XM tuners/ receivers

source for all tuner information. look for the shoot out section. I’ve used a few tuners over the years but keep coming back to the top Sansui models for sound quality and the ability to tune a distance station. note i’m also a Mac guy but thier tuners are not as good at picking up stations as the top Sansui’s, (TU-X1 is my dream tuner).

Tuner Information Center - Vintage Stereo Tuners

granted this has little to do with XM. I would go with Streamer over XM anyday much better sound quality and much more options. I'd imagine a bluesound node would do what your looking for at less $$ outlay. granted you need internet. 

kennyc 

I picked up a Kenwood L-02T based on their shootout

That's an excellent tuner, I've never come across one though for sale.

I have a Sansui TU9900 lightly moded / restored. I live In Victoria BC and listen to the Seattle based NPR station regularly. Thant's about 60-70 miles away i believe with some mountains in the area and of course open water. I tried a Mac tuner but i found it was not as good at getting distant signals,  too bad i miss presets. 

kennyc

"Been conflicted about whether to acquire - sonics doesn’t measure up to my current audio chain, would I be spending just for looks?"

Thats a hard one to say, was that receiver you listened to restored? ( re-cap etc). Granted even a fully restored unit would sound nice but not up to the audiophile standards of today. There are better vintage choices then most of the 70's early 80's receivers. Event the top integrated and separates from the era are better.  Remember all in one receiver was just that all in one so you compromise doing all in one design, like you do today.  

So yes, you're buying for nostalgia reasons. Note there are some very good vintage pieces though and some as good as modern gear for musicality, maybe not ultimate detail.  I'd say some of the best tuners of the day were better then most made today.