I've got FM covered. What about AM?


I own Magnum Dynalab’s MD100 Triode FM tuner.  That’s great, but I also want to listen to AM broadcasts though my system--that is, I don’t want a tabletop or portable device.  Should I find any AM/FM tuner to have access to AM broadcasts or should I use a different approach?  I’d appreciate any guidance.  

patrickalston

I pulled the trigger tonight and purchased a restored Marantz 2130 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/397263854940).  I was looking for and found two McKay Dymeck AM tuners, the AM-5 and the DR-22, as well as the highly-regarded Fanfare.  I could’ve gone any direction but was leaning towards the DR-22; however, I was drawn to the Marantz’s look with the built-in oscilloscope and  average AM performance.   Given the market for the 2130, I think I paid a fair price for it and comes with a warranty.  Although it was a flagship component in its day and apparently is quite collectable, the McKay Dymeck and Fanfare tuners offer superior AM performance and are priced much less.  

I expect to get it next week and have nowhere to put it, but at least I can update my virtual system which is now complete until I can find more money.

Thanks for all the suggestions. 

I know this is the analog section but why not use a digital tuner for AM?  The Fidelity isn’t going to be great no matter what you do because of the source

@mahler123 wrote "I know this is the analog section but why not use a digital tuner for AM?  The Fidelity isn’t going to be great no matter what you do because of the source."

If you’re asking why I didn’t select a tuner with as digital display in favor of an analog display, then first, I would ask you Why would you not want an analog display?

Second, Fidelity, is not the sole reason for my selection.  If it was, I'd've selected one of the other tuners that I considered that offer better AM performance.  According to what I’ve read, the Marantz 2130 was the manufacturer’s "flagship tuner in it’s day and it continues to be a strong performer with exceptional multipath handling."  So, it satisfies my fidelity requirement for AM radio.   

Third, then, (my real reason) is that there’s the absolute cool factor with its built-in oscilioscope providing for exceptional multipath handling plus the tactile experience that comes when using the tuning dial. . . and, for me, there’s a sense of nostalgia that comes with owning equipment like this (which is why I believe it’s one of the most collectible solid-state tuners ever made and significantly rarer that most Marantz models.)  

I remember when digital displays were introduced during the 70s.  We all thought it was so cool and futuristic.  Today, digital displays are just numbers without the flair and styling that comes with the classic look.  (This also explains why I bought a turntable, reel-to-reel deck, and even a tuner in a time when all that content--and more--can be heard on a streamer. 

We’re more than ones and zeros and I want more than a digital experience.  

 

 

I've found that AM radio can sound remarkably good with the older tubed tuners.  I have a Fisher Model Eighty AM/FM tuner/preamp in my workshop system connected to a homebrew SET 6B4 amplifier driving a single Klipsch Heresy speaker.  There is not much music on AM anymore but it makes ballgames more fun to listen to.  FM sounds good as well through this system. 

AM radio was the primary music medium for the first half of the twentieth century.  Effort was made to make AM radio sound as good as possible.  Audiophile revered tubes such as the 76, 45, and 2A3 were developed for console AM radios, the "hi-fis" of their time.