You may find this an interesting read:
http://www.fmtunerinfo.com/
http://www.fmtunerinfo.com/
MD102 vs UpgradedFT101A/MD100
I recently a/b'd Magnum Dynalab MD102 ($2,600) versus an upgraded FT101A to MD100 tuner ($1,500) and found the upgraded unit better sounding than the newer MD102. My notes include: I tested by connecting my antennae via a split y coax adapter to each unit, then used the same ICs to connect each stereo pair between my pre-amp and each tuner (pre-amp onnections are tuner and aux and tuner and cd). I then turned on tuner and did direct instant and long term tests between the two by changing the preamp switch via remote between the two sources tuned to the stations. I left all units powered on at least 24 hrs overnight for warm up with music running through them. I swapped out ics between the two and preamp inputs as well to account for any differences there; none were detected. For reference, my preamp is a CJ premier 16ls (just bought it), amp is a CJ MF200, and ICs are both new Cardas Golden Ref 1 meter. Also, the CJPremier16ls source specs indicate 100% same impedance, dynamics, etc. for inputs I was using.
Music samples include some popular vocal, classical and jazz music stations.
The results are:
1. The MD102 is noticeably quieter background on some stations. In my case, it occurred on just 2 or 3 stations better. On the majority of stations having good reception, the quietness difference was not discernable.
2. The MD102 does retrieve some stations better. In my case, it was 2 additional stations that I can get with it. Also, it appears to retrieve some stations more accurately: while my previous integrated tuner and the MD101 upgrade get a station at 96.5, the MD 102 did not get this station but got it at 95.9. The MD 102 was correct, the station call numbers are 95.9. However, the 95.9 listening on the MD102 was staticky and in mono only compared to stereo and more quiet listening on the others getting it a 96.5
reading. So the others produced a net result much more enjoyable on this station even if there were using the multipath (??) effect.
3. The FT101A upgraded unit blows away this MD102 unit in 3 dimensional soundstage, openness, clarity and tone every time. Switching between MD102 to the upgrade unit went from airy 3d soundstage to a dead 2d soundstage music every time. While the MD102 seemed to have more bass, it was overall a very disappointing "colored" sound that consumed the mids and highs, like not enough treble?? Also, the bass sound of the 102 completely muddied the rest of the mid and highs. For instance, every time I switched from the upgrade unit to the MD102, the drum kicks, horns, the "tatish, tatish" sound of the drummer, violins etc of mids just disappeared where I had to try and strain to even hear them against the background music. It was like night and
day!!
My question IS WHAT IS GOING ON HERE? Is it likly the MD102 unit I got was a defective one, or maybe setup for European fm modulation as opposed to US? The only thing different on the MD100 upgrade was that it had kimbar cable wire upgrade and the MD102 was a stock unit.
Sorry for the long question but I'd appreciate this group's opinions on what is going on here? Thanks. Lewdis
Music samples include some popular vocal, classical and jazz music stations.
The results are:
1. The MD102 is noticeably quieter background on some stations. In my case, it occurred on just 2 or 3 stations better. On the majority of stations having good reception, the quietness difference was not discernable.
2. The MD102 does retrieve some stations better. In my case, it was 2 additional stations that I can get with it. Also, it appears to retrieve some stations more accurately: while my previous integrated tuner and the MD101 upgrade get a station at 96.5, the MD 102 did not get this station but got it at 95.9. The MD 102 was correct, the station call numbers are 95.9. However, the 95.9 listening on the MD102 was staticky and in mono only compared to stereo and more quiet listening on the others getting it a 96.5
reading. So the others produced a net result much more enjoyable on this station even if there were using the multipath (??) effect.
3. The FT101A upgraded unit blows away this MD102 unit in 3 dimensional soundstage, openness, clarity and tone every time. Switching between MD102 to the upgrade unit went from airy 3d soundstage to a dead 2d soundstage music every time. While the MD102 seemed to have more bass, it was overall a very disappointing "colored" sound that consumed the mids and highs, like not enough treble?? Also, the bass sound of the 102 completely muddied the rest of the mid and highs. For instance, every time I switched from the upgrade unit to the MD102, the drum kicks, horns, the "tatish, tatish" sound of the drummer, violins etc of mids just disappeared where I had to try and strain to even hear them against the background music. It was like night and
day!!
My question IS WHAT IS GOING ON HERE? Is it likly the MD102 unit I got was a defective one, or maybe setup for European fm modulation as opposed to US? The only thing different on the MD100 upgrade was that it had kimbar cable wire upgrade and the MD102 was a stock unit.
Sorry for the long question but I'd appreciate this group's opinions on what is going on here? Thanks. Lewdis
7 responses Add your response
