I recently bought a MR67 on eBay for around $700 and think it sounds incredibly good; I have compared it to Meridian 208 (early 90's), Fanfare FT1A (6 mos old), MD 102 (1 yr old), Marantz 120 and 2110 (mid 70's), and Scott 350B (early 60's) and find it the best sounding of the older tuners and comparable but warmer than the MD 102, which is my next favorite after the MR67. I have never compared the MR71 to the MR67 but have read a lot about both and hear they are quite similar in sound and function. I would say either the 71 or the 67 will be an incredibly good pick, see what's available at what price on eBay. Sometimes there are multiple MR71's, sometimes 2 or 3 MR67's on auction at the same time. Your price will depend on what's being sold that week. With my MR67, one of the meters isn't working, but it still sounds great and I don't need the meter. Still, these old tuners are seldom in perfect condition, esp. on eBay.
Best Mac tube FM tuner: MR67 or MR71??
OK- buying my first ever FM tuner (and hopefully last). I have done some research, and narrowed it down to probably a vintage McIntosh tube model (looking for that tube warmth and musicality- apparently the classic Mac tube-based FM tuners are good in this regard). Anyone compared the two? (with or without 'mods'). Thanks