I have a KLH model 18 tuner that I bought at a garage sale for $3.00. I sorted it out and used it for years. I modified it to use crystals for the Intermediate Frequency amplifiers so they wouldn’t go out of tune. I liked the mid century style of it, so much I bought a KLH model 21 FM radio. I refurbished it and it gets played in the kitchen every day.
In my bike shop in the basement I have an RCA 8R71 which was made about 1949. It uses a single-ended ultra linear output section. I found it in a junk shop up north about 20 years ago and refurbished it. It looks right at home in my shop since I tend to have really old bikes.
The radios get more use than the tuners.
In my bedroom system, again due to its mid century appearance, I have a refurbished Realistic TM175 (FM only version). I guess I like rotary dials. I found that the Realistic stuff can easily out perform its specs if you spend a little time doing a complete alignment. I have a theory (having worked in the Allied Radio Shack service department decades ago) that Tandy kept their prices a bit lower by not having as much technician time spent on their products.
My main system has a Dynaco FM-5, completely refurbished. It mostly gets played on Saturdays about once a month or less.
There are two stations in town that are hard to pick up because they are low power college stations. I’m far more likely to hear something new and interesting listening to them. One of them does not stream. As long as I can pick them up I’m not too concerned what tuner does it and all of my radios and tuners can.
