What are some of the better tuners out there?

Mitch,

I have a Carver AM/FM Tuner, terchnically amazing, it will pull in stations others will not. Sounds good, but not like my favorite tube tuner: 

I have a McIntosh Tube Tuner/Preamp, mx110z. It is wonderful sounding (as is it's MM Phono). Richard Modafferi said something like 'there's nothing I can do to improve the mx110z tuner'.

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHZN_enUS963US963&sxsrf=ALeKk00PnU8cV5nkDZ5OAkKPi3tiwnZWWg:...

I read it needs a strong signal. I had a TV antenna in the attic, hanging from strings stapled to the joists, dedicated to FM (all FM is between channel 6 and 7, something like that). Got everything I wanted to find, and then I only listen to WBGO Jazz. Zero drift, rich sound.

Then I had it overhauled by Audio Classics. They said the tuner will get more stations that it did. 

They have gone up in price, and a lot if just for the tuner, but if you/anyone ever consider a tube preamp, if mine was stolen, I would replace it without even looking around.

mitchb

something is wrong, very wrong, with your equipment, tester, or ...

these tubes last avg. 10,000 hours.

Audio Classics just overhauled my 1962 tube tuner/preamp, 17 tubes, some appear to be original. They all tested good on my tester before I sent it. They all tested good there, none replaced. They said they most often find no bad tubes.