I recently purchased a 1960 Sherwood S-2000 tube tuner for $15 at an antiques store. I replaced the broken dial string and recapped it with Sonicaps and 1 Auricap (output coupling cap) and it sounds Great! It's mono, but I really don't miss the stereo at all. It does have a separate MPX output (for forward compatibility with the not-yet-introduced FM Stereo). It pulls in the stations well and has a very liquid sound.
As someone who has been through a lot of 1950's and 1960's tube tuners, as well as a few modern ones, I second these statements 200%. It can take a little patience to find a good example of a good model, and perhaps some work on what you acquire, but the effort will be well rewarded.
As Ait alluded to, it's a lot easier to find good sound and good sensitivity at a low price if you are willing to listen in mono. And you will be, because the sound can be so glorious!
If you do want stereo, either from a stereo tube tuner, or from a mono unit that has provision for connection to an external multiplex adapter, be prepared to spend at least several hundred dollars for a good example, unless you get very lucky. The better multiplex adapters themselves (Fisher MPX100, Scott 335 and its kit equivalent, the LM35), will go on eBay for $200+ for a good example, and they don't appear particularly often.
And the better stereo tuners with built in multiplex adapters will commonly be several hundred dollars, or a little more than that for the better McIntoshes, or a LOT more for the two legends of the time, the Marantz 10B (stereo), and the REL Precedent (mono with multiplex out jack) (NOT the modern subwoofer manufacturer; that's Radio Engineering Laboratories, of NYC in the 1920's or 1930's to 1950's). For those two, be prepared to spend $3K or so for a good example.
I live about 60 miles from NYC, and I have a good roof-mounted antenna. Out of all the tuners I've tried over the years, including the 1980's Carver TX-11 which sold for $550 then and used special signal processing to achieve extraordinary MEASURED sensitivity, the only ones that would receive WQXR in stereo with close to negligible hiss levels are the 10B and the REL (+ mpx adapter). Not to mention that their sound was exceptional as well.
I've had several Radio Craftsmen Model 10 or RC10 mono tuners, from around 1952, which I typically paid $25 for. They too produce a gorgeous sound (you will not mind the fact that they are mono), and I'm sure you can find one in good shape on eBay with a little patience. Although they are probably in the $50 to $100 range these days. I believe Radio Craftsmen was the corporate predecessor of Sherwood, which Ait mentioned. It's appearance, though, is definitely not what you are used to, although it has a beautiful chrome chassis.
I've had wonderful results also from an H.H. Scott 310D (mono with mpx out). Not the 310E, which goes for close to $1K because TAS hyped it some years ago. The 350 I believe provides stereo, and is probably findable for $200 or $300, although I haven't heard one.
The Fisher FM90X gave me good results, also, and is reasonably priced, as are several other Fisher's.
The McIntoshes of that era, and later, are of course very good, but are more expensive than the others (other than the 10B and Precedent).
Hope that helps,
-- Al
