I have heard broadcasts on my system that sounded better than any recorded source that I have heard anywhere, apart from a live performance. Of course this depends on the quality of stations broadcasting in your area. In my case it was CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corp.), or while living in Boston, any one of the many university Stations, or N.P.R. I don't know what kind of equipment most of these studios use but I know that CBC has vast experience with making high quality recordings in their 'Glen Gould Studios' for example, and they follow in the tradition of the BBC - who have very high standards.
The best sounding broadcasts tend to be in the evening when stations are permitted to boost their signals after hours(pun intended). My Linn Kudos has a signal strength indicator - which basicaly confirms what my ears are telling me - but it is also very helpful in arranging the aerial.
As an aside, I have often wondered whether the process of broadcasting actually 'warms up' the signal in much the same way that tubes do for example. There is sometimes a magic quality to a radio broadcasts - live or not - that simply cannot be duplicated by a home source.
Drubin, with respect to the frequency bandwidth limitations etc. of FM, a good tuner can come pretty close to the limits of hearing and at least with my Linn Kudos tuner, virtually eliminate background noise, static, etc. On a good night it's every bit as good as an excellent CD player - and vastly better than my back-up sony player.
If your not convinced, think of some of the recordings of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Louis Armstrong done well over 40 years ago - these certainly won't measure well by digital standards but you will be hard pressed to find many modern recordings that can hold a candle to the presence and musicality of these classic recordings.
I couldn't live without my tuner. The radio is where I learn about music, get exposed to new music, and enjoy an enourmous variety of music that I could never possibly afford to own.
One last thing, my tuner has never, and will never have the commercial pap of corporate radio pulsing through it's circuits.
The best sounding broadcasts tend to be in the evening when stations are permitted to boost their signals after hours(pun intended). My Linn Kudos has a signal strength indicator - which basicaly confirms what my ears are telling me - but it is also very helpful in arranging the aerial.
As an aside, I have often wondered whether the process of broadcasting actually 'warms up' the signal in much the same way that tubes do for example. There is sometimes a magic quality to a radio broadcasts - live or not - that simply cannot be duplicated by a home source.
Drubin, with respect to the frequency bandwidth limitations etc. of FM, a good tuner can come pretty close to the limits of hearing and at least with my Linn Kudos tuner, virtually eliminate background noise, static, etc. On a good night it's every bit as good as an excellent CD player - and vastly better than my back-up sony player.
If your not convinced, think of some of the recordings of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Louis Armstrong done well over 40 years ago - these certainly won't measure well by digital standards but you will be hard pressed to find many modern recordings that can hold a candle to the presence and musicality of these classic recordings.
I couldn't live without my tuner. The radio is where I learn about music, get exposed to new music, and enjoy an enourmous variety of music that I could never possibly afford to own.
One last thing, my tuner has never, and will never have the commercial pap of corporate radio pulsing through it's circuits.