FM Tuner for audiophiles-is it a bad idea today?

The station I listen to spins vinyl, KCRW. They also play auto-tune digital stuff. Can't have it all. However, music discovery is great with this local station.

I have 2 tuners and use both regularly. A Magnum Dynalab MD102 for FM and the following, https://www.xdrguy.com/ for the HD and FM band. HD is awful sonically compared to FM but I need the HD band occasionally.

The Sony HD tuner is pretty amazing at picking up stations. It does not sound as good as the MD 102 but it has a better signal grabber. I say the Sony is 95% of the MD 102 sonically on the FM band.

I’ve been very happy listening to the NPR Jazz radio here in the north west on an updated (refreshed, recapped etc) Sansui Tuner from the late 70’s (TU 717). all in I’ve got $600 into it and the sound is very good top to bottom, very enjoyable toe tappingly good sound, and it receives very well (I’m 80km from the antenna and get a full strength signal, using a Dynalab wip antenna).

These older high end tuners are very well made, right in the height of FM radio, there are many too choose from as well that would fit the bill.

Sansui, Kenwood, Marantz, MAC etc. all made some supper tuners that are better then almost anything made today. check out the Sansui TU-X1 for example of one of the best tuners ever made, IMO of course.

Tuner information center. Tuner Information Center - Vintage Stereo Tuners (fmtunerinfo.com) is a wealth of information.

I’d put my Sansui up against any Dynalab tuner sub $2000. they are that good after, refresh and alignment of course they are 35+ years old now.

Glen

+1 @yyzsantabarbara

Nice! I have a Magnum Dynalab MD-102 FM Tuner as well.

Added bypass caps and OCC interconnects. Super nice.  Listen to it often.

Only if you don't also get a decent antenna. 

I use FM tuner (Carver tx-11a) still for content not available elsewhere.  Special or hosted programming on public radio, etc.  Stuff you can't get with good quality streaming which does not include most published music anymore.

Had it on all Saturday afternoon.   My wife wanted Christmas music on the local station.