The best AM section I've found in a tuner so far was, unfortunately, in one of the most expensive tuners out there as well. I won't go into full technical detail, but suffice to say the AM section in the Sansui TU-X1 with its synchronous AM detector is simply one of the very best ever produced. Reportedly, Carver also did a decent job with the AM section in their TX-11a and TX-11b as well, although I've never used one. I've also gotten good AM out of my Sony ST-S730ES which has selectable bandwidths, although it was by no means as good as the TU-X1, with its wide/narrow, selectable filters, and synchronous detector. The Philips AH673 also had a good AM section, reportedly. Sansui and Pioneer also put decent AM sections with selectable bandwidth in a few tuners, Pioneer specifically in the TX-7800 and TX-9800. The most economical might be the Carver, where I'd take a second look for sure. The lower end Pioneers and Sansuis don't seem to have had the filters often necessary for good wideband AM reception. Hope this helps.
Help: AM antenna and AM reception
Hello all: I would like some suggestions and advice on AM reception. I know this may not be a popular format but a couple of the stations I enjoy broadcast in AM only.
My experience with AM reception using the "mainstream" FM/AM tuners has been very dissapointing (said tuners being JVC FX1010, SONY SA5ES and Denon TU-800). I tehn bought the Denon TU-680NAB (supposedly optimized for AM performance) but still no luck. OTOH, a pre-wired whole house intercom system with am/fm radio does a FAR better job with the AM stations! This creates a problem with my spouse who says that I spend so much on tuners which are unable to compete with much cheaper syatems! So, what gives? Why does a $300-$600 tuner fail miserably while an "el cheapo" combo am/fm/intercom does so much better? I should say that the antenna used for separate tuners has been the Terk AM indoor type. How do I improve upon this? My location is central NJ. Thanks.
PS: Do let me know if I need to provide additional info.
My experience with AM reception using the "mainstream" FM/AM tuners has been very dissapointing (said tuners being JVC FX1010, SONY SA5ES and Denon TU-800). I tehn bought the Denon TU-680NAB (supposedly optimized for AM performance) but still no luck. OTOH, a pre-wired whole house intercom system with am/fm radio does a FAR better job with the AM stations! This creates a problem with my spouse who says that I spend so much on tuners which are unable to compete with much cheaper syatems! So, what gives? Why does a $300-$600 tuner fail miserably while an "el cheapo" combo am/fm/intercom does so much better? I should say that the antenna used for separate tuners has been the Terk AM indoor type. How do I improve upon this? My location is central NJ. Thanks.
PS: Do let me know if I need to provide additional info.