Best Sounding FM Tuner?

Barry2013

VIP/Donor
Oct 12, 2013
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A bit difficult to say for sure but sounds like an earlier Ft-101a which is supported by the asking price.
I have no personal experience of that model but would expect it to be good value for the money (preferably less $100 or so) if used with a good aerial and access to quality FM stations.
As with my 109T there may be scope for some beneficial tube rolling.
 

LL21

Well-Known Member
Dec 26, 2010
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WOW...that is one of the most comprehensive shoot-outs ever! 81 units all compared and ranked! If only FM had a definitive long-term future over digital radio, these would be worth investigating...
 

ack

VIP/Donor & WBF Founding Member
May 6, 2010
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Congrats on the tuner! Interesting web page
 

ack

VIP/Donor & WBF Founding Member
May 6, 2010
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BTW, anyone know of a Burmester 978 Reference for sale???
 

Ron Resnick

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Jan 24, 2015
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With the passage of time, how kindly or poorly is the Magnum Dynalab MD-100 regarded today?
 

LL21

Well-Known Member
Dec 26, 2010
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I purchased a Accuphase T-1200 Tuner last year I have to say it was one of the best all time audio purchase's in my 53 year audio career.
Sounds wonderful!
Regards
AJ
Wow...is that FM only, FM/AM only...or does it also do internet radio? I ask because I see many countries phasing FM signal out...and yet would love to find this source of music is available in great quality if such a piece could do both FM and internet.
 

Ron Resnick

Site Co-Owner, Administrator
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Do most major radio stations which broadcast a digital signal also broadcast an analog signal?
 

RogerD

VIP/Donor
May 23, 2010
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FM Radio has a very distinct signature to me. On a great tuner music and especially the human voice has a quality that I really enjoy. My choice for a tuner is a Day Sequerra FM reference.
 

Hi-FiGuy

Member Sponsor
Feb 23, 2015
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Do most major radio stations which broadcast a digital signal also broadcast an analog signal?
Yes and I have a tuner that does both as well as they all stream now too. I am one of those nut jobs that still likes radio and have always had a roof/attic mount antenna.
 

rando

Well-Known Member
Sep 22, 2019
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Do most major radio stations which broadcast a digital signal also broadcast an analog signal?

Internationally, especially where state funding is present, numerous FM (analog) radio broadcasts are on the blocks with planned termination dates set. Shortly behind will come government mandates to clear the airwaves for other uses.

Inside the US corporate ownership will just pull the plug one day. Same as happened with television.
 

Ron Resnick

Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Jan 24, 2015
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Inside the US corporate ownership will just pull the plug one day. Same as happened with television.

. . . And probably copper wire landlines as well!
 
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Ron Resnick

Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Jan 24, 2015
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Yes and I have a tuner that does both as well as they all stream now too. I am one of those nut jobs that still likes radio and have always had a roof/attic mount antenna.

I have XM radio, but I find that I enjoy a larger fraction of the songs I hear on my local FM radio stations than on my selected various XM satellite radio channels. But this might be my imagination.
 

Barry2013

VIP/Donor
Oct 12, 2013
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Here in the UK the BBC FM broadcasts are first class and the commercial FM station Classic FM is not far behind.
The threat to FM broadcasting here has eased but too early to say if it is secure. The still very large numbers of cars with FM radios has played a major part in the continuation of FM.
I suspect that it would take a brave Government to end FM given the substantail listening figures for Radio 3 and Classic FM.
 
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Ron Resnick

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Mikem53

Well-Known Member
Oct 1, 2020
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I've had a so-called super good tuner. Now I only judge them based on how they look. Some day I may consider starting a collection. I really only care about them for talk radio most of the time.

47 Labs is one that comes to mind.



Marantz 10B is very nice, not cheap to find.
the Marantz 10B was amazingly complex and expensive.. So many tubes.. They lost money on every unit.
but it sounded very good.. I had the McIntosh MR78 which also sounded good, for a tuner..
I let it go after a couple of decades.. I miss the vintage look, but not the vintage sound..
 

Barry2013

VIP/Donor
Oct 12, 2013
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Essex UK
the Marantz 10B was amazingly complex and expensive.. So many tubes.. They lost money on every unit.
but it sounded very good.. I had the McIntosh MR78 which also sounded good, for a tuner..
I let it go after a couple of decades.. I miss the vintage look, but not the vintage sound..
A friend has both the Marantz 10B and Day Sequerra which he never listens to. A collector.
I have not heard either of them so cannot comment on their sound quality, but the Marantz 10B is undoubtedly a very accomplished dust collector.
I am very happy with my MD 109T and external aerial which IMHO is overall a better buy than those older legendary models.
 

DasguteOhr

Well-Known Member
Sep 26, 2013
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Hello,
with Multiplex Adapters a really good sounding Tuner Scott 330c used equipment must be revised
Scott-330-c-3.jpg
 

Ron Resnick

Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Jan 24, 2015
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Is anyone familiar with the Denon TU-900?

How does the TU-900 compare sonically to the Denon TU-800 or to the Denon TU-850?

How does the Denon TU-900 compre to the similar Sansui tuners, like the TU-919?
 

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