Best XM Radio Receiver sub 500

The only home XM tuner (one of the new digital satellite radio bands) I've seen in the Sony model (DRN-XM01H) which lists for $299.

http://www.xmradio.com/catalog/product_detail.jsp?id=6955&cat=Tuner&attr=Home

Actually, I'm listening to Channel 42 "XM Liquid Metal" right now at work. Pretty cool. I was hoping at least three heavy metal stations, so I could flip back and forth. But I'll take having one, and not having to rely on late-night college radio to play my favorites.

Take a look at the channel selections, here:

http://www.xmradio.com/programming/full_channel_listing.jsp

I'd like to know how the sound quality of these digital broadcasts compare to analog FM or AM. I haven't seen the specs for Sirius or XM (the two formats). It's sounds good enough on my Altec Lansing speakers on my work PC (doesn't say much, though). :-/

But to get back on topic. Th only XM tuner I've seen _at all_, was the sub $300 (list) XM tuner from Sony. But it would look ridiculous on my home audio rack next to all those tank-like metal chassis. Maybe MD will make a XM tuner? LOL

http://www.xmradio.com/catalog/product_detail.jsp?id=6955&cat=Tuner&attr=Home

I have seen tuners at Crutchfield. www.crutchfield.com They have the sony and a pioneer, I think. I have listened to Alpine, Sony and Pioneer in demos from XM radio (the van showed up in my neighborhood) but all were through headphones and it was a bad environment to compare, and all were car models. Good luck. I have another post on XM radio and am seeking info from anyone with knowledge of how good a service this is.

I, too, have seen the car tuners, but was wondering if something other than the one sony existed for home use.

Though I may pick up a car tuner, if the selection of tunes and the sound quality is CD, or better. It wouldn't need to be audiophile-standard, as I'd never appreciate it in a noisy environment such as my mustang or my truck. :-(