I use a Sumo Charlie tuner that James Bongiorno aligned for me. I bought it at the DAK warehouse in Canoga Park over 40 years ago for $100. I loved crate-digging in that dirty place and found bunches of cool cheap stuff. They had a lot of hi-fi then, mostly all 3 letter names like SAE, BSR, ADC, & BIC. A few blocks down was Infinity. I'd drive by just to see the Ferraris and Lambos parked there! It's got selectivity over sensitivity, made for city dwellers. It still sounds like it belongs on the top 5 best tuners list I found. I have an extra one that belonged to James. He had a Sequerra tuner and their speakers too as he was close friends with Dick. I've had Fisher, Marantz, & Luxman tuners in the past. I love radio and grew up on it in LA. Fabulous late-night FM broadcasts really blew my mind. The best tuner I ever heard I have never seen mentioned. That was a Roksan Kandy KT-1. It has a remote and the best and most informative display ever. |
Yamaha CT-1000 back then when first came out, Carver TX-11a now plus Audio By Van Alstine Super Tuner Two mod of Dyna FM-5 with outdoor Winegard mounted inside as have NPR radio close enough to still pull in sounds fine over Frank Van Alstine Fet Valve electronics driving Magnepan MG 3.7i, which reveal the subtlest of details. |
My best tuner is a McIntosh MR78 than has recently been modified by Rich Modafferi. My other best tuner is a Marantz 20 that was recently on the test bench, had a bit of work done, and continues to be excellent Both are terrific, both have their charms, and both definitely sound different. I like them both Now for the tuna that got away- years back a store was closing. Owner brought me to the back room. Two 10b tuners on a shelf. He wanted $1200 for both. What was I thinking? |
I own a Tandberg 3011. Packed away for years. Since fm is no longer analog through, what sense does it make? If the networks go down, suddenly it’s importance would skyrocket. But for how long? My lifestyle has changed, and quality listening is no longer connected to fm. But I do enjoy cousin Brucie on Sirius XM. Anyone heard a magnum dynalab XM? |
Magnum Dynalab - I sent my FT101a, made in the mid 1990's, in for service and could not be more pleased with it now that it’s back. It is their goal to serve customers for the long term. They still service their original FT101 tuners introduced in 1985 and if you still have one they will take it on trade against any of their current line. They have a customer waiting list for these vintage tuners. They offer a flat rate service policy for all of their basic analogue tuners up to the model 107. The $150.00, lifetime, service fee covers all internal parts except tubes and exterior cosmetic issues or meters and switches. |
I own a McIntosh MR78 which I purchased new in 1972. Couple years ago sent it to factory for refurbishment; hadn't used it for approx. 20 years. Having taken on a new wife/home, my audio system was relegated to mancave in basement. I had anticipated needing to install cabling to an outdoors antenna; tried a rabbitears just for kicks and tuner brought in local stations wonderfully. Talk about sensitivity! |
dherring Since fm is no longer analog through, what sense does it make?FM is still analog, even though most stations rely on digital sources. But there are exceptions, including live broadcasts. ... I do enjoy cousin Brucie on Sirius XM. Anyone heard a magnum dynalab XM?If you enjoy XM, you'll get a much higher bitrate and higher fidelity from its online stream than is available from "the birds." |
The Carver TX-11A is remarkable, if you can find a good one. Mine has had its output capacitors replaced and has a fancy power cord. The quality of the station's transmissions is really the big factor here. No tuner can make a lousy signal better. One of my stations is breathtakingly clear and has excellent sound. The Carver will show you the difference between good & bad stations. |
I happen to live in an area with an exceptionally good NPR station .... WFCR, hub of NEPR (New England Public Radio). This station puts out a state of the art FM signal, as well as three digital sub-channels (which I ignore). It provides not only the NPR newscasts, but live-dj'd classical broadcasts every day between the morning and afternoon news broadcasts, and a 3-hour evening jazz broadcast live DJ'd by nationally-recognized Jazz expert Tom Reany. On weekends the nightly jazz is "world jazz" with an emphasis on African rythymns, and on Western Hemispheric hispanic jazz-influenced music. All this to say "who needs streaming". I have three systems in the apartment, fed by three different tuners (as well as sacd/cd players and turntables). The three tuners I use, in order of quality of sound: 1) A Dynaco FM3 that has been maintained and updated over the years by an expert audio technician. 2) A Fisher FM90B overhauled and updated about 10 years ago by a good technician. 3) A Carver TX11, stock and in use since the late '80's. Notice that sensitivity is not my main criteria, only audio quality of a strongish signal. All three are very good in this regard, the Dynaco and Fisher tube units exceptional. At one point I plugged the Dynaco directly into my VTL ST-85 tube amp (the Dynaco has a front panel volume control). Thought I had died and gone to heaven ..... "Live from Tanglewood" was "live". "Live from the Met" was "live". So far none of my preamps has met the transparency test. I offer this for what it is worth to you. You don't need megabucks. You do need knowledge of what tube units to buy, and they do need to be updated sonically. But most of all, you need a state-of-the-art station that meets your listening needs. |
