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Djsedaw
Active Member
FM/AM what is that?, is it a new streaming service like Spotify?
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Djsedaw
Active Member
sorry! Just my wee joke
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From my experience, FWIW, the biggest improvement I ever made when listening to FM was an outdoor antenna.
I never owned more than a mid-range tuner, so I don't know if spending more than average dollars would be beneficial.
I recall a review of an Accuphase tuner (David Rich and Richard Modafferi reviewed it)--the tuner was the best of a very exclusive bunch, however Modafferi found it badly misaligned from the factory. I don't know how the average consumer could know that, or would know how to fix the problem even if they suspected it?
I never owned more than a mid-range tuner, so I don't know if spending more than average dollars would be beneficial.
I recall a review of an Accuphase tuner (David Rich and Richard Modafferi reviewed it)--the tuner was the best of a very exclusive bunch, however Modafferi found it badly misaligned from the factory. I don't know how the average consumer could know that, or would know how to fix the problem even if they suspected it?
Indeed it is shocking the first time one connects a TV antenna to a tuner. Stronger signals make a massive difference to FM reception.
Speedskater
Major Contributor
A Sony XDR-F1HD FM/AM tuner if you can find one used someplace.
Wayne A. Pflughaupt
Active Member
I’d go with a vintage tuner. I doubt if anyone currently makes anything as good as the best vintage tuners, but if they do it’ll cost you a lot more.
Yamaha’s TX-950 should be high on your list. It was Yamaha’s last high-end tuner and for some reason gets no respect, even though it specs better than the vaunted Onkyo T-9090 II. They practically give them away on ebay – a mint offering recently sold for a mere $55.
Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt
Yamaha’s TX-950 should be high on your list. It was Yamaha’s last high-end tuner and for some reason gets no respect, even though it specs better than the vaunted Onkyo T-9090 II. They practically give them away on ebay – a mint offering recently sold for a mere $55.
Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt
Cahudson42
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How about the FM tuner built-in to most cell phones? Any good? Comments?
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In the tuner review I referenced above, Modafferi and Rich both had good things to say about the TX-950. I bought one based on their review (to match the Yamaha integrated amplifier Rich reviewed). Although I never used it much, after a few years one of the capacitors leaked black gunk all over the circuit board. Who knows if it was just my lucky day, or if there were some component problems with that model? I never investigated or attempted to fix it, because FM wasn't really something I was interested in.
Don't most FM stations stream over the Internet? That would be something I'd be looking in to, if it was important to me.
Of all the old analog sources from my hi-fi years, I'd rate FM right up there with open reel as being totally useless. On the other hand, at least an FM tuner won't cost you an arm and a leg to use and keep going, like open reel. Personally, I always thought the '70s era Pioneer tuners (9100, 9500, etc) looked very nice in an equipment cabinet. But there were a lot of nice looking FM tuners from that era.
I wanted a tuner, so ended up with HDRadio tuner - sends digits to the common DAC. Paid $50 for mine. Somebody bought a truckload at a Radio shack liquidation and sold them off on Amazon. It has a dim display, and the tuning knob doesn't work well, but the digits seem correct. Whoa, $300 now - https://www.amazon.com/AUVIO-Auvio-HD-Radio-Tuner/dp/B004OHTNZI
That doesn't satisfy the desire for an analog tuner, or whatever, but it works for me.
Besides, I have an old Pioneer SX-780 Receiver in another room if I want to twiddle the dial.
You don't list your location. There aren't many to choose from in the US. Here's one:
https://www.google.com/search?q=san...W2IzQIHXkKAZsQ_AUoAXoECA0QAw&biw=1115&bih=944
And the prior model:
https://www.google.com/search?q=san...UNT6wKHVLWA0MQ_AUoBHoECAwQBg&biw=1115&bih=944
Ir you could go upscale, and get a "pro" device...
https://daleproaudio.com/products/daysequerra-m4-2si-am-fm-hd-radio-broadcast-receiver
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I have one of these completely rebuilt with a fan added to add life to the new components that had gotten old and brittle. I have no need for it, it just sits in the box my tuner expert guy sent it back to me in. $150.
restorer-john
Grand Contributor
Plenty of awesome high performance tuners out there.
The Pioneer F-90 and F-91 are incredibly good as are the top Yamahas mentioned (TX-900 also gets a mention as it is a great tuner too.) if you can lay your hands on a Sony STS-333esxII/STS-730es, you will get the best Sony ever produced.
F-90
F-91
STS-333esxII
If FM is your only interest, a vintage Aiwa AT-9700 is an insanely good tuner.
Bigger and heavier than most integrated amplifiers...
The Akai AT-93 Reference Master is a lovely tuner
The Pioneer F-90 and F-91 are incredibly good as are the top Yamahas mentioned (TX-900 also gets a mention as it is a great tuner too.) if you can lay your hands on a Sony STS-333esxII/STS-730es, you will get the best Sony ever produced.
F-90
F-91
STS-333esxII
If FM is your only interest, a vintage Aiwa AT-9700 is an insanely good tuner.
Bigger and heavier than most integrated amplifiers...
The Akai AT-93 Reference Master is a lovely tuner
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I've mentioned this before, but if you go to yoo-toob and search for Pioneer F-28 you can watch a series of six videos on the repair of that tuner. The good news is that it is one of the best tuners you can buy (if you can find one). The bad news is that they are impossible to repair (almost), and I suspect that by now they all need some kind of service. Very funny (and interesting) videos. I give the tech props for seeing the job through. It really makes you wonder about the minds of the men who designed it.
Below is part six, that summarizes the work. It makes you understand what you are getting in to if you go with some of the more esoteric gear from past ages. If you know how to repair things, or have someone you can trust with the job, fine. If not? You need to be looking elsewhere, probably.
AudioSceptic
Major Contributor
Typical 70s Yamaha styling. Still looks great.
AudioSceptic
Major Contributor
TV antenna? That's hardly ideal for VHF Band 2 (88-108 MHz).
I have an old Yamaha T-2 around that did pretty well at the time. IIRC it was not a top-tier but did well, and I was able to get it cheap from the store I worked. Couldn't afford the T-1 (college kid at the time).
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