No love for FM tuners?

**laynesaddiction** · December 31, 2016, 02:19 PM

[QUOTE=jdandy;189231]Anthony.......The Magnum Dyanlab MD107t is a beauty. I have a friend who has a silver one. I prefer the black./QUOTE]

Yeah, I actually like the black color too, but bought the silver because it matched our other equipment better. It even cost me more for the silver finish back then, but whatever as the silver is nice in its own way.

As far as from an operation point of view, let's hope the silver works just as well as the black. ;-)

**hongkong** · December 31, 2016, 03:01 PM

Hi Dan,

The sound is like a concert when I listen concert on FIP radio.
FIP in France has the best sound for the radio FM.

It has many options too like Hi-blend, wake-up, if with, choice betwwen 2 antenna, direct access when we know the radio frequency...

Best regards.

**Deafone** · December 31, 2016, 08:34 PM

This is going to sound dumb. I used to spend 70% of my listening time tuned to WFMT on my Fanfare FT-1A tuner. My system was on many hours during the day. When I switched to tubes, my electricity costs soared and I started wondering if i could justify listening to the tuner while my tube hours went up. (Replacing tubes isn't cheap.) So, I moved the tuner to a secondary system which is rarely used. I now listen to FM using a Tivoli radio which just isn't the same and my listening time to FM has dropped drastically.

**chops** · December 31, 2016, 09:15 PM

Well, I went ahead and asked my brothers to bring the tuner over with them... And they did!

I took a normal dipole antenna and used those big alligator paper clips to clip it to my audio rack. I don't want that antenna plastered all over the way under the TV, so this seemed like a good alternative. Turns out it works great and picks up a LOT of stations from all over. I guess it helps that we live in a 3rd floor apartment.

I got it all installed and fired up. It sounds pretty decent considering. The music content is another story. LOL I think one of the things I hate the most about radio is all of the non-stop commercials. They seem to go on forever sometimes.

At any rate, here's a few quick pics... Naturally. Don't mind the mess behind the system.

**jdandy** · December 31, 2016, 09:36 PM

Charles.......This is great. I think the Yamaha TX-540 looks right at home. Spend some time with it in the late evenings searching around the dial. You just may come upon some programming you really enjoy. A tuner is one more source for music and entertainment you didn't have yesterday. Make use of it.

**Randy Myers** · December 31, 2016, 11:21 PM

Excellent Charles! The Yamaha looks great!

Well looks like our plans are changing and we may not be heading to Florida... all of the kids and grand kids are being way too upset.... we have found a place in Bakersfield that may actually be even better for us, and it is 2800 miles closer to the kids... so they are very happy!

**jdandy** · December 31, 2016, 11:56 PM

Randy.......Bakersfield? You want to live in a flat dry agriculture dust bowl? Hope you can speak Spanish.

**Randy Myers** · January 1, 2017, 12:04 AM

Pretty much where we live now other than Ocean on one side (Santa Maria, just south of us, is like 85% Spanish speaking).... but cost are out of this world being near coast in Cali..... like 2.5x the price of what we can get in Bakersfield....

... actually bigger home, nice gated community.... lay out is perfect and only 2 hours from kids (they have been really upset with us, but we need to afford to be able to retire, ala, 100% mortgage free!!!).... Bakersfield has become quite a large city now.... with really nice sections and not so nice sections

...

**jdandy** · January 1, 2017, 01:09 AM

I pulled my McIntosh MR88 out of the studio two channel rack and slid my friends Magnum Dynalab MD108t in to see how it looks. The gold doesn't do it for me. I don't think silver would work either because it accentuates the size of the 19" face plate. A black MD108t might look good sitting there but I am having a hard time with the size of the face plate in relation to the other gear in the rack. Hmm.

**Melbguy1** · January 1, 2017, 01:51 AM

Originally Posted by jdandy

David.......Holy cow, the dealer talked you out of buying an Accuphase T-1100. What the heck was he thinking. It is a fabulous tuner. Some say it is one of the best FM tuners in the world.

Dan, my Dealer is philosophically opposed to tuners & thinks they don't cut it. I think he respects the Accuphase T-1100, but warned it could become a boat anchor if the analogue signal is switched off (which I don't see happening any time soon). But he made a valid point that Internet radio has hundreds of stations, whilst the Accuphase might allow you to save 20 stations. Realistically though, he doesn't represent Accuphase so he's not going to recommend their gear. For now, I'm getting acceptable sound from my Tivoli network Radio for background listening. However if Accuphase release a DAB+/Internet radio in future, I could be seriously tempted

.

