The NTS Radio Player: A Dream Device for Hi-Fi and Internet Radio Fans
For years, audiophiles and casual music lovers alike have wrestled with a deceptively simple problem: how do you get high-quality internet radio onto a proper hi-fi system without compromise? Google's Chromecast Audio was the beloved answer for many, and when it was discontinued in 2019, it left a gaping hole in the market. Now, a collaboration between cult internet radio broadcaster NTS Radio and Swedish audio company Atonemo may have finally delivered the solution fans have been waiting for — the NTS Radio Player.
What Is the NTS Radio Player?
The NTS Radio Player is a dedicated streaming device co-developed by NTS Radio and Atonemo, the Swedish company already known for its well-regarded Streamplayer. At its core, this compact device is designed to bring NTS Radio's vast library of genre-defying mixes, live shows, and curated streaming stations directly into your home audio setup — without requiring a smartphone, computer, or smart TV as an intermediary.
Priced at $179, the NTS Radio Player is positioned as a premium but accessible piece of kit for anyone who takes their listening seriously. It's not just a novelty gadget for NTS diehards, either. It's a fully capable streaming node that slots neatly into almost any existing stereo or speaker configuration.
Audio Quality That Respects Your Hi-Fi
One of the most impressive technical specifications of the NTS Radio Player is its audio output capability. The device delivers 24-bit / 192kHz audio — a resolution that sits firmly in high-fidelity territory and is more than capable of satisfying the ears of discerning listeners. This isn't a Bluetooth dongle or a compressed stream piped through a smart speaker. This is genuine high-resolution audio output designed to honor the speakers and amplifiers you've invested in.
The player outputs audio via a standard 3.5mm audio jack, and Atonemo has thoughtfully included an adapter cable for connecting to RCA inputs. That means whether you have a vintage receiver from the 1970s, a modern integrated amplifier, or a set of powered monitors on your desk, you're covered. The analog output approach keeps things simple, reliable, and universally compatible — a refreshing contrast to the ecosystem lock-in that plagues so many modern audio products.
Multi-Platform Streaming Beyond NTS
While the NTS Radio Player is clearly built around the NTS Radio experience, Atonemo has been smart enough to ensure it functions as a capable all-around streaming device. Following the same philosophy as Atonemo's existing Streamplayer, the NTS Radio Player supports a range of widely used streaming protocols:
- AirPlay 2 — for seamless integration with Apple devices and the broader Apple ecosystem.
- Google Cast — allowing Android users and Chrome browser fans to cast audio directly to the device.
- Spotify Connect — enabling Spotify subscribers to use the app as a remote control while audio is processed natively by the player.
- Tidal Connect — perfect for Tidal subscribers who want to stream lossless and MQA content at the highest possible quality.
This combination of protocols means the NTS Radio Player isn't locked into a single streaming service or operating system. Whether you're an iPhone user, an Android devotee, or someone who bounces between platforms, the device has you covered. It's the kind of multi-platform flexibility that was sorely missing from the Chromecast Audio and that has been a key selling point of Atonemo's existing lineup.
The NTS Radio Experience: Why It Matters
For those unfamiliar, NTS Radio is one of the most respected names in independent internet radio. Founded in London in 2011, NTS has built a global reputation for broadcasting music that sits outside the mainstream — from obscure jazz and experimental electronics to field recordings, global club music, and everything in between. The station operates two continuous live channels (NTS 1 and NTS 2) and hosts an enormous on-demand archive of shows from DJs, artists, and curators around the world.
Having dedicated hardware buttons on top of the NTS Radio Player to tune directly into NTS 1 and presumably NTS 2 is a genuinely thoughtful touch. It echoes the tactile simplicity of a traditional radio — press a button, hear music. No apps, no menus, no friction. For a generation that grew up with physical media and tuner dials, this directness feels both nostalgic and quietly revolutionary in the age of infinite scroll.
Is This the Chromecast Audio Replacement We've Been Waiting For?
The honest answer is: it might be the best one yet. The Chromecast Audio was beloved precisely because it was cheap, small, and brought streaming to any speaker with a 3.5mm input. The NTS Radio Player checks all the same boxes while dramatically raising the ceiling on audio quality and streaming compatibility. Yes, it's more expensive than the $35 Chromecast Audio ever was, but the jump to 24-bit/192kHz output and the addition of AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and Tidal Connect makes it a far more capable device.
For hi-fi enthusiasts who have been making do with workarounds — old laptops connected to DACs, Bluetooth adapters with questionable audio quality, or repurposed smart speakers — the NTS Radio Player represents a clean, elegant, and sonically serious solution.
Final Thoughts
The NTS Radio Player is a well-conceived product that arrives at exactly the right moment. Internet radio has never been richer or more diverse, yet the hardware designed to bring it into the home has lagged behind. By combining NTS Radio's curatorial prestige with Atonemo's proven streaming technology, this $179 device offers something genuinely useful to a wide audience — from the audiophile who wants lossless audio on their vintage hi-fi, to the music obsessive who simply wants NTS in the living room at the push of a button. Keep an eye on this one.