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
Best tuner I have owned (both reception/sensitivity and sound quality) was in Tandberg tr2080 receiver. The better dedicated Tandberg tuners were even better and do not cost a fortune to acquire it seems when they become available.

I've seen and heard many over the years including Magnums, which seem nice but overpriced, but not that particular Marantz though.

FM tuners used to be an obsession area in audio for me, so I tend to take notice of tuner performance whenever I hear one.

The current brand I like for affordable good tuner technology is Sangean. I have a recent model Sangean table radio (comparable to Tivoli) that rivals most anything I have ever used for reception. Sangean makes some tuners, but I have never used these, however this is a company with a focus on making good radios for those who care.
Atmasphere, your insights make me think that it would be best to go through a dealer like Audio Classics, as they have the ability to bring their tuners up to acceptable standards. I like Audio Classics and I've bought from them before but doing so would ad a bit of money to the price tag.
Are there other sources for seeking out the H.H. Scott, etc...?
Thanks Yogiboy. I can't help wondering however why the Scott 310 D mono tuner with Multipllex adapter would be preferable to a later Scott tuner either mono or stereo, or is i just based on the overall cost?
Ralph (Atmasphere), thanks for providing your always extremely knowlegeable inputs.
05-09-14: Goofyfoot
I can't help wondering however why the Scott 310 D mono tuner with Multipllex adapter would be preferable to a later Scott tuner either mono or stereo, or is i just based on the overall cost?
I believe the 310D was among the last and the best of the Scott mono tuners. Perhaps THE last and best. What I believe was its successor model, the 310E stereo tuner, is highly sought after and commands prices well upwards of $1K if in excellent condition. Among other stereo tuners, the 350 series is fairly popular, but I suspect it would be at least as costly as a 310D + MPX'er in similar condition.

So yes, cost is definitely a factor in what I've had to say, given your cost-related statements earlier in the thread, and given the MUCH lower selling prices that are typical of vintage mono tube tuners vs. their slightly later stereo counterparts.

Regards,
-- Al