tuners, the red headed stepchild?

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.

there are Sirius ready tuners

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.

I agree wholly. Besides, it's nice not to keep getting up to change the CD or LP. In budget brands, which ones are good? I am thinking about the new NAD 515. Good means sound-able to make compressed signals sound better - and good signal pulling power.