Who's listening to FM Tonight? What tuner?

[zenith2134]

Using a freebie...pile of obsolete semiconductors as a tuner...for the time being. Yamaha HTR-6030 AV receiver via its recorder outs.



My Kenwood KT-7500 hasn't been serviced in about ten years, and has gone intermittent. I refreshed the power supply with Panasonic capacitors and swapped out the stock 4558 for low noise 5532 at the time.

This'll hold me over til I get the Kenwood sorted out.

I'll say this: the unit pulls all my stations just fine with an attic antenna feeding RG-6 into the F connector. Some of the "magic" in the audio is missing but it's noise-free and has good separation. The specs on this tuner section are stated as 0.5%THD stereo, with 70dB SnR stereo. Decent enough for casual FM listening.

The cool part is that my Yamaha A-S2100's remote toggles thru the presets. Thanks for never updating the remote codes in 20ish years guys. Plus, it's basically a tuner with a 320VA power supply the way I'm using it!

Over Air Stations I still listen to:

89.1 WFDU
89.9 WKCR
90.7 WFUV
101.1 WCBS
104.3 WAXQ
105.9 WQXR
107.1 WWZY

 

[zenith2134]

.......For tuner nerds only:

Out of sheer curiosity, I wanted to see how the FM was implemented in this unit.

I've gotten very good at deciphering complex schematics, but they sure managed to cram 60 pounds of stuff into a 20 pound box here....

I'm officially confused since the SM only briefly alludes to mentioning an FM tuner, obviously the metal box that the F connector is attached to.

OK, so there's the RF but the chipset complement only lists one radio frequency IC, the LC72725KM, which is an RDS 57kHz decoder. Which is not even featured in this model since it is entry-level without RDS.



Then, to add more confusion to the matter, the schematics are labeled "RDS" in the video switcher section which uses NJM2586AM. It makes little sense to me.

The unit had XM capability so, I figured perhaps they bundled it in there but nope.



What happened to using a dedicated FM chip such as the LA1837?

 

[painttoad]

modern english- i'll melt with you

93.3 wpbg peoria il.

 

[dinger]

Using a freebie...pile of obsolete semiconductors as a tuner...for the time being. Yamaha HTR-6030 AV receiver via its recorder outs.

View attachment 3790819

My Kenwood KT-7500 hasn't been serviced in about ten years, and has gone intermittent. I refreshed the power supply with Panasonic capacitors and swapped out the stock 4558 for low noise 5532 at the time.

This'll hold me over til I get the Kenwood sorted out.

I'll say this: the unit pulls all my stations just fine with an attic antenna feeding RG-6 into the F connector. Some of the "magic" in the audio is missing but it's noise-free and has good separation. The specs on this tuner section are stated as 0.5%THD stereo, with 70dB SnR stereo. Decent enough for casual FM listening.

The cool part is that my Yamaha A-S2100's remote toggles thru the presets. Thanks for never updating the remote codes in 20ish years guys. Plus, it's basically a tuner with a 320VA power supply the way I'm using it!

Over Air Stations I still listen to:

89.1 WFDU
89.9 WKCR
90.7 WFUV
101.1 WCBS
104.3 WAXQ
105.9 WQXR
107.1 WWZY

For the KT-7500 try cleaning the contacts on the tuning capacitor. On the Yamaha take a look inside and you'll probably find a cigarette pack sized FM section that they sourced off the shelf and have no idea what's inside. Some of these are better than others and it sounds like you're getting decent results with yours. Enjoy! It's FM, the DJ matters too.

 

[zenith2134]

For the KT-7500 try cleaning the contacts on the tuning capacitor. On the Yamaha take a look inside and you'll probably find a cigarette pack sized FM section that they sourced off the shelf and have no idea what's inside. Some of these are better than others and it sounds like you're getting decent results with yours. Enjoy! It's FM, the DJ matters too.

Yes, I can't wait to dig into the 7500, it has really served me well. I'm leaning toward the relay for MPX since it seems to pop in when I tune off station on a strong station. It doesn't sound or seem like a dirty tuning cap but of course it will get cleaned properly.

As for the Yamaha AV tuner, I've been impressed with its pulling power. I do have quite a large antenna on it with proper terminations, so that helps. Haven't had it open ever. It was destined for the scrap heap due to its lack of modern home theater connectivity.

I suppose the state of 2000s and newer FM tuners is akin to car head-unit FM. Some might be SDR, and some are executed better than others. Speaking of which, I have a couple of tabletop radios such as Tecsun which are all software based. Excellent performing.

The only thing I miss on a tuner like this is the switchable IF bandwidth for the crowded FM band.

 

[KiM3Ce]

Sunday Baroque on KBAQ Phoenix:

Pioneer TX-9500 II driving an H.H. Scott 335 MPX decoder: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), Concerto for 2 Violins in d BWV1043, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Jeffrey Kahane, Hilary Hahn – violin, Margaret Batjer – violin, Deutsche Grammophon, B0000986, HILARY HAHN BACH CONCERTOS

Onkyo T-9090: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), Cantata BWV34: opening chorus, Bach Choir of Bethlehem & Bach Festival Orchestra, Greg Funfgeld, Dorian, 90306, THE ASCENSION ORATORIO AND TWO FESTIVE CANTATAS

 

[KiM3Ce]

Goldilocks and the three tube tuners!