**Melbguy1** · January 1, 2017, 02:11 AM

Originally Posted by chops

If there were any stations here in Central Florida worth listening to, I'd still be using the Yamaha TX-540 tuner that I have over at my father's house. It's just all the stations here are from Tampa and Orlando, so they're all pop, hip-hop, rap, country and one latin.

There's only four decent stations left, 88.5 which is a college station that plays a lot of jazz, blues and new musician stuff, 89.7 which is NPR and is only talk radio anymore (they only play music on their HD stations), 104.7 (Q-105) that plays mostly 70's through 90's pop and rock, and 105.5 (The Dove) which plays mostly pop and love ballads from the 60's to 90's.

So maybe after thinking about it, I may get that tuner and hook it up to my system. It's not the greatest tuner, but at least it should let me know if the few stations I would listen to are decent sounding to begin with. If so, I could always upgrade the tuner. Hmm...

On a minor side note, I really need to re-cap that old Technics SU-8099. That's one mighty fine sounding amp!

My favorite classic Yamaha Natural Sound tuner was the T-85 which was a DX champ & cheaper than the later TX-2000. Come to think of it I lusted after all the classic Yammy gear back in the late 80's, as well as a couple of the Onkyo Integra components.

**chops** · January 1, 2017, 02:38 AM

It's 1:30 am of Jan 1st, 2017, and I'm still wide awake. What else is there to do other than play around a bit with it?! Uhh... The tuner that is...

Originally Posted by jdandy

Charles.......This is great. I think the Yamaha TX-540 looks right at home. Spend some time with it in the late evenings searching around the dial. You just may come upon some programming you really enjoy. A tuner is one more source for music and entertainment you didn't have yesterday. Make use of it.

Thanks Randy. I'm glad you and your family have found something closer to everyone else, which is very important. Though I was looking forward to meeting you eventually once you moved here to Florida. Oh well.

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

Excellent Charles! The Yamaha looks great!

Well looks like our plans are changing and we may not be heading to Florida... all of the kids and grand kids are being way too upset.... we have found a place in Bakersfield that may actually be even better for us, and it is 2800 miles closer to the kids... so they are very happy!

Speaking of classic Yamaha tuners, I used to have a mint T-1 back in the very late 90's, early 2000's. I'm not exactly sure why I sold it.

Originally Posted by Melbguy1

My favorite classic Yamaha Natural Sound tuner was the T-85 which was a DX champ & cheaper than the later TX-2000. Come to think about it I lusted after that all the classic Yammy gear back in the late 80's, as well as a couple of the Onkyo Integra components.

**Randy Myers** · January 1, 2017, 10:14 AM

"and I'm still wide awake. What else is there to do other than play around a bit with it?!"

TMI Charles

...

"Thanks Randy. I'm glad you and your family have found something closer to everyone else, which is very important. Though I was looking forward to meeting you eventually once you moved here to Florida. Oh well. "

Thank you Charles. We may still visit... my sister and brother still live in Ocala

.... or you could travel over to California at some point

...

**Randy Myers** · January 1, 2017, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by jdandy

I pulled my McIntosh MR88 out of the studio two channel rack and slid my friends Magnum Dynalab MD108t in to see how it looks. The gold doesn't do it for me. I don't think silver would work either because it accentuates the size of the 19" face plate. A black MD108t might look good sitting there but I am having a hard time with the size of the face plate in relation to the other gear in the rack. Hmm.

Does it take up more room than the MR88? Black would look excellent there

....

**chops** · January 1, 2017, 11:13 AM

LOL! I noticed how it sounded after I posted it and re-read it, hence why I added the last bit to it.

Also, I very rarely ever take vacation time from work. The last time I took any vacation time off, it was about 3 years ago. Besides, if I ever come out to California, I'm probably going to end up staying! Not to mention, the furthest west I've ever been was New Orleans. And that was only for a few hours before coming right back to Florida.

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

"and I'm still wide awake. What else is there to do other than play around a bit with it?!"

TMI Charles

...

"Thanks Randy. I'm glad you and your family have found something closer to everyone else, which is very important. Though I was looking forward to meeting you eventually once you moved here to Florida. Oh well. "

Thank you Charles. We may still visit... my sister and brother still live in Ocala

.... or you could travel over to California at some point

...

**chops** · January 1, 2017, 11:16 AM

Oh I don't know. I quite like it. If you don't like it in your system, I'll swap you my Yamaha for it. LOL

Originally Posted by jdandy

**CPP** · January 1, 2017, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

Excellent Charles! The Yamaha looks great!

