We have talked a lot this week about “Human Curation” versus AI algorithms. But what does that actually look like in practice?

It does not look like a server farm. It looks like a dedicated listening lab featuring the WiiM Pro, a Sangean digital recorder, and a custom-built Microsoft Access database.

The Sources: WiiM, Sonos, and Echo

As an Audio Concierge, I have to know how a station sounds on every device. That is why I run three distinct listening lanes:

  • The WiiM Pro: This is my reference standard. I use the WiiM Pro for bit-perfect, high-resolution streaming. When I am judging the raw audio quality of a broadcast, this is the engine I use.

  • The Sonos Port: This connects the archive to the rest of the house. It allows me to test how a stream holds up when pushed to different rooms and speakers.

  • The Amazon Echo Dot: This is my “Real World” test. Most people listen to radio on smart speakers today. I keep a Dot in the loop to ensure that the stations I recommend actually work via voice command and sound good on smaller speakers.

The Archiving: Sangean Digital

Streaming is fleeting. If a DJ spins an incredible set and I do not capture it, it is gone forever.

That is why I use the Sangean digital audio recorder.

When I find something special, I pipe the audio directly from the WiiM or Sonos into the Sangean. It creates a physical, digital archive of the broadcast on an SD card. I don’t just bookmark great radio. I own a copy of it.

A screenshot of a custom Microsoft Access database form used to log radio stations, with fields for Source Device, Audio Quality, and Content Description.
The brain of the operation. This custom Microsoft Access database tracks how stations perform across different devices, from the WiiM Pro to the Amazon Echo Dot.

The Brain: Custom Logging Database

Once the audio is captured, the data goes into my proprietary Microsoft Access database.

An algorithm might just list a URL. My database tracks the entire experience:

  • The Source: Did it sound better on the WiiM Pro or the Sonos Port?

  • The Voice Command: Did the Echo Dot struggle to find the station name?

  • The Context: Was this a late-night jazz set or a morning news block?

Why This Matters

Data without context is just noise. By testing these stations on real hardware, from high-end streamers to smart speakers, I can give you recommendations that actually work in your life.

A Question for You

I am constantly tweaking my signal chain to get the best possible sound, but I want to know about your setup.

A Note on Archiving: The recordings mentioned in this post are for my personal, private time-shifting archive only. I do not host, distribute, or sell audio files. Support these stations by tuning in live!

What is your primary listening device today? Are you using a smart speaker, a dedicated streamer like the WiiM, or just your phone? Let me know in the comments.