Tuners?
- Thread starter bully
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Vinyl Rules!
Well-Known Member
Marantz 125 (long)
FWIW, the Marantz 125 is, IMHO, a much undervalued tuner regarding it's sound quality. It's the same internally as the Marantz 150 - It just doesn't have the sexy scope. When we were selling them at the store I worked at, retail was $ 329.95 and we sold them for $299 and I wasn't aware of anything from anyone in the price range that could come close to the Marantz 125 in sound quality. We sold a large variety of tuners: Accuphase, Adcom, "Charlie the Tuner," Crown, Kenwood, Kyocera, Marantz, Mitsubishi, PS Audio, Perreaux, Quad, Sequerra, Setton (there's a name most of you probably never heard of!), Sony, and Technics tuners.
This may seem like an unbelievable number of tuners, but our store was in Chapel Hill and at the time our local customers could pick from the NPR stations in Chapel Hill and Winston-Salem (Wake Forest University), and the Student FM Stations, at Duke, NCSU, Shaw University, St. Augustine College, and UNC. All of these stations broadcast many live performances and there was no compression used, so we were in what I consider "tuner heaven" because of the quality of the broadcasts: According to our Manufacturer Reps, we sold more tuners than many stores in markets like New York City, Washington/Baltimore, and Atlanta: It was not uncommon for us to sell 7 to 10 tuners weekly, so all of us had much experience with many good tuner brands.
For the money the Marantz 125 and the Mitsubishi DA-F20 were untouchable at their price points, but we sold more of the Marantzs because Mitsubishi was relatively new and our customers were reluctant to purchase product new to the marketplace.
We got to take home and try out anything we wanted to, and I have to admit I am a confirmed "tunerholic:" I now attend TA (Tunerholics Anonymous) meetings and I have to stand up and say, "Hi, my name is Vinyl Rules! and I like to listen to live FM broadcasts!"
From a listening perspective, I look for natural reproduction of the midrange and good depth and 3-D reproduction. The tuners we sold that excelled at this were, in alphabetical order:
1. Accuphase T-100
2. Accuphase T-101
3. "Charlie the Tuner"
4. Kenwood KT-8007
5. Marantz 125/150
6. Mitsubishi DA-F20
7. Quad FM-4
8. Sequerra Model No. 1 Broadcast Monitor
9. Sony ST-5000F/ST-5000FW
10. Sony ST-5950SD
11. Technics ST-9030
I got to listen to all of these at home, could buy all but the Accuphase, Quad and Sequerra at "accomodation" prices (50% of retail), and I bought the Marantz 125 as I was a student working my way through school. If I could have bought anything, I would have bought the Accuphase T-100, but it was out of my price range.
My interest in tuners continues to this day. I'm fortunate to live in an area where I receive independent FM college stations and public radio stations, many of which still do live broadcasts from their studios, and my tuner of choice is the McIntosh MR-74: I've tried many newer tuners and the only ones that come close to the MR74 in sound quality are the Pioneer F-91, the Sony ST-J75 and the Sony ST-S730ES. I'm told the McIntosh MR77 is slightly better sounding than the MR74 but I've not tried one and I need the extra selectivity of the MR74 in my location.
[Note: I have never listened to a Tandberg 3001A and people I know and whose opinion I respect say this one may be the best tuner ever made, after the presets have been updated and fixed.]
So there you have my biased, but long-term FM listening opinion.
FWIW, the Marantz 125 is, IMHO, a much undervalued tuner regarding it's sound quality. It's the same internally as the Marantz 150 - It just doesn't have the sexy scope. When we were selling them at the store I worked at, retail was $ 329.95 and we sold them for $299 and I wasn't aware of anything from anyone in the price range that could come close to the Marantz 125 in sound quality. We sold a large variety of tuners: Accuphase, Adcom, "Charlie the Tuner," Crown, Kenwood, Kyocera, Marantz, Mitsubishi, PS Audio, Perreaux, Quad, Sequerra, Setton (there's a name most of you probably never heard of!), Sony, and Technics tuners.
