Vintage Tuner-Only wonderful because it's the SOUND I grew up with?.....


I scooped up a lovely vintage 70s, Nikko FAM 500 Tuner.  

When I work from home, I will stream certain Chicagoland radio stations while working.  Several have pretty strong data over stream - per Roon's readings of the connection. 

I plumped the cute yet smartly designed Nikko into place and the machine sounds great!  I've only listened to FM stereo so far. It's been hours, so who knows?  But I sure am enjoying a smooth sound with a bit wider soundstage--I know those to be true. 

I wonder for a second.. . What was so wrong with radio when played over just decent equipment?  

So, do vintage tuners have a subjective sound quality that makes them enjoyable? Or is this the sound I grew up with, which is just great with faults.   

 

128x128jbhiller

Some stations broadcast a high quality signal, some do not...I use McIntosh MR-74 and Luxman L-110, both upgraded by Don Scott, who had said that a well done FM broadcast could sound incredibly good...

The subjective sound quality is enhanced by the fact you don't have to rely on an internet signal/computer to listen to music, and it's FREE!

1965 Mcintosh MR71-last tubed model manufactured.  

 

@jbhiller : the DA-F10 from ’78 is quite advanced in circuit design! It had a test/write up in Audio magazine. I had one then - bought new for $280. Used it for 20+ years. My present one was bought a few years ago on eBay for under $200. Exemplary sound quality!

Radio is not about decent equipment. It's about sad programming, commercials, multiplex distortion and RFI.

I grew up with AM over tube car radios.

I'm listening to my local station now. FM today has the same limitations it's always had. Limited frequency response and noise. Still sounds darn good on a good station.