Sunday Baroque on KBAQ Phoenix:

Fisher FM-100B:

Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764), Pygmalion: suite, European Union Baroque Orchestra, Roy Goodman, Naxos, 8557490, PLATEE – PIGMALION – DARDANUS BALLET SUITES

H.H. Scott LT-111:

Antoine Forqueray (1671-1745), Premi re suite – 2. La Forqueray, 4. La Bellmont, & 5. La Portugaise, Nima Ben David – basse de viole, Jonathan Rubin – theorbo & baroque guitar, Sophie Bauchet – basse de viole, Helene Clerc-Murgier – harpsichord, Alpha, 007, COUPERIN & FORQUERAY – PIECES DE VIOLES

H.H. Scott 310-E:

Jean-Marie Leclair (1697-1764), Violin Concerto Op.10 #6 in g, Collegium Musicum 90, Simon Standage, Simon Standage – violin, Chandos, 0589, TELEMANN CONCERTO IN D;LA BOUFFONE SUITE;GRILLEN-SYMPHONIE;ALSTE

Feeling fortunate to have this opportunity! I won't say one is "best." Different tuners complement different recordings.

 

[ap14608]

Listening to The Jazz Odyssey with Steve Pearl on Jazz901/WGMC on my Accuphase.

This is Steve’s first time on air since the station upgraded its control room. Steve is doing a two part series on jazz innovators in the 1950's.

Jazz90.1 Unveils Upgraded Jack Mindy Master Control Suite – Jazz 90.1

jazz901.org

 

[dinger]

Looks like you got 'er pegged on the signal meter! Nearby station?

 

[ap14608]

Looks like you got 'er pegged on the signal meter! Nearby station?

They broadcast with 15kW ERP from seven miles away as the photons fly. Unfortunately, the station is still somewhat difficult to receive from my location due to geology. I am using a roof top antenna to clean up their signal. Their broadcast tower is at a lower elevation than my location, so their signal gets blocked by an expressway embankment and other city structures. The roof top antenna gets over those obstacles to achieve line of sight reception.

 

[H2oman7.62mm]

 

[ap14608]

Listening to CJRT 91.1 FM from the CN Tower in Toronto, 96 miles distant.

 

[ap14608]

Pretty good reception around here. CJRT is still listenable this afternoon. Usually, that’s an evening only station for me. My Sony is able to receive CBCK 107.5 from Kingston, 97 miles away

 

[KiM3Ce]

KBAQ Phoenix. At first I thought I was discovering new Gershwin, but it was Morton Gould, American Concertette, Telarc American Piano Classics. Delightful! Piano and orchestra.

Which brings us to the H. H. Scott LT-111.

This is the kit version of the Scott 370, their last tube tuner, using Compactron tubes.

I've heard lots of really good tube and solid-state tuners, and this one is darn good. I've read another listener describe the 370 as "the worst Scott tuner I ever heard." The late Pierre Sprey of Mapleshade claimed the 370 was second only to the Marantz 10B when properly modified, but he was selling them. This unit didn't sound right until I put in new Dumont final tubes and did some adjustment.

I suspect this is a combination of the right tubes, the right alignment and a strong signal. I should assign some graduate students to find the answer, but I'm not a professor .

 

[Bill Ashton]

WICN 90.5 FM, Bluegrass And More For New England...

"Columbus Stockade Blues," Del McCrory

 

[PeterV59]

Nite drifting with KPTZ 91.9FM, Port Townsend, Washington State
Commercial free public radio, incredible programming picking it up clean thanks to Magnum Dynalab FT-101 from across the border

 

[Bill Ashton]

Not "night," but listening to "Here And Now" on WBUR 90.9 FM out of Boston.

Some time ago...maybe years...this station used to be stereo, now only mono. Not sure if this is a function of my tee-antenna or just what-it-is. Signal strength meter is buried!

 

[KiM3Ce]

New Kenwood KDC-B282U car radio. KBAQ Phoenix:

The Italian Girl in Algiers: Overture
COMPOSER: Gioachino Rossini
ENSEMBLE: Scottish Chamber Orchestra
CONDUCTOR: Jaime Laredo, conductor

Tuner seems to work as well at the original tuner in my 17-year-old BMW. Works better with my Iphone, may not be as sensitive. Doesn't seem to have an automated scan.

Too many tiny buttons. I added a few Dymo labels for some.

 

[DOBIEGUY]

Desperate for some OTA radio here in FM radio hell WUIN 98.3 ‘The Penguin’(?) plays some half way decent music.
The tuner is The Fisher FM-90x Gold Cascode with rabbit ears.
All three pieces date from late 1959. Unrestored!
Control pre is Model 90-C. Amp is a 100 ‘Box Car’
Speaker is a big ass honkin’ EV Aristocrat lll.
Photo

 

[ap14608]

It’s a dreary, rainy day here in Rochester. Listening to Destination Classics on CFMX. CFMX is about 70 miles distant, mostly over Lake Ontario. Today’s ‘destination’ on the radio program is Sweden.