Should I?

[vintagecrank]

I have a chance to pick up a model Sony ST-S730ES tuner for 75.00 in working condition. Is this a good deal? If you thinks so what would be a good amp to run throgh it.
Thanks for any advice.

 

[ikorman]

If it was me, i would only get it if I already had a matching Sony amp, whatever it looks like. But if you are short on tuners, why not?

 

[BeerLegs]

That's a pretty good tuner. My buddy has one and likes it. That price certainly not out of line.

 

[vintagecrank]

I don't have a matching ES amp, need to find one is there a classified section?

Thanks everybody for your input!

 

[Punker X]

Good price.. One of Sony's best from that decade... I'd pick it up if it was in good cosmetic shape.

 

[vintagecrank]

Thanks Punker X
It is in new condition, trying to find a ES Amp from the early decade of the 90s

1 think I found one on eBay for 295 don't know if that's a good price, but thanks Punker X!

 

[ikorman]

So, I am re-evaluating my previous statement, and the tuner looks to be a good one. I think the matching set for this would be TA-E77ESD preamp and a TA-N77ES power amp. There would be a nice CD player in the series, I would think, too.

 

[ikorman]

Seems the CDP-707ES is a matching CD player...

 

[ikorman]

Sorry for flooding... If you wanted to "cheat" a little bit and not get the uber-expensive TA-E77ESD and TA-N77ES, there is also a good looking TA-F730ES integrated amplifier. It's a heavy-hitter with 105 watts per channel.

 

[vintagecrank]

ikorman, wow thank for the info. It probably would be difficult finding a pair of pre/amp to match, or would it?
Thank you so much!

 

[Jody Thornton]

Now I would have to ask (if you weren't trying to match other ES components), what makes this tuner worth $75.00? Sorry, but I'm no longer of the opinion that ANY analog tuner is worth real money any more. Exceptions might be if it had wideband (10K response) on the AM section, or if it was really nice conditioned older analog tuner (with flywheel controls or something. But even then I'd haggle.

Besides being an ES component, did anything stand out apart for this tuner, as compared to others? I looked it up, but couldn't find such statements. Just that it was indeed nice.

 

[jdurbin1]

http://www.fmtunerinfo.com/sony.html

scroll down... big writeup on this model and its qualities.

BTW this is a digital tuner, not analog - and a very good one, at that.


John

 

[Jody Thornton]

It's a digitally synthesized analog tuner. When I refer to it as an analog tuner, I mean it receives analog FM waves and reproduces them. Differentiating from a streaming Internet radio or a new HD-radio. Not the tuning method.

And it sounds like other than drifting issues that yes it's indeed a nice tuner. But again, you're OK with parting with any kind of real money for ANY FM tuner? I'm just of the opinion that radio (although I work in it) is on it's last legs. To me spending serious money on radio in a hi-fi seems questionable. I can see needing radio in a car, but even those days will wind down quick.

I'm saying even a Sequerra, Sansui or Tandberg tuner (ones that cost $1,000 +); why spend real money to hear audio that has most of the dynamics choked out of it?


The OP in this thread appeals to my sense of thinking. And I REALLY loved FM back in the day.
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/what-attracts-you-to-tuners.720487/

 

[ikorman]

But again, you're OK with parting with any kind of real money for ANY FM tuner? I'm just of the opinion that radio (although I work in it) is on it's last legs. To me spending serious money on radio in a hi-fi seems questionable. I can see needing radio in a car, but even those days will wind down quick.

I'm saying even a Sequerra, Sansui or Tandberg tuner (ones that cost $1,000 +); why spend real money to hear audio that has most of the dynamics choked out of it?

I would almost agree, but you have to take into account where the person lives. I live in a fairly decent FM area with 3 or 4 strong mainstream stations and a REALLY nice non-profit local station with stellar equipment, high-wattage transmitting station, excellent staff and very interesting programming (great music, good talk shows). Having a good FM tuner really makes a difference when listening to any of the stations in my area.

 

[Lesterbest]

"Having a good FM tuner really makes a difference when listening to any of the stations in my area."

Having a good antenna really makes a difference when listening to any of my stations in NYC.

 

[jdurbin1]

Just because you've thrown in the towel on "analog" FM based on your local experience (as have some others), doesn't mean everyone else in the world has. As mentioned it makes a difference where you are, and how you're getting signal to the tuner.

I'd buy that tuner for $75 all day, but I already have one... bought new in 91 or so as part of my multi-room system. I also own the next model below it from the same period, the ST-S550ES. And a Sansui TU-717, and a house literally full of Tandberg tuners - none of which cost me near $1,000 either.

John

 

[Jody Thornton]

Just because you've thrown in the towel on "analog" FM based on your local experience (as have some others), doesn't mean everyone else in the world has. As mentioned it makes a difference where you are, and how you're getting signal to the tuner.

I'd buy that tuner for $75 all day, but I already have one... bought new in 91 or so as part of my multi-room system. I also own the next model below it from the same period, the ST-S550ES. And a Sansui TU-717, and a house literally full of Tandberg tuners - none of which cost me near $1,000 either.

John

And that's fine John. I'm not being argumentative. Believe me, I loved nice tuners in the 80s and 90s. And good for you that you're in a great radio market. I am glad for you. Just that I look FM as sort of the bottom of the audio chain now, and it's OK to see that reflected here too. (for example, look at 8-track forums on tape heads)

If I was a new member that came to a forum and wanted to get a balanced view on what a modern day hi-fi buff feels towards FM tuners, I'd want to know some still really enjoy them, both also that some question their merit in a modern-day world. That's all


Have a good day.

 

[Lesterbest]

Obviously if the stations in your area suck, why bother. I only listen to WBGO (24 hr jazz) & WKCR (Columbia Univ) which has very good jazz programing.

 

[jdurbin1]

I wouldn't call it great here in SD, but not completely defunct either... and I would remind you that many people looked at tape (and to some extent LP) as the bottom of the audio chain when new and exciting digital sources came out, but look at both today. LP sales rising, turntable business still in existence, tape going back into manufacture (very limited but a step back from the grave). FM is still more alive than either of those.

John

 

[Jody Thornton]

I wouldn't call it great here in SD, but not completely defunct either... and I would remind you that many people looked at tape (and to some extent LP) as the bottom of the audio chain when new and exciting digital sources came out, but look at both today. LP sales rising, turntable business still in existence, tape going back into manufacture (very limited but a step back from the grave). FM is still more alive than either of those.

John

You make some good points in comparing the rise and fall of other formats. However, I wouldn't see FM (more so radio) that way. Currently, what prolongs the survival of the FM band is the car. When a reliable bluetooth/wi-fi streaming option becomes available for the car, it's night-night radio.

And that will arrive frighteningly soon. Despite, the perceived tone my posts might give, even I will lament the disappearance of radio.