FM tuners - Are they OBSOLETE ?

I guess it comes down to where you live in terms of what's available to listen to. But I seriously doubt the FM band itself is going to disappear anytime soon. It's free and belongs to the public just like AM. So they (the rich and powerful broadcasters) would have a hard time getting rid of it altogether -- just look how much money we (the people ;~) had to spend to keep over-the-air TV free and accessable to all us poooor folk!

What HAS died is pure analog FM. It's gone! No FM stations I'm aware of -- including classical -- use the telephone lines to link from the studio to the transmitter. It's wireless, and it's digital! So heave a big sigh over that one if you must -- but I still love the sound of my vintage McIntosh MR-65B. We have good classical here in Tucson from the U of A, and if I want to pull in Phoenix with all its Jazz and classical stations, I use my trusty Technics ST-9030. With its EIGHT GANG tuning condenser, it'll take me pretty much to the horizon!

Still, as someone pointed out above, it would be very hard today to justify the purchase of a great-sounding tube analog FM tuner based purely on value for dollar -- which is why no one is making them ;--) New high end solid state FM tuners on the other hand, will be around for a long time I think, because they'll all be satellite and broadband capable as well.
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I find lots of stuff to listen on FM. I also love my Yamaha T1 from 1978. Until it quit working, i used it every day. I am taking it to be repaired this week. By the same thought process, vinyl is also obsolete (and cd for that matter).

I'm nostalgic about listening to WNEW-FM and the like back in the 70s on my AR receiver. Free stereo music and cool disc jockeys! What more could you want?
Ah, thinking of the night bird still gets me excited.

What? They are just as relevant as they ever were with your choice of free classic rock, jazz, you remember jazz - the original American art form, classical, college station, PBS, live symphony or country, talk, etc. Open yourself to music beyond your library's borders, you may hear something you like. And yes, vintage tube tuners (and some solid state tuners-probably not the $15 ones) do get the harmonics right in exactly the same way most of us prefer tube amps/pre's. Live weekday evening symphonies from the Lincoln Center with a McIntosh or Scott tuner is pretty close to being there! PBS is a breath of "fresh aire" (pardon me) with Sat. AM "Car Talk" sure to crack you up and creative, "Prairie Home Companion's" Guy Noir and Lefty' characters on Live radio! Come on, it's fun! It's free!

I listen to my college radio station and Bob Parlocha (NPR)all the time on my vintage Sansui tuner.

terrific sound and great music