I just replaced my uber-expensive Magnum Dynalab MD-108 with NOS tubes with a surprisingly enjoyable vintage Sansui TU-919. The Sansui has not been modded and sounds great as-is.
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.
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.
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- 75 posts total
Sansui TU-X1. Haven't heard anything close. A huge rare piece that weighs 30 pounds. Sounded great when bought used. Upgraded by Ken at Stereo Surgeon in CT. Simply incredible sound from live broadcasts off WQXR in NYC (despite their move to the end of the dial). Previously owned Pioneer TX-9100 and modded Sansui 717. Agree with everyone that vintage Sansui crushes any current models. |
Since no one else has mentioned it, I recently replaced my Accuphase T101 with an Accuphase T100. A substantial improvement - not as 'bright', better bass, and more highly resolved. Better reception as well. On those occasions when the signal is high quality it approaches the general quality of the other sources I have. FWIW. |
Newbee -- Enjoy the new Accuphase! Re my own tuner experiences, I'll quote from myself in another tuner thread: I've been through about a dozen tuners over the years, mostly vintage tube units, but a few modern ones as well including a Carver TX-11. The vintage ones include a REL (Radio Engineering Laboratories) Precedent (from 1954), two different Marantz 10B's, a McIntosh MR71, and numerous Scott and Fisher units.The REL is the one I've kept in my main system, and I've sold most of the others. Although ever since I acquired it about 18 years ago, it unfortunately only feels like working properly on some days and not on others (I think it has a problem with a diode or capacitor in the detector circuit). But when it cooperates I couldn't ask for more. Here's a pic from this link of someone else's REL. Regards, -- Al |
- 75 posts total