Bpaulovich --- Good point you make of coming to conclusions with tuners having questionable alignments and having only one sample of a tuner on hand for evaluation. This often accounts for wrong conclusions. I just finished two TU-X1s: alignment, IEC jack, lamps. One also had a problem in the first RF stage, the second one was more sensitive but the AM had some problems. Of three recent TU-9900s, only one was a killer. The best audio I have obtained from a Sansui is from a modified TU-417 and similar TU 317. The bass is so good and extended that air conditioning rumble on many classical programs can be heard. This does not happen often on any tuner. One owner tossed in the towel on his MR-80 in favor of the much cheaper TU-317. Also, the TU-417 and TU-317 need an additional IF filter to snuff up selectivity.
Thank you for your valued input. |
I owned a Mac 77, 78, Kenwood 917, Sansui 9900, and a Sansui TUX-1. The X1 makes the rest look sick, except the 9900 is close but no cigar. I even had my own shootout with all four. A totaly invalid shootout because I do not know of each ones alignment. |
Don,
What about Sansui TU-9900 ? |
I'll second the Linn Kremlin, a GREAT digital tuner! |
One error; the Kenwood KT-3200D should read KT-3300D. Please note my last sentence. "Sure there are others...."
For instance, I have had a few Fisher KM-60s and R-200s, with several capacitor, resistor, and tube-type changes in the audio output sections, sound like the announcer was sitting in the room. Some MR-71s sound great also.
My point was not to declare what is the best in the world, just ones I think were outstanding. Your opinions are worth something too.
Regards,
Don
Don |
One really has to be specific in what "best" means.
Some tuners are better in pulling in distant stations ("Dx'ing) Some are better sounding (but are not great in pulling in distant stations.) Some are better for popular and rock stations (where the radio stations often juice the sound). Others are better for classical stations (with an unmodified sound.)
I live 30 miles from New York City on a hill and leave my tuner set on a classical WQXR. For my application, a vintage tube Scott 350 is great. Many of the tuners on your list would not sound nearly as good. |
No list of the best FM tuners should be without the Sequerra. At the time it was introduced, it was arguably the best FM tuner in the world -- and it is still in the very top rank. |
My 2 Cents worth....Fisher FMR-1 Broadcast, Fisherdoc restored of course. Also, McIntosh Mr-78. |
you might want to narrow your question... some tuners sound better (the more sought-after vintage tube models like the marantz 10B, mcintosh mr-71, scott 350B/C. some are better at pulling in distant stations (pioneer F93 - but it doesn't sound that great...). some have great bass (mcintosh mr 7083). others that are often put on 'best' lists are meridien 604, accuphase 109 ($$$$!), rotel rht10, creek T43. also, if you go with a tube/vintage model, getting it aligned is ESSENTIAL. |
For my is the Linn Kremlin. The sound is very close to that of a cd. Hector |
Where does my MD100 fit in? I found it a bit bright, so tamed it a little with Harm Tech Truthlink XLRs. Any easy DIY mods? Thanks. Ern |
For those of you not familiar with Don Scott, he is a legendary FM Tuner authority, specialist and modifier; and moreover is honest and decent to a fault. I feel exceptionally privileged to have purchased a NEC T-710 from him that he further modified for even better sonic performance. At its best, this is what the hobby is about. |
Hi, you left out a couple.
First, I used to own a Kenwood KT-990D, and it was
okay, but NOT great. There was still alot of FM noise
even when I swiched from wide to narrow. And both
of the radio stations that I listed to were less
than 30 miles away. ALSO, NO FM HIGH BLEND CONTROL.
Second, you left out the Yamaha TX-1000.
I got that AFTER the Kenwood, and did ALOT better.
Also, the Yamaha TX-1000 and TX-950 have a
FINE TUNING AJUSTMENT on them, so that when you`re
listening to say 97.9 you could use the
FINE TUNING CONTROL and listen to 97.92 That`s
where I got the BEST signal.
Also, you left out the Sony ES SA5ES tuner.
Again, the best that Sony EVER made,
BUT I DON`T think it has a fine tuning control.
Just my .02. |