Well looks like our plans are changing and we may not be heading to Florida... all of the kids and grand kids are being way too upset.... we have found a place in Bakersfield that may actually be even better for us, and it is 2800 miles closer to the kids... so they are very happy!

In 2015, The American Lung Association ranked Bakersfield as the second-most polluted city in the United States in terms of both short-term and year-round particle pollution. AHHHH ! But if you like Drag Racing they do have one nice drag strip at Famoso.

**Randy Myers** · January 1, 2017, 03:27 PM

That what I love about you guys, so supportive

.... all the cities in the central valley are high because smog is just trapped in the valley.... but a vast majority of all food in the US is grown there.... go figure....

**chops** · January 1, 2017, 06:19 PM

Some things I shouldn't have done in the past few days...

Clicking on this thread
Contemplating using my old tuner again
Listening to Dan's suggestion of using my old tuner again
Asking my brothers to bring my old tuner over
Getting and hooking up my old tuner again
Looking at tuners on eBay
Making a purchase on eBay literally just minutes ago

Because of the recent events listed above, I now have this showing up in the very near future... And it looks absolutely mint in the two photos in the ad!

First two are actual photos from ad...

And photo off of Google to show the "hidden" control panel as well as the display lit up. Nearly identical to my current TX-540's display.

**jdandy** · January 1, 2017, 07:34 PM

Charles.......Uh Oh! Someone has the tuner bug.

The Yamaha TX1000 is considered one of Yamaha's best tuners. Looking forward to your impressions.

The interior layout and circuit topology of the Yamaha TX1000 looks excellent. Notice the fully potted transformer.

**chops** · January 1, 2017, 08:18 PM

Dan, I agree. Obviously. LOL

Apart from the older T-85, said to be hard to beat by many tuners by any manufacture, the TX-1000 is supposedly next in line.

The reason for upgrading the TX-540 is because there are quite a few strong stations that I'm picking up with the cheap "T" dipole antenna. They're so strong, they're running the tuner into over modulation. Black silence in between material which is great, but distortion with music and even talk. And this particular tuner doesn't have the ability to de-tune or attenuate. The TX-1000 however does!

The 540 sounds pretty darn good. In fact, I'm quite impressed with it. The stations around here must not be compressing their signals as much as they used to. The good news is, the 1000 is supposed to sound considerably better! We'll see!

Originally Posted by jdandy

Charles.......Uh Oh! Someone has the tuner bug.

The Yamaha TX1000 is considered one of Yamaha's best tuners. Looking forward to your impressions.

The interior layout and circuit topology of the Yamaha TX1000 looks excellent. Notice the fully potted transformer.

**jdandy** · January 1, 2017, 09:26 PM

Charles.......One suggestion. Since the TX1000 is close to 30 years old you may want to take the cover off and check to be sure the power supply caps aren't bulging or leaking. The power supply section of the board is clearly identified right next to the transformer. Check the big black cap and the three next size smaller blue caps. If they are not bulging at the top or leaking you should be fine, otherwise it is relatively easy to order and replace those few caps.

**Randy Myers** · January 1, 2017, 10:36 PM

Congratz Charles

.... I know I have been enjoying the McIntosh since I got it. Don't use it a ton but sure as heck enjoy having one in my system!

**chops** · January 2, 2017, 12:08 AM

Dan... Funny you mention that as I have been thinking about that as well. I've been trying to look up anything online about updates/upgrades for any of the caps and possibly diodes, but haven't had much luck yet. Thanks for looking out for me though. I appreciate it!

Originally Posted by jdandy

Charles.......One suggestion. Since the TX1000 is close to 30 years old you may want to take the cover off and check to be sure the power supply caps aren't bulging or leaking. The power supply section of the board is clearly identified right next to the transformer. Check the big black cap and the three next size smaller blue caps. If they are not bulging at the top or leaking you should be fine, otherwise it is relatively easy to order and replace those few caps.

**chops** · January 2, 2017, 12:12 AM

Thanks Randy! I've been using mine non-stop since I hooked it up. Surprisingly there more decent music on a few more stations than I realized. And they don't seem to be that compressed either. See what you're missing by not moving to Florida now? LOL

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

Congratz Charles

.... I know I have been enjoying the McIntosh since I got it. Don't use it a ton but sure as heck enjoy having one in my system!

**Randy Myers** · January 2, 2017, 12:23 AM

Hehe... I assume Bakersfield will have plenty of stations... I mean Buck Owens and Korn are from there

... (obviously tongue in cheek... not a fan of either

)... by the way was over there today... way in the outskirts... much better air quality... big f'n city.... the house will be absolutely great... complex not as good as the one we are moving from on the coast... but 55+, gated and pretty darn nice.... but most important... mortgage free... yehaaaaaa

**Jack** · January 2, 2017, 01:03 AM

And race car drivers.

