Anyone listen to Music on a FM tuner anymore?
I’m not referring to streaming, I mean an actual FM turner. I haven’t had a turner for at least 15, probably more like 20 years. I had a high-end one that went bad years ago and even then I hadn’t really used it in years. Just wondering if anyone still uses one and why?
Added info: back in my college days there were lots of reasons, some great DJ’s in the New York City area and sometimes a live concert broadcasts that were great, but those times are long gone, as is most of my hair and my 32 inch waistline.....I’m not trying to judge anyone for still listening to music on a FM tuner, just asking for the reason to do so.
Hope everyone had a good holiday season.
So-called "HD" radio is lossy digital, not unlike mp3 files. It has neither the FR or DR of a good analog FM signal received with a proper antenna and decent tuner. That's part of why so many stations have abandoned the product. HD radio is pretty much DOA in the USA. |
I was gifted a Luxman T-450, a few years ago. It's not as good as the Sansui TU-717, I had back in the day, but it's a very nice, all original, fully analog tuner. In the Detroit area, there are still some very high quality broadcast FM stations. I find that broadcasted music sounds less strident than digital streaming, but it is a challenge to get the sound perfect with my limited antenna set up. But when I get it right, amazing. |
I too remember the days of commercial free, album rock stations. What an era! How did they survive at all? I used to play my radio all night to the music. I got so much of my musical background from that format and especially the show King Biscuit Flower Hour. We still have some good radio with a university station and a couple of listener sponsored/community sponsored stations, not to mention NPR, but I can stream those and my tuners always had reception problems. Strange with the reception thing since I live within 10 miles of the broadcasters antennas. Do high-end manufacturers even make tuners anymore?
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I still have my Carver TX-11 Tuner (refurbished about two years ago with new caps and such) and use it, maybe not every day, but at least once a week. There are some great college stations I can get (WNCW, WSGE), along with a nice classical station out (WFAE) of Davidson, NC. Using a Terk FM antenna and the noise floor is fine. One cool program is The World Cafe, which can introduce you to new music. And I keep up with bluegrass via a local station that broadcasts "Knee Deep Into Bluegrass" on Sundays. No, FM won't touch CD for quality by a long shot, but keep in mind, in the 1970s, it was amazing as it grew. To me it is still a viable way to hear music. |
