Thanks for all the responses. I do agree that older AM tuners had good performance BUT I want to stick with tuners from late 1980's to current. One of the posts also confirmed that Car head units have better AM performance- I totally AGREE! This is another sore point, I can get the same station MUCH better in my car with its cheap $150 head unit BUT my dedicated JVC/SONY/DENON [FX1010, S707ES, TU-800] are lousy at getting the same station. I have even tried taking the tuner outside (OR putting the Terk antenna outside window) but still no improvement. BTW, [Ryammh1]: I have also owned Sony S730ES 2 times and it was not very good with AM reception - too much static and a continuous droning noise in background.
For those of you recommending Grundig/Sangean models: I have tried that route also. Currently have a Sony SW-777 (very pricy) and also a Grundig (Model 2000?) but both have same problem. And yet the cheap $100 unit which builder installed as part of whole house intercom system continues to beat all these pricy units! As the weather improves I will install a "long wire" antenna and see if it makes a improvement. Regards to all those who posted.
For those of you recommending Grundig/Sangean models: I have tried that route also. Currently have a Sony SW-777 (very pricy) and also a Grundig (Model 2000?) but both have same problem. And yet the cheap $100 unit which builder installed as part of whole house intercom system continues to beat all these pricy units! As the weather improves I will install a "long wire" antenna and see if it makes a improvement. Regards to all those who posted.