This may seem like an unbelievable number of tuners, but our store was in Chapel Hill and at the time our local customers could pick from the NPR stations in Chapel Hill and Winston-Salem (Wake Forest University), and the Student FM Stations, at Duke, NCSU, Shaw University, St. Augustine College, and UNC. All of these stations broadcast many live performances and there was no compression used, so we were in what I consider "tuner heaven" because of the quality of the broadcasts: According to our Manufacturer Reps, we sold more tuners than many stores in markets like New York City, Washington/Baltimore, and Atlanta: It was not uncommon for us to sell 7 to 10 tuners weekly, so all of us had much experience with many good tuner brands.
For the money the Marantz 125 and the Mitsubishi DA-F20 were untouchable at their price points, but we sold more of the Marantzs because Mitsubishi was relatively new and our customers were reluctant to purchase product new to the marketplace.
We got to take home and try out anything we wanted to, and I have to admit I am a confirmed "tunerholic:" I now attend TA (Tunerholics Anonymous) meetings and I have to stand up and say, "Hi, my name is Vinyl Rules! and I like to listen to live FM broadcasts!"
From a listening perspective, I look for natural reproduction of the midrange and good depth and 3-D reproduction. The tuners we sold that excelled at this were, in alphabetical order:
1. Accuphase T-100
2. Accuphase T-101
3. "Charlie the Tuner"
4. Kenwood KT-8007
5. Marantz 125/150
6. Mitsubishi DA-F20
7. Quad FM-4
8. Sequerra Model No. 1 Broadcast Monitor
9. Sony ST-5000F/ST-5000FW
10. Sony ST-5950SD
11. Technics ST-9030
I got to listen to all of these at home, could buy all but the Accuphase, Quad and Sequerra at "accomodation" prices (50% of retail), and I bought the Marantz 125 as I was a student working my way through school. If I could have bought anything, I would have bought the Accuphase T-100, but it was out of my price range.
My interest in tuners continues to this day. I'm fortunate to live in an area where I receive independent FM college stations and public radio stations, many of which still do live broadcasts from their studios, and my tuner of choice is the McIntosh MR-74: I've tried many newer tuners and the only ones that come close to the MR74 in sound quality are the Pioneer F-91, the Sony ST-J75 and the Sony ST-S730ES. I'm told the McIntosh MR77 is slightly better sounding than the MR74 but I've not tried one and I need the extra selectivity of the MR74 in my location.
[Note: I have never listened to a Tandberg 3001A and people I know and whose opinion I respect say this one may be the best tuner ever made, after the presets have been updated and fixed.]
So there you have my biased, but long-term FM listening opinion.
tuner Fan
I too like FM radio. . . I am listening to my Dynaco mono tube tuner now (1960) it sounds better than any tuner I have at very low volume (6AM) here is your list that I agree with but I added to it. . .
1. Accuphase T-100
2. Accuphase T-101
Kenwood KT-917
3. "Charlie the Tuner"
4. Kenwood KT-8007
Kenwood KT-8300
Onkyo T-9090
Sony ST-4950
5. Marantz 125/150
6. Mitsubishi DA-F20
Optonica ST-3535
7. Quad FM-4
8. Sequerra Model No. 1 Broadcast Monitor
9. Sony ST-5000F/ST-5000FW
10. Sony ST-5950SD
11. Technics ST-9030
With the exception of the Sequerra I have experience with all the models you listed plus the ones I added. I would rate them this way for only sound quality as the order might change for sensitivity and selectability(?)
I too like FM radio. . . I am listening to my Dynaco mono tube tuner now (1960) it sounds better than any tuner I have at very low volume (6AM) here is your list that I agree with but I added to it. . .
