A tuner, in this day and age?

[Valveglow]

OP, you need to take a look at the "Tuner Thread" how many Tuners do you own? Some list what most would consider "A Plethora".

As long as there is FM and as long as someone whom appreciates FM has an Amp, they will need a Tuner.

While I admit, I use mine infrequently because of Internet Streaming, I do use it on occasion.

Here you go, from El Guapo!

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...=BB9n4mlTDeqS0EGtGh5ITw&bvm=bv.62922401,d.dmQ

 

[rcspkramp]

I'm lucky enough to have some great FM stations in my area. Consequently, I consider a good tuner and antenna to be an essential instrument to access a lot of musical content that I don't have in my collection. I can compare the KMHD
( one of the best jazz stations on the planet ) over air signal with the internet feed with a flick of a switch. Over the air sound quality blows internet away.
I use my phone to make phone calls.

 

[mikejennings]

Happy Luddite here...especially with the not always consistent and rather slow DSL from one company [say monopoly and CenTel].... but the many US and Canadian FM stations that come in loud, clear and interesting.
Don't even get me started with my 1943 Hammarlund and AM radio baseball season!

 

[reggaenaut]

I guess the snarkiness in some replies comes from the implications of interpreting "In this day and age?".

 

[mhardy6647]

CT-600 by mhardy6647, on Flickr

The CT-600 innards, more visible. Still lots of air, but a 4 gang FM tuning cap and 3 gang AM. The CT-610II was the same level as the CT-600 in the Yamaha component line (one up from the bottom, in the US), but one model year later - and considerably chintzier (as previously illustrated).

Yeah, the CT-800 and CT-1010 are pretty nice; both are inexpensive, too; not in much demand. Not bad choices for a tuner if one has the space for their bulk.

FWIW, here's the guts of the CT-1010; at least there's some stuff inside...


DSCN6032 by mhardy6647, on Flickr


yamaharack 012414 by mhardy6647, on Flickr

 

[Ohighway]

Yesterday at GW I saw a Yamaha tuner (don't know what model). I had it in my hand and was halfway to the check-out when I thought, "What am I doing? I already have my old smart phone hooked up to my system, and through my home WiFi I can stream just about any radio station in the world. Why would I possibly need a tuner?"

I know there are folks here who love their tuners. Why?:scratch2:

the OP implied, as i interpreted it, that those of us who own tuners might just as well use our smart phones instead as he does. we who choose to avoid smart phones are not in a position to do that. if i am correct in the OP's assertion, statements by those of us without smart phones are germane to the conversation...

My interpretation was different. He stated that -HE- could use his smart phone to obtain his programs and posed the question why someone would do otherwise. However I didn't see him pushing anyone else to ditch their tuner for a smart phone. But somewhere along the line in the conversation the smart phone bashing began. What did that accomplish?

If you agreed with my sentiment why would you originally qoute me seeming as if I was attacking the OP's position?
Confused but not concerned.
Matt

Matt, I went back and read your post and my subsequent comment and I can understand the confusion. I'll try and explain. Your post seemed to suggest a 'don't question things' view. I used that as a springboard to say people should be able to ask questions ..... but not get attacked in the process. Did that help clarify?

 

[+48V]

Run up and down the dial on a vintage Marantz receiver. It's an experience you aren't going to get by clicking on some streaming online radio station. :thmbsp:

True that. Yet I hear there are some plugins available that mimic white noise between clicks.

That's true. Too bad there's [practically] nothing there worth stopping in to listen to. How many times can a person listen to sweet home Alabama and the stairway to heaven before it's time to hunt down something else?

:thmbsp: FYT

And I just ordered a light kit for my Marantz 2240. Should have saved the money and cut the tuner string.

:lmao:

 

[59volvo]

Hold on there, Snarky! (just messing with you) I don't dispute the value of FM radio and its variety of programming, but at least where I live, all of the FM stations I can get over the air have a live stream on the 'net as well. Heck - sometimes I even hear myself on the radio, so believe me when I say I don't undervalue it. My question is this - if all of the content available over the air is also available over the 'net (actually much greater FM-based content over the 'net), is there a legitimate advantage to buying a tuner and receiving it over the air?

Yes, over the net the best most stations will stream at is 128k mp3, a few will go to 196 and one or two go to 320k (talking about fm stations that have an internet stream). listening in on an FM tuner will give you the best fidelity besides playing your own cds, vinyl or flac files. Plus with community radio you get DJs curating the music and opportunities to get exposed to stuff your not going to on your own. I like comming home from work turning on the fm and having someone else pick the music. Friday nights on KXLU, Sunday nights on KPFK, M, W, Fri nights on KISL, Sundays on KCSN cant be beat for the programming and the fideliity

 

[Bozzmonster]

Yes, over the net the best most stations will stream at is 128k mp3, a few will go to 196 and one or two go to 320k (talking about fm stations that have an internet stream). listening in on an FM tuner will give you the best fidelity besides playing your own cds, vinyl or flac files. Plus with community radio you get DJs curating the music and opportunities to get exposed to stuff your not going to on your own. I like comming home from work turning on the fm and having someone else pick the music. Friday nights on KXLU, Sunday nights on KPFK, M, W, Fri nights on KISL, Sundays on KCSN cant be beat for the programming and the fideliity

True statement here. I've done comparison, and even a 256kb stream (the best I could locate with matching OTA programming I could compare with) pales in comparison with the FM counterpart. Plus, there's something magical about hooking up a hunk o wire to your tuner and picking up signals from thin air. Also, we have a number of good stations around this area. I have choice to listen to and a number of different tuners to do it with.

