tuners, the red headed stepchild?


Why don't tuners get more respect? Talk about a passive component, just turn them on and walk away. They're the easiest way to get hours of uninterrupted music, yet compared to other sources, they are an afterthought.
garn509
I've traditionally been a regular tuner user.

However, since acquiring the Roku networked music players and putting in a music server, I hardly use the tuner at all anymore.

I can program my own preferences into randomly generated playlists using the Roku and my own music library on the server, plus I have access to hundreds of good sounding internet stations. Not to mention a backlog of vinyl to listen to when I can.

My backlog of things to listen to is magnitudes larger than ever before these days.

I do listen to FM a lot in the car though still these days.

"The times they are a changing..."
My garage system is tuner only. I have 3 antenna's hooked up in the rafters so I get static free, long distance (if required) reception.

It's exactly what I need when I'm out there, as I don't have time to fiddle around when I'm working on something. It's a detached garage w/no insulation or climate control, so the gear has to be hardy.
Unsound is right: even one great, or even good, station makes a good tuner essential, and the range of quality in tuners is far greater than, e.g., CD players. Good FM analogue broadcast on a good tuner can be spectacular. Some of the best sound I have ever heard out of my systems over the years has been live concertcasts via FM.

Here in Tampa we have WMNF community radio which is a great eclectic music station, broadcasts lots of stuff live from their studio, and has superb alternative public affairs programming. -- available online BTW, and well as on 3 channels of HD radio, featuring different programming. It's one of the best things about Tampa bay area. It would justify a big tuner expense.