2. vintage
  3. 176695-78095

Tuner choice

I know no one is interested in tuners given streaming etc and on and on, but I moved to a place with some excellent radio stations and I think having a tuner would work for me. I got one for free from my brother, a 70s vintage Dynaco kit and it seemed to warm up over time without any repairs etc. although the light is out and gauge doesn’t seem to work. Muting is not functioning but once on a station it brings in some pleasant sound.
On the other hand, I see old units on eBay that are low cost, some say tested, mint condition, etc. so would it be worth a couple hundred dollars to have a different tuner? Or is the Dynakit not a bad vintage tuner and if it’s working, I’d be smart to stick with it? Any suggestions for replacements worth the change?
 

thanks

lynnj

Showing 5 responses by lynnj

lynnj OP
16 posts
 

Well the Sansui TU-717 is not disappointing in any way. I guess I’ve never had a good tuner so this is like a revelation that radio can be more than background music. This has stage depth, clear and not noisy. When there is static the noise reduction works fine without loss of sound. I’m really shocked at the whole effect. 
 

I'm running it through an exposure integrated amp. Speakers are old Chicago Speakerworks 2ways. This is so much fun. Thanks for your suggestions, resources and perspectives. 

lynnj OP
16 posts
 

Thanks for all the ideas. Lots to inform my browsing around. 

lynnj OP
16 posts
 

Yes, decimal point issues in price. It seems with any collectible there are the big names that rightly fetch top prices. By their reputation the prices seem to inflate from there. Meanwhile, I think there are some less touted names that are a close second but at half the price. I try to find that sweet spot, but tuners are an odd commodity. The most expensive back in the day might have had cutting edge tech for that time, but it became standard or later improved on. It’s tough to disentangle the specs and prices without being an electrical engineer. 
 

Even so, the hunt is fun. 

lynnj OP
16 posts
 

I decided to go for a Sansui TU-717. It had been refurbished so not a bargain, but the guy seemed to have good reviews and a reliable vintage piece of equipment seems sensible. I’ll report back about sound. I’m a little worried because there seems to be some disagreement about recapping tuners, like all things audiophile, but again, he seemed to know what he was doing. He said he did the following:

All the Electrolytic Capacitors were changed and all switches, RCA jacks, and fuse holders were cleaned with contact cleaner. 

So, here’s hoping,

Lynn

lynnj OP
16 posts
 

I was thinking about it, and I did have a Tandberg 2001 but it didn’t overlap with my exposure amp. So this amp might drive my inefficient speakers better, or maybe the Tandberg wasn’t as good?  Well, I’m happy with this. I have to say I’m in town but using an indoor terk antenna. I’m sure improving that would be good, but it’s working for now. 

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