Vintage Mcintosh tuner

  Cleeds, I did not say that I did not like the MR-80, only  that I did not strongly recommend it. 

I owned the MR-78 and really enjoyed the sound. However, the tuner inmy Sansui 9090db receiver is so far superior that it's laughable. (Yes the Mac was properly aligned and serviced by Mac) (which by the way is the best service I've ever received from
any manufacturer)

The main reason I bought the Mac tuner was to go with my C-29, and MC-2300.  So, if you must have a Mac then I would imagine that it's a matter of what looks and sounds best to you. Even though the 78 has a stellar reputation as macs best tuner, I own several who would argue that the  71 is superior. 

N

The MR-71 has tube electronics, so of course some will prefer it's sound character/quality to that of the solid state MR-78. The RF section of the MR-78, however, is superior to that of the 71 (higher alternate and adjacent selectivity, etc.), and to that of any other tuner you can name. Distant stations, or ones in a crowded metropolitan area (closely spaced in frequency), will be received with lower distortion and noise on the 78. It is in the area of RF performance that the 78 may be the best tuner ever available to consumers. That is a priority to some listeners, less so to others.

I own an MR78 and loving it. It has been one through with the caps being replaced. No problems recommending that tuner. The MR71 and MR67 are also quite good, albeit somewhat differently flavored (typical tubes v solid state stuff). Between the MR67 and MR71 I would pick the MR71. And if I were an equipment whore (please, no one be offended, I'm making fun of my past self) I would own my MR78 and an MR71! My days of owning multiple components in the same category are over. Well, almost- I do have 2 sets of headphones.