FM tuners - Are they OBSOLETE ?


As much as I a have liked tuners in the past - and probably kidded myself that older ''vintage'' tuners sound better (after owning quite a few), I really don't see much use for them except maybe a nostalgic bridge to days past, or bragging rights to pride of ownership with McIntosh gear or whatever.

With the newer technologies giving access to hundreds of stations around the globe, it just seems like THE proposition to discover new music.

I of course know that some high-end tuners sound very good - but let me tell you - a clean 128 digital feed into a DAC (from a digital transport like the Wadia or Cambridge Audio's new ID-100), is pretty impressive...

Sort of make kilo-buck tuners seem futile and very expensive by comparison.

What do you think ?
soniqmike

Showing 6 responses by isochronism

Rgs92, FM in Metro NY area is great! We all had a crush on Alison Steele:) While recently putting my system together, my only source was FM for a few months. (Magnum Dynalab 106T, Signal Sleuth, ST2). Now with internet radio, my local public stations are receiving more $upport during their fund drives, which may actually help keep broadcasting alive. I hope so.
A contemporary philosopher (?) said "You can't always get what you want.. and if you try sometime you find you get what you need". Instant gratification is not something to be automatically relied upon, even given our high-tech age. When I move "soon" (fingers crossed), I plan on installing a roof-mount, rotating Channel Master antenna to further enjoy NYC's finest FM broadcasts. :)
Joenies is enjoying "tuning" in Alaska. Cheers my friend, Joe!!! My particular local is very receptive and on the outskirts of NYC. Plenty of choices here. Soniqmike, Has2be, you guys are right in your own way. Myself, I'm old school.... my "DAC" is the cable running from a Macbook Air to a 1958' Fender "champ" Amp.
MR78 is hard to beat! A good antenna set-up and maybe a signal amplifier. Late night running up and down the dial:)