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Receivers with best tuners?

Will add a plug for the 70's Tandberg receivers, TR 10xx and TR 20xx models. Very good FM performance on all of them, and at least on the Tr 20xx models, the same tuner in the entry model as found in the TOTL model so you can get great FM w/o spending a fortune, if your system is suited to modest power amp ratings. A lot of the smaller models also had preset FM tuning, a nice plus not seen that often on analog tuners.

John
 
I have never owned a receiver that got decent FM reception without an external antenna. The better the antenna the better the reception.
 
When Yamaha came out with original integrated DSP-A1, they also offered a few stand alone tuners. Because only their TOTL tuner could decode from cable TV with a second input, I got that one.

Many years and a few big Yamahas later, I got their RX-Z9 receiver. At $4,500, it's probably the best receiver they ever produced. But the old stand alone tuner that I got with the A1 is better than the tuner in the RX-Z9 in that it pulls in more and more distant stations, clearer.
 
toddalin said:
When Yamaha came out with original integrated DSP-A1, they also offered a few stand alone tuners. Because only their TOTL tuner could decode from cable TV with a second input, I got that one.

Many years and a few big Yamahas later, I got their RX-Z9 receiver. At $4,500, it's probably the best receiver they ever produced. But the old stand alone tuner that I got with the A1 is better than the tuner in the RX-Z9 in that it pulls in more and more distant stations, clearer.
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Which model tuner do you have? I use the RX-V1 receiver that followed the A1 and the tuner pulls in stations quite well but SQ is nothing special, particularly compared to the T-85 I run through it for FM listening.
 
Receiver tuner quality in my house at present:

1. Sherwood S7100-A ...... (not refurbished)
2. Pioneer SX-1000TW.... (refurbished)
3. Pioneer SX-950............ (refurbished)
4. Sansui-771................... (refurbished)
5. Pioneer SX-636............ (not refurbished)

The Sherwood has by far the best tuner of my receivers. I have a $2 set of TV rabbit ears hooked to it and the tuner is terrific. Especially surprising since this was not a high-end product when it was sold. That receiver has a great sound to it. I really like it. When I recap this unit, I will skip the tuner.

The SX-1000TW is close behind Sherwood, but it is a TOTL unit. You should expect a lot.
The SX-950 improved a lot when I recapped the tuner. Not far behind the 1000TW. It still, though, is in need of an alignment.
The 771 is a near tie with the 950. My favorite receiver overall. Presently in the top spot in the living room.
The SX-636's tuner is really good as it is, the whole thing is in great cosmetic shape, but it needs a recap. It will likely blossom when I get around to it.
 
I put Tandberg tuners up there with McIntosh for RF prowess. Sound is very fine too. Norway's terrain for FM reception is difficult. Pioneer's 1970's receivers had much better than average AM and FM sections, very nice. Trio-Kenwood is a superb tuner most years, but then again Trio-Kenwood builds commercial land mobile two way radio gear and amateur radio gear, and that expertise speaks volumes.
 
ghazzer said:
I have never owned a receiver that got decent FM reception without an external antenna. The better the antenna the better the reception.
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I never heard of any hi fi component that got decent reception without an external antenna...or do you mean exterior antenna?
 
Very nice, I had one of those a while back. Good sounding tuner with great reception and a very full set of features.
 
I'm in a tough reception area, (sand dunes) and my
Yamaha CR 400 pulls in the Chicago stations pretty well.
I still might go with an outside antenna.
 
Lots of receivers have been through here over the years. Seems like I remember the HK 930 had a pretty good tuner, able to lock onto the weaker stations with just a dipole wire antenna.

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Wow you guys are a fabulous source of information, although I have no idea what integrated circuits are or a dual bandwidth IF stage is, I certainly have a great list of receivers to look out for. Looking for a receiver for a friend who hasn't had a system in years, as well as for my own reference. I have a Sansui 5000x which is pretty great, a Pioneer sx-535, a Realistic sta-860 and a Realistic sta-82. The cool story about the Sansui is, I got it via Craigslist from a gent who bought it at the PX when he was in Vietnam in the early 70's and had it shipped home. It came with the operator's manual, the service manual, a schematic, and three separate lists of Sansui authorized service stations in the US and Canada, and two lists for stations in the world. All that because the deal also came with a pair of Sansui SP-2500 speakers (with a small manual for each speaker). It also came with a nice older tower style cabinet with the glass door. All the equipment is in great condition. I did have to get the tuner aligned at a local shop. All of this stuff I got for $150, I guess a pretty good find. I wound up giving the speakers to my church garage sale as they just didn't sound that great, and weigh a ton. I still have the manuals for them though. The Pioneer I got from Craigslist for $70, it is great, and the Realistics for about 20 apiece. I'm musician as well and am always crusing Craigslist for stuff, have found treasures for cheap. Thank you all for your much valued input, I totally love Audiokarma, and very much appreciate people's willingness to share their knowledge.. KUDOS!
 
