TunerLanding
Active Member
I’m mostly a vinyl/cassette guy, but I must admit I’ve been impressed with a couple vintage tuners/receivers in my time. Tell me about what gear you’ve been impressed by!
Audiophile Radio Experience?! Tell me about a moment of amazement while Tuning In.
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amptramp
Well-Known Member
A number of years ago, I picked up a Sherwood 2100 II tuner at a London Vintage Radio Club meet (in London ON Canada) for the grand total of $20.
I played it through the aux input of my H H Scott 340B and it showed its superiority to the good tuner that was in that receiver. This is one of those sets where running changes have been made to the schematic without any notice, so if you get one, you may find that it has some alterations in the audio output, like mine has. Selectivity and sensitivity are better than any of my other FM tuners in my collection of 27 FM tuners. Most of these tuners are low-end but some have very good specifications.
I played it through the aux input of my H H Scott 340B and it showed its superiority to the good tuner that was in that receiver. This is one of those sets where running changes have been made to the schematic without any notice, so if you get one, you may find that it has some alterations in the audio output, like mine has. Selectivity and sensitivity are better than any of my other FM tuners in my collection of 27 FM tuners. Most of these tuners are low-end but some have very good specifications.
Schmidlapper
Super Member
Bought a Yamaha T-85 new around 1988, and in combination with a good roof top antenna I have enjoyed 35 years of wonderful music. Through a quality audio system the music is just as pleasurable as any of my other sources.
DeadRock
Ideas Guy
When I lived out west just outside of Vancouver (BC Canada), I had a series of Magnum Dynalab tuners over a 4 or 5 year period (3 in all, progressively up the line). With each one of them reception and SQ was amazing. Unfortunately...I think the days of FM are numbered, and not living near a big city means my Marantz 2265B spends about equal time between the 1 or 2 FM stations I like...and the SiriusXm feed it gets.
Cheers!
David
Cheers!
David
Pio1980
AK Member
Re program material;
Fooling with a 1930s Atwater Kent tombstone table radio in a converted hospital wing barracks @ Ft Jackson late night, spring 1973, picked up a program from WGN Schenectady NY, Ellen @ Midnight. She was excited to announce she would be playing a newly released LP hand-carried from England on an transatlantic flight. Afaik, the US debut of Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield, the record that launched Virgin nobody else would take on.
Trivia query;
What movie soundtrack theme launched a commercial empire?
The Excorcist.
Fooling with a 1930s Atwater Kent tombstone table radio in a converted hospital wing barracks @ Ft Jackson late night, spring 1973, picked up a program from WGN Schenectady NY, Ellen @ Midnight. She was excited to announce she would be playing a newly released LP hand-carried from England on an transatlantic flight. Afaik, the US debut of Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield, the record that launched Virgin nobody else would take on.
Trivia query;
What movie soundtrack theme launched a commercial empire?
The Excorcist.
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swamppirate
Lunatic Member
I have a Kenwood KT-7500….very clean sounding
I have a refurbished Eico Classic Series 2200. I was tuning between my two favorite stations and paused on a local Christian station. The recording was the simplest imaginable, just a solo singer and his guitar in a recording booth. The lifelike presentation blew me away!
TunerLanding
Active Member
I have a Luxman Acculock tuner from the early 80s and it has a light that goes on when the signal is strong enough to go into stereo 2 channel mode. Local jazz station places the jazz group with amazing soundstage, I was amazed. Probably between cassette and LP sound quality
Not exactly audiophile but memorable nonetheless: In 1982 I had an Accuphase T-100 in Dallas. It has a built-in AM antenna. One night I had insomnia and started tuning across the AM dial and picked up WBBM from Chicago. I guess it's not that unusual but it sure impressed me!
Some years later an audio dealer brought some gear to my house to try. When he arrived, the T-100 was playing. He said: "Your CD player sounds really good"! I said: "Actually it's my tuner"!
I kept the T-100 for many years but eventually it needed repairs I could not find locally. It was a good investment nonetheless!
Some years later an audio dealer brought some gear to my house to try. When he arrived, the T-100 was playing. He said: "Your CD player sounds really good"! I said: "Actually it's my tuner"!