1. Accuphase T-100
2. Accuphase T-101
Kenwood KT-917
3. "Charlie the Tuner"
4. Kenwood KT-8007
Kenwood KT-8300
Onkyo T-9090
Sony ST-4950
5. Marantz 125/150
6. Mitsubishi DA-F20
Optonica ST-3535
7. Quad FM-4
8. Sequerra Model No. 1 Broadcast Monitor
9. Sony ST-5000F/ST-5000FW
10. Sony ST-5950SD
11. Technics ST-9030
With the exception of the Sequerra I have experience with all the models you listed plus the ones I added. I would rate them this way for only sound quality as the order might change for sensitivity and selectability(?)
Hi again, like some of us admited - yes this is sickness. In my quest for good FM tuners, I just can't resist buying the good deals. Here's my latest addition:
Technics ST-G5. Could be a sleeper, a slim line digital all black tuner with digital signal strenght readout. Great reception and very clean. Less noise on weaker stations than most tuners I own. Anyone got any info on this unit?
SAE T102. Paid $20 at swap meet, very dirty cabinet and stained faceplate but sounds excellent for the price. Sexy looking IMO.
Philips AH7961 receiver. Can't find (or can afford) the AH673 but this will do. It even has the vertical arranged meters and sounds quite good.
Thanks for looking.
Technics ST-G5. Could be a sleeper, a slim line digital all black tuner with digital signal strenght readout. Great reception and very clean. Less noise on weaker stations than most tuners I own. Anyone got any info on this unit?
SAE T102. Paid $20 at swap meet, very dirty cabinet and stained faceplate but sounds excellent for the price. Sexy looking IMO.
Philips AH7961 receiver. Can't find (or can afford) the AH673 but this will do. It even has the vertical arranged meters and sounds quite good.
Thanks for looking.
Lazarus Short
Well-Known Member
Here's mine:
Realistic TM-1001 a really good tuner, made by Hitachi I'm told
MCS 3701 pretty, but it does not deliver the goods
MCS 38XX don't have the model number to hand, no idea how
good it is, but I'm not optimistic
I do most/almost all of my AM/FM listening with my Proton 300/301 combo, which uses a digital tuner, but sounds good nevertheless.
Laz
Realistic TM-1001 a really good tuner, made by Hitachi I'm told
MCS 3701 pretty, but it does not deliver the goods
MCS 38XX don't have the model number to hand, no idea how
good it is, but I'm not optimistic
I do most/almost all of my AM/FM listening with my Proton 300/301 combo, which uses a digital tuner, but sounds good nevertheless.
Laz
torqueman2002
New Member
Sansui TU-717, sweet
Mitsubishi DA-F20 (being repaired if possible and upgraded by Don Scott), 2-DA-F10s, DA-C20
Advent 300 (Silver Face) good daily driver for the shop
Sony ST-3950SD - drifts, needs looking after (traded in a Dynaco FM-3 on it in Jul '77; wish I still had my Dynaco system! (PAT-4, Dynaco 70 Mark IV, AR-3As))
Mike in Michigan
Mitsubishi DA-F20 (being repaired if possible and upgraded by Don Scott), 2-DA-F10s, DA-C20
Advent 300 (Silver Face) good daily driver for the shop
Sony ST-3950SD - drifts, needs looking after (traded in a Dynaco FM-3 on it in Jul '77; wish I still had my Dynaco system! (PAT-4, Dynaco 70 Mark IV, AR-3As))
Mike in Michigan
CarverPower
SDA SRS 2
I have a Technics ST-Z45 Tuner (1981)
http://www.vintagetechnics.com/tuners/stz45.htm
Respecting VintageTechnics (image was removed, link placed)
http://www.vintagetechnics.com/tuners/stz45.htm
Respecting VintageTechnics (image was removed, link placed)
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jblmar
JBL & marantz
Been useing the marantz 2130 since 1978. Still sounds great. Here in the New York City area is a great jazz station, WBGO. They never compress or over modulate the signal. The 2130 sounds almost as good as CD's. And this is through a marantz 300DC/3650 combo along with JBL 4671's. (2225H, 2425J, 3110A, 2370 in a 4507 cabinet).