Sansui TU-919: I completely rebuilt this model with premium parts and preformed a complete AM and Fm alignment. Outstanding sound. We have great local jazz and classical NPR stations. Here's a good resource for vintage tuners: https://www.fmtunerinfo.com/index.html |
No matter the tuner you have, it's only as good as the signal you feed it. When I bought my house 21 years ago, I was thrilled to FINALLY have a house of my own where I could put up a proper FM yagi antenna with a rotor! I was running an Onkyo T-4055 tuner, which was the beast that first made Onkyo a respectable name. With this antenna, I was pulling in stations 150 miles away! The problem was that virtually all of the stations were nothing I wanted to hear. C&W, MOR, contemporary pop music, Spanish Language and worst of all - Christian Rock. There is a college jazz station here in the area, but I've never liked the stuff they played much. So I pitched the whole thing out years ago. With Internet Radio on my Linux laptop, played through a Peachtree DAC to my main rig, I have access to hundreds of sources from all over the planet. FM tuners are audio buggy whips. |
I use a pioneer SX1250, with a pioneer Pl-600 table , Pioneer CTF-1000 tape deck hooked up to a set of JBL -L300’s all are restored and mint condition. It’s just wonderful for me. Ear to ear smiles and I play it LOUD AND PROUD !!! . All cables are from Blue Jeans . It’s on it’s own electric panel two 10/2 lines with its own ground And a JL audio 10 inch 700 watt sub . |
Im down to a Mitsu DA-F20 & a Kenwood 600T both gone through by B. Ammons who is best known for his filter adder board which will upgrade selectivity . Unfortunately since moving out of probably one of the last bastions of multiple good non commercial FM stations (s.f. bay area) I am now living about 3 hrs north and my favorite term for this area is FM wasteland. So, mostly listening online to my fav stations. I have a new APS 13 languishing in the garage. Never installed as I was using a Winegard FM only yagi back before and sold as planning to put up the APS13 w/rotor of course! -- But as not really content in being here so have not put it up. I probably could get Sac a tomato stations although wondering if much there anyway. Ive probably checked online and didnt find anything Ive been listening to non commercial FM so long Ive been through all the major genre’s for so long that the usual offerings from say NPR and such would just not do much for me. Now a days search and listen to what might be termed as ambient or new sounds actually a station out of NY WQXR.. has program called new sounds. There is though a good classical couple of hours on sunday nite coming out of KALW out of the bay area. |
I still use my 1981 Sherwood S9600 CP receiver. It has always had a first rate FM receiver. Even used it in Europe. I use it now. It has the best FM section I’ve ever had, out of 11 receivers. It’s an analog tuner with digital display, PLL phase lock, defeatable, switchable stereo or mono. Flywheel tuning. |
My Magnum Dynalab FT-101A, which I got new from MD years ago and was later upgraded to an Etude by MD shortly after buying it (MD is located about a 20 min drive from me), I use it every day. Its a toss up which gets dealt with first int the morning, coffee or radio. I’ve owned it since new and living in Toronto, we have a range of really good read stations. Been meaning to mount the MD antenna waaaaay up high in the new place, just have not got around to it. Left one behind years ago after moving out from an ex’s place. Wonder if it was ever used after I left? Doubt it, and it had an unobstructed view up there. Oh well. Have always wanted to hear some of the classic tube units, but no such luck yet. Super happy with my MD, it makes radio so much more pleasant. Recently upgraded the caps in it also. Fantastic sound piece of gear. Never say never, but I see no reason to ever get rid of it. Will possibly PU some older mono tube unit with matching mono amp to drive a single speaker - kind of like a BIG Tivoli radio :) |
Over the years I had many good tuners. Don’t really know why I sold most of them (often making money for another project). Also because I am an audiophile after all... - Ion Systems Obelisk FMT1 (I still consider it as « the Little Big One ») - Naim NAT 101. A bit better possibly because the external PSU ? - Naim NAT01. Still better yet if you have a very good antenna. - Day Sequerra Reference. Great. Sold it for money. I know this is not considered as the best Sequerra tuner. - Tandberg 3001A. Very close to the Day Sequerra. Near perfect. Too much perfect ? - Leak Troughline 2 re aligned and entirely fixed by « London Sound ». Expensive but very good work. Needs tons of signal for working. Maybe the best for voices but silence in stereo mode is near impossible. At least at my home and I have an outdoor antenna. Finally came back to Naim NAT01 as I listen only one station for classical music. It is the most balanced of all them (for my taste) and very « human » on spoken voices. |
My Rotel RT 1024....exceptional piece of gear...From 1976 msrp 560.00...still have a few stations in my area in Canada that this tuner has synergy with...great soundstage with depth and excellent separation of instruments....every morning I turn it to CBC for classical as I ready myself for work. A few guests who have listened to music through the 1024 have remarked that they can’t believe it is a radio station....sounds like your in the studio at times😀.it is that good! |
