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Astonishing Sony XDRF1HD Tuner

What Is the Woodchuck For?

Great addition to the tuner. Does he help turn the antenna?

PFC

hair-old said:
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The Sony XRD-S3HD came out first as a clock radio,I would have got one of those if it had pre-outs:(,it has a tuning knob and volume control that the F1HD lacks.
I ordered a XRD-F1HD on 18 Jun 08 and have been very happy with it.It has froze up a few times but turning it off for a few minutes brings it back to life.The only mod I did was put it on stilts since it was a low ryder and ran hot.
I'm sure Sony didn't get to be the big company they are by not listening to customer feedback.You can bet an improved version is on the way.Hopefully with a tuning knob,analog/hd switch,display off,memory cap,etc.Sure would be great with a headphone jack also.
Click to expand...
 
Been enjoying my unit for about a month now and agree with all others that this is one of the BEST sub-$100 buys out there today even for a vintage toy lover like myself...

Had I not read the plethora of info on AK for this unit I would have never reaped the benefits of this incredible value... Thank you all!!!

Giggle factor of 10+
 
I received my tuner back from Mike and had a chance to listen to it today. I had him do a mix of practical and sound mods:

  • Memory extension
  • Forced Analog
  • Treble correction (cheap)
  • Headroom extension

These modifications cost around $90, equal to what I paid for the unit.

The tuner, which I thought already sounded great, is now at another level entirely. For nearby analog stations, in particular, the forced analog mod is revelatory. This tuner sounds absolutely superb in analog mode.

I could not be happier with Mike's work, and strongly suggest that those of you who own this tuner should very seriously consider Mike's mods.
 
To pbda;
You would have been better off choosing the "expensive" treble correction, which would have eliminated the need for headroom extension, reduced distortion at ALL frequencies, enhanced low frequency response by eliminating two pairs of coupling capacitors, would have completely suppressed the digital garbage in the output instead of increasing it as the "cheap" treble correction does, and more perfectly correct the treble response droop. Admittedly, the "expensive" treble correction is pricey, but looking over the large investment in the rest of your system, $150 is negligible for the benefits you receive.
 
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This could really be the ticket I'm looking for. I just took my tuner/pre out and put a pre in but, I do really like 2-3 stations in NYC still. WNYC, WBGO and WFMU which sound much better tuned than streaming.

Anyone in the NYC area have one of these?

Just ordered mine. $85 on Amazon. They are cheaper at a couple other places, but then they hit you with $15 in shipping.
 
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pbda said:
I received my tuner back from Mike and had a chance to listen to it today. I had him do a mix of practical and sound mods:

  • Memory extension
  • Forced Analog
  • Treble correction (cheap)
  • Headroom extension

These modifications cost around $90, equal to what I paid for the unit.

The tuner, which I thought already sounded great, is now at another level entirely. For nearby analog stations, in particular, the forced analog mod is revelatory. This tuner sounds absolutely superb in analog mode.

I could not be happier with Mike's work, and strongly suggest that those of you who own this tuner should very seriously consider Mike's mods.
Click to expand...

I had the same set of mods and second your review and comments on Mike's work. :thmbsp:

Snade
 
Just got it and just hooked it up.

I'll say one thing it is pulling in a station (WFMU) which is very difficult to get. Does it automatically decide if it is stereo or mono?

It does not sound as analogue as my KLH 18 right now (it is not on an HD station). Maybe it needs to run in a bit?
 
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EasyRiderNYC;
This tuner does not have a stereo indicator. You will have to determine by ear whether it is outputting stereo or mono. If you are dissatisfied with the tuner's audio, there are modifications possible, mentioned earlier in this thread. "Running in" is more a matter of your getting used to the sound of the tuner rather than any actual change in it's performance.
 
There really is no stereo/mono switch point on this tuner. With a signal generator it will stay stereo until just to the point where you can't even see a sine wave.
 
Herr Eickhorn said:
Any comparisons to a Marantz 10B?
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The Marantz 10B is the overall better tuner. It will outperform the Sony in sound quality. Selectivity on the XDR-F1HD will be better due to the DSP IF.

I have both, and prefer the 10B for listening and local/tropo stations. The Sony sees duty as a DX machine during the "E" Skip season.
 
Herr Eickorn:
There are modifications to the XDR-F1HD that will bring it's audio quality up to the top level. See the earlier posts on this thread.
 
crooner said:
The Marantz 10B is the overall better tuner. It will outperform the Sony in sound quality. Selectivity on the XDR-F1HD will be better due to the DSP IF.

I have both, and prefer the 10B for listening and local/tropo stations. The Sony sees duty as a DX machine during the "E" Skip season.
Click to expand...

Did you do the Forced Analog Modification and the Treble Correction and Audiophile output with active filter?

Regards.
 
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