Ron
Ron
1. Accuphase T-100
2. Accuphase T-101
Kenwood KT-917
3. "Charlie the Tuner"
4. Kenwood KT-8007
Kenwood KT-8300
Onkyo T-9090
Sony ST-4950
5. Marantz 125/150
6. Mitsubishi DA-F20
Optonica ST-3535
7. Quad FM-4
8. Sequerra Model No. 1 Broadcast Monitor
9. Sony ST-5000F/ST-5000FW
10. Sony ST-5950SD
11. Technics ST-9030
Remember this list? Well since then I have added to my experiences and I believe I found the nicest sounding stock tuner I have ever heard. Does everything just right. Sansui TU-717 that I bought last week.
Now teamed with my KA-9100 I cant believe the sound. I still look forward to getting up to listen. . . I am now a TU-717 believer big time. I have to put her at the top of this list. And I am looking for more.
2. Accuphase T-101
Kenwood KT-917
3. "Charlie the Tuner"
4. Kenwood KT-8007
Kenwood KT-8300
Onkyo T-9090
Sony ST-4950
5. Marantz 125/150
6. Mitsubishi DA-F20
Optonica ST-3535
7. Quad FM-4
8. Sequerra Model No. 1 Broadcast Monitor
9. Sony ST-5000F/ST-5000FW
10. Sony ST-5950SD
11. Technics ST-9030
Remember this list? Well since then I have added to my experiences and I believe I found the nicest sounding stock tuner I have ever heard. Does everything just right. Sansui TU-717 that I bought last week.
Now teamed with my KA-9100 I cant believe the sound. I still look forward to getting up to listen. . . I am now a TU-717 believer big time. I have to put her at the top of this list. And I am looking for more.
Love my T-4 Onkyo!!!
Be online two years without a hitch! Eric
Be online two years without a hitch! Eric
ProAc_Fan said:Not beig a fan of FM radio quality I currently have only one tuner. It's a tiny Akai I paid $10 for. However I'm not averse to being converted into a tuner fan, so if somebody wants to sell me a very nice tuner for a very nice price I'm game.
Mike
Mike - Have you done anything about this? Check here http://www.fmtunerinfo.com/index.html for some good info and make your selection. Am sure you know where to hunt after than. Don't forget the better receivers. They generally have excellent tuners (Sony STR-Vx or -xx00SD and Yamaha CR-x40 series).
Without a good antenna you will be disapointed. The little indoor stuff doesn't really work that well. Get the rat-shack FM specific yagi for $24 and stick it in your attic or on your roof. A rotation control allows you to 'point' the antenna towards the stations you want to listen to. A single run of coax (not pieces klugded together) from RS costs another $20 for 100+ feet. Then listen. Think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
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gyusher said:
I would have to think that both Accuphase and the Sequerra had huge problems cuz no 717 I ever heard came ever remotely close to sound quality or station pulling of all three. Not even in the same class, Hell school for that matter. My 2 cents..
Misleading
actually I stated in an earlier post that I was not familiar with the Accuphase stuff and couldnt comment on those. I should have been more clear. I added what I was familiar with to Bully's list. The only two I was not familiar with were the two Accuphase tuners. . . However I look forward to hearing them. . . .
actually I stated in an earlier post that I was not familiar with the Accuphase stuff and couldnt comment on those. I should have been more clear. I added what I was familiar with to Bully's list. The only two I was not familiar with were the two Accuphase tuners. . . However I look forward to hearing them. . . .