I kept the T-100 for many years but eventually it needed repairs I could not find locally. It was a good investment nonetheless!
loopstick
Lunatic Member
One wintry afternoon I'm tuned to a shortwave station that's fading in and out. For at least 1/2 hour no announcements, just uninterrupted music. WTF is this? I said. Please somebody break in and tell me what this is. Finally the guy said it was Live At Leeds and the next time my parents went to the big city I grabbed a copy. It was a tectonic shift in local culture. Or so I was told.
amptramp
Well-Known Member
I was a dedicated AM radio DX'er looking for distant stations and a copy of Radio - TV Experimenter containing White's Radio Log never left my side. I managed to listen to 135 stations in that book including an impressive haul of 640 KFI Los Angeles from my home in Toronto. I thought that would be the greatest distance reception I would ever get until one night, the usual AM noise went away. I tuned to CKLW 800 Windsor, which was the richest station in Canada since it served the Detroit audience. This is a 50 KW station and it was gone. In its place was carillon music, not the usual hit parade rock. I kept listening and eventually the announcer came on, saying, "This has been a presentation of the carillon at the Hague, relayed via Radio Bonn. That's the one I am never going to beat.
Blue Shadow
Waiting for Vintage Gear from this century
Got a Luxman tuner years ago and it never really lived up to the expectations but it looks great and is in the main rig.
Had a PS-X7 grabbed off CL for an hour and a half...when my brother asked for a tt and I gave it to him as a BD present. I wanted a semi- or full auto to compliment my manual tables with separate tonearms so I could listen to a record while being oblivious to when the record ends. Started looking on CL again. A Technics SL-1600II showed up with a Dynaco SCA-50, Hafler XL280 needing work and a Yamaha TX-1000. I wanted the TT. I looked up the tuner but read about the T-1000 on the FM Tuner Info site, thought meh, but offered buy it all for the asking price because folks wanna move it all. When I met the guy he said everyone was wanting to buy just the tuner. Deal done, haul it home and hook up the tuner.
Boy Howdy, did it sound good from the first moment I heard it. Moved the Luxman T-110 aside and I learned more about the TX. I see why folks wanted to buy the tuner alone. Glad I offered to buy it all as that is the reason I got the deal. Had to read the OM twice to learn more about using it as it is very versatile. Since I live in an excellent FM programming area having a good sounding tuner is most welcome. Enjoyed this tuner for a few years.
Then had my now 2 Luxman tuners, same model, aligned by a member on Tapeheads. Took a year but I was not in a hurry and made that known as he was doing this as a favor. He lived in an area of excellent radio frequency reception and chose to live there because of that reason. Asked if he used the manual to do the work and he said no and that he knew enough about tuners to get them right without following a manual.
Well my Luxman came back. Previously, I couldn't get more than about 2/3 of the signal strength and tuning into stereo was touchy. Tuner would drift after shutdown requiring slight adjustment on power up. All that was changed. Signal meter pegged on appropriate stations, center channel was correct and getting stereo was easy. The tuner was working as it should. I always thought it needed an alignment from the day I bought it but used it anyway because I usually tuned in the strong stations in the area.
The Luxman has now replaced the TX. They both sound very good and so much better than other tuners I have had in the system. Next up is the Citation 23 but it gets regular work, nightly, in the bedroom system and that isn't easy to use from the main rig. But three nice tuners, all sounding great.
Had a PS-X7 grabbed off CL for an hour and a half...when my brother asked for a tt and I gave it to him as a BD present. I wanted a semi- or full auto to compliment my manual tables with separate tonearms so I could listen to a record while being oblivious to when the record ends. Started looking on CL again. A Technics SL-1600II showed up with a Dynaco SCA-50, Hafler XL280 needing work and a Yamaha TX-1000. I wanted the TT. I looked up the tuner but read about the T-1000 on the FM Tuner Info site, thought meh, but offered buy it all for the asking price because folks wanna move it all. When I met the guy he said everyone was wanting to buy just the tuner. Deal done, haul it home and hook up the tuner.
