Jeff:
Eldartford's response has been the "on the money" advice for the last 30 years (if not more).
Assuming a tuner of decent quality (more on that in a moment), the quality of the antenna that is used will affect what is heard more than spending huge sums on a tuner. The signal (both AM and FM) that is received will be greatly affected by where you live ... especially if you live in an apartment house or any structure that has lots of metal (window and door frames; fires escapes; tin ceilings).
Most equipment manufacturers produced better sounding tuners 30 years ago, when FM was viewed as a viable source. It is as though most manufacturers don't remember how to make a good radio. Most moderately priced tuners that I hear, sound "processed" ... as though the frequency response range has been compressed in addition to the compression that the stations add .
As an alternative to expensive tuners, I use vintage receivers from the mid to late 70's (Marantz 2216B and 2240) as tuners in my systems. The mid 70's were a time when good FM tuners were the norm. As for antennas, I use tuneable rabbit ears, as spending more on an antenna for use in a NYC apartment house is textbook insanity. Most stations are picked up with a strength at the just under the highest level on a strength meter. The resultant sound is very listenable and enjoyable, given the quality of the signal. The retro look is also pretty cool.
If you go the vintage route ... receivers from Sherwood (7000 series); Pioneer (#x# series; i.e. 636 or SX series); Marantz (22XX series) will set you back about $150 or less. If you go with vintage tuners, Kenwood, Marantz, and McIntosh made some excellent ones.
Regards, Rich
Eldartford's response has been the "on the money" advice for the last 30 years (if not more).
Assuming a tuner of decent quality (more on that in a moment), the quality of the antenna that is used will affect what is heard more than spending huge sums on a tuner. The signal (both AM and FM) that is received will be greatly affected by where you live ... especially if you live in an apartment house or any structure that has lots of metal (window and door frames; fires escapes; tin ceilings).
Most equipment manufacturers produced better sounding tuners 30 years ago, when FM was viewed as a viable source. It is as though most manufacturers don't remember how to make a good radio. Most moderately priced tuners that I hear, sound "processed" ... as though the frequency response range has been compressed in addition to the compression that the stations add .
As an alternative to expensive tuners, I use vintage receivers from the mid to late 70's (Marantz 2216B and 2240) as tuners in my systems. The mid 70's were a time when good FM tuners were the norm. As for antennas, I use tuneable rabbit ears, as spending more on an antenna for use in a NYC apartment house is textbook insanity. Most stations are picked up with a strength at the just under the highest level on a strength meter. The resultant sound is very listenable and enjoyable, given the quality of the signal. The retro look is also pretty cool.
If you go the vintage route ... receivers from Sherwood (7000 series); Pioneer (#x# series; i.e. 636 or SX series); Marantz (22XX series) will set you back about $150 or less. If you go with vintage tuners, Kenwood, Marantz, and McIntosh made some excellent ones.
Regards, Rich