pocketchange
AK Member
Mac MR77 w/all tube front end and cheap wrabbet ers...
Tuners?
- Thread starter bully
- Start date
How did you get a tube front end into your MR-77? Can you post a picture?pocketchange said:
pocketchange
AK Member
Missed .. Everything ELSE IS TUBEs but the MR77!
PreAmp and Amp ='s ALL Tube front end.
I had a MR71 but tired of the generated heat.
PreAmp and Amp's are in a vented closet.
PreAmp and Amp ='s ALL Tube front end.
I had a MR71 but tired of the generated heat.
PreAmp and Amp's are in a vented closet.
stereokarter
New Member
Current:
Scott LT110 FM tube tuner
Scott 310D tube (mono) FM tuner
Scott 335 Mpx decoder
Toshiba ST445 AM/FM ss tuner
Kenwood KT8300 ss FM tuner (Randy Young mods.)
Previously owned:
McIntosh MR78 ss FM tuner
Toshiba ST335 AM/F? ss tuner
Scott 310E tube FM tuner
Radio Craftsman tuner (model unknown)
Scott LT110 FM tube tuner
Scott 310D tube (mono) FM tuner
Scott 335 Mpx decoder
Toshiba ST445 AM/FM ss tuner
Kenwood KT8300 ss FM tuner (Randy Young mods.)
Previously owned:
McIntosh MR78 ss FM tuner
Toshiba ST335 AM/F? ss tuner
Scott 310E tube FM tuner
Radio Craftsman tuner (model unknown)
skiroe
Yep, thats the offspring
Tuna stable past & present
Current that are being used:
Kenwood KT-8300 ( Mike Williams overhaul)
Accuphase T-100
Yamaha T-85 (new acquisition & checking out)
Stored: Scott 112B >>> alignment can be done by the user without the usually required scopes, etc. Bought it for that reason couple of years ago although still havnt tried to align it. The first S/S tuner Scott made, I think, after their tube tuners.
Past tuners:
Luxman 5T50
Luxman T-12
Accuphase T-101
Mac MR71, MR74
Hitachi FT920 (sleeper, good sonics for little $)
Contemplating buying MR78 or Kenwood 600T
Current that are being used:
Kenwood KT-8300 ( Mike Williams overhaul)
Accuphase T-100
Yamaha T-85 (new acquisition & checking out)
Stored: Scott 112B >>> alignment can be done by the user without the usually required scopes, etc. Bought it for that reason couple of years ago although still havnt tried to align it. The first S/S tuner Scott made, I think, after their tube tuners.
Past tuners:
Luxman 5T50
Luxman T-12
Accuphase T-101
Mac MR71, MR74
Hitachi FT920 (sleeper, good sonics for little $)
Contemplating buying MR78 or Kenwood 600T
skiroe
Yep, thats the offspring
P.S. on the Scott 112B. I have the original manual which is like a small coffee table book w/color illustrations ,, instructions on building, and how to align. If I recall this tuner was a kit although I dont know if this particular one was owner or factory built. It might well say somewhere on the unit. it needs to come out and be run for awhile. Last year when I took it out it had condensation inside on the dial area,, yikes.. and this was from being stored in my living space. Had a bit of a moisture problem here. At any rate, it has multipurpose meters and has multipath feature which I always must have in my tuners. Although I have just swerved from that requirement by buying the T-85 which does not have multipath function which was surprising to me. But, then again, there are top tuners that dont have that. I think that function is exceedingly important to optomize tuning in a station.
doug s.
Super Member
curious your opinion of accuphase t101 vs t100.
and, don't bother w/the mr78 - imo the two macs you awreddy owned both outperform it sonically. unless you have exceptionally difficult reception conditions, the mr78 is not worth it. and even if you did, i would look for something else w/excellent reception abilities - almost anything that can compete receptionwise will sound better.
and, don't bother w/the mr78 - imo the two macs you awreddy owned both outperform it sonically. unless you have exceptionally difficult reception conditions, the mr78 is not worth it. and even if you did, i would look for something else w/excellent reception abilities - almost anything that can compete receptionwise will sound better.
skiroe said:
skiroe
Yep, thats the offspring
I dont have a lot to say that hasnt already been said re/100 vs. 101. The build quality is better on the 100. I had them both running at one time but not A/B'ed so could not really compare sonics. They both presented with accurate and detailed imaging and I didnt think the 101 was too bright, at least in my system. I may have held on to the 101 but for the slight tranny hum. I am very sensitive to that sort of thing and want dead quiet for the most part from my equipment except of course expect some associated hash from tube units. Although, the tranny should be quiet on those too. Most people would not have been concerned with the tranny hum that the 101 had. You had to really know what you are looking for and listen intently. But, it was there. I cushioned the tranny with rubber gasket to no avail and contemplated sending the tuner out,,but for the most part I was informed that there was not a fix for that aside from changing the tranny out. I think this is an example of 100 vs 101 build quality. I would be curious in knowing how many other people have experienced this w/101. I realize that 78 is not known for really good sonics. I plan on moving to rural area at some point and the 78 (modded & upgraded only) could be a reasonably good dx'er. At least it used to be. But, at its cost,, the 600T might be the way I go. Although filter work required to improve selectivity on this unit.
riverrat
professional camper
sump pump said:current line-up of Tuners (all stock)
Digital: Sony SA50-ES , Yamaha TX-930
Analog: Pioneer TX-9500II, Onkyo T-9, Yamaha T-550
:yes:Tuners are
sump, would you care to compare your T-9 with some of the other tuners in your line-up? Mine sounds better than any other tuner I own.