martind28 said:
Wow you guys are a fabulous source of information, although I have no idea what integrated circuits are or a dual bandwidth IF stage is, I certainly have a great list of receivers to look out for. Looking for a receiver for a friend who hasn't had a system in years, as well as for my own reference. I have a Sansui 5000x which is pretty great, a Pioneer sx-535, a Realistic sta-860 and a Realistic sta-82. The cool story about the Sansui is, I got it via Craigslist from a gent who bought it at the PX when he was in Vietnam in the early 70's and had it shipped home. It came with the operator's manual, the service manual, a schematic, and three separate lists of Sansui authorized service stations in the US and Canada, and two lists for stations in the world. All that because the deal also came with a pair of Sansui SP-2500 speakers (with a small manual for each speaker). It also came with a nice older tower style cabinet with the glass door. All the equipment is in great condition. I did have to get the tuner aligned at a local shop. All of this stuff I got for $150, I guess a pretty good find. I wound up giving the speakers to my church garage sale as they just didn't sound that great, and weigh a ton. I still have the manuals for them though. The Pioneer I got from Craigslist for $70, it is great, and the Realistics for about 20 apiece. I'm musician as well and am always crusing Craigslist for stuff, have found treasures for cheap. Thank you all for your much valued input, I totally love Audiokarma, and very much appreciate people's willingness to share their knowledge.. KUDOS!
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Your Realistic has "Auto Magic" like my STA 85 that still does a good job locking in a station. My Kenwood KR 4600 is a bit more sensitive than my STA 85 but the Realistic sounds better all the way around witch astounds everybody that I have listen to it.
 
Yes I started my audio aventure getting the two Realistics due to the many good things I read about them here, and the fact that you can get them CHEAP, but lately I've been seeing some higher prices for them, like everything else I guess. Cheap is my middle name lol
 
Bodyblue said:
Your Realistic has "Auto Magic" like my STA 85 that still does a good job locking in a station. My Kenwood KR 4600 is a bit more sensitive than my STA 85 but the Realistic sounds better all the way around witch astounds everybody that I have listen to it.[/QU
Bodyblue said:
Your Realistic has "Auto Magic" like my STA 85 that still does a good job locking in a station. My Kenwood KR 4600 is a bit more sensitive than my STA 85 but the Realistic sounds better all the way around witch astounds everybody that I have listen to it.
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Does anyone know what "Auto Magic" actually is?
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martind28 said:
Yes I started my audio aventure getting the two Realistics due to the many good things I read about them here, and the fact that you can get them CHEAP, but lately I've been seeing some higher prices for them, like everything else I guess. Cheap is my middle name lol
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I have noticed a higher price lately as well, not huge but they are going up. Realistic kept its wood cases longer than most other brands (many still had the wood endcaps). I wanted an STA 85 because it was one of the few 70s units that had a black aluminum face and knobs. I love silver faces but the wood and black is a great combo. This is mine after I put the blue LEDs in it but I might go back to warm white since it has a cream colored dial. I use Polk Tsx 110bs (90db) and it sounds just perfect for my needs.

16107154_1395467183806558_996708689208964705_o.jpg
 
Bodyblue said:
I have noticed a higher price lately as well, not huge but they are going up. Realistic kept its wood cases longer than most other brands (many still had the wood endcaps). I wanted an STA 85 because it was one of the few 70s units that had a black aluminum face and knobs. I love silver faces but the wood and black is a great combo. This is mine after I put the blue LEDs in it but I might go back to warm white since it has a cream colored dial. I use Polk Tsx 110bs (90db) and it sounds just perfect for my needs.

16107154_1395467183806558_996708689208964705_o.jpg
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That's really nice..Hey, I see you're an officer.. my Dad was, and I thank you for your service and all you do..
 
McIntosh are nice tuners, but they can also be found in some odd spots. I have a Panasonic RE-7700 that looks like nothing special but has a great tuner in it.
 
My current favorite sounding tuner in a receiver is a Sansui 2000x, it will not handle the crowded part of the dial as good as many nor will it grab far far away stations but what it does catch will seduce you.
 
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