Do any still use an older high end tuner from the past?....

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!

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 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 :)

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. 

I use Mcintosh MR67 ver 1 rebuilt by Audio Classics.  Ive used other tuners, but I like this one best.
PS:  You must have the rebuild.

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 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 .     

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.

Yes. I have the Yamaha CT1010 tuner. Sounds great and looks cool sitting on top of my CA2010 interrogated. Circa 1976. -

I used a Magnum Dynalab FT101A for years but didn't bother hooking it up when we moved to a new house as I now listen to mostly my own music (both analogue and digital) rather than broadcast.

Mitsubishi DA-F20 .  I have wondered what this unit would sound like with updated caps, wiring, etc....?

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

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.

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 listen to jazz and classical FM stations almost everyday. I own three Luxman tuners. Two are analog T110 FM only and a T300 AM/FM. The third is a digital tuner T117 AM/FM. I enjoy swapping tuners, amps, preamps etc. from time-to-time.

Our Sansui TU-X1 is on from morning till night. The best tuner I have ever heard, and I am 74 years old.

Don't know if considered high end, but my Pioneer TX-9100 is a cherished, if seldom used, tuner.

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."

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!

Sansui TU 717

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 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?

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? 

Marantz st6000, creek t43, cambridge audio t500, and a kenwood Kt4007....all terrific sounding vintage tuners...

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.

  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.

Naim NAT01. With a good antenna, what a sound ! Supremely musical.

Marantz 2100. Sound is remarkable 

Kenwood, formerly Trio Electronics of Japan, has long been a supplier of communications gear to the ham radio community, as well as for other applications.  Presumably that has contributed to their expertise in producing some well regarded tuners.

Best regards,
-- Al

For years I ran a KLH model eighteen which I had modified by installing crystals in the IF section and got rid of the IF transformers. I also updated the audio portion to sound a bit smoother- after changing out all the filter caps. Regulating its supply helped too, but I couldn't get around the fact that it simply didn't have enough selectivity in the front end (one of my favorite stations is really low power and right beside a behemoth country station). So I'm on the hunt for an old Kenwood...

I love radio, have a Mac MR71, 67, 74.  The 71 and 67 sound the best but with the hassle of finding someone to do repair work on them i ended up with an alternative. And I live in an area (Northern Colorado) that has at least 7-8 very good stations

I bought a new CDP with dac-Emotiva ERC4, with a schitt etr spdif i am now streaming radio as well as itunes. The Emotiva has a very rich full sound, not as fantastic as the MR71 but close. May not go back to a tuner except for my cabin in the mountains with no internet.

I run a NAD 4150. It is probably the cleanest tuner I have ever used.

I love my Yamaha T-1. It is all analogue and sounds smooth and warm. Has variable output also. I remember in the early 80,s seeing this tuner with other Yamaha separates paired with Perreux amps and ADS speakers, The Tuner sounds great still! 

On my local Craigslist, I saw a listing for a NAD tuner, 4225 if I recall correctly.  I looked it up and it is about 30 years old now. I think they are asking $400 for it.  I’m not sure if that is a reasonable price??

I don’t have a tuner and not sure I need one.  A lot of local radio is the same classic rock oldies played over and over.  But would this piece be worth acquiring?

I use a Denon TU-800 from the 80's.  I had it worked on a few years back and it sounds great to me.  It's always tuned to the local classical station.  I'd like to upgrade my antenna--maybe something outdoors...?

I have a Kenwood 600T and even though it needs aligning I really like it.
Robert

Like some others, I have, and still occasionally use a LUXMAN ( TX 101 ).  It does require a decent antenna and this can sometimes be hard to set-up in an indoor environment.  The problem is, as others have pointed out, there is almost no quality transmission of music. Everything is compressed and boomed up and distorted.  The local public station doesn't use compression, but you have no selection choice.  I have a old $50.00 radio from somebody that often sounds better because it does not pick out all the trash that is broadcast -- and it's mono-pole antenna is built in.

I shopped for vintage high-end tuners about 10 years ago and found out that several of the earlier Kenwoods were excellent, topped by the 600t or 650t. Also the Accuphase T100 and T101 (which is the only one I still have). Also the earlier Sansuis. Anything modified by Modafferi or Antenna Performance is a very good bet.  Enjoy!

Sequerra was pretty good back then, but they broke a lot.  Also, big in the day was the Onkyo T-9090; it was great.  Still going for big money these days.  I have an older Onkyo T-4055, the T-9090 precursor, and it still plays pretty well!

Cheers!

This may not be much, but for other/secondary FM use, the Nakamichi Soundspace 5 radio is super for what it is and for the used prices it seems to bring...and for a bit more in a secondary use, the Nakamichi SR-3 receiver is an early, Nelson Pass influenced, superb receiver for secondary use...or a college dorm, etc. 

In my experience the Modafferi modded MR78 and the last Sequerra are about equal and as good as tuners get.  Or put another way they and some of the others mentioned exceed the best broadcasts available that I can find.  Years ago we could listen to live performances that had great sound, but for my environment these are no longer available.  And good luck finding a good antenna these days.

I am running a Modafferi-refurbed McIntosh MR78 in my music system.

Tuners in storage are Acoustic Research Tuner, Magnum Dynalab Etude, and SAE 8000. Gave away my Classe Tuner 1.

And tuner sections reside in random other components, like Magnum Dynalab MD208 receiver, Emotiva PrePro, etc.

I loved FM and for years had a succession of great tuners and antennas.  How things change.  My current tuners are a McIntosh MR78, modified by it's designer Richard Modaferri, which is greater than the program material available here in South Florida.  We also have a nice little tuner in our home in the Boston area, Perregeaux maybe (?).  UPS managed to completely destroy a wonderful Kenwood 600T that I cherished for years.  I had a Marantz 20 years ago, not sure what possessed me to part with it.  We also had a Tandberg that was a hot item in the day, that got sold because I needed the money.  These days if you live where there is a decent signal and programing you like you are in the distinct minority. 

I am using a 20 year old McIntosh MR85 tuner in one of my systems. 

Magnum Dynalab FT 101 Upgraded caps. Still sounds great after 30+ years. 

This Jazz station is good and online.

https://www.kcck.org/

I’m a sucker for vintage Meitner products and have a second system built around his classic pre and power amps.  What can you tuner mavens tell me about Meitner’s Museatex FMT?  Any info/opinions are appreciated.  Thanks!

Marantz 110 in garage system 1.
Pioneer F51 in garage system 2.
Dynaco F5 in main system. 
Non vintage Sangean in bedroom.
No issues with any other than the Marantz seems to drift every now and then.
The little Dynaco is surprisingly good and the Pioneer is a real sleeper. Joe

I have a Magnum Dynalab Etude that I listen to every day while working from home.  I live a long way from the big broadcasters, but have a rooftop antenna and get pretty decent reception of the local NPR news/jazz station.  I also have an Onkyo T-9090 II and a Marantz ST-17 (which is not quite as "high-end").

Both the Etude and the Onkyo can deliver close to CD quality with a good station and a good signal, both of which are a little hard to get in the remote area where I live.

I use a Mitsubishi DA-F10 (bought new) every day, as well as a Nikko Gamma 20 in the office. We have outstanding FM in our area: an NPR cluster offering separate jazz, classical, college/progressive and mainstream public (talk) stations. Available streaming as well, of course. A part of life I would be saddened to lose.