what are some decent starter am/fm tuners ?

I can give you 3 choices:

1. Cambridge Audio T500 ($300) - search the web a bit and you will read only praise for this unit.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=CAMBT500&product_name=T500%20AM/FM%20Tuner

2. TEAC T10 ($200) - I own this surprising little unit. Very good selectivity and sensitivity (used in NYC). Had some J&R gift certificates, so it did not cost me anything. Does not have a remote.

http://www.jandr.com/JRProductPage.process?RestartFlow=t&Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=937&Product_Id=3668112

3. Go vintage ... either receiver or tuner. I have 2 Marantz receivers (2216B and 2240) that are seeing use in this way. The analog tuners/receivers from the 70's are in a class of their own.

Good luck. Rich

If you don't mind giving up the convenience of a remote control and have available space, the older tuners can be bought for a very reasonable cost. The drawback to these tuners is that you have to spin the flywheel to tune-in a station. A digital tuner most likely will have presets which will make station selection quicker and might have a remote or be remote-capable. (Please check-out my ad for the Marantz PM57/ST-59 tuner I have listed. The tuner is in MINT condition and for the $ is a very nice starter unit. A review can be found on www.ecoustics.com) Another nice tuner is the Yamaha TX-550 tuner which is "remote-capable." No need to spend over $200 for a nice tuner IMO. Bill

Adcom GFT-1A ~$100
A real sleeper.

There are some excellent sounding & reception (vintage) solid state tuners made by HH Scott 112, Pioneer 6200, Marantz, Fisher - which can be had very inexpensively. Of course you may prefer tubes but seems to me the SS versions have a somewhat better extension. But try some vintage RCV - MCintosh, Marantz, Scott,Fisher...

Onkyo T-9, Tandberg, Luxman T 450, Yamaha 7000.