Boy Howdy, did it sound good from the first moment I heard it. Moved the Luxman T-110 aside and I learned more about the TX. I see why folks wanted to buy the tuner alone. Glad I offered to buy it all as that is the reason I got the deal. Had to read the OM twice to learn more about using it as it is very versatile. Since I live in an excellent FM programming area having a good sounding tuner is most welcome. Enjoyed this tuner for a few years.
Then had my now 2 Luxman tuners, same model, aligned by a member on Tapeheads. Took a year but I was not in a hurry and made that known as he was doing this as a favor. He lived in an area of excellent radio frequency reception and chose to live there because of that reason. Asked if he used the manual to do the work and he said no and that he knew enough about tuners to get them right without following a manual.
Well my Luxman came back. Previously, I couldn't get more than about 2/3 of the signal strength and tuning into stereo was touchy. Tuner would drift after shutdown requiring slight adjustment on power up. All that was changed. Signal meter pegged on appropriate stations, center channel was correct and getting stereo was easy. The tuner was working as it should. I always thought it needed an alignment from the day I bought it but used it anyway because I usually tuned in the strong stations in the area.
The Luxman has now replaced the TX. They both sound very good and so much better than other tuners I have had in the system. Next up is the Citation 23 but it gets regular work, nightly, in the bedroom system and that isn't easy to use from the main rig. But three nice tuners, all sounding great.
Old-School
Well-Known Member
Through the years I've owned many different tuners. One that really stole my heart was the SAE Mark VIII. I got it from a friend that I used to buy sell and trade hi-fi with. I loved that thing. Built like a tank. Cool industrial "high-tech" 70's look. Never had an issue with it and it was my main, and favorite tuner for a long time.
I did a big sell off about 15 years ago and all of my tuners went. Including the SAE Mark VIII with a tear in my eye. I'll just get another one later, right? So I go for years without a tuner at all! When things turned back around for me, one of the first things I bought was another Mark VIII. Only problem was this one didnt sound all that great. It worked when I got it then quickly took a dump. I was so bummed out. I sent that tuner to our tuner guru Punker-X for a total rebuild and restoration. That was a year out due to his backlog. I needed something to use in the meantime. I read through the FM tuner info site once again just to get a better idea of what I wanted. That guy had a serious affliction with one particular tuner.. The Kenwood L-02T, with only one tuner ever beating it. The Accuphase T-109V.
That crazy Kenwood tuner is rarer than rare. I couldnt even find one to buy! Anywhere! I've waited long enough and I want a tuner NOW! An Accuphase T-109 popped up on that auction site and after a few messages, I made the deal. I was a motivated buyer, but I had to use my poker face and try to get a good deal. And even at a good deal this is a very expensive tuner. My plans are to use the Accuphase until the SAE is ready and I'll just sell it off if it dont suit my taste.
The Accuphase arrives, its in pristine condition, and I waste no time in putting it into my main rig. First listen. Wow. Is this really a tuner.. I didnt accidentally select CD did I? This thing sounds amazing. Way better than the SAE ever did. Way better than pretty much any other tuner I've owned.
The SAE came back and its indeed restored to it's former glory and beyond. After listening to the two side by side.. at the end of that day, the Accuphase stayed in my main system and I did what any over the top audiophile does.. I kept them both!! I used the SAE in another system. That Accuphase is the whole package for me. Built like a tank. Absolutely stunning to look at with it's thick champagne gold aluminum face, all of the controls feel like quality. It sounds great. It was a real moment of amazement.
I did a big sell off about 15 years ago and all of my tuners went. Including the SAE Mark VIII with a tear in my eye. I'll just get another one later, right? So I go for years without a tuner at all! When things turned back around for me, one of the first things I bought was another Mark VIII. Only problem was this one didnt sound all that great. It worked when I got it then quickly took a dump. I was so bummed out. I sent that tuner to our tuner guru Punker-X for a total rebuild and restoration. That was a year out due to his backlog. I needed something to use in the meantime. I read through the FM tuner info site once again just to get a better idea of what I wanted. That guy had a serious affliction with one particular tuner.. The Kenwood L-02T, with only one tuner ever beating it. The Accuphase T-109V.
