RECIEVER recommendations

Consider splitting into a good integrated and something like a Magnum Dynalab FT-11 tuner. This is not an expensive tuner--I see them used here pretty regularly for a few hundered. Most receivers in that range will have a marginal tuner and for low power college stations you really want a great tuner. As to the integrated I'll let others comment--there are so many.

The Rotel RX-1052 is a pretty good sounding, well built stereo receiver with a solid power supply and 100w/channel. Retails for under $900 new.
http://rotel.com/products/specs/rx1052.htm

The tuner will not match up to the Magnum Dynalab Rives has suggested, however.
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If you can find them the vintage Tandberg preamp/amp/tuner are a great combination and just about at your price point for the three of them. Very good stuff for solid state.

Hi Myth:

I am a big fan of receivers. If you are buying new, there are really only three worth considering:

1. Music Hall Maven at $1500. This receiver was reviewed in a Sam Tellig Stereophile column in the last month or so.

2. NAD C720 BEE at $600 - $700. This receiver has the C320 BEE integrated amplifier at its core with an RDS NAD tuner.

3. Rotel 1052 at $800 - $900.

What you will need to pay attention to is how the tuner sounds. It is not that sensitivity and selectivity are not important, but every review of a tuner seems to center around how many stations the tuner can pull in ... which just misses the point. I say this because a good antenna (especially if you can go with an outdoor or attic mounted one) can make up for somewhat less sensitivity in a tuner.

About 3 to 4 years ago, I was looking for a quality receiver and there was not much choice outside of the Onkyo 8211 and Denon 395, which have OK amplifiers, but sub-par tuners for city use (I live in NYC). I went the vintage route and purchased and refurbished two Marantz receivers, a 2216B and a 2240 ... so each receiver wound up costing $400 to $500, which is high for electronics that are 25 to 30 years old. The payoff is they have excellent tuner sections, especially when compared to so many receivers today.

Stay away from HT receivers as their tuners are afterthoughts and fairly processed sounding.

Regards, Rich

McIntosh MHT100 used. I heard this thing playing a Metallica concert on B&W N802 and 805 and it was incredible. Definately way more than 80W were coming out of it. I was very impressed. And of course McIntosh is famous for its tuners. Arthur