Best reasonably priced classic hi-end tuner

So what do you consider "reasonably priced", less than $3000.00 ?

If you can do without the more substantial construction and appearance of the McIntosh's, the H. H. Scott tube tuners shown at the link Viridian provided should certainly be considered.

I've owned a few of them, though not the highest end models (the 310E and 4310, which are in the Marantz 10B type of price class). Among those I've owned, the 310D, when used with an external stereo multiplex adapter (Scott 335 or LM35, or Fisher MPX100) particularly stands out.

To put that in context, its sound quality approached that of two 10B's I've owned, although of course its sensitivity did not (nor did the sensitivity of many other vintage tuners I've owned, including an MR71; the 1954 REL Precedent I currently use is the only tuner in my experience that is competitive with the 10B in terms of weak signal reception capability).

If you want to consider vintage tube tuners and you happen across one of the external multiplex adapters I mentioned, grab it, although it may cost upwards of $300 if in top condition. It would broaden your choices of tuner to include the many models that were made ca. 1960 that are mono in themselves but provide a multiplex output signal from which the multiplex adapter will extract the stereo. Those tuners sell for considerably less than their slightly later counterparts that provide stereo in one chassis, while providing similar performance.

Regards,
-- Al

Best tuner I've ever owned was the tuner in my Tandberg tr2080 receiver. That left little to want in terms of sound quality and reception performance. The Tandberg standalone tuners were always regarded as even better.

Best tuner I've ever owned was the tuner in my Tandberg tr2080 receiver. That left little to want in terms of sound quality and reception performance. The Tandberg standalone tuners were always regarded as even better.

These come up for sale occasionally for very reasonable cost (assuming good working condition).

I remember selling many of the highly regarded Sansui tuners from back in the day as well. They were also very good!

Rlwainwright mentioned the Yamaha T-2. I'll second that! My system is pretty humble but I can tell that this tuner is a cut above the rest for audio quality (the rest being Yamaha T-85, Kenwood KT-1100SD, Denon TU-800L and Sony XDR-F1HD). The audio on a good broadcast sounds stunning with a vibrant yet relaxed, natural sound, and it has the best imaging, and sense of space and depth I have yet heard from a tuner. There is a sense of realism that brings music to life. I think Doug S on the Yahoo tuner forum says that they are up there with the Tandberg 3001 for performance, and I can believe him. My T-2 even does DX a bit better than my T-85!

Regards,
Nick