2. misc-audio
  3. 1305494610

FM tuners - Are they OBSOLETE ?

As much as I a have liked tuners in the past - and probably kidded myself that older ''vintage'' tuners sound better (after owning quite a few), I really don't see much use for them except maybe a nostalgic bridge to days past, or bragging rights to pride of ownership with McIntosh gear or whatever.

With the newer technologies giving access to hundreds of stations around the globe, it just seems like THE proposition to discover new music.

I of course know that some high-end tuners sound very good - but let me tell you - a clean 128 digital feed into a DAC (from a digital transport like the Wadia or Cambridge Audio's new ID-100), is pretty impressive...

Sort of make kilo-buck tuners seem futile and very expensive by comparison.

What do you think ?
soniqmike
riffer
362 posts
 
I will add to what Daverz said, even the ones with good programming are usually so compressed to be unlistenable.

Fortunately, we have Jazz.FM91 in Toronto, so I'll be keeping my tuner for a while. I understand there are some good classical stations for those so inclined, but rock is hopeless here.
jedinite24's avatar
jedinite24
1,503 posts
 
I agree with Daverz. It is very hard to find anything worth listening on FM Radio. Where I am pretty much every radio station is a Pop/Mainstream one that plays the same set of songs all day and night. I swear Payola Playola must still be happening. To many times when I'm driving home and switching through radio stations I will hear the same pop song at each station but I'll just be at a different part of the song.

Also my favorite is when I do get to hear a song on FM radio that I can stand the bass will be noticeably higher than the treble. I remember my family telling me about this years ago but I didn't notice it at the time.

I'm happy with my $40 Auvio Tuner from RadioShack I got. I'm not spending another dime on a tuner.
schipo
1,268 posts
 
I found my Tuners in thrift stores in different states. I purchased the Kenwood 8300 for 20.00. I bought an almost mint Mitsubishi DA DF20 for 15.00.This is my favorite looking tuner and at the price with some excellent classical music on FM.You can't beat the amount of music I listen to for so cheap. I would agree to pay top buck would not be worth it. But at thrift store prices and a little luck the return is very enjoyable.
Post removed 
theo's avatar
theo
2,688 posts
 
I recently added a used tuner back into my system and though I don't use it as much as I thought I would, I plan to keep it hooked up. So days it is noce to have on while doing dreaded house chores. But I do think their days are numbered with internet radio, panodra, rhapsody etc. Untill I can afford a Sonos or the like I am dialed in...
More to discover