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Tuner - FM over the air - suggestions

OK, so I kinda miss being able to just tune in my local over the air classical music station and let it run all day long... So...

I'm looking for suggestions for a good new over the air tuner, with remote.  I don't want nor need to go super expensive, so let's keep it at under $500, and preferably more like 300 or less but I'm willing to consider.  This is not for a super-critical application, just background music mainly when I want to set and forget and go about my day.

I know there are loads of vintage tuners out there too... but I'm trying to keep it simple.  Perhaps if there's a decent vintage with remote for not too much money, ok... but I'm leaning towards new, based on my recent success with new stuff.  It'll be hooked into my Marantz Ruby amp via RCA in.  

Sangean?  Rotel?  Rolls?  DST?  Teac, perhaps...?  

 

curtdr
elliottbnewcombjr
5,248 posts
 

Bob Carver is a genius, unique FM patents.

Mine did not have remote, this model does

 

others of his probably exist with remotes. they are terrific

this one, preamp with tuner, read the small print https://www.ebay.com/itm/134230115648?hash=item1f40bd0540:g:BcYAAOSwmYFjH69s

has remote https://www.ebay.com/itm/275451163068?hash=item40222b31bc:g:VMYAAOSw1uljGRMN
4krowme's avatar
4krowme
542 posts
 

Thank god somebody mentioned getting a good antenna, and putting it up in the attic. I am still kicking myself for not doing this until this year. Fiddled with a number of tuners and indoor antennas. If you don't have a good signal the rest is crap. But I live in the middle of now where.

 

 Also, OTA doesn't cost, in spite of the commercials. Streaming doesn't seem like much of a bargain to me. NPR is still free.

elliottbnewcombjr
5,248 posts
 

most people are amazed how good over the air TV signals are. they assume cable is better.

another reason to use a TV antenna for FM.

We lost power/cable for 8 days during superstorm Sandy, no cable and I had removed the old antenna from the chimney, nada.

I put a new one on the chimney. Next time was IRENE, cable gone, me and my little generator and my OTA TV antenna got us amazingly clear TV for the 2 weeks without power.

baylinor's avatar
baylinor
1,241 posts
 

@curtdr 

Sangean, I have it listed under my system. I live 40 miles out of Austin in the hill country and yet the supplied cable antenna works flawlessly for multiple stations. The sound on some digital stations is spectacular for radio, maybe 80% from streamer quality. Highly recommended for under $200.

elliottbnewcombjr
5,248 posts
 

our cable company started somehow blocking FM from their signal, used to be great source.

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