You may be right, except for the high end tuners that are "custom designs". And if you thin FM sucks, Try AM on any of the newer equiptment! (For old time music and talk radio) The tuner components have been reduced to simple I.C. chip sets to save money, and that is why most comsumer tuners are about all alike, and all mediocre. I just worked on an early 80's or late 70's Pioneer rcvr for my brother with an analog tuner. The amp was not so great, but the tuner sure could pull in alot of stations with just rabbit ears, much better than a comparable 90's rcvr does. I had an 80's SAE tuner with selectable IF bandwidth, muting, etc. and it whips up on the 90's Hafler tuner I use now, only that this one works with my Hafler system remote for convenience. I cannot get schematics for either, to try improvements! Also, compare a 60's or 70's all transistor japanese portable radio on AM, to anything now(the tabletop size, not pocket). If you want to get anything outside of your own city, go with the old "junk" radio! The AM is on a chip, now.
Are tuners getting worse?
Equipment Reviews in Stereo Review for last several years seems to indicate that FM performance even in premium receivers is not up to performance of several years ago. If I want a good stereo FM tuner should I be looking for something from the mid-80's? Any suggestions on good models/vintages for picking up on an auction or classified?