I got lucky and located a NOS McIntosh MR-67 FM tuner. I restored the power supply -- up-graded the discriminator, Multiplex board, and audio section with parts such as stacked-film polycarbonate capacitors, Teflon capacitors, and modern Roderstein metal-film resistors, and the like. The sound I have been getting from this vintage yet text-book FM tuner is as good as the FM station broadcasting. I mean that in some cases it is as good as a good CD. Before that I had a Magnum Dynalab Tuner -- that by direct comparison with the MR-67 was, in my opinion, a piece of junk. The MR-67 design followed the established standards of the original FM stereo patents. NICE!!! |
"I got lucky and located a NOS McIntosh MR-67 FM tuner." Talk about lucky...excellent score. NEVER seen a listing for a NOS Mac tubed tuner. My 1965 MR71 has been seeing overtime lately. If one can't have a Marantz 10B or the rare REL, a Mac or Scott are probably the "best" tubed units still available. |
I had a McIntosh MR 7082 tuner for about 30 years but I did not care for it requiring batteries to store frequencies and the difficulty with the frequency display. I fixed it up and sold it cheap to someone who could completely rebuild it and replaced it with a Magnum Dynalab Ft 101. I put up three directional FM antennas with RCA RF preamplifiers on towers and connected these to an antenna selector switch for each of the concert music stations in distant cities. This combination gives me the best sensitivity in most weather conditions I can afford. |
I'm listening to a Nakamichi ST-7 in my basement system. Not really high-end but it still sounds really good with the only NPR/classical stations that are worth listening to in my area (WGUC and WVXU). Using a really cheap wire dipole on the wall I get 4 out of 4 bars on the strength display. Upstairs the built-in tuner of my Marantz 8805 prepro is surprisingly good hooked up to my attic space FM dipole. The advantage of the Marantz is that I can get internet radio, and so of course there is a huge choice there. SQ of internet radio is very spotty, but the BBC and Classic FM feeds sound quite good. In any case both of my FM options sound better than a Marantz ST59 tuner I bought in the late 90s to feed my Sony preamp back then. |
I have owned many tuners over the years, but my favorites are my present three: Mac MR71 and Marantz 10B, both recently refurbished by Richard Modafferi, who did an amazing job. (When he opened up my MR71, he discovered that he had performed work on it in 2000, some years before I owned it!) I also use an MR78 that I purchased slightly second-hand in 1978. It has had only a light tune-up to replace some lights, etc., in all that time, and it still sounds amazing. These are great units that provide spectacular sound reproduction; I haven't found anything with today's technology that compares. |
I use a highly regarded Harman Kardon Citation 18 tuner. Works very well, looks great and the build quality is mil spec. Introduced in 1977 for $595.00 and only sold in very limited numbers for 2 years. I lucked out and found mine on CL, the owner had just done a recap on the plug in boards, was moving so sold it very cheaply. It was a lucky find to say the least. BillWojo |
Over the years...... Lux T110, Tandberg 3012, McIntosh MR78, Scott 4310 (Foster Blair fixed it up for me), Three different Scott 310-B w 335mpx (all fixed up by Foster), Yamaha CT-7000, Sansui TU-X1 (aligned, upgraded, recapped). By far the best is the only one I still have. The Sansui. One good classical station in the area still makes it worthwhile. Channel Master TV-7? Antennae mounted in attic. Incredible sound quality. One of the Three Scott 310-b I had was my prior vintage favorite, simply terrific. The 4310 was probably the most exotic but a little scary with all the controls and so many tubes. |
One correction and one addition..... Over the years...... Lux T110, Tandberg 3001a, McIntosh MR78, Scott 4310 (Foster Blair fixed it up for me), Three different Scott 310-B w 335mpx (all fixed up by Foster), Yamaha CT-7000, Sansui TU-X1 (aligned, upgraded, recapped), Magnum Dynalab MD108. By far the best is the only one I still have. The Sansui. One good classical station in the area still makes it worthwhile. Channel Master TV-7? Antennae mounted in attic. Incredible sound quality. One of the Three Scott 310-b I had was my prior vintage favorite, simply terrific. The 4310 was probably the most exotic but a little scary with all the controls and so many tubes. |
I'm selling a McIntosh MR-67. I see quite high prices for mint condition units. It's a very good tuner in mint condition. I'm keeping the AM/FM high end Kenwood tuner 600T as it is more sensitive, dual band and cost me only $150 in mint condition several decades ago. The MR-67 has a warmer, fuller sound (it's loaded with tubes) versus the 600T which is SS but works well with my neutral sounding tube system. |
Interesting timing on this subject...I just trotted out my old Pioneer TX-9500 II that I bought used years ago...great FM of course, I was going to try out different AM antenna options to see what happens...not expecting much...AM is almost ALL about antennas...but what the heck...got an unused analog input on my NAD 758 so we'll see... |
@microp https://www.fmtunerinfo.com/amtuners.html I use this with my AM stereo capable tuner https://www.ccrane.com/item/ant_am_tca/category/twin_coil_ferrite_am_antenna_by_c_crane |
