I was worried my post is evidence FM listening is dead!
Nearly 100 views, no responses!
"Based on your description it sounds like it may not be worth the effort."
I was hoping to read such a response. Didn't want to start a project involving climbing on the roof. Thanks!
While the Classical and Jazz stations are palatable, the rock stations not so much.
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"Of course Herr Trumps budget.."
Schubert-
Unfortunately, funding has been on the decline since the 80s, perhaps more so the last 10-15 years?
I imagine we can look forward to even LONGER PLEDGE DRIVES and 99.9% corporate/private donations including commercials of donors plugging their own interests. Weird times...
yogiboy- Other than NPR/PBS broadcasts here on the west coast, our R&R stations are a far cry from the AOR from the late 60's-70s. Pathetic!
Musically, I think a wayback machine might be the invention to invest in.
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schubert-
Even though news/events seem to make it easier than EVER to believe it’s time to stash more money under the mattress, let’s hope you’re WRONG!
I’m just glad so many record collections have been given up in the 80’s.
My desert island collection is fortified in case of the apocalypse.
If we have warning that s#%ts gonna hit the fan, I will be prepared to blast some of BEST period stampers found for next to nothing!
"Ride of the Valkyries","Tocatta and Fugue in D minor" along with Zeppelin,Stones and Beatles are all cleaned and ready for volume at 11.
Now, everyone back to your Iphone/laptop SS digital systems!
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bdp24-
Its not a surprise SoCals Classical and Jazz station are what they are now.
The biggest problem may be the declining listener base. New listeners arent keeping pace with attrition.
I can do without the "personalities" but, this is California.
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"Don't need one , computer will do just fine."
schubert-
is the sound quality of playing an online statin equal to a nice tuner?
I have zero knowledge how this method works.
Are you using a digital out from thePC/laptop soundcard plugged into DAC?
The availability of stations would be nice, but seems dependant on the outboard gear for sound quality?
Plugging from computer via analog audio outs to an amp seems lofi.
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"In a word: No. It's not even close."
cleeds-
"good sound" of course is subjective, but I can't imagine anything beyond lofi, if one doesn't have a decent soundcard in their pc?
A reasonably fast, clean internet connection is commonplace now, but a standard pc typically has a mini jack audio out, so clearly one needs to invest in additional hardware?
I have limited knowledge on this subject of "online broadcast" and it's potential plugging it into a stereo rig.
If you are fortunate to live in an area with signals, seems a tuner is still a good thing for passive listening. Our public stations aren't the greatest to everyone,
but I certainly enjoy them. The commercial rock stations-well, garbage for the most part, but a few bright spots if you look for them-anyone listen to Steve Jones(former Sex Pistol) 2 hour program? Fantastic, almost a throwback to a 70's listening experience. Once in awhile, a really cool musician from the 60s/70's chatting with Steve, sharing insight about the "scene" I missed being born a decade or so too late.
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Stringreen- I too have always heard a sonic difference between "subscription" radio vs "over the air"
Clearly, the options kill FM.
This topic of FM listening reminds me of
TV viewing.I don't have cable, and over the air broadcast still has a superior picture quality over cable.
Oh well, to each his own. I'd be more alarmed not being able to listen at all! |
ruebent-
I forgot about the USB port!
If I get the bug for something different, I will go DAC shopping and get with the times.
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"Depending on your local FM fare, it can really be worth the trouble."
florida71-
Its comments like this that rattle my cage! Just to see a "10" on the tuning meter
keeps me thinking about going to the hardware store and getting the ladder out!
I get between an 8 and 9 on good days moving mine a couple of inches.
This however doesn't work on the rock stations which are a 7 at best. Same station on my $200 Cambridge Audio sounds almost as good as the Mac!
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"I can report that a Magnum Dynalab ST-2 yields great results here in NYC. Just tossed it under the credenza, hooked it up to the MR71 and I’m pleased as punch."
tommaster-I have always been curious about the ST-2,but put off by the cost.
I shouldn’t be, since everything else hifi requires opening your wallet!
Other than doing the deed-roof antennae , I’m guessing I won’t get much better results than what I have now. An el cheapo RCA branded,made in China 4" square plastic thingie. Ironic,a historic company reduced to 3 letters stamped on a Chinese product.
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alanholvey-
your insight was an interesting read.
Until I acquire an Rel, my tuner lust just won’t be satisfied. Something about the look just speaks to me-besides the obvious sonic attributes.
Im quite fond of the MR71, but gimme the REL, Marantz 10B and for good measure-the Scott 4310! I’m leaving a couple others out, but the rack is already full!
You mention TV. I don’t have cable and get fabulous reception and a spectacular picture/audio on my plasma(I know, now prehistoric) with an ultra cheap Terk I have hanging for the window sill.
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"I could even go into the subject of quality of movies audio reproduction between the up to early 1950’s mono, but tube driven, to today’s surround, high definition and solid state driven electronics."
alanholvey-
Somewhere in the early 90’s Sony made their last tube Trinitron in 16:9 format?
I think it was 480ED (not even HD) capable? I still believe it holds up to 4K OLED in many ways. OLED is pretty amazing, but I could be happy with the ancient Sony.
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karl_desch
unfortunately, that's one of the ways to acquire a nice 10B.
I couldn't get my wallet to open enough for the minimum $25-2700 decent units are going for.
I'm curious if demand continues to decline, just how low 10B's will eventually drop to?
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yyzsantabarbara-
I suppose if I lived in an area with no reception, I would rig something up.
Getting a handful of stations (including the awful rock stations) is a luxury. Our Classical station has been doing the pledge drive and I've heard "movie themes" way too many times.
Thats when I bounce between the 88.1Jazz and KCRW.
Both come in strong here, on the coast in Long Beach. On good days I dial in a "9" with dead center tuning-just great Mac/tube sound.
The Jazz station has unfortunately morphed into once in awhile "straight ahead" Jazz and most of the time smooth jazz with a standard squeezed in. Better than nothing.
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zar-
I think it is also is dependent on genre station listened to. If it's rock and pop, yes. On the PBS stations, not nearly as much, but the on air guys are flapping their gums way more than in the past. Some of the reason may now be listeners/corporations just have to cough up more dough to just stay viable.
Our fearless leader cut even more money from public broadcasting, which has been going on for awhile, now.
I gave up on R&R radio in the 80's. |