Thumpy
Well-Known Member
Some of my tuners, in no particular order:
Nikko FAM-800 - never seen another. Nothing fancy, 4 FM gangs
Realistic TM-1001
Sansui TU-888 - rare, or so I understand. In this case, "rare" does not = "$$$"
Sansui TU-S7
Akai AT-V04
Mitsubishi DA-C20 - actually a tuner/preamp combo
Mitsubishi DA-F20
Pioneer F-9
Sherwood S 3000 III - with A3MX internal MPX unit
Eico ST96 - with MX99 external MPX unit
Arkay FM6
A total of nineteen tunas
Since Army asked in an earlier post in this thread, one of my setups is all Mitsubishi - DA-A15DC power, DA-P20 pre, DA-F20 tuna, DA-M10 meters, DP-EC7 TT, and DT-40S cassette, all in a DR-720 cabinet.
Nikko FAM-800 - never seen another. Nothing fancy, 4 FM gangs
Realistic TM-1001
Sansui TU-888 - rare, or so I understand. In this case, "rare" does not = "$$$"
Sansui TU-S7
Akai AT-V04
Mitsubishi DA-C20 - actually a tuner/preamp combo
Mitsubishi DA-F20
Pioneer F-9
Sherwood S 3000 III - with A3MX internal MPX unit
Eico ST96 - with MX99 external MPX unit
Arkay FM6
A total of nineteen tunas
Since Army asked in an earlier post in this thread, one of my setups is all Mitsubishi - DA-A15DC power, DA-P20 pre, DA-F20 tuna, DA-M10 meters, DP-EC7 TT, and DT-40S cassette, all in a DR-720 cabinet.
waylyn5945
Active Member
A Kenwood KT-7500 that I'm in the process of modding. :yes:
Danamc
Active Member
I can vouch for the excellent sound quailty of the Accuphase T100 tuner. I have two, one mod'd by Ed Hanlon at APS. Stereo separation and sensitivity to die for :yes: . Even the AM section has a frequency response that is very flat and wide when compared to other tuners of the time :lmao: . One of best tuners I've heard. The others include the Tandberg 3001A, Philips AH-6731, and the Sansui TU-9900.
I have to agree with Grumpy, the Sansui 719 is not in the same class as the T-100, although when mod'd will sound very nice, but just doesn't have the stage depth and frequency response that other vintage tuners may have.
I have to agree with Grumpy, the Sansui 719 is not in the same class as the T-100, although when mod'd will sound very nice, but just doesn't have the stage depth and frequency response that other vintage tuners may have.
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Danamc
Active Member
Expecting to get back in the next week a Marantz 150 tuner that I sent down to Stereo Surgeons in CT for cap upgrade and aligment. I'd originally sent it to Ed Hanlon at APS for an alignment, but the tuner bearings were so dirty that he didn't want to touch it 
. Ken at Stereo Surgeons is a miracle worker IMHO. 
Also picked up a Mitsu DA-F20 off EPAY that I'm dying to hear. This Mitzu has a discrete wide detector, as well as a discrete audio stage. :scratch2:
I'll let you know how they compare to the Tandberg 3001A, Philips AH-6731, and Sansui 9900.
. Ken at Stereo Surgeons is a miracle worker IMHO. Also picked up a Mitsu DA-F20 off EPAY that I'm dying to hear. This Mitzu has a discrete wide detector, as well as a discrete audio stage. :scratch2:
I'll let you know how they compare to the Tandberg 3001A, Philips AH-6731, and Sansui 9900.
Danamc said:
I have owned the 719 and I agree with you. However the 717 I have now seriously out classes the 719 that I had. Both work great but this 717 sounds as good as any tuner that I have heard or owned. I cant speak to the Accuphase however from what I have read and heard in this and other forums I know I would love to have one.
There are many brands that I havnt heard and I am sure there are many that are excellent. the best tuner I have owned were Kenwood KT-917s. I used one foe almost 20 years while I had another one still new in the unopened box sitting in the closet untill a few months ago when I finally decided to sell it still in the factory sealed box.
The other major league tuners I have owned were several KT-8300s, along with many also rans that sounded good but not near the 917 KW or the KT-8300s. I cannot explain why but this Sansui TU-717 for sound kills the Kenwoods I have had. Sensitivity is another matter. . . I have owned many that out perform it in that area but none for sound quality.