2. misc-audio
  3. 987522263

Best Tuner under 500?

I'm in the market for a tuner and have been looking at the Rotel RT-955 ($499). I live in a tiny town 20 miles outside of New Olreans, and listen mainly to out of town AM talk shows while the wife enjoys top 40 FM radio (when I'm nowhere to be found!). Any thoughts on the Rotel? Are there better tuners for about the same price or cheaper? Will I need an external antenna or possibly one I can mount in my sizeable attic for extended AM access? (Homeowner's association restrictions on external extrusions). If it matters, other components include Acurus ACT-3 pre-pro, Adcom GFA-6000 amp (soon to be upgraded), B&W DM-640i mains, and Paradigm PS-1200 powered sub. I recently upgraded from a 1994 model Yamaha Pro Logic receiver which had terrible AM reception. My vehicles' cheap factory head units reception out performed the receiver's FM and AM by a long shot. What's the deal here?
herbl4
phild
603 posts
 
If you don't mind your tuner looking older, and being analog, I'd recommend checking into something used from the 70s. An old Luxman, Onkyo, etc. Most companies were making tuners that are much better than their current tuners, and they'd be much less than $500. I also have a Harman Kardon tuner (a Citation model) from the late 80s, and it sounds great.
jsbail
368 posts
 
The old Yamaha T-1 and T-2 tuners are great. There is a T-2
on ebay now. They go in the $300-$400 range, depending on condition.
woodfield
39 posts
 
Either the Quad FM4 or the MD FT-11 would be good choices and for much less than $500.00. You can usually pick up a MD 101 or 101a used for less than $5 bills.
hpk
8 posts
 
I was fortunate to find a RT -955 recently and after living with it for about 3 months, I am very satisfied. I don't generally use it for AM but what I have tried it appears to be very sensitive and should prove usefull with a good antenna. Of course AM is so very prone to electrical noise it does depend greatly on your immediate environment with respect to electrical noise.

The FM section sounds very good and in fact when a good quality broadcast is on CBC ie jazz or classical it almost surpizes me at times how good it does sound. Of course the majority of pop and rock stations simply sound very compressed and as a result are basically unlistenable. So your at the whims of the broadcaster buit the tuner is very capable.

If you don't mind an older/vintage unit they are a number of excellent ones folating about as suggested. Previous to the Rotel I used an old Marantz receiver which had the best tuner both in R.F. and sound combined.

If you do go the route of The Rotel 955, I am sure you will not be dissapointed with its performance. Good luck and keep us informed.
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