2. analog
  3. 147212-2319

Are analog, non-compressed, FM stations a thing of the past?

For many years I have enjoyed the best FM broadcasts I could receive.  Usually from stations playing great Jazz and classical music. 

I have been lucky from the start having, in their day, the best FM tuners from Yamaha and Sansui.  Over the last 10+ years my tuners of choice have been the best from Magnum Dynalab.   

My question/concern is if broadcasts worth listening to, sound wise, will still continue to be available?  I realize there are limitations on the audio signals modulated on FM as to the audio spectrum covered.  However it seems the days of quality FM broadcasts my continue to dwindle and a decent FM tuner/receiver may be all that the broadcasts justify?  When, living in Madison, Wi., I had a MD-108 and Etude and the two local public broadcast stations did have signals that a very good tuner could make the best of, including a wonderful Jazz program hosted by one of the best percussionists in the Madison area.   

Sorry, perhaps just an old guy lamenting the quest of generations past for....as some magazine called it...the absolute sound. 

Perhaps the best thing about great FM stations signals and music broadcast was the ability to hear some music that I might choose to own the LP/CD/SACD etc. 









whatjd
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
As far as rock and talk radio stations go, they have been disappearing. It's very hard for over the air commercial stations to make money with dwindling ad sales. CBS has been selling off their stations which I believe are over 100. It wasn't very long ago that they were buying up stations in every market, standard practice for large conglomerates.

These are they stations we have always complained about due to their limited playlists, too many commercials, and overly compressed music and voice.
 
n80
2,120 posts
 
We have a very good classical station out of Davidson University, WDAV. They don't seem to be affiliated with NPR but they do fundraisers twice a year. Almost no talk and very few ads other than various programs "brought to you by.....". The DJs are excellent and quite knowledgeable.

I'm about 30 miles away and the signal is good but sometimes falters. I need to get an outdoor antenna. Are FM antennas directional?

As mentioned by lowrider57, even near a large metropolitan area the rock radio scene is poor and tend towards classic rock with a short list of songs in the rotation and never anything new. There is one decent station but it is low signal and I can barely get it. An outdoor antenna might help with that as well.

My concern with new rock music is that most of it is already super compressed in production and then additional compression by the station can't help that already ugly situation.
erik_squires
16,235 posts
 
You know, most good stations are available via Internet Radio and some sound really great. KCSM, KDFC, and Toronto's Jazz FM 91,

They may also be a good way to find local stations.

Some FM antennas are directional. I had Radio Shack's largest combo FM/TV antenna on a rotating motor and it was superb when pointed the right way.

Check out Fanfare among others.

Best,
E
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
Maybe it's a nostalgia thing, but tuning in an FM station on a home stereo was such a delight.

There's a lot of good radio on the Bluesound Node. I even get the local classical/jazz station here in Philly.

whatjd OP
1,139 posts
 
Thanks again for the interest and for your time.  

lowrider57

I am not familiar with Bluesound Node, can you fill me in?
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