Does your sound system include a tuner?

jdandy

jdandy

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Perusing the AS forum index I can't help but notice a conspicuous absence of interest in component tuners. I have always had a tuner in every sound system I ever assembled going as far back as 1968 and a Dynaco FM3 tuner. Granted, an FM tuner is not the essential source component it used to be but it is still a fine source of audio enjoyment, especially if you are lucky enough to have some quality FM programming in your area.

Right now I own five separate tuners, a McIntosh MR88, MR85, MR74, a Tandberg 3011A, and a Crown FM TWO. This doesn't include the tuners that are in my McIntosh 4300V receiver, Sony V333ES surround receiver in my office, the NAD710 receiver in my shop, or the GE Super Radio I use in the garage. I have owned other great tuners but these are the ones I presently own and use on a regular basis. My studio system includes the MR88, my living room system includes the MR85, and my vintage system includes the MR74. I have the Crown FM TWO tuner in the studio control room and the Tandberg 3011A is in standby in the garage. Obviously I am a tuner enthusiast. I enjoy DXing the dial, especially late at night and listening to a number favorite broadcasts.

I am of the opinion that an audio system is incomplete without a tuner. I can't see myself ever building a sound system that doesn't include a tuner. Does anyone else here share a fondness for a tuner in your system?



McIntoshMR88.jpg




mr85.JPG




00678647_MR74withWalnutCabinet.jpg




TPT-3011A.jpg




8942987713_cd0b5edd77_c.jpg
 
I don't use a tuner at present. I have, in the past, always had one and listened to a few programs (mostly classical music) regularly. Unfortunately, the area I live in now has very poor reception - even with a good outboard antenna.

Many FM stations now broadcast their program material over the Internet and that can be picked up with a Squeezebox, or any of several other devices. The sound quality is not as good though.

I tend to agree with the comment that an audio system without a tuner is incomplete. Maybe I'll have mine finished someday.
 
One restored, recapped, and aligned MR74 connected to a 4-element Yagi on a rotator on the roof.

I went without a tuner for a while but missed the ability to tune in a few local favorite stations (pretty good selection around here) and DX a bit at night. I've discovered a lot of new Jazz (and some good old stuff, too) by listening to broadcasts. You never know what might be next, and sometimes it's really good.
 
puroagave said:
I always fancied the day sequerra studio tuner but it would probably be more of a show piece. that last tuner I owned collected dust.
Click to expand...

Rob.......Whether my tuners collect dust or not I would feel something was missing from my systems if I did not have the option of tuning in a broadcast when the urge struck. I listen to a late night jazz program on a station that broadcasts an extremely clean, uncompressed signal and the sound is wonderful. They often spin vinyl and it is as clean as if it were on my turntable. Love it. There is just something about searching the airwaves for something special that I find exciting and rewarding.

I even have a JRC NRD-525 world band receiver and an Icom IC-R7000 communications receiver in my office that I enjoy DXing on late at night. The JRC lets me listen to English speaking news stations on China National Radio from Beijing, China and Radio Havana from Havana, Cuba among many other stations around the world. My Icom receiver lets me tune radio channels for police, emergency, fire, airplane, Space Shuttle, and more. It also has a scanner function built in that I use to program the local police, county sheriff, highway patrol, fire, and EMS frequencies. It's fun to listen in and hear what activities are going on. I was listening one night and heard the entire communications between three police vehicles and dispatch while they chased and finally captured a car thief. It was interesting.

There is a ton of communications out there on the air waves. Without a tuner of one type or another you have no way to capture what's happening every single day and night. For me, it's not only about music, it's also about having fun tuning content from the air.



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Yes sir. Only way to get 89.1
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Tuner comes in handy once in a while. Seldom used though. Hafler DH-330. It complements the rest of the system and still looks pretty cool to me. The ability to turn off stereo to mono and selectable filter helps pull in stations.
 
No. And, no plans for a tuner. Apple TV Internet radio into the DAC and, soon, Tidal. No need or desire for a tuner.
 
AJ Soundfield said:
Yes sir. Only way to get 89.1
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Click to expand...

AJ Soundfield.......I have not heard this tuner but have read a lot about it. Seems like everyone who owns one likes it. If I didn't already have more tuners than systems to put them in I would probably pick one up to see what all the talk is about.
 
Don C said:
One restored, recapped, and aligned MR74 connected to a 4-element Yagi on a rotator on the roof.

I went without a tuner for a while but missed the ability to tune in a few local favorite stations (pretty good selection around here) and DX a bit at night. I've discovered a lot of new Jazz (and some good old stuff, too) by listening to broadcasts. You never know what might be next, and sometimes it's really good.
Click to expand...

Don.......The McIntosh MR74 is a special tuner. Good to know yours is performing well. Mine has been serviced as well and draws stations in like a magnet. It also sounds very good when you are locked onto a clean signal and I love the old school analog style and look of the MR74. I enjoy a late night Jazz station myself. There's lots of good music out there on the air.
 
Double-D said:
Perusing the AS forum index I can't help but notice a conspicuous absence of interest in component tuners. I have always had a tuner in every sound system I ever assembled going as far back as 1968 and a Dynaco FM3 tuner. Granted, an FM tuner is not the essential source component it used to be but it is still a fine source of audio enjoyment, especially if you are lucky enough to have some quality FM programming in your area.

Right now I own five separate tuners, a McIntosh MR88, MR85, MR74, a Tandberg 3011A, and a Crown FM TWO. This doesn't include the tuners that are in my McIntosh 4300V receiver, Sony V333ES surround receiver in my office, the NAD710 receiver in my shop, or the GE Super Radio I use in the garage. I have owned other great tuners but these are the ones I presently own and use on a regular basis. My studio system includes the MR88, my living room system includes the MR85, and my vintage system includes the MR74. I have the Crown FM TWO tuner in the studio control room and the Tandberg 3011A is in standby in the garage. Obviously I am a tuner enthusiast. I enjoy DXing the dial, especially late at night and listening to a number favorite broadcasts.

I am of the opinion that an audio system is incomplete without a tuner. I can't see myself ever building a sound system that doesn't include a tuner. Does anyone else here share a fondness for a tuner in your system?



McIntoshMR88.jpg




mr85.JPG




00678647_MR74withWalnutCabinet.jpg




TPT-3011A.jpg




8942987713_cd0b5edd77_c.jpg
Click to expand...


Always ran a tuner myself and still use one today ......
 
Always had a tuner Have a Magnum Dynalab FT101a which was modded to MD100 3 years ago, use a big Yagi antenna which is kept in attic due to hurricanes...

Many good FM stations in Southeast Louisiana including WNO 89.9 who plays the best jazz on Saturday night !!
Along with WOZ 90.7 who will showcase local talent from Southeast La.
 
Double-D said:
AJ Soundfield.......I have not heard this tuner but have read a lot about it. Seems like everyone who owns one likes it. If I didn't already have more tuners than systems to put them in I would probably pick one up to see what all the talk is about.
Click to expand...
Ironically I only bought it when it first came out, because I wanted to get the local classical station 89.1 in HD. I had no idea it also had perhaps the best "analog" FM tuner extant. "Analog" in that it uses advanced DSP to lock stations traditional tuners can't register, with near zero noise! I still don't use it for analog, but if that's your bag, there is perhaps none better.

cheers,

AJ
 
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