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FM Tuners

I LIVE JUST OUTSIDE A METROPOLITAN AREA WITH ROLLING HILLS APPROXIMATELY 200FT TALL. I LIVE IN THE VALLEY AREA. WHAT MODEL OR BRAND OF TUNER WOULD YOU USE? I AM USING MARTIN LOGAN PRODIGY SPEAKERS, MARK LEVINSON 360 AMP AND AUDIO RESEARCH SP1 PREAMP WITH CALIFORNIA AUDIO MKII ICON CD PLAYER. THE CABLES ARE VERY GOOD ALSO. THE TUNER DOES NOT HAVE TO BE EXPENSIVE, JUST AS CLEAR AS POSSIBLE UNDER THESE CONDITIONS.
electrostaticman
zaikesman
3,017 posts
 
Sean's point about antenna cable is well taken. To get optimized antenna location, a very long run may be needed, but obviously no one wants to spend the big bucks for such a length of "high-end" wire, especially when part of it might have to be exposed to the elements. Much better than anything I've tried for the purpose from RatShack, I recomment giving a look at a MonsterCable product called MonsterVideo 2. This BNC-terminated 75ohm coax is currently hooked up to my Fanfare FM-2G whip antenna in a 20ft. run. It is very much easier to handle and route, due to its supremely "limp" quality, and sounds noticeably higher in fidelity, as well as providing superior reception characteristics (presumably because of more effective sheilding). It's only about double the price of the Shack's best, as I recall, and well worth it.
zaikesman
3,017 posts
 
Sorry - I screwed up the connector description on that last post - it's an F-type termination, of course.
kjg
171 posts
 
I have an NAD 4130 (is this similar to a 4125?) which I bought new many, many years ago and can attest to its excellent sensitivity. Sonically, however, it hasn't been my favorite piece of equipment, although I do still use it. The sound is soft and a little bit too warm for me (I have a warm system to begin with), although it does produce a very nice sound stage. A good tuner for the money if you can find one used, but not what I'd consider top quality.

I might add that in the past few years mine has given me a bit of trouble (the audio outs die if the tuner is left on for too long), an I'd be a bit wary of getting something as old as this for more than just a few dollars. Still, if its the right price, it might be worth trying out.

Ken
electrostaticman OP
59 posts
 
How do you fellows feel about the magnum dynalab MD102. Could someone give me some feed back on this model. Sorry for the capitals. I just discovered how to access responses to my original question.
thank you
bob_bundus
1,834 posts
 
Magnum Dynalab's tuners are top notch; I'd think you couldn't go wrong with the MD102 although have no experience with that piece. My old Dynalab FT101 has been running since 1984 & still sounds very good; certainly good enough for radio.
Also refer to these archived links:
http://audiogo5.iserver.net/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&989071485&read&keyw&zzmd=102
http://audiogo5.iserver.net/cgi-bin/fr.pl?hbest&993567901&read&keyw&zzmd=102
http://audiogo5.iserver.net/cgi-bin/fr.pl?hbest&971129681&read&keyw&zzmd=102
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