Budget tuner?

Michaela - I think we're still watching the same program. You've named a unit not "blessed" by the fmtunerinfo site - I'm also not talking about the top Sansui models, but an echelon of well-built "second-tier" models (not so highly-acclaimed), also around $75-$100 used. It's clear that a "blessing" on fmtunerinfo is worth more than it should be - the buyer's market is in the plentitude of very good "also-rans" of interest that aren't receiving this price attention.

It'd be interesting to know if there's anything at all to get excited about in the "dregs" on Ebay - quartz tuners in the $zero-$50 range. Some look serviceable, maybe even nice, but do any of these sound any good, or draw/hold stations at all well - or is all of this stuff early-generation and of little interest?

you can still get a sansui off ebay at decent prices-i got a t80 a month or so for 9$ -thing is in great shape just a light out on the front pannel-it sounds nice also.

Would I not get a "top" echelon Sansui right off of the bat, but rather one of the second tier tuners, like MWilson suggested. Then see if your FM listening patterns require something better. For most of us you may not want or need to proceed further. I know I have no desire to do so. My $7 Sansui T-77 (solidstate) is a knockout on a great uncompressed jazz broadcast, live classical broadcasts, and probably overkill for compressed FM rock/pop/talk.