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FM alive and well here...curious question

SoCal listener here. 

Last night, the Classical station finished their listeners  top 100 with Ludwig B's 9th.
I got sucked in listening to the end of the 4th movement.  I can't remember what conductor/orchestra, but fantastic performance.

My Mac 71 with a $20 indoor antennae is able to get a  signal strength reading just over "8" with dead center tuning according the meter.

Ludwig B was sounding clear,quite and simply fabulous. 
 
Im aware a "real" roof antennae is the way to go. Wondering if the effort to get a "10" reading on the tuning meter will actually be heard as even better sonics?

Just for kicks, I spun a few minutes of a minty 59' Living Stereo to compare. 
WOW! The record naturally wins, but my beloved Mac isn't far off. Considering the broadcast was a CD, it was reasonably convincing. It certainly was just as good as my generic CD deck(no fancy outboard DAC)

My 71 is stock, tuned with NOS glass. I'd love to hand over $ 1K for the RM mod, but ain't gonna happen.

LONG LIVE FM! Hopefully?


tablejockey
tablejockey OP
743 posts
 
Stringreen- I too have always heard a sonic difference between "subscription" radio vs "over the air" 

Clearly, the options kill FM.

This topic of FM listening  reminds me of
TV viewing.I don't have cable, and over the air broadcast still has a superior picture quality over cable.

Oh well, to each his own.  I'd be more alarmed not being able to listen at all!
reubent
3,587 posts
 
@tablejockey - for easy internet radio at a low cost, simply connect your computer to an inexpensive USB DAC, or a multi-input DAC that has a USB connection. Easy-Peasy and you open yourself up to a WORLD of new radio stations. The DAC will connect via RCA outputs into your audio system.

Try Radio Paradise sometime. It's great internet radio station. Listener supported, so no commercials. Eclectic mix of rock, indie, blues, electronica and a little classical at times. I love it and listen to it regularly. You can just listen to it on your computer, tablet or smart phone just to get a taste of the music they play.

BTW, I'm listening to Radio Paradise as I type this reply. Currently listening via an iPod connected to a NuForce iDo (Bit Perfect) into my Rega Saturn-R CD player/DAC -> Rega Elicit-R Integrated amp. Sounds really good. Shockingly good sometimes.
tablejockey OP
743 posts
 
ruebent-
I forgot about the USB port!

If I get the bug for something different, I will go DAC shopping and get with the times.

yyzsantabarbara
647 posts
 
Internet radio sounds very bad to me. I am all digital except for a tuner. I can only listen to internet radio or other low quality streaming with low resolution speakers like AudioEngine A2 desktop speakers. When I upgraded to KEF LS50 speakers for my desktop I could no longer listen to internet radio.

FM is so much better with good stations. I used to listen to a great signal in the Bay Area, CA on my decent Magnum Dynalab tuner. It was almost CD quality sound. The same broadcast on internet radio was unlistenable to me. Same goes for the NPR music station I listen to now in Santa Barbara. The FM is way better.
reubent
3,587 posts
 
@yyzsantabarbara - what were you using to receive the internet stations you referenced? What bit rate were you receiving?

I listen to Radio Paradise a lot and I typically listen to the highest quality bit rate - 320 MBPS. I think it sounds very good. I can't comment on other stations or lower bit rates as I haven't spent any time recently with those.

Unfortunately, I don't have any local stations worthy of a high quality FM tuner.
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