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What are the Best FM tuners?

This is an often asked question. This is my current list of favorites:
A. Good out of the box, judging sound quality only, not in order of preference because each has merits:

1. Very rare Accuphase T-103
2. 1 out of 10 Tandberg TPT 3001As
3. Onkyo T-909
4. Bogen TP-100
5. Akai AT-S7
6. JVC FX-1100B
7. NEC T-710
8. Onix Audio BWD-1
9. Kenwood KT-990D
10.Crown FM-2
11.Marantz ST-17
12.Sim Audio "Moon"

B. Modified tuners, both RF and audio performance, in order of preference:

1. Kenwood KT-727
2. Kenwood KT-3200D
3. NEC T-6E
4. SAE 8000
5. Accuphase T-101
6. Sony ST-S550ES
7. Onkyo T-4500
8. Tandberg TPT-3011A
9. McIntosh MR-74
10.Luxman T-110
11.Onkyo T-909
12.MD-102, early version

Sure, there are others -- and you may have your own opinions -- but these have proven to be excellent choices over the past 20 years.
bdscott
fplanner2000
616 posts
 
I also have a Sansui 9900, modded, currently hooked to an MD ST-2 whip antenna on the roof, run through an MD-205 Signal Sleuth. It pulls stations about 40 miles away and the sound is very good.

Currently pondering the merits of replacing the ST-2 with an MD-6 Yagi antenna I just purchased(before I discovered how well the MD-205 worked with the Sansui), but am torn between "leaving well enough alone" and the brain damage involved in modifying brackets, etc to install the MD-6.

Feedback?

Thanks
fplanner2000
616 posts
 
Put up the MD-6 - no looking back. Station pull increased, as did clarity, dynamics, etc. Put an Epiphany PC on it and some Virtual Dynamics Revelation ICs and now have sound rivaling my CD player! Pretty sweet tuna.... I suppose there's always something better....
wfcruz1
1 posts
 
I have a Sansui 9900 and it is better than any tuner I have personally used including Fishers (tube) Marantz 2110, various Denons and a vintage Dyna FM3. wfc
bdscott OP
22 posts
 
I recently upgraded a Nikko Gamma 5: additional IF filter, swapping out one linear-phase IF modules in favor of two standard ceramic IF filters, improved audio output IC, better audio output caps, improved high blend. It is hard to believe it gets much better -- WOW! 35-40dB adjacent-channel selectivity in Narrow with no ill effects.
mootsdude
51 posts
 
Don - I just today hooked up the Nikko Gamma 5 that you sent to me. I'm running it without the Winegard Yagi antenna, which I just recieved today. Initial impressions - WOW!!! It's receiving many stations with 75' of coax just coiled and laying on the ground level floor. I'll check back in once I have the antenna rigged.
Regards, Mike
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