• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Astonishing Sony XDRF1HD Tuner

Ed in Tx said:
Has anyone compared this to the Sangean HDT-1 tuner? I have the Sangean and while it can sound good, staying locked to HD stations especially AM can be a real challenge if not impossible.
Click to expand...

I own both- in fact I am sitting here checking out the little Sony for the first time. Firstly, I am stunned by how small it is! The HDT-1 is a behemoth by comparison.

Nice that you can dim the display. Another thing I really didn't like about the Sangean.

The Sony is noticably more sensitive than the Sangean. I had all kinds of problems with stream interruption before. Now, listening on the Sony with the same sort of dipole antenna, after three solid hours of messing around with it, I have yet to hear a burp or screech.

Plus, there is the SQ of the analog signals- unexpectedly high out of the box. Better sounding than any other tuner I have, and I have several.

I wish it had ATS like the Sangean (the HDT-1 and several of their portable analog radios)- which automatically populates the presets with the strongest signals it finds. But it only took five minutes or so to set them up. No big deal really.

Overall, I am very impressed with this little guy, and think it stands head and shoulders above the Sangean.
 
Sounds Great But. . .

Can you attach some huge chrome knobs to it, yeah, and a rip cord so it has that Vintage feel that we love?

ponderbear said:
I own both- in fact I am sitting here checking out the little Sony for the first time. Firstly, I am stunned by how small it is! The HDT-1 is a behemoth by comparison.

Nice that you can dim the display. Another thing I really didn't like about the Sangean.

The Sony is noticably more sensitive than the Sangean. I had all kinds of problems with stream interruption before. Now, listening on the Sony with the same sort of dipole antenna, after three solid hours of messing around with it, I have yet to hear a burp or screech.

Plus, there is the SQ of the analog signals- unexpectedly high out of the box. Better sounding than any other tuner I have, and I have several.

I wish it had ATS like the Sangean (the HDT-1 and several of their portable analog radios)- which automatically populates the presets with the strongest signals it finds. But it only took five minutes or so to set them up. No big deal really.

Overall, I am very impressed with this little guy, and think it stands head and shoulders above the Sangean.
Click to expand...
 
ponderbear said:
I wish it had ATS like the Sangean (the HDT-1 and several of their portable analog radios)- which automatically populates the presets with the strongest signals it finds.
Click to expand...
I thought it odd that the Sony was lacking in that feature especially since their car units have "BSM" - Best Station Memory. Maybe they figure it's more valuable in the car while traveling.
Next is to build a better antenna though not critical since I'm so close to Boston and can literally see many of the broadcast antennas from my home.
JimB
 
My only problem with the Sony is you cannot force analog for stations that have HD, so my favorite station doesn't sound as good as on my all analog tuner.
 
I would get one if it didn't look so cheap. Is gonna mess up my clean stereo system lines. I would gladly pay double or triple the price for better looks - construction. But HD Radio is already falling behind. I don't see free broadcasting in the future of the next generation. (or anything free for that matter).
 
I got mine this afternoon and I have to say I am very impressed with how incredibly selective it is. Even on a very weak station in Los Angeles sitting at 94.7 our local 94.9 station doesn't even touch it. No adjacent noise what so ever. The digital detector does a great job of quieting multipath noise too.

HD sounds fairly decent here too. Alot of the stations broadcast at a higher bitrate and the quality of the music is fairly good. Also, a few stations broadcast commercial free music as well as alternative styles. Our local NPR station has three HD channels, two always with either classical or eclectic.

Pretty cool so far! I'd get an antenna on your roof and have some fun with this one.
 
Ive been able to locate a picture/Image of the front of unit
But None of the back of it ?

Could someone Please post one for me~
Thanks
 
I've been reporting about how great this little marvel is since May. Check my older thread.
I should know since I also own a Marantz 10B.

I was expecting some interesting DX catches last summer but e-skip was non-existent here in San Diego. However, the marine layer often produces great tropospheric ducting propagation. The Sony was able to catch a 10 watt college station in San Luis Obispo!

Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j65en7IB5rQ

Plus, this other one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHGqRTSWSIU
 
I found mine for 85.00 and purchased it in time to get the 50.00 rebate. On a purely technical level, it's the best tuner I own or have owned. This list includes an MR74, Kenwood KT9900, ST-5000F something or another, Crown FM1, Soundstream T1, ADS T2, Sansui TU-717 and a couple of others. The Sony kills all of them in terms of selectivity and outside of the KT-9900 and the FM1, probably beats them all in subjective sound quality.
 
bastek said:
I would get one if it didn't look so cheap. Is gonna mess up my clean stereo system lines. I would gladly pay double or triple the price for better looks - construction. But HD Radio is already falling behind. I don't see free broadcasting in the future of the next generation. (or anything free for that matter).
Click to expand...

I agree with bastek,looks is a big part of the package for me anyway, if sony or someone come alongs and uses this technology and even refines it somewhat to address the above mentioned shortcomings and makes the modifications needed and adds a few features, changes the dimensions and finally puts it inside an attractive enclosure that makes it look like it belongs in a nice setup I wouldn't hesitate to pay large dollars.I've always thought that surprising performance in a small painstakingly no-frills package has held back the winsome from wider acceptance. Just one opinion.
 
Well, I think this bargain wouldn't have been possible without resorting to the typical plastic case. Kudos to Sony.

I hope some audiophile outfit doesn't put the guts inside a flashy aluminum case and then charge $6000 for it. Look at the "Edge" CD player, which has the guts of a cheap DVD player and sells for six grand!

For the adventurous DIY'er, one can buy a nice aluminum case and transplant the insides. There's a place online that custom machines the opening for the display. I did it for my Squeezebox and it looks fantastic.

Perhaps I'll "recycle" the case when the Squeezebox becomes obsolete. However, I have more than enough "eye candy" with the Marantz 10B sitting on my equipment rack!
 
Last edited:
I think it's looks are one of it's many strong points. It's simple, tiny, pretty well understated. I certainly wouldn't have bought with some sort of aluminum case with big knobs if it cost more.
 
crooner said:
Very true. It doesn't take a full shelf on a rack. I keep mine on top of my subwoofer.
Click to expand...
I'd go for a more stable surface; avoid any chance of microphonics.

I like the small case, I'm pressed for space as it is, although it would be fun to re-case it into some kind of an expensive looking enclosure if I could find one surplus. Maybe just add some wooden sides akin to a Sony ES unit. Bet they thought about doing that and charging $350 for it.
JimB
 
To mortsnets:
Brian Beezleys report on the Sony tells how to install forced analog reception and other useful modifications. Don't attempt it though unless you have heavy experience in electronics. Google his report by typing in "Sony XDR-F1HD tuner" and look for the header "k6sti/hamradio" on the first page that comes up.
 
Last edited:
Thanks 2chanman.

Does anyone know who in SF Bay Area could do these mods (especially "force analog") and ballpark how much it would cost?

Thanks
 
I am thinking about ordering one of these tuners in the next day or two. The Sansui tuner I am using in my job site trailer struggles to get a clean signal. I am hoping this will do better and when the job is finished I will stick it in my main rig or somewhere else because I don't see myself listening to the radio on my main rig.

Merry Christmas.


Scott
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom