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.
Here in Eugene, OR, we're blessed with 4! public radio stations, all of which use minimal or no compression, so it's definitely worth having an FM tuner here. Rock, jazz, blues, classical, old country, swing, just about every genre is represented and two of the stations are training grounds for student DJs.
While I'm certain there are places with no listenable FM stations, I've been able to find great stuff everywhere I've lived, even if sometimes it took a really great antenna to get it. :-)
I listen to Internet radio too, and like it very much, but it's a different listening experience. Other than Pandora, I've yet to find a station where the loop isn't short enough to notice that they're repeating songs periodically. It's great for concentrated listening in one genre though. Sometimes I just want an hour of 70's funk or 80's synth.
I say the more sources the better. FM, vinyl, CDs, streaming, downloaded hi-rez, it's all good. Just have to make sure I always have a preamp with at least 4 inputs!
My brother in law used to rib me about having an XM radio. He's a radio station D.J., among other duties. I got rid of XM since I only listened to a few stations. Bought an old Kenwood tuner, used it for a bit, and it now sits on a shelf in the basement, unused. Can't find a station that fits my wants in this area. I don't use the computer for any music playback. Don't want to start down a new path, new debt. Never downloaded one song. Happy with vinyl and cd's.
I'm nostalgic about listening to WNEW-FM and the like back in the 70s on my AR receiver. Free stereo music and cool disc jockeys! What more could you want? Ah, thinking of the night bird still gets me excited.
I find lots of stuff to listen on FM. I also love my Yamaha T1 from 1978. Until it quit working, i used it every day. I am taking it to be repaired this week. By the same thought process, vinyl is also obsolete (and cd for that matter).
I guess it comes down to where you live in terms of what's available to listen to. But I seriously doubt the FM band itself is going to disappear anytime soon. It's free and belongs to the public just like AM. So they (the rich and powerful broadcasters) would have a hard time getting rid of it altogether -- just look how much money we (the people ;~) had to spend to keep over-the-air TV free and accessable to all us poooor folk!
What HAS died is pure analog FM. It's gone! No FM stations I'm aware of -- including classical -- use the telephone lines to link from the studio to the transmitter. It's wireless, and it's digital! So heave a big sigh over that one if you must -- but I still love the sound of my vintage McIntosh MR-65B. We have good classical here in Tucson from the U of A, and if I want to pull in Phoenix with all its Jazz and classical stations, I use my trusty Technics ST-9030. With its EIGHT GANG tuning condenser, it'll take me pretty much to the horizon!
Still, as someone pointed out above, it would be very hard today to justify the purchase of a great-sounding tube analog FM tuner based purely on value for dollar -- which is why no one is making them ;--) New high end solid state FM tuners on the other hand, will be around for a long time I think, because they'll all be satellite and broadband capable as well. .
I recently added a used tuner back into my system and though I don't use it as much as I thought I would, I plan to keep it hooked up. So days it is noce to have on while doing dreaded house chores. But I do think their days are numbered with internet radio, panodra, rhapsody etc. Untill I can afford a Sonos or the like I am dialed in...
What? They are just as relevant as they ever were with your choice of free classic rock, jazz, you remember jazz - the original American art form, classical, college station, PBS, live symphony or country, talk, etc. Open yourself to music beyond your library's borders, you may hear something you like. And yes, vintage tube tuners (and some solid state tuners-probably not the $15 ones) do get the harmonics right in exactly the same way most of us prefer tube amps/pre's. Live weekday evening symphonies from the Lincoln Center with a McIntosh or Scott tuner is pretty close to being there! PBS is a breath of "fresh aire" (pardon me) with Sat. AM "Car Talk" sure to crack you up and creative, "Prairie Home Companion's" Guy Noir and Lefty' characters on Live radio! Come on, it's fun! It's free!
I found my Tuners in thrift stores in different states. I purchased the Kenwood 8300 for 20.00. I bought an almost mint Mitsubishi DA DF20 for 15.00.This is my favorite looking tuner and at the price with some excellent classical music on FM.You can't beat the amount of music I listen to for so cheap. I would agree to pay top buck would not be worth it. But at thrift store prices and a little luck the return is very enjoyable.
I agree with Daverz. It is very hard to find anything worth listening on FM Radio. Where I am pretty much every radio station is a Pop/Mainstream one that plays the same set of songs all day and night. I swear Payola Playola must still be happening. To many times when I'm driving home and switching through radio stations I will hear the same pop song at each station but I'll just be at a different part of the song.
Also my favorite is when I do get to hear a song on FM radio that I can stand the bass will be noticeably higher than the treble. I remember my family telling me about this years ago but I didn't notice it at the time.
I'm happy with my $40 Auvio Tuner from RadioShack I got. I'm not spending another dime on a tuner.
I will add to what Daverz said, even the ones with good programming are usually so compressed to be unlistenable.
Fortunately, we have Jazz.FM91 in Toronto, so I'll be keeping my tuner for a while. I understand there are some good classical stations for those so inclined, but rock is hopeless here.
I agree with your assessment about tuners. Unless it includes Sirius/XM capability, it's likely only going to gather dust in a closet or on a shelf. Who wouldn't toy with the idea of buying an MR78, Marantz 10B or any Sequerra tuner? But you have to ask yourself, what am I going to listen to? FM is dead (sorry) except for classical music. But let's face it, those legendary tuners are really cool to look at.
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