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Post by Pinch on Jul 4, 2014 8:13:11 GMT
I'm becoming increasingly irritated with listening to the radio via the internet; it would be nice to integrate an FM tuner into the system. Do people think there's anything in particular to look our for, or to avoid in this area; what are the key considerations? I don't really want to spend very much, but it seems many second hand tuners are currently available for reasonable prices. Any recommended lines or models? Thanks!
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Post by ChrisB on Jul 4, 2014 8:39:54 GMT
We're in a bit of a sweet spot for buying used tuners. Prices have gone up a little in the last few years, but there are still some massive bargains to be had. I'm a sucker for analogue (in the old sense of the word) tuners with big twirly knobs, so can't offer you any advice whatsoever on the more modern ones. My most important criteria for tuner buying has always been that a unit must pull in a decent signal. The implication is that if you want to buy a classic British tuner, you're going to need a really good aerial. The Japanese units of the late sixties, seventies and early eighties commonly made a mockery of our own brands in this regard. The commonly recommended Leak Troughlines, for example, sound fantastic but only if you are able to give them that vital signal strength. The single best resource on the web for tuner information is this one - The Tuner Information Center. Bear in mind, when researching there though, that the requirements for FM reception in the US are a little different to those that you will encounter in the UK - for example, in parts of the States, there are a lot of competing stations close to each other on the dial, so selectivity is an important consideration. Less so here. Good luck with your research and keep us informed about what you're discovering. |
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Post by julesd68 on Jul 4, 2014 8:51:33 GMT
+1 for the Tuner Info Centre - I found it incredibly helpful when looking for a tuner ... I ended up with this beauty - it is a stellar performer for me ...  |
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Post by MartinT on Jul 4, 2014 9:11:22 GMT
An outside of the box suggestion for discussion - do you have a Sky or Freeview box? If so, and you have a DAC in your system, consider taking the digital feed into your DAC and thence through the system. I find radio from my Sky HD box through my Caiman Mk.II DAC to sound extremely good. Remember these days that virtually all FM feeds go through digital links before reaching the transmitters.
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Post by Pinch on Jul 4, 2014 9:43:46 GMT
Wow! Great site, thanks Chris  And good to see that it worked well for Jules. Thanks for the suggestion, Martin. Alas, no Sky or Freeview box - I stream or download the little TV that I watch. But yes, I'd heard that about the digital links in FM feeds; shame. |
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Post by guy on Jul 8, 2014 22:25:13 GMT
Hi,
I have a couple of Denon TU-260L (one dining room, other living room). Both bought for about £10-15 on ebay.
Spent more on an outside aerial ~£25. Installed it myself, spent bit of time up a ladder with wife shouting when it was in the best position - but that's another story!
Sounds very good to me.
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Post by Eduardo Wobblechops on Jul 8, 2014 22:40:58 GMT
Was not cheap, but I used to have an Accuphase T-101, fantastic tuner and I regret sselling it.
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Post by ChrisB on Jul 8, 2014 22:48:06 GMT
Yes, that's a good one. Still got mine and will keep it.
The big old Tandberg receivers had some of the most fantastic tuner sections. Worth having for them alone.
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jrh101
Rank: Soloist
Posts: 12 
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Post by jrh101 on Jul 9, 2014 6:48:22 GMT
I have a basic Denon TU260L and Quad FM4 in my main system. Tuner prices have fallen considerably and now represent excellent value.
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Post by Rexton on Jul 12, 2014 21:12:16 GMT
I use Dynalab but have always hankered over one of the big Sansui tuner's maybe the TU919
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Post by MartinT on Jul 12, 2014 21:43:23 GMT
I used to have a Hitachi FT5500-II and it was a great tuner. It pulled in a good signal and sounded excellent.
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Post by ChrisB on Jul 12, 2014 22:55:07 GMT
I had a 919 among other highly regarded tuners. Flogged 'em all (well almost all!) and kept my Accuphase T-101. Never regretted it.
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Post by ChrisB on Jul 13, 2014 0:06:19 GMT
.......but the Sansui is a lovely machine!
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Post by Rexton on Jul 13, 2014 16:59:30 GMT
I had a 919 among other highly regarded tuners. Flogged 'em all (well almost all!) and kept my Accuphase T-101. Never regretted it. These go for quite silly money now I believe! I noticed a Sansui TU717 went for <£60 on ebay last week  |
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And good to see that it worked well for Jules.