I like the styling of most of my other tuners more, but sound-wise the Onkyo beats them all.
I need to get a decent antenna so I can't really comment on reception capabilities.
sump pump
Active Member
riverrat said:
Hey riverrat - it's funny you say that about the Onkyo T-9 - sound wise it is one of my favorites. It is straight up clean and very well rounded. It has the "blackest" presentation in terms of background noise - very, very, quiet. It is very level or "flat" - in that it is not colored, or overly warm, YET, very true. It sounds near perfect.
The Pioneer 9500II (which I also love for other reasons) - is a tad brighter and seems a little warmer - but not as true as the Onkyo T-9.
I prefer the sound of my Analog tuners the most, but I will tell you the Sony SA50ES can sound damn close as the Onkyo T-9, it is as dimensionally true as the T-9, just not as quiet.
The one snag with the Onkyo T-9 is that it "rejects" anything with a signal strength less than 4, therefore, I cannot use it effectively with some of the stations I seek to listen to. Mostly, lower powered Public Radio Stations in the Chicago & Milwaukee area :sigh:
For this reason, I have the Yamaha TX-930, which can tune in almost any station in the area, and two area's over - but not with the same quality as the Tuners I mentioned
Actually, I like the looks of the Onkyo T-9; - kind of Industrial - Inevitably, most of my buddies cannot resist turning the huge ass Tuning knob, and give it a whirl when they get a chance :yes:
Gigapod
Vintage audio amateur
I have three tuners at home right now:
1) Yamaha T-760 (1981).
2) Yamaha T-960II (1982).
3) Luxman T-111L (1988).
The Luxman gets played about 12 hours every day and so far is my favourite all-rounder: looks, sound, sensitivity, SNR, ease of use, layout.
(edit)
Just added two more tuners:
4) Yamaha T-1060 (1982).
5) Luxman T-105 (1984).
I haven't tested them yet so my favourite is still the sleek black Luxman T-111L. The silver Yamaha T-1060 looks quite impressive. The Luxman T-105 matches my LV-105u hybrid tube/mosfet amp.
(edit2)
6) Got a Yamaha TX-540 yesterday, and tested it today.
Surprise, surprise: the T-105 sounds better than its younger brother the T-111L, and better than all the Yamahas, including the TX-540. And it's quite happy with a 50cm long piece of wire as its FM antenna. Go figure!
1) Yamaha T-760 (1981).
2) Yamaha T-960II (1982).
3) Luxman T-111L (1988).
The Luxman gets played about 12 hours every day and so far is my favourite all-rounder: looks, sound, sensitivity, SNR, ease of use, layout.
(edit)
Just added two more tuners:
4) Yamaha T-1060 (1982).
5) Luxman T-105 (1984).
I haven't tested them yet so my favourite is still the sleek black Luxman T-111L. The silver Yamaha T-1060 looks quite impressive. The Luxman T-105 matches my LV-105u hybrid tube/mosfet amp.
(edit2)
6) Got a Yamaha TX-540 yesterday, and tested it today.
Surprise, surprise: the T-105 sounds better than its younger brother the T-111L, and better than all the Yamahas, including the TX-540. And it's quite happy with a 50cm long piece of wire as its FM antenna. Go figure!
Last edited:
doug s.
Super Member
you may wanna seriously consider sending your t-9 tuna over to mike williams (aka punker x, on this forum), for repair & mods. he's not too far, over in michigan. he does excellent work.sump pump said:
http://radioxtuners.com/
doug s.
riverrat
professional camper
Thanks Doug!
I actually have my Sony STA-6B in the queue with Mike.
I also have a Denon TU-850 on the way to dr*audio (I haven't seen this unit yet- going straight to dr*audio from the seller).
I may, at some point, put some $$ into my T-9. It has some bulbs out, which I hear is common with these units, and it would probably be good to see what it would do with a proper alignment.
Truth be told, I live in a rural area and don't have access to a lot of good FM content- mainly NPR and their various programs. I just like tuners!
But I think I am winding down on tuner acquisition, unless I come across a deal I just cannot pass up.
I actually have my Sony STA-6B in the queue with Mike.
I also have a Denon TU-850 on the way to dr*audio (I haven't seen this unit yet- going straight to dr*audio from the seller).
I may, at some point, put some $$ into my T-9. It has some bulbs out, which I hear is common with these units, and it would probably be good to see what it would do with a proper alignment.
Truth be told, I live in a rural area and don't have access to a lot of good FM content- mainly NPR and their various programs. I just like tuners!
