from your phone. The primary benefit is choice. You are no longer limited by the strength of a terrestrial signal. Whether you want to listen to a niche jazz station from New Orleans, a news broadcast from Tokyo, or your favourite local station that’s now online-only, an internet tuner makes it possible, often with audio quality far exceeding traditional FM or even standard DAB.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who, like me, already owns and loves a separates Hi-Fi system—an amplifier and speakers—but finds their current tuner lacking. It’s for the music lover who wants to unlock the near-infinite library of internet radio, podcasts, and streaming services like Spotify without sacrificing the superior sound quality of their existing setup. It’s a bridge component, not an all-in-one system. Conversely, it might not be suitable for those who want a simple, portable, all-in-one radio with built-in speakers for the kitchen or bedroom. For those users, a compact tabletop radio or a smart speaker would be a more direct and cost-effective solution.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: A key feature of a Hi-Fi separate is its ability to integrate aesthetically into an existing “stack.” Most standard components are 43cm wide. Before purchasing, measure your available shelf or cabinet space to ensure a seamless fit. The MAJORITY Fitzwilliam 2024 Bluetooth DAB+ Radio is designed to this standard, ensuring it looks right at home with equipment from brands like Marantz, Denon, or Cambridge Audio.
• Capacity/Performance: This refers to the range of sources it can handle. Look for a tuner that covers all the bases: Internet Radio, DAB/DAB+, and FM are the trifecta. Added features like Bluetooth and Spotify Connect dramatically increase versatility, allowing you to stream audio from any app on your phone or tablet. Check the number of presets available; over 90, as offered here, provides ample room for all your favourites.
• Connectivity & Durability: The back panel is just as important as the front. RCA outputs are the standard for connecting to most amplifiers, but some units may offer optical or coaxial digital outputs for a potentially cleaner signal path to a DAC or digitally-equipped amp. For internet access, both Wi-Fi and a wired Ethernet port offer flexibility. While the chassis is typically metal for durability, be mindful that budget-friendly units may use thinner gauge metal, which is something we noted in our testing.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A bright, clear colour display is non-negotiable for navigating thousands of internet stations. A well-designed remote control is also crucial for comfortable operation from your listening position. Look for an intuitive menu system; some of the best units, including this one, are based on robust platforms like Frontier Nuvola, which also supports a companion smartphone app for even easier control.

Ultimately, choosing the right tuner is about identifying your needs and finding a device that meets them without unnecessary expense.

While the MAJORITY Fitzwilliam 2024 Bluetooth DAB+ Radio is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: A Feature-Packed Contender

Unboxing the MAJORITY Fitzwilliam 2024 Bluetooth DAB+ Radio, the first thing we noticed was its proper Hi-Fi component dimensions. At 43cm wide, it sat perfectly atop our Cambridge Audio amplifier, instantly looking like it belonged. The packaging was secure, and inside we found the main unit, a remote control (requiring 2xAAA batteries, not included), a power cable, and stubby screw-in aerials for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The overall build is lightweight yet reasonably solid for its price point, with a clean, minimalist black metal chassis and a tidy front panel dominated by the central colour LED display and a large control knob. Setup was remarkably straightforward. After connecting the RCA cables to our amp and plugging it in, the startup wizard immediately prompted us to connect to a Wi-Fi network. Entering the password using the remote and dial was a bit tedious, as is often the case, but it connected quickly and has remained stable ever since. We were up and running, scanning for DAB+ stations and exploring the vast world of internet radio within minutes—a far cry from the complex configurations of some high-end network streamers.

A Deep Dive into the Fitzwilliam’s Performance

A tuner’s spec sheet can promise the world, but the true test is in the daily listening experience. How does it sound? How easy is it to live with? We spent weeks with the MAJORITY Fitzwilliam 2024 Bluetooth DAB+ Radio as the primary source for our reference Hi-Fi system, exploring its every feature to determine if its real-world performance lives up to its impressive on-paper credentials.

The Triple-Threat Tuner: Internet, DAB+, and FM Radio

The core function of this device is, of course, radio, and it’s here that it immediately shines. For those of us who have felt the sting of our favourite stations vanishing from the old DAB standard, the inclusion of DAB+ is a godsend. After an initial scan, the Fitzwilliam pulled in dozens of stations with surprising clarity using just the included wire aerial. The sound was clean, stable, and free of the interference that plagues analogue FM. This was confirmed by one user in a rural area who was astonished to go from receiving just eight crackly DAB stations on their old tuner to a full, stable roster with the Fitzwilliam.

