I wouldn't buy a vacuum tube tuner. Your system should get the sound you want and a SS tuner will work better longer.
tube tuner or solid stat tuner
Hello looking for advice, I have a very simple solid state system which i like. Not looking to replace any existing units. Would adding a tube AM/FM tuner to it, have any advantage over a solid state tuner? The tube tuners seem to be a little more money. So being solid state system would be adding tube tuner be worth it?
The solid state Preamp is a Esoteric CO 3x
The solid state Amp is a fully restored Mark Levinson 335
The Disc player is a Esoteric KO 3x
Thank you for your time and info.
All SS System, I’d stick with SS Tuner. If considering used or vintage, my Carver AM/FM Tuner incorporated some of his unique patents, very capable reception. I had the TX-2 AM/FM Tuner.
I have tube amp and went for tube tuner/preamp, McIntosh mx110z. It is amazing, however all reviews say it needs a strong signal. I listen to 88.3 WBGO Jazz FM only. I have a large TV antenna in the attic, aimed at my Jazz station’s broadcasting antenna near Columbus Circle, NYC. All FM is between TV channel 6 and 7 on TV antennas http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Audio/radio.html Seems Carver also made combo tuner/preamps
Carver made a lot of stuff in a gray color, then some black, ....
|
"For tubes, get yourself a McIntosh MR78 tuner." Edit for stereo5- The Macintosh MR71 is Macs last tube model, ending in 1969. Arguably 2nd only to the Marantz 10B which is considered top of the food chain. My daily driver is a 67’. Couldn’t imagine not having it. I don’t stream. I switch to the tuner with Classical as a "palette cleanse" during LP flips. Depending on where you’re at, the only stations with substance are the NPR broadcasts of new, Classical and Jazz. R&R radio at least in Los Angeles is long gone. Tube tuner fanatics also acknowledge to REL Precedent as the holy grail. It was the inspiration for the Marantz 10B. Depending on your location, NPR news, Classical/Jazz on the left side of the dial are the only stations with substance. R&R radio at least in LA is long gone. |
I am a big fan of tubes but I use a Fanfare FT 1a and a Magnum Dynalab MD 102. Both great tuners. The Fanfare is an amazing tuner for when it was built. I think around 94. You can find them cheap and they sound great and have great reception. If you can find a B&K 108 it is essentially the same tuner. Built for B&K by Fanfare |
@tablejockey, According to Audio Classics, the MR 78 is the best sounding solid state Tuner McIntosh made. I was wrong about it being tubes, I should have known better. |
My tube tuner, a Magnum Dynalab 108T is a bit warmer sounding than my best SS tuner, a Accuphse T-101. Both sound excellent but the tube one was about 6x more expensive. In hindsight, even though the MD 108T sounds incredible, I could live without the tube tuner given the high quality of my refurbished Accuphase. I also have a refurbished SS Sansui 9090. It is not as good as the MD and Accuphase but pretty close. The Accuphase and Sansui cost me $1200 and $700. I consider that a steal for the sound they produce. I have commented on other tuner threads why I like my FM reception over the same internet stream so I will not repeat here.
|