But I think I am winding down on tuner acquisition, unless I come across a deal I just cannot pass up.
doug s.
Super Member
tell me what you think about that sony, when you get it back - i have one w/bob fitzgerald, of the tic, that i am waiting to hear.riverrat said:
i know what you mean when you say you think you are winding down on tuna acquisition. i thought the same, but every time i sell one, i end up buying another two!
actually, there really aren't many left that i am interested in hearing, that i haven't awreddy heard, so mebbe i really will finally start winding down my tuna hoarding activities. :scratch2:doug s.
riverrat
professional camper
doug s. said:tell me what you think about that sony, when you get it back - i have one w/bob fitzgerald, of the tic, that i am waiting to hear.
doug s.
Will do. It will probably be awhile, I have not yet gotten the go ahead to send it to him, although I did get in line about 5 weeks ago. Mike said he is running about 6-9 weeks lead time right now.
One thing I DO like about the T-9 is the feature that turns off the quartz lock as soon as you touch the tuning knob. It even has three different sensitivity settings. Gives the best of both worlds- quartz lock, but ability to fine tune a station before the QL turns on.
But the T-9 has relatively primitive, uncool lights for the meters and tuning dial. Childish, I know, to worry about such things. But I just can't help it.
I'm thinking I will try to limit my stable to:
1. Sony STA-6B
2. Denon TU-850
3. Onkyo T-9
4. Sansui TU-719 (may swap out for a TU-717. Would prefer a TU-919 if I could ever find one at a decent price- FAT chance.)
5. Maybe an upper end Kenwood- have the nicest backlit tuning dials I have seen. I have a KT-7500 that I got for $20. It stays on permanently due to finicky lights that only light up once every 30 times I turn it on. I like the look of the Euro KT-9900 a lot.
6. MAYBE an AIWA 9700. Cool looking tuner!
doug s.
Super Member
i have owned many of the tunas you mention. imo, the denon tu-850 is a wee bit better than the sansui tu719 & tu717, w/the 719 the tiniest bit better than the 717. but, those sansui's are excellent. and, they are all responsive to mods. (don't forget about the mitsubishi da-f20 - an amazing tuna, when in good shape.) the aiwa at9700u is a sleeper; definitely get one, if you can find one. tho not expensive, they are rare. my 9700 is an errgonomic joy, & its sonics & reception are excellent. i am seriously considering getting it modded; it may be my #1 tuna after mods. my present #1 tuna is not yet determined - i need to do careful blind a-b testing between my modded hk citation 18, which i have owned for several years, & my modded sansui's - tu-x1 tu-9900, which i have only recently acquired. sonically equal to those, but not nearly as sensitive, are my sherwoods - s3000lll mono & modded s3000v; my sansui fm8, & my stromberg-carlson sr445. the sc's sensitivity is tryly abysmal; the sherwoods & sansui are actually quite good, for old tube tunas. i owned a kenwood kt-9900; it was beautiful, but it was also only one of a handful of tunas i wouldn't want to keep, due to only so-so sonics. if you wanna mod it, tho, then it's a whole new ball game. i owned a bill ammons modded kt7550 that was excellent sounding; its only issue was its ultimate quieting was noticeably less quite than other excellent sounding tunas.riverrat said:
good luck,
doug s.
ps - decent price on a tu-919 on agon right now...
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?misctunr&1176940886
Vitopanch
Super Member
Hail,
Tuners are my favorite piece of audio gear, although I have only been actually learning about them recently. The ones that I have so far are;
Nikko NT-850 my first one,
Nikko NT-950,
HH Scott LT-112B used for DXing,
Teac T-303 used for AM,
Kenwood KT-8007 used for Dxing,
Harman Kardon TU610 x 2
I just ordered Bob Carver's Ultimate AM Antenna and am excited about using that on the Teac and after reading Whitehall's post about the Outdoor Antenna Performance Calcs, I am going to be purchasing one of those APS-13antennas after I shingle the house roof.
I also have been reading that Punkerx takes on refubishing tuners and plan to see as to whether I can have him go through my Scott, Teac and Kenwood.
I enjoy the posts in this forum and appreciate all of the learning that is available. Man, this is a deep subject. so much to learn.
Vito
Tuners are my favorite piece of audio gear, although I have only been actually learning about them recently. The ones that I have so far are;
Nikko NT-850 my first one,
Nikko NT-950,
HH Scott LT-112B used for DXing,
Teac T-303 used for AM,
Kenwood KT-8007 used for Dxing,
Harman Kardon TU610 x 2
I just ordered Bob Carver's Ultimate AM Antenna and am excited about using that on the Teac and after reading Whitehall's post about the Outdoor Antenna Performance Calcs, I am going to be purchasing one of those APS-13antennas after I shingle the house roof.
I also have been reading that Punkerx takes on refubishing tuners and plan to see as to whether I can have him go through my Scott, Teac and Kenwood.
I enjoy the posts in this forum and appreciate all of the learning that is available. Man, this is a deep subject. so much to learn.
Vito