However, the real game-changer is Internet Radio. This feature single-handedly solves the problem of poor reception. As long as you have a stable Wi-Fi or wired internet connection, you have access to tens of thousands of stations from around the globe. We found the sound quality to be consistently excellent, often better than DAB+, especially on stations broadcasting at higher bitrates (128kbps and above). Navigating this immense library is surprisingly easy thanks to the logical menu structure, which allows you to search by location, genre, or name. We were able to find and save our favourite local station—which recently went internet-only—as a preset in seconds. This is the definitive future of radio, and the MAJORITY Fitzwilliam 2024 makes accessing it an absolute breeze. The FM tuner is also competent, providing a reliable fallback, though once you experience the quality and choice of digital and internet radio, you’ll likely use it sparingly.

A Gateway to Modern Streaming: Spotify Connect and Bluetooth

While radio is its heritage, the Fitzwilliam’s streaming capabilities are what elevate it from a simple tuner to a comprehensive digital audio hub. The inclusion of Spotify Connect is a masterstroke. Unlike Bluetooth, Spotify Connect allows the tuner to stream directly from Spotify’s servers over your Wi-Fi network. This means your phone simply acts as a remote control; you can take calls, watch videos, or even leave the house without interrupting the music. The connection is rock-solid, and the audio quality is noticeably superior to standard Bluetooth compression.

For us, this feature was transformative. It seamlessly integrated our massive Spotify library with our high-quality Hi-Fi system. As one user aptly put it, it’s perfect for the “avid vinyl/CD collector who also uses Spotify for convenience.” The Bluetooth connectivity is also a welcome addition, providing a universal way to stream audio from any app on a smartphone or tablet—be it Apple Music, YouTube, or a podcast player. Pairing was instant, and the connection remained stable within the same room. While audiophiles might prefer the higher fidelity of Spotify Connect or a wired connection, the sheer convenience of Bluetooth for casual listening or when guests want to share a track is undeniable. This dual-streaming capability is a feature that truly sets it apart at this price point.

Build Quality, Connectivity, and User Experience

The design of the MAJORITY Fitzwilliam 2024 Bluetooth DAB+ Radio is thoughtfully executed. Its minimalist aesthetic allows it to blend in with a wide range of other Hi-Fi components. The colour display is bright, legible from across the room, and provides useful information like station name, song title, and album art (on supported streams). The front-panel controls are minimal but effective, though we found ourselves using the included remote control for almost all operations. The menu system, reportedly based on the respected Frontier chipset, is logical and responsive. Storing and recalling the 90+ presets is simple and makes accessing favourite stations a one-button affair.

On the rear, the connectivity is generous. We primarily used the standard RCA outputs, which delivered a clean, warm, and detailed sound to our amplifier that, to our ears, sonically outperformed older, more expensive tuners. The unit also includes AUX-in for connecting wired sources and a USB port for playing MP3 files from a thumb drive. It’s important to address the elephant in the room: build quality. A handful of users have reported receiving units with minor cosmetic damage or a slightly warped chassis that doesn’t sit perfectly flat. While our test unit was flawless, this suggests some inconsistency in quality control, a common trade-off for a product offering so many features at such an aggressive price. As one user noted, “it’s almost an excellent unit but the failings are (for me) quite significant.” Another user mentioned the DAB aerial connection being slightly tucked away, making it tricky to attach a larger, external aerial—a valid point for those in fringe reception areas. Despite these potential minor issues, the overall value proposition remains incredibly high. To get this level of functionality from a mainstream Hi-Fi brand, you would expect to pay two or three times the price, a fact that makes it easy to see its full feature set and user reviews as a compelling package.

What Other Users Are Saying

Our positive experience is largely echoed by the wider community of users. The overwhelming sentiment is one of surprise and satisfaction, with many initially cautious about a lesser-known brand but ultimately won over by the performance. One reviewer captured this perfectly, stating, “I’m normally cautious with unknown brands… but my first impressions of this tuner is very impressive indeed!! Forget spending 3-4 hundred on a branded tuner as this tuner certainly does it all.” Many users share a similar origin story to ours: they needed to replace an obsolete DAB or internet radio (like a Denon or a Logitech Squeezebox) and found the Fitzwilliam to be a perfect, modern replacement.

