i actually think my little Magnum FT-11 sounds better (paid $300 for a used one) than my $3000 dollar Naim CD Player. to the point i listen to it more than digital. |
MY NEEDS FOR A GREAT TUNER ARE DISTANT STATION CAPABILITIES AND GREAT SOUND. I USED THE YAMAHA T-2 FOR MANY YEARS. BEAUTIFULLY BUILT AND GREAT SOUND. AFTER TALKING TO SOME OF THE ABOVE REVIEWERS I FOUND THE YAMAHA T-1000U. UNBELIEVABLE DISTANT STATION CAPABILITIES AND GOOD SOUND. I HAVE JUST TAKEN THE ULTIMATE LEAP OF FAITH AND HAVE ON ORDER A MAGNUM DYNALAB MD 102.GREAT DISTANT STATION PERFORMANCE. STEREO 50DB QUIETING AMAZING. BUT THE SOUND QUALITY IS THE BEST I HAVE EVER AUDITIONED. THESE THREE HAVE BEEN MENTIONED IN MANY OF THE ABOVE REVIEWS. |
Accuphase T101 and Yamaha CT7000B. Bot excellent and very musical with a good 3-d effect |
These two tuners have the beautiful tube sound...hunt far and you will be rewarded at a fair price |
Mac MR-80 Mac MR-78 Magnum FT-11, FT-101A, MD-102, & MD-108. Sequerra Studio Sequerra Reference Toshiba ST-901 (you had to see & hear it to believe it). Yamaha CT-7000 & 7000B Yamaha T-2 Onkyo T-9090 & TG-10 (same thing). Kenwood 1000 (don't remember exact model, but Stereophile reviewed it around 1997). BTW, I have owned every single one of these, therefore this list is based on actual hands on experience. |
Here are what i rate as the best tuners. First, the best Analog tuners. Hands down, the best tuner ever, was the Yamaha CT7000 tuner. This Tuner has a sweetness that has to be heard. Plus the tuning knob is very light and flys across the dial. Also, the Yamaha T2 was a nice tuner, but not as good as the CT 7000 tuner. Other great Analog Tuners were, the Pioneer TX 9800, Accuphase T100, Kenwood, KT 917, KT 8300, Luxman T 110, Luxman 5T 10, Luxman 5T 50, Mcintosh MR 78, Tandberg 3001 tuner, Technics, 9030, Sansui Also made great tuners in the late 70s, the TU 717, TU 919, TU 9900 and the TUX1 The only thing i didn't like about the Sansui TU 9900 tuner. The tuning knob was heavy and it had these grooves i didn't like. But the Sansui Tuners did sound great. The best digital tuners are, the Revox B261 and Revox 760 tuner, Onyko 9090 tuner, Accuphase T109 tuner, Carver TX 11A tuner, Sony 707es, Sony STS 50es and Sony STJ 88B tuner, Denon TU 800, Nakamichi ST 7, Mcintosh MR 80 tuner |
Is the Carver TX11A in the big leagues? It is not the best sounding tuner but it sure can pull in distant stations. |
Any one have had or know about the nice little tuner from NEC,the T6 and later the T6A. For the price, the performance is really great. With a right antenna it really has wonderful sound. I am remeber right, it used to be Stereophile class B for around $400.0. I have it now ( I bought it used for $100) and really no need for upgrade! |
The Day Sequerra FM Reference--truly a work of art, sonically and visually. Another great sounding older tuner, in addition to those listed in this thread, is the old Musical (British) Fidelity T2 tuner, which was a wonderfully sweet sounding tuner. |
Just an added note,...I wish there was a way to get all the remaining 2-channel fans out there to take notice..ie: If you don't have a great tuner----Get One! Nothing you can buy will bring you, and your system, as much music...and knowledge in music....as a tuner can.. Most hifi people have had an early "receiver" or cheap tuner experience that has made them leave tuners out of their systems.....a real shame for them. P.S. The new Magnum MD-208 is superb. |
Sean: The Yamaha TX-950 I use to own had a remote. It is an option that is extra $$$ |
I agree with the post that the Yamaha TX-950 is not great in the sonics department. Any Onkyo Integra (ie, other than the T9090II) sounds better than the TX950. |
I do not have much experience with tuners. I had one in my first Technics "rack" stereo years ago; actually I still have that tuner, my neighbor uses it. I decided a couple of months ago to look into a tuner again, I bought an old Sansui TU-717 to see if I would enjoy using a tuner, which I did. After researching things, I bought the Fanfare FT-1A. Again, I do ot have a lot of knowledge about tuners, but I will give a plug and say I think the Fanfare is a great tuner. |
Well, you all know I want to stay out of this, and never get into discussion groups. But......everything i have read here tonight by all of you holds alot of merit. In looking at the list of tuners mentioned as well as the comments......outstanding opinions guys! My vote for the single best tuner that money can buy ( I don't care for the Etude ) is the MD108. Trying different tubes will satify anyone to the point of making most tuners as exciting as "cold toast". Got to love the 10B and the Sequerra, but for todays tuners and service to go along with all the use I put mine through ( 16+ hours a day)....the MD108 is the KING. Price??? ouch!!! Don't be afraid to ck out the MD102 as an alternative. My top 10 list would have most ALL the tuners you all have mentioned. Accuphase T100, Yamaha CT-7000 get a big salute in solid state analog tuners and with that, I will shut up. Could go on way too long. Nice input you tuner freaks "the tuner guy" |
