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TUNERS..anyone?

Hey all,Im getting back into the FM thing since I was given a Adcom GFT-1A
The antenna is a $15 Radio Shack cat.# 15-1843 it is about 4"x4" and 1/2" thick.It seems to pull in stations really good and lights up the signal strength meter on the tuner to 5 out of 5.
I love the sound of this tuner and it's my first adventure with good FM.I can't believe how transparent,warm and smooth this thing sounds.My only complaint is the drums(rock music/metal) coming through with lack of slam.The drums seem like they are far away,distant like.If I crank the volume that helps some but they still just don't have the slam Im use to with vinyl and CD.
1) whats up with that?
2) WHY does FM sound so DAMN good??
3) Whats a KILLER tuner (used) for <$1K?
david99
brianmgrarcom
1,317 posts
 
I can't add much to what has already been said, but I will concur with the message that recommends spending time on the Vintage Tuner Web site. (Great site!) Also check out http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FMtuners/

The best bang for your buck, and probably best bang period, will be in a vintage tuner from back when R&D was going into tuners.

I have owned one of the modern "super" tuners and now have a Yamaha T-2 from circa '78. The Yammie is better!
buckingham
333 posts
 
Second the Magnum Etude. The reason Rock sounds nasty on FM is because almost all rock/pop stations compress the signal. Here in Canada CBC radio 2 has all day Classical/Jazz without commercials and the signal is uncompressed. This is the ONLY station that I ever listen to on the Etude because most other stations sound quite nasty and there's lots of commercials.. So find a good station and a Magnum Etude or a Fanfare and you'll be quite happy.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
in WBGO, NJ DJs use broadcast TT and play records very often.
Compressed music is in the nature of FM signal and less-likely it's because of loud car stereos.
brf
1,715 posts
 
I've owned many tuners in the past with varying results. Magnum Dynalab and Fanfare tuners have an excellent reputation, but I was a bit disappointed with my Magnum once I started to compare it against vintage tuners. I have spent and lost allot on money on my quest to find an ultimate tuner. The three tuners that I have kept and currently enjoy (all purchased used for less than $1000 USD used each) are as follows: Yamaha CT7000, Tandberg 3001A and an ONIX. Each tuner has its own endearing personality, but IMHO, you cannot go wrong with with either unit.
thedautch
329 posts
 
I've said it before and I'll say it again...roll out the XM and Serius tuners for audiophile home use, and let's see how digital radio can *really* sound.
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