Good FM tuner for around $1K

  Get a MR-74 or MR-77. They all were Modaferri designed in whole or in part, and will give the MR-78 a real run in quality for less money. I have all three models and they sound substantially similar. 

FWIW, one of the finest vintage tuners made, was the Accuphase T100.  If you can find one that has been gone thru, i.e. new caps, lights, possibly RCA, etc, and aligned, for under $1000 you can not do better. I had and used one for many years it was vastly better than tuners I had from Magnum, Carver, Yamaha, and even a stable mate, the Accuphase T101 (no slouch). I gave up on FM some years ago as I live in a very remote area - the are very few interesting stations here any longer.

BTW, some one has a T100 listed on US Audio Mart.

There is a McIntosh MR78 right now over on Audio Asylum asking $900.00

@yogiboy 
very tempted to just take the simple route and buy a new MD like yours. Sounds like you’re happy with it, have you had it a long time?

@tlong1958
I bought it used about 8 years ago. I’ve owned many vintage tuners including Accuphase, Sansui, Luxman, Kenwood, etc., etc.
I paid about $600 for it. Save yourself some cash and buy a used one. There is a dealer selling a silver one here for $600. You should make an offer on it.
Those vintage tuners are a headache if you have a problem. Magnum Dynalab is still in business.
Here is the owners manual!
http://www.magnumdynalab.com/pdfs/manuals/manual-MD90.pdf