It will be a sad day when they shut down terrestrial radio broadcasting.

 

[sled108]

You got it Volvo...It's Fri. Nite in North Jersey...And Trevor B. Power is Playing the Tunes on WNTI 91.9 FM Centenary College, Hackettstown NJ...He can do it Better than I can...And, I can call him with a Request. How many of You can Call, and Talk to the DJ on Air??...And, then after the Break hear...Here's One going Out for Sled in Boonton Township, NJ....

 

[luddite]

FM has been a mainstay for my audio voyage for forty three years, ever since I bought a stereo tabletop FM radio from Woolworth's in high school.
We still have a couple of superbly eclectic stations with the complete variety of shows throughout the week. You can still hear new and vintage folk, country, reggae, blues, rock, classical, world, and also some very interesting documentary shows on FM here, which is why the radio is important to me. I also really like the way you can tune in an analog tuner by ear. The computerized auto-tuner on my truck drives me nuts. It never zeros in on the sweet spot.
But I take the OP's point about having it all available on the internet. It's true. For now, I suppose. One of these days they'll shut off the FM bands and make us pay for streaming by the station. I notice my old standby TV set is useless now.

 

[JesusChrysler]

Ohighway:

Yes I suppose how you could see me opposing the OP. I just did not want to be lumped in with the "you're an asshole" crowd.

If I'm being an ass; I'll try to be clear.





Matt

 

[+48V]

Yes, over the net the best most stations will stream at is 128k mp3, a few will go to 196 and one or two go to 320k (talking about fm stations that have an internet stream). listening in on an FM tuner will give you the best fidelity besides playing your own cds, vinyl or flac files. Plus with community radio you get DJs curating the music and opportunities to get exposed to stuff your not going to on your own. I like comming home from work turning on the fm and having someone else pick the music. Friday nights on KXLU, Sunday nights on KPFK, M, W, Fri nights on KISL, Sundays on KCSN cant be beat for the programming and the fideliity

1. Considering it be a simulcast...that's pretty much a moot point yes?.

2. Agree 110%. KCSN is in my top 3 go to stations for fresh and innovative programming. Being east coast, I must rely on their stream--which is on par and most acceptable. Still...I'd love to have them OTA.

 

[sled108]

I notice my old standby TV set is useless now.[/QUOTE]

Ludite...Maybe not so...I have made a Digital Antenna from a Tanqueray Tin and it Picks Up all the Local stations plus a lot more...My set has a Digital Ant. Input, but if yours does not, all you need is a $20 Conversion Box...

 

[+48V]

True statement here. I've done comparison, and even a 256kb stream (the best I could locate with matching OTA programming I could compare with) pales in comparison with the FM counterpart. Plus, there's something magical about hooking up a hunk o wire to your tuner and picking up signals from thin air. Also, we have a number of good stations around this area. I have choice to listen to and a number of different tuners to do it with.

It will be a sad day when they shut down terrestrial radio broadcasting.

Terrestrial broadcasting will live on for eons.

What probably will disappear at some point however is OTA music. Sooner or later, terrestrial radio will eventually have to start paying royalties to the recording labels to broadcast music off their towers. At that point, (dual feed discounts aside) it won't make much sense to have their bottom line double dipped on the analog front.

 

[luddite]

I notice my old standby TV set is useless now.

Ludite...Maybe not so...I have made a Digital Antenna from a Tanqueray Tin and it Picks Up all the Local stations plus a lot more...My set has a Digital Ant. Input, but if yours does not, all you need is a $20 Conversion Box...[/QUOTE]

You mean they are still broadcasting but using a digital signal we can pick up? Why didn't somebody tell me?
How far is the range on the transmissions? Can it replace cable more or less?

 

[sled108]

Sh*t Yeah...I've been watching the Cleanest Digital TV for Free for Years now, off Air...All that you need is an Ant. that can be Rabbit Ears, and a Box if you set doesn't have Digital Input...

 

[audiodummy]

Let it be known I have a smartphone too and I actually listen to this one AM radio station on it, on its internet stream -- but only when I don't have reception...

Honestly I think all this streaming crap (video or audio) is a waste of internet bandwidth (unless multicasting is used... which is what radio is!) I guess it's because everyone is self important and wants the stream start when they want it...

 

[nailer]

I've a smart phone and 14 tuners.

Folks who listen to the FM stream are all wet. :thmbsp:

 

[hunter00]

I use a 1964 Fisher FM-100-c tube tuner with my tube amp/preamp and the sound quality if excellent.Even tho theres over 3-400 cd and records to choose from sometimes it nice just to sit back and listen without the need to change records and cd's constantly