What are the Best Sounding FM Tuners


Here is my new and revised list. What is yours?
1. Sansui TU-9900, modified. This is now the best tuner I have ever heard. Llyod Moss (WQXR) sounds like he is sitting in front of me.
2. NEC T-6, modified. Not far from the above, very robust and clean.
3. MR-74. with IF mods in NARROW and a few audio cap changes, very dynamic and full-bodied sound, a toe-tapper.
4. Quad FM-3 modified, Replacement of the single IF filter module with two standard ceramic IF filters allows fairly good selectivity and amazing stereo separation. Senstivity is not the best, good for the city.
5. Luxman T-02, modified, A tough tuner to beat for fringe reception with excellent fidelity.
6. Akai AT-ST, modified. The direct-coupled audio stages yield great sound, five-gang front end makes it very sensitive, dual IF bandwidth on AM.
7. Yamaha T-1 and T-2, stock. If the switching works for all
the automatic features (which is very rare) they will give excellent, clear sound.
8. Sony ST-S550ES, modified. Audio ouput IC must be changed, then great detailed sound.
9. Kenwood KT-727, modified. Perhaps too rare to mention, but wow can it get good -- very detailed like the above Sony.
10. Marantz ST-17, stock. Often discounted by
accessories4less. A good buy. Needs a fairly good signal for stereo reception, otherwise excellent.
bdscott
My research led me to buy a few fine tuners over three years, and my favorite is a Tandberg TPT 3001A. Smooth sound suited to all formats of music, nails the station, and reproduces the full range of lows, mids, and highs, with great balance. Glad to purchase this and the others years back, as they are scarce and spendy today. I listen to it for hours and never touch it. What more is there? Others I own are Crown FM3, Sansui TU-X1, and Luxman T-117. They all are close, yet the 3001A, to my brain, plays slightly more accurate and superior through tube preamp, planar ribbons and dual subs.
My Marantz 120 Tuner with Scope moded by Joseph Chow.
What a sound this puts out.
You should look for Day Sequerra tuners. Those are best of the best of the best.
I must say that the Accuphase T-109V is one of the best tuners in the world.
When I bought the Accuphase I've auditioned some MD, and the rest is history.
The T-109V as superb sound, some of the best highs I've heard in a tuner, excelent stereo imaging, great tuning capabilities (selectivity and sensitivity) and a first class construction.
Hearing live broadcasted music from this tuner is a great experience.