Don't forget the Sansui Tu-X1,Kenwood kt-917, L-07 and the kt-8300.Luxman made some good tuners. analog tuners are the best! |
To answer Talmadge3's question about the Yamaha TX-950, i think that it is lacking in the sonics department. I am not passing judgement blindly, as i currently have one in my HT system. While it is LOADED with usefull features ( except a remote !!! ), the sound is not up to all the ravings. Treble is somewhat hard sounding with a lack of detail and smoothness. I also don't achieve the soundstage that i get out of other tuners ( Quad, Musical Fidelity, Magnum, etc.. ). I would have to say that compared to many of the other "mid-priced" tuners on the market, it is probably amongst the cream of the crop. It just doesn't stack up against some of the better, though still relatively inexpensive, tuners on the market. For those on a budget, the Quad FM4 and Musical Fidelity tuners are quite excellent as long as you can provide a decent antenna to them. While not the best on sensitivity, both provide very good sonics if the broadcast is up to the task. Sean > |
All of the above are great tuners of course.Most listed are mega buck tuners new and used. However I vote for the orginal little NAD 4020A Tuner. At $200.00 new was and still is an unbelieveable good tuner. I bought one for my son in 1985,and to this day performs flawlessly. Now hooked up to an outside antenna,the performance is even more remarkable. Just proves the point do not have to spend megabucks for superb equipment. Just my opinion. Tuner in my system is the Sumo Charlie. Cost a lot more than the NAD,but other than that the NAD and SUMO areon equal footing. |
I'm totally thrilled with the Fanfare FT-1A! I wanted a great analog tuner with digital ease of use; this is it. |
I hate to get into this because I could write a book, I have had over 75 top tuners, most of all these talked about and MANY more. I use SE 2A3 tube amps and am a very fussy audiophile for over 25 years. No real simple answers here but here goes. 10B is the best sounding, MR 67 is also excellent sounding if it is tuned up. Next is analog, Accuphase 100 and 101 are great. Value digital are the Yamaha 1000U and T-85. Best at getting weak stations is the Pioneer F-93. All of these are my opinion based on 25 years of trial. |
Hi, I was in the audio business years ago..and had the chance to own several of the oldies from Yamaha 7000, T-1, T-2 etc, and Mac's and others. A properly set up Magnum Dynalab MD-108 is not only the best sounding tuner ever made, it is also better sounding than most other source products out there. The MD-102 is very good, the Etude is dated, the Fanfare is super......and an unknown gem is the Classe T-1......there are others...and money is always a factor....but this is a great Chat topic...A great tuner is by far the best way to learn of new music....and re-issues that you may want to ad to your collection....and there is no tape machine or multi-cd changer..that can provide the endless hours.....of course you need stations, (be they classic, jazz or pop) in your area that are worth listening to. |
i had a tandberg 3011a - it dint hold a candle to my onix bwd-1 w/soap power supply, or my revox b-261, either in reception *or* sound-quality. it was about on par w/my adcom gft-1a (adcom's best tuner, imho). now, the tandberg 3001 - *that's* a tuner! also, the top tuners by linn & naim are excellent-sounding tuners. don't forget the day-sequerra tuner. |
I'd like to hear about what folks think of the last higher quality tuner from Yamaha, the TX-950. Also, what about Fanfare? Thanks. |
FOR THE MONEY YOU CANT BEAT A TANDBERG 3011A THIS IS A GREAT TUNER. IT PICKS UP STATIONS THAT I COULD NEVER RECIVE WITH OTHER TUNERS.JUST MY OPINION. |
Let me add my 2cents for "affordable" tuners (less than $1000 retail -> less than $500 on used market. Check out Sony's latest offering STS-SA50ES (superb on classical stations!), very open and transparent. #2 JVC FX1010Tn or FX1100(Bk). Overall very good irrespective of station/music. #3 Denon TU-800. Superb selectivity but AM section not as good. #4 Nakamichi ST-7. Very musical though specs are not as good as others. However, this is one case where specs can be safely ignored. I picked up a used piece for $300 and am enjoying it a lot. Have never listened to the Onkyo so that accounts for its absence. |
Yamaha T-2 Nice also. Also Onkyo 9090II mentioned. Super expensive even though fairly old is the Marantz 10B. |
Mac MR78; timeless. Accuphase T100; musical. Onkyo T9090MkII; best performance/value tradeoff. Magnum MD108; best ever, price no object. For the record, I currently own the Magnum MD102, have owned other Magnums in the past, owned several Onkyos, had a terrific Kenwood late 70s tuner (forget the model # now), I'm always on the lookout for another vintage Accuphase. Macs are great but too overpriced in the current market, particularly eBay which is obscene. Just my opinion... |
