Why are AM/FM Tuners So Expensive?

Interesting question.Not sure if I could answer technical reasons why but I think that the mass market maufacturers have given up as there is no market.When folks bought intergrated amps 15 years ago the lower end folks all had 'em.Now it's less demand ergo less supply and more dough.But I can tell you that they vary quite a bit in quality.People really into radio still want old McIntosh or pay up to $7500 for a Magnum Dynalab.I have a cult piece a Yamaha T2 which was $750 new 10 years ago and quite prized.I think the best less expensive one out there is the NAD.I think they still use Schotz noise reduction and they are highly selective.They may not pull in te more disatnt stations but the ones they do they lock hard onto them, with a good clean signal.A very good used one (and I know there is oone up on Audiogon now) is the mid 80's Nakamichi with Schotz circutry.I used to sell them in Boston and they work great.See if you can knock the guy down and I think it will blow away any new $300 tuner.

I don't know why NAD, Rotel or other tuners are more expensive than, say, a Denon TU-260 II, since most tuners use the same front-end electronics.... You're probably paying for the name. To me, being an ex-radio-technician, there is absolutely no point in paying a lot of money for a tuner. Most radio-broadcasts are so heavily processed you're mother wouldn't recognize you if you we're being interviewed....

If you are anywhere near Madison, WI and you want to see what a good FM tuner can do drop me a note and maybe we can arrange a time for you audition several tuners at one time. Now back to the reason it may be little difference what FM tuner you own before long: The biggest problem is that almost all radio stations are owned by a handful of corporate interests (click here for details). These stations put out one voice opinions (those of the owner) across hundreds of stations at a time, use statistical models to create their cookie cutter programming, and then deliver it in compressed (sonically flat and truncated sound) to you so that the transmission carries farther. Garbage is accelerating and so is "our" governments support of it (again see link above). However, if you get a good TRUELY community owned radio station (such as WORT FM in Madison, WI or click here) you can get diverse viewpoints, freedom of ideas, and an incredible exposure to vast array of music types. If you have a chance to hear a good community owned radio station you will understand and hear the difference. If you want to really be shocked, assuming you have not heard one, pick up a recently aligned good tube tuner with NOS Mullard Gold Pin or better Telefunken tubes (I have ditched the Magnum Dynalabs, Audiolab 8000t, Rotel RHT-10 etc solid state tuners for the tube guys. Maybe the MD 108 is exceptional but have not had a chance to hear one). Some good candidates include: McIntosh MR-67, MR-71 (nothing beyond the 71 for best 3D sound), Fisher FM-200B or FM-1000, Citation iiix (not the iii),Scott 350B, Marantz 10B.

I too have heard good things about the Nak ST-7 that is currently listed for sale.

Just to clarify something, as a fellow T-2 owner, this did list for $750, but was first produced in 1978, which is over 20 years ago vs. the 10 years mentioned.

BDAY, if you are in the market for a new tuner, I suggest, as many others do on here, that you spend some time on the following site. http://www.geocities.com/tunerinfo/

And to answer your question, I personally have not done head-to-head with a tuner vs. receiver, but a little research will prove this to be undoubtedly true.

A good tuner and antenna setup may surprise you.

I had one of the original NAD tuners and also a NAD receiver. They sounded bland & generic even on a low wattage fm college station. I now have a Mcintosh MR-67 in need of work that sounds better than any of the ss tuners that I have heard. Of course there are only 1 or 2 stations that are listenable in my area, most of the stations are krappe' and any tuner would do.