That crazy Kenwood tuner is rarer than rare. I couldnt even find one to buy! Anywhere! I've waited long enough and I want a tuner NOW! An Accuphase T-109 popped up on that auction site and after a few messages, I made the deal. I was a motivated buyer, but I had to use my poker face and try to get a good deal. And even at a good deal this is a very expensive tuner. My plans are to use the Accuphase until the SAE is ready and I'll just sell it off if it dont suit my taste.
The Accuphase arrives, its in pristine condition, and I waste no time in putting it into my main rig. First listen. Wow. Is this really a tuner.. I didnt accidentally select CD did I? This thing sounds amazing. Way better than the SAE ever did. Way better than pretty much any other tuner I've owned.
The SAE came back and its indeed restored to it's former glory and beyond. After listening to the two side by side.. at the end of that day, the Accuphase stayed in my main system and I did what any over the top audiophile does.. I kept them both!! I used the SAE in another system. That Accuphase is the whole package for me. Built like a tank. Absolutely stunning to look at with it's thick champagne gold aluminum face, all of the controls feel like quality. It sounds great. It was a real moment of amazement.
Pio1980
AK Member
We had a passive reception class yearly DX contest in a crystal set group several years ago, more than a hundred unique stations in the allotted time wasnt unusual, tho the sets were fairly sophicticated two circuit tuners, more like Marconi era pre-tube era receivers than the familiar basic coil and gelena sets.
TunerLanding
Active Member
Great story! I can definitely imagine an accuphase tuner being stellar. I’ll look out for one
When i retired my Tandberg, I replaced it with an Accuphase T-1100. It is built like a tank and does indeed sound 'stellar'.
beardsley
Active Member
I've owned a lot of tuners over the years as well. I had a Sony ST-A6B for a while. It was the first time I understood how good the radio could sound. Not only was the sound quality absolutely luxurious, with all those gangs I could pick up one of my favorite stations, a college radio station in an adjacent town that played all kinds of great stuff- from old Jazz and Blues to classic rock and independent/alterative- with unprecedented clarity. It was heaven.
Later I had the chance to take home a Realistic TM-1000 and matching SA-1000 amplifier for nothing. Modest little set with the old green scale and light-up needle. I placed it a bedside and hooked it up to the roof antenna. It has a really pleasant sound signature and decent reception too. I recorded tons of programs off the air with that combo.
I've got a Proton 440 with Schotz noise reduction that is very listenable as well.
But the best I think I've ever experienced was a Dynaco FM-3. Not the best reception, but when the reception is strong, wow, it's orgasmic. Stupidly I sold it with its buddy (an Eico HF-81) years ago. One of my life's great regrets.
Later I had the chance to take home a Realistic TM-1000 and matching SA-1000 amplifier for nothing. Modest little set with the old green scale and light-up needle. I placed it a bedside and hooked it up to the roof antenna. It has a really pleasant sound signature and decent reception too. I recorded tons of programs off the air with that combo.
I've got a Proton 440 with Schotz noise reduction that is very listenable as well.
But the best I think I've ever experienced was a Dynaco FM-3. Not the best reception, but when the reception is strong, wow, it's orgasmic. Stupidly I sold it with its buddy (an Eico HF-81) years ago. One of my life's great regrets.
mbphotox
Active Member
Contemplating buying a Yamaha CT-810 right now, bc it would look amazing next to my modern A-S2100.
(analog radio is dead in Switzerland, but I'd love to have a tuner in my system.. )
I never listened to "proper" radio.. just your average station playing the same 30 songs all day long every day...
(analog radio is dead in Switzerland, but I'd love to have a tuner in my system.. )
I never listened to "proper" radio.. just your average station playing the same 30 songs all day long every day...
Might the plethora of bad/poor stations have the effect of making good FM audio sound even better? I'm probably an "easy" listener (not EZ listening music) because our unmodified Sony XDR-F1HD sounds better than I would have expected. It's SQ surprises both of us when listening to the regional Public music station, which clearly contrasts with most (not all) of the FM we can noiselessly receive. The XDR has its limitations so we're maybe just easily impressed.
