2. analog
  3. 129530-1660

FM alive and well here...curious question

SoCal listener here. 

Last night, the Classical station finished their listeners  top 100 with Ludwig B's 9th.
I got sucked in listening to the end of the 4th movement.  I can't remember what conductor/orchestra, but fantastic performance.

My Mac 71 with a $20 indoor antennae is able to get a  signal strength reading just over "8" with dead center tuning according the meter.

Ludwig B was sounding clear,quite and simply fabulous. 
 
Im aware a "real" roof antennae is the way to go. Wondering if the effort to get a "10" reading on the tuning meter will actually be heard as even better sonics?

Just for kicks, I spun a few minutes of a minty 59' Living Stereo to compare. 
WOW! The record naturally wins, but my beloved Mac isn't far off. Considering the broadcast was a CD, it was reasonably convincing. It certainly was just as good as my generic CD deck(no fancy outboard DAC)

My 71 is stock, tuned with NOS glass. I'd love to hand over $ 1K for the RM mod, but ain't gonna happen.

LONG LIVE FM! Hopefully?


tablejockey
tablejockey OP
3,873 posts
 
"I can report that a Magnum Dynalab ST-2 yields great results here in NYC. Just tossed it under the credenza, hooked it up to the MR71 and I’m pleased as punch."

tommaster-I have always been curious about the ST-2,but put off by the cost.
I shouldn’t be, since everything else hifi requires opening your wallet!

Other than doing the deed-roof antennae , I’m guessing I won’t get much better results than what I have now. An el cheapo RCA branded,made in China 4" square plastic thingie. Ironic,a historic company reduced to 3 letters stamped on a Chinese product.



alanholvey's avatar
alanholvey
96 posts
 
I forgot to mention that living in a small apartment here in Boulder, still all I need is a decent indoor FM antenna.  I am using a Godar fm indoor antenna-actually hooked up to both my McIntosh MR74 and Day/Sequerra FM tuner.  It is right next to my chair and I only have to move it around a little to get 88.5 KGNU, 90.3 KUVO and rock ststions 103.5 and 106.7.  Actually I can get very good reception using a long video cable as an antenna.  So great FM radio reception is a necessity-it depends mainly where you live.  Much like TV reception before satellite and cable even were around.
tablejockey OP
3,873 posts
 
"Depending on your local FM fare, it can really be worth the trouble."

florida71-
Its comments like this that rattle my cage! Just to see a "10" on the tuning meter
keeps me thinking about going to the hardware store and getting the ladder out!

I get between an 8 and 9 on good days moving mine a couple of inches.
This however  doesn't work on the rock stations which are a 7 at best. Same station on my $200 Cambridge Audio sounds almost as good as the Mac!

tablejockey OP
3,873 posts
 
alanholvey-
your insight was an interesting read.

Until I acquire an Rel, my tuner lust just won’t be satisfied. Something about the look just speaks to me-besides the obvious sonic attributes.

Im quite fond of the MR71, but gimme the REL, Marantz 10B and for good measure-the Scott 4310! I’m leaving a couple others out, but the rack is already full!

You mention TV. I don’t have cable and get fabulous reception and a spectacular picture/audio on my plasma(I know, now prehistoric) with an ultra cheap Terk I have hanging for the window sill.

alanholvey's avatar
alanholvey
96 posts
 
tale jockey-                                                                                                         yes, although I require cable here in Boulder, I have heard that the reception on the latest high definition local tv broadcasts have truly super quality for both audio and picture as well.  Which, if true, means that cable tv quality sucks.  Pay more for inferior product.  But you get so much more.  Just like internet radio, in fact.  I could even go into the subject of quality of movies audio reproduction between the up to early 1950's mono, but tube driven, to today's surround, high definition and solid state driven electronics.  Yes, it is true.  At 73 years old, I remember how totally involving movies used to be.  With tube electronics and the high quality speakers that were used at the better theaters in those days, yes movies overall sounded better.  And more involving.
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