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Are There Alternatives to the Marantz 10 B ?

Hi,

I've been sinking my money (what little I have) into a DAC DSD upgrade and to pay for it, I decided to sell my Magnum Dynalab tuner. I liked the MD fm tuner but I wasn't ecstatic about it. For one thing, I was constantly wrestling with the dipole antenna to bring in the signal and that got rather inundating. The sound was really very good at certain times but rarely when a program came on that I had been waiting to hear.

So what I've been wondering is whether or not stereo fm tube tuners exist that offer a great audiophile sound but that don't receive the same level of attention as the Marantz 10 B? I suppose the hope is to find that 'build your own tuner kit' or advice on purchasing a particular tuner and how to modify it and all of this for a reasonable sum of money. And when it's all said and done, if I've still fallen short of my aim, then I'll get a job in the diamond mines and save until I've got enough for the Marantz 10 B.

Thanks!
goofyfoot
goofyfoot OP
1,354 posts
 
I'm wondering then, would the multiplex adapter apply to the McIntosh MR 65 and if so, would the HH Scott and the McIntosh be of equal quality even though their sonic characteristics might possibly be different?

I'm thinking however that the 310 D would be less expensive than the MR 65.

I saw a McIntosh MA 6 multiplex adapter for $500.00 on the Audio Classics website. My assumption is that any multiplex adapter would be compatible with any mono tube tuner that accepts a multiplex adapter?

This is great, I'm learning things that I had no knowledge or familiarity with, thanks!
tls49's avatar
tls49
1,351 posts
 

Glad to help, Al. Also, I have a Sams Photofact and copies of a Scott Service Bulletin and owners manual for the Scott 335 should anyone need them.

Goofyfoot, look here at the Berner's Site for MR 65 or MR 65A. This shows a MA 5 adapter that is mounted to the chassis of those tuners, and appears to work with them only. Also, the MR 65B is a stereo tuner. The MA 6 is shown on the MR 66 page, and appears that it only works with that tuner since it is powered through a 4 pin plug on the back of the tuner.

So, to answer your question, all multiplex adapters are not compatible, although it appears that the Mac tuners may work with the Scott and Fisher adapters.
goofyfoot OP
1,354 posts
 
Sorry to question the obvious. Yes, I later saw that the MR 65 accepts the multiplex adapter and thanks for the PDF link.

Can anyone comment on the sonic comparisons between the 310 D and the MR 65?

The reason I am mentioning the MR 65 is that they seem to appear on auction websites more readily than the 310 D and can at times be within the same price range as the 310 D.

Either way I can wait while looking periodically for a reasonable offer.

I wish my 1957 Zenith Trans-Oceanic had FM.
goofyfoot OP
1,354 posts
 
I'm working and looking at the links that are being sent my way so I apologize for delayed responses but everyone's been more than generous with their time and knowledge.
lak's avatar
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lak
4,577 posts
 
Have you thought about the Magnum Dynalab Signal Sleuth?
I have one that I use with my MD-106T Analog FM Tuner and it works well to lock in on distant stations.
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