I've got FM covered. What about AM?

@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.  

“Fidelity is not the sole reason for my selection “

ok

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.

I have to ask. AM radios used to play typically pop with a very large proportion of commercials and nonsense talk... is that still true? I remember converting over to FM in ~1969.

@pdspiegel That's exactly the information that I uncovered while researching AM tuners.  I'd actually narrowed my search to what're considered to be some some finest ever:   the McKay Dymeck AM-5 and DR-22; however, I settled on the the Marantz 2130 based upon it's stunning appearance and overall market desirability.

My sole reason for wanting an AM tuner is to listen to talk radio while in the house.  To the extent that it delivers a clear AM signal, I'm made the choice that offers fidelity, aesthetics, and cool factor.