The sound quality is frequently praised, with one audiophile comparing it favourably to a £500 Arcam tuner, noting the sound is “on the warm side without losing any clarity, very easy on the ear.” However, the feedback isn’t universally perfect. As mentioned, the most common criticisms revolve around quality control. A few users reported receiving units with cosmetic damage right out of the box, such as scratches or a slightly warped case. One noted, “So, someone at QC forgot this one for sure… it looks like the unit and remote where dropped and just put back in the box.” While these instances appear to be in the minority, they are worth noting for potential buyers.

How Does the MAJORITY Fitzwilliam 2024 Compare to the Alternatives?

The MAJORITY Fitzwilliam 2024 Bluetooth DAB+ Radio offers a fantastic package, but it exists in a competitive market. Here’s how it stacks up against three notable alternatives.

1. Imperial Dabman i200 Internet DAB+ Radio CD Player

The Imperial Dabman i200 is a versatile, all-in-one style unit rather than a pure Hi-Fi separate. Its biggest distinguishing feature is the built-in CD player, making it an excellent choice for someone looking to consolidate their system or for use in a second room like a study or bedroom where a full stack isn’t practical. It also includes built-in stereo speakers, meaning it can function as a standalone system. However, for a user who already has a high-quality amplifier and speakers, the Dabman’s internal amplification and speakers are redundant. The Fitzwilliam is the superior choice for integrating into an existing separates system due to its form factor and focus on output quality.

2. MAJORITY Quadriga DAB+ CD Internet Radio

The MAJORITY Quadriga is essentially the Fitzwilliam’s bigger, more powerful sibling. Like the Dabman, it’s an all-in-one system, but it’s a significant step up in audio power, boasting a 120W 2.1 stereo system with an inbuilt subwoofer. It also includes a CD player. This is the ideal solution for someone who wants the vast connectivity of the Fitzwilliam but doesn’t own a separate amplifier and speakers. It’s a complete, modern Hi-Fi system in a single box. If you’re starting from scratch and want powerful, room-filling sound with maximum convenience, the Quadriga is a compelling option. If you’re upgrading an existing Hi-Fi, the Fitzwilliam remains the logical choice.

3. Hama 00054891 Internet Radio DAB+ WiFi Bluetooth

The Hama Internet Radio is perhaps the most direct competitor to the Fitzwilliam in terms of being a feature-rich, all-in-one system. Like the Quadriga, it includes a CD player and built-in speakers, offering similar functionality. Where the Fitzwilliam gains an edge for the Hi-Fi enthusiast is its dedicated purpose and form factor as a tuner component, designed specifically to feed a signal to a better amplifier. While the Hama is a very capable tabletop system, reviews and specifications suggest the Fitzwilliam, when paired with even a modest external amp and speakers, will deliver a superior and more scalable audio experience. The Hama is for convenience; the Fitzwilliam is for integration and sound quality potential.

The Final Verdict: Is the MAJORITY Fitzwilliam 2024 Worth It?

After extensive testing, we can confidently say that the MAJORITY Fitzwilliam 2024 Bluetooth DAB+ Radio is a phenomenal piece of kit that punches far above its weight. It is the perfect solution for anyone with a beloved but technologically dated Hi-Fi system. It flawlessly bridges the gap between the analogue and digital worlds, granting you access to a virtually limitless universe of audio content without forcing you to abandon your cherished amplifier and speakers. Its combination of Internet Radio, DAB+, Spotify Connect, and Bluetooth in a proper Hi-Fi component size is a winning formula.

While there are minor concerns about potential build quality inconsistencies, these are overwhelmingly overshadowed by the immense value and performance on offer. For a fraction of the cost of a comparable unit from a legacy audio brand, it modernises your entire listening experience. If you want to breathe new life into your Hi-Fi stack and unlock the future of audio, we cannot recommend it highly enough. It’s an easy, affordable, and profoundly effective upgrade. For anyone ready to rediscover their Hi-Fi system, we strongly encourage you to check the latest price and discover what it can do for you.