Can the Magnum Dynalab MD 108 be beat?

Greggie- I agre with yor opinions about finding a tuner you like and then having it improved. I take it you are going with the T-14 - how would you compare the sound to the T-100? I'm especailly interested if there are other tuners Don or yourself beleive have the same "sonic signature" as the T-14 versus the T-100....I have a DAS moded T-100 with a full APS antenna setup and love it, BTW.

The Accuphase T 100, to me , was a little too laid back for me (to the rear of my speakers). It would come into the center of the room with a very refined sound, that would probably appeal to many. The Luxman's sound is more mechanical, yet it seems to also sound rich, and it seems to
sound more forward, which to me isn't all that bad of a thing. It is very spacious (Luxman), yet the differences were not annoying, in fact the Luxman sounds faster, and more quickly resolved. The bass in the T 100 would be hard to beat, (in my humble opinion), but the Luxman's is OK, just not quite as rich as the T 100's. I feel foolish when comparing components, there seems to be things that are not so easily defined. I notice that the T 14 is very spacious,
and not intrusive, causing a nice effortless, resolving sound. On the other hand, the T 100, being a totally dicrete component, and made with some of highest quality parts, that are impossible to replace (certain ones), and have it sound as good, would be the winner, just is too laid back for me. I think it deserved a better home than mine. The company (Kenwood) must have some very gifted engineers. I would email Don Scott, and talk to him, he is someone who seems to, after many , many years of being famailiar with tuners, knows what he is talking about. Address: bdscott@nac.net
I am glad that I did. I hope this helps, but it probably is a little too long.

Greggie: Your response is cogent and paints a much better picture of the differences than most I have read. You have good taste! Thanks!

Thanks Ivan. I read at Yahoo FM Tuners, and have learned what I suspected, that there are too many variables, to do with personal values, as in tuners. Not that there are things that are said, that can't be validated, but these percieved differences seem to more/less arguable, and better left alone.

I'd like to do a listening comparison between the McIntosh MR78 with Modaferri modification and the Dynalab MD108. It seems that these two tuners are on the top best list. But the MAC is old technology (1970s) and might not dial in a station as well (that was the only criticism I saw of it in user reviews). The issue of sound, color, stage, warm or cool, etc. is probably subjective and only a listening test can determine what you like. Specs will tell you nothing (I know this from experience).

Overall, my preference is for tube technology because of the more natural sound that I believe I hear.