KCSM

[rmp]

KCSM broadcasts its regular FM signal at 91.1 from San Mateo, Calif. It also simulcasts at KPJK TV channel 60-6 from San Francisco. For those who have a strong signal from both sources, how does the quality compare?

 

[cwh]

Bump for KCSM, one of the few Jazz stations around. KJAZ gone but not forgotten.

Don't have an answer as I don't listen to FM anymore nor do I watch on air TV.

 

[rmp]

I can't get KCSM FM well enough at my location to do a valid comparison, but TV 60-6 routed through a hifi sounds very good to my old ears.

Neither KCSM nor KPJK advertizes the arrangement. They might get more donations if they did.

 

[59volvo]

how about kkup?

 

[rmp]

The question pertains to a station that is broadcasting both a radio signal and a TV signal at the same time. Do the two technologies sound the same? To a keen ear using fine equipment, probably not.

I am not aware that KKUP is broadcasting a TV signal.

 

[59volvo]

The question pertains to a station that is broadcasting both a radio signal and a TV signal at the same time. Do the two technologies sound the same? To a keen ear using fine equipment, probably not.

I am not aware that KKUP is broadcasting a TV signal.

I think kkup is just fm

 

[rmp]

OK. With at least 3 million people (in a jazz-loving area) having good reception of both sources, I thought I might get one or two comparisons. That tells you that not many people listen to FM at home and listen to broadcast TV. It also tells you how old-fashioned I am.

For a more valid comparison, I temporarily re-oriented a roof-top Stellar FM to KCSM. The tuner is a Scott 312C with ICs in the IF. The TV is a Samsung 5200 connected to a modest FiiO D07 DAC. Both were routed to the same amp and speakers. Both signal sources are about 35 miles from me, with intervening mountains.

It turned out to be an easy win for FM. Probably the DAC is so-so. There were obviously better lows from FM, and even the highs were more distinct. Voices were equal. There was possibly a slight edge in separation to the TV. Of course, there was no multiplex noise from the TV, but there wasn't much from the Scott.