**Randy Myers** · January 3, 2017, 12:07 AM

The antenna has been more of a struggle than the tuner

.... Basic Terk, Magnum Dynalab SR100, Terk FM50, just ordered Godar FM1A... if this is not perfect then Magnum Dynalæb ST-2 is next... so many pros and cons... I hope/believe the Godar will fit the bill.

**jdandy** · January 3, 2017, 01:24 AM

Randy.......I have the Godar FM1A antenna. I use it on my Tandberg 3011A tuner in the vintage system. It works fairly well with good signals. It is directional so you may have to fuss with its location and physical direction to get it to do what you want. While I was reviewing the Magnum Dynalab MD108t tuner I connected the Godar to it just to see how the tuner would work with it. It managed 11 listenable stations, but again I had to move it around to get some signals to be quiet. It doesn't stand up to the performance of my Magnum Dynalab ST-2 that I use with my McIntosh MR88 tuner. On both the MR88 and the MD108t I pulled in 18 listenable stations with the ST-2 antenna. I use a Fanfare FM-2 antenna with my MR85. It is also a half wave base loaded antenna very similar to the Magnum Dynalab ST-2. Both beat the Godar FM1A.

**Barry** · January 3, 2017, 01:49 AM

For all things tuners and antennas including ratings, modifications go here:

http://www.fmtunerinfo.com/

Talking about tuners and ignoring antennas for FM completely misses an absolutely essential piece of the puzzle if you're serious about decent sound. Amplified, indoor antennas are a compromise, so you may want to check this out:

http://ham-radio.com/k6sti/

As to finding the station if you have an antenna rotator try here:

http://fmfool.com/

Of course many locations now have very poor signal or program quality and HD really isn't that great unless you live in a high multipath area. Maybe we should all get into R2R?

**chops** · January 3, 2017, 01:49 AM

I'm glad the discussion of antennas came up, because I am researching them as well right now. I'm just using a basic folded dipole and it works pretty well, but obviously it's directional. I want an antenna that is capable of doing better and stay indoors. I don't necessarily want an amplified one either, so have been eyeing the Magnum Dynalab ST-2, Fanfare FM-2G and Metz AM/FM antenna.

I'm thinking that since the TX-1000 has two antenna inputs, I'll get one of the "whips" mentioned above as well as a simple folded dipole with a coax end on it, or a 75 ohm adapter for the one I already have. That way I can switch between them.

**Barry** · January 3, 2017, 01:56 AM

Originally Posted by chops

I'm thinking that since the TX-1000 has two antenna inputs, I'll get one of the "whips" mentioned above as well as a simple folded dipole with a coax end on it, or a 75 ohm adapter for the one I already have. That way I can switch between them.

Buy something decent and put it in the attic. One of the keys to signal strength is height the other is directionality. Get a rotator so you can aim the antenna.

**chops** · January 3, 2017, 02:02 AM

The problem with that is that I live in an apartment, however on the 3rd floor. Being about 25' above the ground is probably one of the reasons I'm getting such good reception with the cheapie dipole already.

Originally Posted by Barry

Buy something decent and put it in the attic. One of the keys to signal strength is height the other is directionality. Get a rotator so you can aim the antenna.

**Randy Myers** · January 3, 2017, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by jdandy

Randy.......I have the Godar FM1A antenna. I use it on my Tandberg 3011A tuner in the vintage system. It works fairly well with good signals. It is directional so you may have to fuss with its location and physical direction to get it to do what you want. While I was reviewing the Magnum Dynalab MD108t tuner I connected the Godar to it just to see how the tuner would work with it. It managed 11 listenable stations, but again I had to move it around to get some signals to be quiet. It doesn't stand up to the performance of my Magnum Dynalab ST-2 that I use with my McIntosh MR88 tuner. On both the MR88 and the MD108t I pulled in 18 listenable stations with the ST-2 antenna. I use a Fanfare FM-2 antenna with my MR85. It is also a half wave base loaded antenna very similar to the Magnum Dynalab ST-2. Both beat the Godar FM1A.

Thanks Dan, I am trying various antennas. Many pros and cons, just trying to find the right mix of performance and use. I am hoping to find one that is good performance, in doors, does not have to be mounted, and is 75 ohm. If the Godar works for me, great... If not the the ST-2 will probably be the next one. If I end up with the ST-2 I will have to figure a way to mount it, so not my preference.

So far, tried a basic Terk. It pulled ok, not great... just not good enough.... the Magnun Dynalab SR-100 pulled stations fine, but very strange contraption with the thin sharp metal strips and center extension piece.... and also the quality was very poor.... way below where I could handle... Terk FM50 seemed to pull stations well, but it is so unruly, large and requires being mounted somewhere. It works well laying on the windows frame behind the shade, but the new house will not have any double window anywhere near were the thing can be hidden.

So hoping the Godar will work since physically, cosmetically, etc., it will work well. If not then the ST-2 will be up next, but will have to figure a place to mount and/or hide it

....

**Narayan** · January 3, 2017, 02:11 PM

I use the tuner on my black face Marantz 2285b and I seriously think FM stands for Fcuk Me! Because that´s what I say every time I listen to the radio, surprisingly good and enjoyable sound quality, when or if I ever upgrade I wouldn´t mind getting my paws on an Accuphase T-109V or a Marantz 20b.

**Narayan** · January 3, 2017, 07:29 PM

These guys love their tuners http://www.fmtunerinfo.com/shootouts.html a very good resource.

**CPP** · January 3, 2017, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by Narayan

These guys love their tuners http://www.fmtunerinfo.com/shootouts.html a very good resource.

They sure do. Wow

**slowgeezr** · January 3, 2017, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by Narayan

These guys love their tuners http://www.fmtunerinfo.com/shootouts.html a very good resource.

Cool! Out of eighty tuners reviewed and ranked, mine came in fourth! I knew it was good, but it is nice having this positive reinforcement.

**Randy Myers** · January 3, 2017, 09:12 PM

Nice.... I got to wonder a little though when I see the MD108 ranked 20th and the highest McIntosh at 24.... really.... hmmmm....

**chops** · January 3, 2017, 09:53 PM

Simple solution... Just screw it into the side of your Rel TZero.

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

If I end up with the ST-2 I will have to figure a way to mount it, so not my preference.

**arthurs** · January 3, 2017, 09:57 PM

I have two...a Kenwood KT-7500 and Sansui TU-717 both have upgrade goodness courtesy of Jim Rivers (Jim from the fmtunerinfo site). Like many here, just love something about that signal when it's good. Sorry about crappy phone pics. Cheers to a great thread!

**Randy Myers** · January 3, 2017, 10:26 PM

Both look very nice!

**slowgeezr** · January 4, 2017, 01:07 AM

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

Nice.... I got to wonder a little though when I see the MD108 ranked 20th and the highest McIntosh at 24.... really.... hmmmm....

Yeah, it's all his subjective opinion, but he seems to at least put some work into it. I was also surprised by some of his rankings.

**Randy Myers** · January 4, 2017, 12:30 PM

I certainly will give him that. As with everyone else and every other situation I believe that personal biases and opinions always become involved. If one is out to prove that the top rated and/or most expensive are not any better than that is usually the conclusions that the test will show. Also if one is looking for the diamond in the rough that is usually what one will find..... ala the Kenwood that beat pretty much all comers

.....

**volks** · January 4, 2017, 05:41 PM

My next piece of gear will be a Tuner

**Randy Myers** · January 4, 2017, 07:36 PM

Bet I can guess what kind you might get Michael

.... I am glad I picked one up!

By the way, I need to see that sig changed

.... I am still very jealous of your KEF's

....

**volks** · January 5, 2017, 04:38 AM

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

Bet I can guess what kind you might get Michael

.... I am glad I picked one up!

By the way, I need to see that sig changed

.... I am still very jealous of your KEF's

....

Haha yup I want to find a MR85

. Kefs are breaking in nicely now

**Randy Myers** · January 5, 2017, 10:03 AM

Nice sig

.... yea, so far the MR85 does everything I could need in a tuner. Nice, I never heard the Ref 5 but I have heard the Ref 3. Love them!!!

**jdandy** · January 5, 2017, 02:03 PM

I sold my McIntosh MR74 tuner to a friend last year. He is a McIntosh tuner collector. I wasn't using the MR74 so I sold it to add to his collection. The MR74 is a fine sounding and quite sensitive tuner.

**Jim Smith** · January 6, 2017, 03:30 PM

A few of my favs over the years, in alphabetical order:

Kenwood L-07TII

Luxman T-02

Magnum Dynalab FT-101

McIntosh MR 74 & MR 78. I had a love affair with the MR 78 for many years.

Onkyo T-9090

SAE Mark VI

Sequerra

Sony ST-5130 in the early '70s for my OCD DXing habit. Didn't sound too bad either.

Tandberg 3001A

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